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

the Minwanabi and Anasati at bay was the problem at hand. Vengeance was a useless dream unless she
could secure her family's survival.

Deep in thought, Mara did not hear Nacoya call softly from the doorway. 'Mistress?' the nurse
repeated.

Mara glanced up, startled, and motioned the old nurse inside. She waited, preoccupied and aloof,
while the old woman bowed, then knelt before her.

'Lady, I have thought upon our talk this afternoon, and I beg your tolerance as I advise.'

Mara's eyes narrowed. She had no desire to resume their earlier discussion of marriage, but the
lingering ache of the assassin's bruises reminded her of the need for prudence. She laid her scrolls aside
and gestured for Nacoya to continue. 'As Ruling Lady of the Acoma, your status would not change with
marriage. A husband might sit at your right hand, but he would have no voice in house matters, save that
which you permit. He - '

Mara waved her hand. 'These things I know.'

The old nurse settled more comfortably upon the mat before her mistress. 'Your forgiveness, Lady.
When I spoke earlier, I had forgotten that to a maiden of Lashima the concerns of the world beyond the
temple walls would fade from mind. Matters between boys and girls, the meetings with the sons of noble
houses, the kissing and the touching games - these things were denied you the past year and more. The
thought of men . . .' Unnerved by the growing intensity of Mara's stillness, Nacoya faltered, but forcibly
finished. 'Forgive an old woman's rambling. You were a maiden - and still are.'

The statement caused Mara to blush. During her time at the temple, she had been instructed to put
things of the flesh aside. Nacoya's concern that the girl might be unable to deal with this question was
unfounded, for within Mara the struggle to forget had been difficult. She had often caught herself
daydreaming of boys she had known during childhood.

Mara rubbed nervously at the bandage that covered her injured palm. 'Mother of my heart, I am still a
maiden. But I understand what is between a man and a woman.' Abruptly, as if piqued, she formed a
circle with thumb and forefinger of her left hand and inserted her right forefinger with a thrusting motion.
Herdsmen, farmers, and soldiers used such a mime to indicate fornication. While not obscene - sex was
an unselfconscious fact of Tsurani life - her gesture was common and ill became the Lady of a great
house.

Too wise to rise to such provocation, Nacoya said, 'Mistress, I know you played with your brother
among soldiers and herdsmen. I know you have seen the bulls mount the cows. And more.' Given the
close proximity of Tsurani living, many times over the years Mara and her brother had been within
earshot of passion, or occasionally had blundered upon an encounter between slaves or servants.

She shrugged, as if the matter were of little account.
 'Child, you understand what passes between men and women, here.' The nurse raised a forefinger to
her own head. Then she pointed to her heart. 'But you do not understand here,' and she pointed toward
her groin, 'or here. I may be old, but I remember.

'Mara-anni, a Ruling Lady is also a warrior. You must master your body. Pain must be conquered.'
The nurse grew reflective with remembrance. 'And at times passion is more pain than any sword wound.'