"Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurts - empire 3 mistress of the empire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

be worn by a member of the Hamoi Tong, a brotherhood
of assassins.

Hokanu stood slowly. It did not matter that the soldiers
had dispatched the killer: the assassin would have died
gladly before divulging information. The tong operated to
a strict code of secrecy, and it was certain the murderer
would not know who had paid his leader for this attack.
And the only name that mattered was that of the man who
had hired the Hamoi Brotherhood's services.

In a cold corner of his mind, Hokanu understood that
this attempt upon Mara's life had not come cheaply. This
man could not have hoped to survive his mission, and a
suicide killing would be worth a fortune in metal.

'Search the corpse, and track his path through the estates,'
he heard himself saying in a voice hardened by the emotions
that seethed inside. 'See if you can find any clues as to who
might have hired the tong.'

The Acoma Strike Leader in command bowed to the
master, and issued sharp orders to his men.

'Leave a guard over the boy's body,' Hokanu added.
He bent to comfort Mara, unsurprised that she was still
speechless, fighting horror and disbelief. Her husband did
not fault her for being unable to keep composure and show
proper Tsurani impassivity. Ayaki had been all the family
she had known for many years; she had no other blood
kindred. Her life before his birth had already been jarred
by too much loss and death. He cradled her small, shivering
body against his own, and added the necessary instructions

concerning the boy.

But when the arrangements were complete and Hokanu
tenderly tried to draw Mara away, she fought him. 'No!'

18 Mistress of the Empire

she said in strangled pain. 'I will not leave him here
alone!'

'My Lady, Ayaki is beyond our help. He already stands
in the Red God's halls. Despite his years, he met death
courageously. He will be welcomed.' He stroked her dark
hair, dampened with tears, and tried to calm her. 'You
would do better inside with loved ones around you, and
Justin in the care of his nurses.'