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

fallen enemies? The Minwanabi who had once walked
these halls had sworn blood feud against the Acoma.
Eschewing tradition, Mara had not buried their natami,
the talisman stone that secured the spirits of the dead
to life's Wheel as long as it stood in sunlight. Could the
lingering shades of vanquished enemies visit ill luck on her
and her children?

Afraid for young Justin's safety, and inwardly reprimanding
himself for giving credence to superstitions, Hokanu
focused upon Mara. Where death and loss had always
hardened her to courage and action, now she seemed
utterly devastated. She saw the boy's corpse into the great
hall, her steps like those of a mannequin animated by a
magician's spell, She sat motionless at the bier side while
servants and maids bathed her child's torn flesh, and robed

Tragedy

21

him in the silks and jewels that were his heritage as heir of
a great house. Hokanu hovered nearby, aching with a sense
of his own uselessness. He had food brought, but his lady
would not eat. He asked for a healer to make up a soporific,
expecting, even hoping, to provoke an angry response.

Mara dully shook her head and pushed the cup away.

The shadows on the floor lengthened as the sun crossed
the sky, and the windows in the ceiling admitted steepening
angles of light. When the scribe sent by Jican tapped
discreetly on the main door a third time, Hokanu at last
took charge and told the man to seek out Saric or Incomo, to
make up the list of noble houses who should be informed of
the tragedy. Plainly Mara was not up to making the decision
herself. Her only movement, for hours, had been to take the
cold, stiff fingers of her son in her own.

Lujan arrived near dusk, his sandals dusty, and more
weariness in his eyes than he had ever shown on campaign.
He bowed to his mistress and her consort and awaited
permission to speak.

Mara's eyes remained dully fixed on her son.

Hokanu reached out and touched her rigid shoulder. 'My
love, your Force Commander has news.'

The Lady of the Acoma stirred, as if roused from across