"Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon - Valdemar - Darians Tale 03 - Owlknight" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lackey Mercedes)

their neglect by sending us a Herald, or even a Herald-Mage.?

?And if he is expecting to be stationed in the Vale. . . .? Starfall ruminated
on that for a bit. ?If Darian is his equal, then it is clear that he is in the
Vale as our guest, and not as anyone who has any real authority over us.?

Breon looked satisfied, but said nothing. He didn?t have to. So far as he is
concerned, the Joint Council is the only body with any right to make decisions
around here, Darian reflected. He doesn?t intend to give up the tiniest speck of
his authority and autonomy to Haven bureaucrats, and he figures Starfall and
Vordon feel the same way.

He was probably right - definitely right, so far as Starfall was concerned.
Vordon would side with what benefited his clan.

And as far as I?m concerned, that is right too. Darian understood completely
what Lord Breon meant, when he?d spoken of the neglect that this part of the
country had suffered. Granted, there had been an excuse for it - the war with
Hardorn had drained Valdemar of every able-bodied fighter, putting them out on
the front lines - but excuses didn?t make things right, and one Herald-in-residence
wasn?t going to make up for it.

?Then I would very much like to accept the offer, Lord Breon,? he replied firmly.
Breon smiled broadly.

?Hah!? the Shaman said, getting their attention. ?If you make this Knight-business,
we will make Darian-of-the-Owl a Clan-brother! Yes, and at the same celebration!?

?An excellent idea!? Snowfire said with enthusiasm. ?A very good idea! Let
Herald Anda be on the right footing with all of us from the moment he arrives!?

Now Darian was more than surprised, he was stunned. ?But - ? he began. Isn?t
this an awful lot of commitments to make? Can I honestly honor them all?

Snowfire chuckled, and made a gesture that was supposed to be reassuring. ?It?s
all right, Darian; Clan-brother is the equivalent of Wingbrother. The ceremony
is a bit different, but you?ll enjoy it.?

Darian gulped down his protests. If Snowfire, who had spent more time with the
Ghost Cat Shaman than all of the rest of them combined, said it was all right,
then he would have to take his word for it.

:While we are at it, perhaps my herd ought to hold the rite that makes him the
king stag?s prime doe,: Tyrsell said into their minds, his tone as dry as old
papers. :Then again - perhaps he wouldn?t enjoy that particular ceremony.:

Darian blushed a furious scarlet. Lord Breon, Val, Barda, and Harrod, who had no
idea what Tyrsell meant, looked blank. But the Tayledras and the Ghost Cat
representatives, who had an altogether too healthy taste for the bawdy, laughed
themselves into exhaustion. Even Kel howled with laughter.