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

 He did not mention counterattack. As guardedly subtle as Nacoya was not, his silence on the subject
informed Mara that an open show of force might precipitate disaster. Acoma warriors were too few,
even to drive out an enclave of needra thieves. How far the Acoma have fallen, Mara thought; but she
gave the formal gesture of acquiescence. Keyoke hastened to command his soldiers. The litter bearers
straightened in readiness, anxious for a swift return to the dinners they had left cooling on the tables at
quarters; but the Lady was not ready to depart. While she knew Nacoya would have scolded her for
lingering where her presence was not required, the urgent need for new fighting men seemed the root of
immediate threat. Still resisting the idea of marriage as the only solution, she waved Keyoke back to her
side.

He bowed, his face shadowed in twilight. 'Night comes, mistress. If you wish counsel, let me walk as
your escort, for your safety might be in jeopardy after dark.'

Warmed by the same qualities Lord Sezu had prized in his Force Commander, Mara smiled. She
permitted the old warrior to settle her into the litter, then addressed the problem at hand. 'Have you
begun recruiting more warriors?'

Keyoke ordered the litter bearers forward, then matched his pace with theirs. 'My Lady, two of the
men have contacted cousins in distant cities, asking for younger sons to be sent to your service. In a
week or two, I will permit one or two more to do the same. Much more than that and every barracks
from Ambolina to Dustari will know the Acoma lack strength.'

Lights bloomed in the shadows as the workers at the fence lit lanterns to continue their labour. As the
Lady's litter turned towards the estate house, one man, then another, then more began tentatively to sing.
Mindful that their secuirty relied upon her judgement, Mara said, 'Should we buy contracts?'

Keyoke halted. 'Mercenaries? Common caravan guards?' In a stride he closed the distance the
bearers had opened. 'Impossible. They wouldn't be dependable. Men who have no blood vows to the
Acoma natami would be worse than useless. They owe you no honour. Against the enemies of your
father, you need warriors who will obey without hesitation, even die at your order. Show me a man who
will die for pay, and I'll swear to service. No, Lady, a house hires mercenaries only for simple tasks, like
guarding warehouses, or patrolling against common thieves. And that is done only to free warriors for
more honourable duty.'

'Then we need mercenaries,' Mara said. 'If only to keep grey warriors from growing fat on our
needra.'

Keyoke unhooked his helm, fingering the plumes in the growing dark. 'My Lady, in better times, yes.
But not now. Half the men you hired would likely be spies. Though I am loath to yield honour to
masterless men, we must wait, and replenish our ranks slowly.'

'And die.' Unreconciled to the fact that Nacoya's suggestion of marriage seemed more and more
inevitable, Mara set her teeth in bitterness.

Startled by her mood, one he had never known in the girl before, Keyoke stopped the litter bearers.
'My Lady?'

'How long before my Lord of the Minwanabi learns of the extent of the damage done us by his
treachery?' Mara lifted her head, her face a pale oval between the white fall of the curtains. 'Sooner or
later one of his spies will discover the heart of our house is weak, my own estates stripped of all but a