"Kate Elliott - Jaran 4 - The Law of Becoming" - читать интересную книгу автора (Elliott Kate)

"I'd better go see what's happened to those girls," said Ilya, choosing evasive action.

But an instant later, two riders came pounding back to meet them. A flushed Natalia, flanked by an
even redder Sofia, pulled up before them.

"Lara's broken her arm!" Natalia announced in a satisfied voice. "She tried to jump old Flatrump
over the hide that Grandfather Niko has staked out, and he balked and threw her. Serves her right."

"How charitable of you, Talia," said Tess. "I did not, of course, see you following after her at the
same ungodly pace."

"I didn't try to jump!" protested Natalia. "Mother! I'm not stupid." She patted her bay on the
neck. "She's too stiff to jump."

"Who balked?" asked Ilya. "Niko?"

Natalia giggled. "No. But he's scolding her right now."

"And setting her arm at the same time, I hope." Tess sighed. "Talia, let me tell her mother. Please."

Natalia bit down so hard on a grin that her cheeks puckered in. Even Sofia, a preternaturally
solemn child, smiled. "It's too late. Her father saw it all."

"What did he say?" asked Tess, dreading the worst. Sofia giggled and clapped a hand over her
mouth. Natalia preened for a moment, well aware that she held important information like a great
treasure. She had her father's black hair and dark coloring, and spirited eyes. She wasn't really wild,
but it terrified Tess that she didn't seem scared of anything. "He said that he'll have to get her a real
horse, one that won't balk."

"Gods," muttered Tess.

"Father ..." began Natalia coaxingly.

"No," said Ilya.

"But—"

"No. When you are ready, not before."

Natalia, thank goodness, did not pout. "Oh, all right," she said, all reasonableness now. "Lara made
a fool of herself, anyway."

"A practical attitude," mumbled Tess. The two girls rode off to spread the news, looking gleeful.
"It's true that you spoil your children," Tess commented, "but unlike Feodor Grekov, at least you
know where to draw the line."

"Your flattery is boundless, my wife."

"You and Kriye are very alike, you know. You both demand a certain amount of praise. Otherwise