"Raymond E. Feist - Empire Saga 1 - Daughter Of The Empire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

the girl said, 'I have made some grave errors, Nacoya.'

The nurse returned a curt nod. 'Yes, child. Had you granted time for preparation, the gardener would
have inspected the grove immediately before you entered. He might have discovered the assassin, or
been killed, but his disappearance would have alerted Keyoke, who could have had warriors surround
the glade. The assassin would have been forced to come out or starve to death. Had the Hamoi murderer
fled the gardener's approach and been lurking outside, your soldiers would have found his hiding place.'
The nurse's hands tightened in her lap, and her tone turned harsh. 'Indeed, your enemy expected you to
make mistakes . . . as you did.'

Mara accepted the reproof, her eyes following the lazy curls of steam that rose from her cup of
chocha. 'But the one who sent the killer erred as much as I.'

'True.' Nacoya squinted, forcing farsighted vision to focus more clearly upon her mistress. 'He chose
to deal the Acoma a triple dishonour by killing you in your family's sacred grove, and not honourably with
the blade, but by strangulation, as if you were a criminal or slave to die in shame!'

Mara said, 'But as a woman - '

'You are Ruling Lady,' snapped Nacoya. Lacquered bracelets clashed as she thumped fists on her
knee in a timeworn gesture of disapproval. 'From the moment you assumed supremacy in this house,
child, you became as a man, with every right and privilege of rulership. You wield the powers your father
did as Lord of the Acoma. And for this reason, your death by the strangler's cord would have visited as
much shame on your family as if your father or brother had died in such fashion.'

Mara bit her lip, nodded, and dared another sip of her chocha. 'The third shame?'

'The Hamoi dog certainly intended to steal the Acoma natami, forever ending your family's name.
Without clan or honour, your soldiers would have become grey warriors, outcasts living in the wilds. All
of your servants would have finished their lives as slaves.' Nacoya ended in bitterness. 'Our Lord of the
Minwanabi is arrogant.'

Mara placed her chocha cup neatly in the centre of the table. 'So you think Jingu responsible?'
 'The man is drunk with his own power. He stands second only to the Warlord in the High Council
now. Should fate remove Almecho from his throne of white and gold, a Minwanabi successor would
assuredly follow. The only other enemy of your father's who would wish your ruin is the Lord of the
Anasati. But he is far too clever to attempt such a shameful assault - so badly done. Had he sent the
Hamoi murderer, his instructions would have been simple: your death by any means. A poison dart would
have struck from hiding, or a quick blade between the ribs, then quickly away to carry word of your
certain death.'

Nacoya nodded with finality, as if discussion had confirmed her convictions. 'No, our Lord of the
Minwanabi may be the most powerful man in the High Council, but he is like an enraged harulth,
smashing down trees to trample a gazen.' She raised spread fingers, framing the size of the timid little
animal she had named. 'He inherited his position from a powerful father, and he has strong allies. The
Lord of the Minwanabi is cunning, not intelligent.

'The Lord of the Anasati is both cunning and intelligent, one to be feared.' Nacoya made a weaving
motion with her hand. 'He slithers like the relli in the swamp, silent, stealthy, and he strikes without
warning. This murder was marked as if the Minwanabi lord had handed the assassin a warrant for your