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

death with his own family chop affixed to the bottom.' Nacoya's eyes narrowed in thought. 'That he
knows you're back this quickly speaks well of his spies. We assumed he would not find out you were
Ruling Lady for a few more days. For the Hamoi to have been sent so soon shows he knew you had not
taken your vows from the instant Keyoke led you from the temple.' She shook her head in self-reproach.
'We should have assumed as much.'

Mara considered Nacoya's counsel, while her cup of chocha cooled slowly on the table. Aware of
her new responsibilities as never before, she accepted that unpleasant subjects could no longer be put
off. Though dark hair curled girlishly around her cheeks, and the robe with its ornate collar seemed too
big for her, she straightened with the resolve of a ruler. 'I may seem like a gazen to the Lord of the
Minwanabi, but now he has taught this eater of flowers to grow teeth for meat. Send for Keyoke and
Papewaio.'

Her command roused the runner, a small, sandal-clad slave boy chosen for his fleetness; he sprang
from his post by her doorway to carry word. The warriors arrived with little delay; both had anticipated
her summons. Keyoke wore his ceremonial helm, the feather plumes denoting his office brushing the lintel
of the doorway as he entered. Bare-headed, but nearly as tall, Papewaio followed his commander inside.
He moved with the same grace and strength that had enabled him to strike down a killer only hours
before; his manner betrayed not a single hint of concern over his unresolved fate. Struck by his proud
carriage, and his more than usually impassive face, Mara felt the judgment she must complete was
suddenly beyond her resources.

Her distress was in no way evident as the warriors knelt formally before her table. The green plumes
of Keyoke's helm trembled in the air, close enough for Mara to touch. She repressed a shiver and
gestured for the men to sit. Her maidservant offered hot chocha from the pot, but only Keyoke accepted.
Papewaio shook his head once, as though he trusted his bearing better than his voice.

Mara said, 'I have erred. I will seek to avoid such error again - ' She paused sharply, frowned, and
made a nervous gesture that the sisters of Lashima had striven to eliminate. 'No,' said Mara, 'I must do
better than that, for at the temple I learned that my impatience sometimes undoes my judgement.
Keyoke, between us there must be a hand signal, to be used in times when my life, or the Acoma
existence, may be threatened in ways I may not understand. Then perhaps the folly of this day's events
may never be repeated.'
 Keyoke nodded, his scarred face impassive, but his manner suggesting approval. After a moment of
thought, he ran the knuckle of his index finger along an old scar that creased his jaw. 'Lady, would you
recognize this gesture as such a warning, even in a crowded or public place?'

Mara nearly smiled. Keyoke had chosen a nervous habit of Papewaio's, his only outward sign of
tension. Keyoke never fidgeted; through danger or stress, and even in battle, she supposed, her Force
Commander never lost control. If he scratched a scar in her presence, she would notice, and hopefully
take heed. 'Very good. So be it, Keyoke.'

A strained silence developed as Mara shifted her regard to the other warrior before her. 'My brave
Pape, had I not erred in one instance, I would now be dead and all our holdings and retainers left without
a mistress.' Wishing the moment of judgment could be delayed, the girl added, 'Had I but said let none
follow me to the grove . . .' Her sentence trailed off, unfinished. All knew that her command would have
been obeyed to the letter; duty would have compelled Papewaio to remain in the manor, leaving his
mistress to fate's choices.

Mara said, 'Now one of my most valued retainers must forfeit his life for loyal and honourable service