"Raymond E. Feist - Kingdom of the Isles 2 - The King's Buccaneer" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

Harry threw Nicholas a quick grin from behind the wine cup; both boys knew
that they stood half a chance of Arutha's forgetting any serious punishment if
the press of court business was heavy, as it often was.

The Prince's court was the second busiest in the Kingdom, and only by a little
after the King's. Effectively a separate realm, the West was governed from
Krondor, with only broad policy coming from King Lyam's court. In the course
of one day, Arutha might have to see two dozen important nobles, merchants,
and envoys, and read a half-dozen important documents, as well as approve
every regional decision involving the Principality.

A boy in the purple and yellow livery of a palace page entered the room and
came to the elbow of the Royal Master of Ceremony, Baron Jerome. He whispered
to the baron, who in turn came to Arutha. "Sire, two men are at the main
entrance of the palace, asking to see you."

Arutha knew that they would have to be something unusual for the guard
sergeant to pass them along to the Royal Steward, and for the steward to
disturb the Prince. "Who are they?" asked Arutha.

"They claim to be friends of Prince Borric's." Arutha's eyebrows went up
slightly. "Friends of Borric's?" He glanced at his wife, then asked, "Do they
have names?"

The Master of Ceremony said, "They gave the names Ghuda Bul£ and Nakor the
Isalani." Jerome, an officious man to whom dignity and pomp were more
essential than air and water, managed to convey a volume of disapproval as he
added, "They're Keshian, Sire."

Arutha was still trying to piece together some semblance of understanding when
Nicholas said, "Father! Those are two who helped Borric when he was captured
by slavers in Kesh! You remember him telling us about them."

Arutha blinked and recollection came to him. "Of course." He told Jerome,
"Show them in at once."

THE KING'S BUCCANEEK

19

Jerome motioned for the page to carry word to the entrance of the palace, and
Harry turned to Nicholas. "Slave traders?"

Nicholas said, "It's a long story, but my brother was an envoy to Kesh, about
nine years ago. He was captured by raiders who didn't know he was from the
royal house of the Isles. He escaped and made his way to the Empress's court
and saved her life. These are two men who helped him along the way."

Everyone was staring at the door expectantly when the page entered, followed