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

too devious a brotherhood to consent to the folly of carrying
evidence of which Lord or family might have hired it. Its
history extended back for centuries, and its policies were
cloaked in secrecy. To buy a death from it ensured absolute
discretion. The token could be a play designed to throw
blame upon the Anasati.

.

Tragedy 23

Hokanu raised concerned eyes to Lujan. 'You think Lord
Jiro was responsible for this attack?'

His query was less a question than an implied expression
of doubt. That Lujan also had reservations about the
placement of the token was evident as he drew breath
to reply.

But the name of the Anasati Lord had pierced through
Mara's lethargy. 'Jiro did this?' She spun from Ayaki's body
and saw the red-and-yellow disk in Hokanu's hand. Her
face contorted into a frightening mask of fury. 'The Anasati
shall be as dust in the wind. Their natami will be buried in
offal, and their spirits be consigned to the dark. I will show
them less mercy than I did the Minwanabi!' Her hands
clenched into fists. She stared without seeing between her
husband and her Force Commander, as though her detested
enemy could be made manifest through the force of her
hatred. 'Not even that will pay for the blood of my son.
Not even that.'
'
Lord Jiro might not be responsible,' Lujan offered, his
usually firm voice torn by grief. 'You were the target, not
Ayaki. The boy is the nephew of the Anasati Lord, after
all. The tong assassin could have been sent by any of the
Emperors enemies.' ~

But Mara seemed not to hear. 'Jiro will pay. My son will
be avenged.'

'Do you think Lord Jiro was responsible?' Hokanu
repeated to the Force Commander. That the young Anasati
heir still felt as he did, even after inheriting the mantle and
power that had been his father's, bespoke stubborn, and
childish pride. A mature mind would no longer nurse such
a grudge; but in vain arrogance, the Anasati Lord might
well wish the world to know whose hand had contracted
for Mara's downfall.