"Huff, Tanya - Wizard 1 - Child Of The Grove 1.1 Txt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Huff Tanya)

not have had to watch me die by inches. And I would
not have had to watch their pain as they watched me. "
"Raen, I'm sorry, I... "

78 Tanya Huff
"No. " The word was faint but still very much a king's command. "It is I who should be sorry. You didn't need that on top of everything else. I was feeling sorry for myself and you bore the brunt of it. " His face twisted in a skeletal caricature of a smile. "Forgive me?"
Belkar nodded, not trusting his voice, although what he thought to hide when tears ran unheeded down his face, he had no idea.
"So, " Raen's voice became as light as he was still capable of making it. "To what do I owe your presence so early in the day?"
More than anything in his life, the duke wanted to follow Raen's lead, to try to banish the darkness for just a little while, but he was desperately afraid there was no time for even that small amount of comfort. "The people talk. "
"They always have. Death, taxes, and the people talking, the three things you can count on. " Raen shifted into a different but no more comfortable position. "Sit down, Belkar, and tell me what they say. " Belkar sat, spread his hands and stared at their backs. It was easier than meeting the king's eyes. "They're speaking against the prince, saying he isn't human. "
"They always knew that; I told them who his mother was when I declared him my heir. "
"To most of them, the Lady is something to fear. The Elder Races have never been friendly to man. People fear and distrust her power and they fear and distrust her power in him. "
"He proved himself in the war. " "Yes, but the war is over. And... " Belkar sighed. "... he proved himself different. " "He won the war!"
"He used his mother's power to do it. Half of the
talkers see the danger in that alone. The other half
wonder why he waited so long to use it and ask what
game he played. "
Tendons in Raen's neck stood out as he ground his

CHILD OF THE GROVE 79
teeth. "And those titled vultures who circle about my deathbed?"
"The dukes, " Belkar reminded him gently, "have the right to see the crown passed. " Raen dipped his head a barely perceivable amount, as much of an apology as he was willing to make. Belkar continued: "They worry about his mother as well, and the effect her blood will have on the way he rules. "
"They've never worried before. "
"He's never been so close to being king before. "
Raen squinted up at his oldest friend. "They remember that soldier? The one my son killed?"
Belkar nodded.
"And what do they say about me?" The king's eyes
held a dangerous glint.
"They say you don't heal because he bewitched you as his mother did. "
"And what do you believe?"
"I, " Belkar pointed out, "have met his mother. " Once, many years before, the duke had gone with Raen to the Grove. He still held the memory of the hamadryad like a jewel in his heart. Occasionally, he held it up to the light to rejoice in its beauty.
"Then, " said the king, "you shall stand with me when I speak to the people. "
Belkar shot a startled glance at the surgeon, sure she would not allow such a thing.
Glinna shrugged.
"He is dying. Let it at least be where and how he chooses. "
Raen smiled, his first real smile in weeks. "An honest woman, Belkar. Every dying man should have one. " And then the smile slipped and his eyes looked into the future. "At least the Elite will stand by him. We've seen to that, he and I. "
"They'd follow him into the bedchamber of Lord Death, " Belkar agreed. "But would you throw your country into civil war if people decide he is not to have the crown?"
"He is my son and my heir. Five generations ago

80 Tanya Huff
my house was chosen to rule. We gave our name to the land. He was trained to rule and there is no one else. "
"If you'd only had more children... "
"He would still be eldest and my heir. "
The two men locked eyes. Belkar's gaze dropped first.
"I know. I will support him and do what I can, but the people will make up their own minds. "
"Then I'll just have to convince them. Now, " he waved the duke over to his desk, "write me a proclamation and see that the criers get it immediately. I want everyone, from the lowest beggar to all six dukes, in the People's Square by noon. " His voice grew quieter and he sank back on his pillows, exhausted. "I must ensure the succession for my son. "
And how can you do that when such little speech as you've had with me nearly kills you, Belkar wondered. But all he said aloud was: "Shall I have the prince sent to you?"
"Not now. Let him have this morning to himself. Send him at noon. "
Noon.
The people gathered in the Square.