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

awareness of hunger. She reached for a slice, frowned, then added, 'And I'm not scrawny. Our meals at
the temple were not so plain as you think.' She took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. She regarded her
indomitable nurse. 'Now, what must we do?'

Nacoya pursed her lips, a sure sign that she broached what she guessed to be a difficult subject. 'We
must move quickly to strengthen your house, Lady. Without blood family, you make a tempting target for
many. Even those with no prior cause for strife with the Acoma might look upon your holdings with an
envious and ambitious eye. Land and herds might not tempt a minor lord to move against your father, but
against a young girl with no training? "There is a hand behind every curtain,"' she quoted.

'"And a knife in every hand,'" finished Mara. She set her bread aside. 'I understand, Nacoya. I have
thought that we must send for recruits.'

Nacoya shook her head with such sharpness that her precariously pinned hair threatened to come
loose. 'That is a difficult and dangerous proposition to attempt at this time.'

'Why?' Mara had forgotten the food in her annoyance. 'I just reviewed assets with Jican. The Acoma
have more than enough wealth to suport twenty-five hundred soldiers. We even have enough to pay for
recruiting fees.'

But Nacoya had not been referring to the fact a new master must indemnify the former master for
each recruit's training. Gently she reminded, 'Too many have died, Mara-anni. The family ties that remain
are too few to matter.' Tsurani tradition required that only a relative of a soldier already serving could join
a household's garrison. As eldest sons tended to assume the same loyalties as their fathers, such recruits
were further limited to second or later sons. Bearing these facts in mind, Nacoya added, 'With the heavy
recruiting your father undertook prior to the invasion of the barbarian world, most of the able men have
already been called. Any you found now would be young and unseasoned. The Lord of the Minwanabi
will act before such as those would prove any benefit.'

'I have given that some thought.' Mara reached under the writing table before her and removed a
case, delicately carved of costly hardwoods. 'I sent to the Guild of Porters this morning. The
representative who arrives will be told to give this into the hand of the Lord of the Minwanabi, under
bond and without message.' Grim now, Mara handed the box to Nacoya.

Nacoya opened the finely crafted catch and raised an eyebrow at what rested within. A single red
cord, darkened with blood from Mara's hand, lay coiled next to a shatra feather. Closing the box as
though it contained a scarlet dhast, the most venomous of serpents, Nacoya said, 'You openly announce
blood feud with House Minwanabi.'

'I only acknowledge a feud begun ages ago!' Mara shot back, the murder of her father and brother
too near yet for temperance. 'I am only telling Jingu that another generation of Acoma stands ready to
oppose him.' Embarrassed suddenly by her emotions, the girl stared at the food tray. 'Mother of my
heart, I am inexperienced in the Game of the Council, but I remember many nights when father discussed
with Lano those things he plotted, teaching a son each move, and the reason for it. His daughter listened
as well.'

Nacoya set the box aside and nodded. Mara looked up, sweating lightly in the heat, but composed.
'Our enemy the Minwanabi will think this represents something more subtle than it does. He will seek to
parry whatever move he thinks we plot, giving us the chance to plan. All I can do now is hope to gain us
time.'