"David Gemmell - Morningstar" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

north and conquered this also. But as the years passed the Highland nobles - all now
Angostins and thus lovers of battle -decided to set their own King upon a throne in the
north. This led to civil war.

Why was it more foolish than most? Well, think of it, an army of conquered Ikenas
led by Angostins from the south, against a force of conquered Highlanders led by
Angostins from the north. The slaughter was great among Ikenas and Highlanders, while the
Angostins in their mighty armour were rarely slain. When captured, they were held for
ransom and later released after enjoying banquets in their honor served by their captors
- many of whom were distant cousins of their prisoners. Nonsense. . . .

And grisly nonsense at that.

Jarek Mace, at first a foot-soldier in the army of the south, had deserted to join
the army of the north as a cavalryman. The pay was better, he said, but the generals
worse. It was while talking about the war that I began to notice changes in his speech
patterns. When angry his voice would lose its cultured tone and he would fall into the
slang I had heard south of the border. It was thus when he spoke of the generals and the
butchery that was the Angostin War. But at other times he would sound like a minor
Angostin noble. He was a great mimic.

'Why are the Watch seeking you?' I asked him.

He chuckled. 'You remember the bearded fellow at the balcony window? I paid court
to his wife. A pretty young thing she is, full-breasted and never happier than when on
her back, legs spread.’I do not appreciate coarse language,' I told him sternly,
'especially when speaking of a lady.’I shall bear that in mind, bard. Now, where was I?
Oh, yes. I met her in the marketplace. She was looking at some Prankish jewellery. I
spoke to her and we struck up an instant friendship. One of the pleasures of life is
striking up instant friendships with women. Anyway, I walked her to her home and noted,
as a man will, that several large trees grew close to the south of the house, their
branches touching the walls at many points. The house itself

was stone built. Not exactly a palace, but there were many ornate carvings in the
stone. That evening I climbed into the house and found my way to her room. Her husband
was absent. I woke her and declared - as one must - my undying love for her, and enjoyed
a fine night.’You are in love with her?’Did I say I was?'‘That is what you told her.'He
smiled and leaned back in his chair. 'I see you are not a man of the world, bard. Have
you never slept with a woman?’That is a singularly intrusive and impertinent question,' I
told him.

'Then you have not. I see. Is it boys, then?’It is not! How dare you?’Oh, I am not
criticizing, man. I was merely trying to ascertain your knowledge of affairs of the
loins. There are rules, you see, governing all things. If you wish to bed a lady, you
must first declare your love. If you wish to bed a peasant, you must first declare your
wealth. You understand? Well, this one was a lady. So I told her I loved her.’And she
believed you?’Of course. She wanted me in her bed -I knew that from the first moment in
the marketplace.’What happened?'He sighed. 'Women play by different rules. She decided
she wanted to run away with me, to live in some distant place where we could walk naked
among the flowers, or suchlike. In short she became boring. So I left her.’And then?’It