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

The chant settled into a rhythm, and the tillerman began to add simple lyrics, all in tempo. 'I know an
ugly woman!' he shouted.

'Don't hit the shore!'

'Her tongue cuts like a knife!'

'Don't hit the shore!'

'Got drunk one summer's evening!'

'Don't hit the shore!'

'And took her for my wife!'

The silly song soothed Mara and she let her thoughts drift. Her father had argued long and hotly
against her taking vows. Now, when apologies were no longer possible, Mara bitterly regretted how
close she had come to open defiance; her father had relented only because his love for his only daughter
had been greater than his desire for a suitable political marriage. Their parting had been stormy. Lord
Sezu of the Acoma could be like a harulth -the giant predator most feared by herdsmen and hunters -in
full battle frenzy when facing his enemies, but he had never been able to deny his daughter, no matter how
unreasonable her demands. While never as comfortable with her as he had been with her brother, still he
had indulged her all her life, and only her nurse, Nacoya, had taken firm rein over her childhood.

Mara closed her eyes. The barge afforded a small measure of security, and she could now hide in the
dark shelter of sleep; those outside the curtains of this tiny pavilion would only think her fleeing the
boredom of a lengthy river journey. But rest proved elusive as memories returned of the brother she had
loved like the breath in her lungs, Lanokota of the flashing dark eyes and ready smile for his adoring little
sister. Lano who ran faster than the warriors in his father's house, and who won in the summer games at
Sulan-Qu three years in a row, a feat unmatched since. Lano always had time for Mara, even showing
her how to wrestle - bringing down her nurse Nacoya's wrath for involving a girl in such an unladylike
pastime. And always Lano had a stupid joke - usually dirty - to tell his little sister to make her laugh and
blush. Had she not chosen the contemplative life, Mara knew any suitor would have been measured
against her brother . . . Lano, whose merry laughter would no more echo through the night as they sat in
the hall sharing supper. Even their father, stern in all ways, would smile, unable to resist his son's
infectious humour. While Mara had respected and admired her father, she had loved her brother, and
now grief came sweeping over her.

Mara forced her emotions back. This was not the place; she must not mourn until later. Turning to the
practical, she said to Keyoke, 'Were my father's and brother's bodies recovered?'

With a bitter note, Keyoke said, 'No, my Lady, they were not.'

Mara bit her lip. There would be no ashes to inter in the sacred grove. Instead she must choose a relic
of her father's and brother's, one favourite possession of each, to bury beside the sacred natami - the
rock that contained the Acoma family's soul - that their spirits could find their way back to Acoma
ground, to find peace beside their ancestors until the Wheel of Life turned anew. Mara closed her eyes
again, half from emotional fatigue, half to deny tears. Memories jarred her to consciousness as she
unsuccessfully tried to rest. Then, after some hours, the rocking of the barge, the singing of the tillerman,
and the answering chant of the slaves became familiar. Her mind and body fell into an answering rhythm