"Feist, Raymond E & Wurts, Janny - The Empire Trilogy 03 - Mistress of the Empire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

the two of them leaned out to view the antics of Mara's
older son and heir.

A coal black horse burst through the gap in the trffl,
mane and tail flying in the wind. Green tassels adorned its
bridle, and a pearl-stitched breastplate kept the saddle from
sliding backward along its lean length of barrel. Crouched
in the lacquer-worked stirrups was a boy, recently turned
twelve, and as raven haired as his mount. He reined the
gelding into a turn and charged toward Mara's litter, his
face flushed with the thrill of speed, and his fine, sequin
stitched robe flying like a banner behind.

'He's becoming quite the bold rider,' Hokanu said admiringly. '
And the birthday present appears to please him.'

Mara watched, a glow of pleasure on her face, as the boy
reined in the mount upon the path. Ayaki was her joy, the

person she loved most in life.
The black gelding tossed its head in protest. It was
spirited, and eager to run. Still not entirely comfortable
with the huge animals imported from the barbarian world,
Mara held her breath in apprehension. Ayaki had inherited a
wild streak from his father, and in the years since his narrow
escape from an assassin's knife, a restless mood sometimes
claimed him. At times he seemed to taunt death, as if by
defying danger he could reaffirm the life in his veins.

But today was not such a moment, and the gelding had
been selected for obedience as well as fleetness. It snorted
a gusty breath of air and yielded to the rein, falling into
stride alongside Mara's litter bearers, who overcame their
inclination to move away from the large animal.

The Lady looked up as boy and horse filled her vision.
Ayaki would be tall, the legacy of both his grandfathers.
He had inherited the Acoma tendency toward leanness, and
all of his father's stubborn courage. Although Hokanu was
not his blood father, the two shared friendship and respect.
Ayaki was a boy any parent could be proud of, and he was
already showing the wits he would need when he reached
adulthood and entered the Game of the Council as Lord
of the Acoma in his own right.

'Young show-off,' Hokanu teased. 'Our bearers might
be the only ones in the Empire to be granted the privilege
of sandals, but if you think we should race you to the
meadows, we'll certainly have to refuse.'