"04.Prince of the Blood" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

Homecoming 17

leather strap in his hand, no matter your size or age.
You've acted like children, once again, and should be
treated like children."

His voice rose as he walked back before them, "I sent
orders for you two to come home at once! But do you
obey? No! Instead of coming straight away to the palace,
you vanish into the Poor Quarter. Two days later, Baron
James finds you brawling in a tavern." He paused, then
in a near shout, he exclaimed, "You could have been
killed!"

Borric began to quip, "Only if that parry—"

"Enough!" cried Arutha, his temper frayed beyond
his ability to control it. He gripped Borric's tunic and
pulled his son forward, off-balance. "You will not end
this with a joke and smile! You have defied me for the
last time." He punctuated this with a shove that sent
Borric half-stumbling into his brother. Arutha's manner
showed he had no patience for the flippancies from his
son he usually ignored. "I didn't call you back because
the court missed your peculiar sort of chaos. I think that
another year or two on the border might have settled
you down a bit, but I have no alternative. You have
princely duties and you are needed now!"

Borric and Eriand exchanged glances. Arutha's
moods were old business to them, and they had en-
dured his anger—which was usually justified—before,
but this time something serious was occurring. Borric
said, "We're sorry, Father. We didn't realize it was a
matter of duty that called us home."

"Because you are not expected to realize anything,
you are expected to obey!" shot back their father. Obvi-
ously out of patience with the entire exchange, he said,
"I am done with you for now. I must compose myself for
the business of dealing in private with the Keshian Am-
bassador this afternoon. Baron James will continue this
conversation on my behalf!" At the door, he paused,
and said to James, "Whatever you need do, do! But I
want these miscreants impressed with the gravity of
things when I speak to them this afternoon." He closed
the door without waiting for a response.

James and Locklear moved to either side of the young