"Eddings, David - Tamuli 03 - The Hidden City" - читать интересную книгу автора (Eddings David)

There was a polite spattering of applause, and old professor
Gintana, flustered and confused by this acknowledgement of
his existence, bowed awkwardly, clutched his notes in both
hands, and tottered back to his seat. Then the Dean of the College
of Political Science rose to announce the evening's main
event. 'Colleagues,' he began, 'before Professor Itagne favors us
with his remarks, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce
some visitors of note. I'm sure you will all join with me in
welcoming Patriarch Emban, First Secretary of the Church of
Chyrellos, Sir Bevier, the Cyrinic Knight from Arcium and Sir
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Eddings, David - Tamuli 3 - The Hidden City.txt
Ulath of the Genidian Order located in Thalesia.'
There was more polite applause as Itagne hurried across the
platform to greet his Elene friends. 'Thank God you're here,' he
said fervently. 'The whole Contemporary History Department's
turned out - except for the few who are probably outside boiling
the tar and bringing up bags of feathers.'
'You didn't think your brother was going to hang You out to
dry, did you, Itagne?' Emban smiled. 'He thought you might
get lonesome here, so he sent us to keep you company.'
Itagne felt better as he returned to his seat. If nothing else,
Bevier and Ulath could head off any physical attacks.
'And now, colleagues and distinguished guests,' the Dean
continued, 'Professor Itagne of the Foreign Affairs Department
will respond to a recent paper published by the Department of
Contemporary History under the title, "The Cyrga Affair: An
Examination of the Recent Crisis". Professor Itagne.'
Itagne rose, strode purposefully to the lectern and assumed
his most offensively civilized expression. 'Dean Aldus, distinguished
colleagues, faculty wives, honored guests -' He
paused. 'Did I leave anybody out?'
There was a titter of nervous laughter. Tension was high in
the hall. 'i'm particularly pleased to see so many of our colleagues
from Contemporary History here with us this evening,'
Itagne continued, throwing the first punch.
'Since we're going To be discussing
something near and dear to their hearts, it's much better
that they're present to hear what I say with their own ears rather
than being forced to rely on garbled second-hand accounts.' He
smiled benignly down at the scowling hacks in the front row.
'Can you hear me, gentlemen?' he asked. 'Am I going too fast
for any of you?'
'This is outrageous!' a portly, sweating professor protested
loudly.
'it's going to get worse, Quinsal,' Itagne told him. 'if the truth
bothers you, you'd better leave now.' He looked out over the
assemblage. 'it's been said that the quest for truth is the noblest
occupation of man, but there be dragons lurking in the dark
forests of ignorance. And the names of these dragons are