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

threat, and the unseen presence of enemies, the Lady of the Acoma bent her head, while tears soaked
the bandage on her hand, stinging the scabs underneath.

A bell chimed faintly. Mara recognized the signal for the slaves to gather at their quarters for the
evening meal. The workers who attended the akasi gardens rose and set aside their tools, while behind
thin paper screens their mistress pushed aside her scrolls. She daubed at tear-swollen eyes, and softly
called for servants to open the study and let in the outdoor air.

She rose then, feeling empty and wrung out; but the firm set had returned to her mouth. Thoughtfully
biting her lip, the girl rested against the polished frame of the screen. Another solution besides marriage
must exist. She pondered, but saw no answer, while the sun lowered, heavy and gold, in the western sky.
Heat haze hung over the distant fields, and overhead the green-blue bowl of the sky was empty of birds.
Akasi leaves pruned by the workers wilted upon the white stone walk, adding fragrance to the sleepy
silence around the estate house. Mara yawned, worn out from grief and worry.

Suddenly she heart shouts. Shocked alert, she straightened. Running figures sped along the road
towards the guards' barracks. Aware such disturbance must bode bad tidings, the girl turned from the
screen, just as a serving girl rushed into the study.

A warrior strode at her heels, dusty, sweating, and breathing hard from what amounted to a long run
in battle armour. He bowed his head in respect. 'Mistress, by your leave.'

Mara felt a knot of cold tighten her stomach. Already it begins, she thought to herself. Yet her
tearstained face showed poise as she said, 'Speak.'

The soldier slapped his fist over his heart in salute. 'Mistress, the Force Commander sends word:
outlaws have raided the herd.'

'Send for my litter. Quickly!'

'Your will, mistress.' The maidservant who had preceded the soldier ducked through the doorway at a
run.

To the warrior, Mara said, 'Assemble an escort.'

The man bowed and departed. Mara unwrapped the light, short robe Tsurani noblewomen preferred
to wear in the privacy of their homes. She tossed the garment into the waiting hands of one attendant,
while another rushed forward with a travelling robe, longer and more modest in cut. Adding a light scarf
to hide the unhealed marks on her neck, Mara stepped outside.

Her litter bearers waited silently, stripped to loincloths and sweating in the heat. Four warriors waited
with them, hastily fastening helmets and adjusting weapons at their belts. The soldier sent to inform Mara
deferentially offered his hand and aided his mistress into the cushioned seat. Then he signalled bearers
and escort. The litter swayed and jolted forward as the bearers complied with the need for haste and
hurried towards the outer pastures.

The journey ended far sooner than Mara expected, miles inside the borders of the estate. This was a
discouraging sign, since bandits would never dare to raid the inner fields if the patrols had been up to
strength. With a motion made brisk by outrage, the girl whisked aside gauze curtains. 'What has passed
here?'