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

'My Lady, I mean no disrespect to any of your lofty class, but I have known many powerful lords to
dislike the details of business. Yet at the same time they refuse their hadonras and factors the authority to
act independently. Therefore we have traded with large houses and avoided the merchants of the city
whenever we might. This has left us large profits more often than not.'

The hadonra paused, hands spread diffidently before him. Then, encouraged by the fact that Mara did
not interrupt, he went on. 'And the breeders . . . they are a mystery. Again I mean no disrespect, but the
lords of the north seem especially shortsighted concerning choice of breeding bulls.' More at ease, the
little man shrugged in perplexity. 'A bull that is ill-tempered and difficult to manage, but that is heavily
muscled and paws the ground in fierce display, or with a large' - he lowered his eyes in embarrassment -
'ah, male member sells better than a fat one that will breed good meat animals, or a docile one that begets
solid draught stock. So animals a cannier man might have castrated or slaughtered bring prime prices,
while the best remain here, and people wonder at the quality of our herds. They say "How can the
Acoma meat taste so good, when they keep such weak bulls?" I do not understand such thinking.'

Mara smiled slightly, the first relaxed expression she had shown since leaving the temple. 'Those noble
lords seek animals that reflect upon their own virility. I have no such need. And as I have no desire to be
mistaken for any of my breeding stock, you may continue to select which cows and bulls to sell without
regard for how their traits match up to mine.' Jican's eyes opened wide for an instant before he realized
the girl was making a joke. He laughed slightly with her. Mara added, 'You have done well.'

The man smiled his thanks, as if a great weight had been lifted from him. Plainly he enjoyed the
responsibilities of his new office and had feared his new mistress might remove him. He was doubly
pleased to discover not only that he would continue as hadonra, but that Lady Mara recognized his
worth.

But Mara had inherited her father's instinct for governance, even if it was only just beginning to
emerge, and knew she had a competent, perhaps even gifted, estate manager beside her. 'Your diligence
in business brings honour to the Acoma as much as our soldiers' bravery,' she finished. 'You may leave
now, and attend your duties.'

The hadonra bowed from a kneeling position until his forehead touched the foor, an obeisance more
abject than required from a man in his position. 'I bask in the sunlight of my mistress's praise.'

Jican rose and departed as a house servant came forward to gather the scrolls from the floor. Nacoya
hurried through the doorway as the hadonra passed by. More servants followed at her heels with trays of
refreshments, and with a sigh, Mara wished her overly abundant domestic staff could be transformed into
soldiers.
 Nacoya bowed, then sat before Mara had a chance to grant her leave. Over the soft clink of the
serving ware and the bustle of servants setting down trays, she said, 'Does my Lady think she should
work all morning and take no meals?' Her old, dark eyes turned critical. 'You've lost weight since you left
for the temple. Some men might think you scrawny.'

Still preoccupied with her discussion with Jican, Mara spoke as though she had not heard. 'I have
undertaken to learn of my estates and properties. You chose with care in selecting this Jican, Nacoya.
Though I remember Sotamu with affection, this man seems a master of commerce.'

Nacoya's manner softened. 'I presumed much, mistress, but decisiveness was necessary at the time."

'You did well.' Mara regarded the array of food, the odour of fresh thyza bread wakening her