"L. E. Modesitt - Spellsong 2 - The Spellsong War" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

"You may go, Menares. Lord Arkad has found another excuse
to delay paying his liedgeld. You might think of the possible
actions open to a disgusted regent."

The white-haired counselor rose and bowed. "As you wish,
Lady Anna."

"Have Lord Jecks come in." Anna took another mouthful of
bread and cheese, then stood.

"Lady Anna." Jecks inclined his head.

Jecks still reminded her of a young-faced and white-haired
Robert Mitchum with the smile of a Sean Connery. Despite his
white hair, and a muscular frame somewhat stockier than the
movie stars he resembled, his hazel eyes were clear and
intelligent. Although he looked older than Anna, she suspected
that in actual years, the long-widowed lord was probably even
younger than she was. Certainly, the clean-shaven Jecks
remained the most attractive man she'd met in the year she'd
been in Defalk. He was also one of the few lords respected
near-universally by both his peers and the armsmen and
workers of Defalk.

Then, part of that was the sorry state of Defalk. Jecks was
widely respected by the common people not only for his
fairness and honesty, but also for not taking his pleasure with
every comely young maid on his lands, and instead providing
them with a modest dowry. What a place, where women were
usually chattels. Careful , Anna reminded herself, it hasn't been
that long since all of earth was that way, and a lot of it still is .
"Please sit down. I need to eat. Again." After another sip of
water previously orderspelled and a mouthful of bread and
cheese, she added, "You had something to say. Please go
ahead."
Jecks eased into the chair across the table from Anna. "Lord
Birfels sent me a message."

"Yes." Anna wanted to scream. Birfels had supported her, but
he much preferred to work through Jecks-or any man. "What is
his difficulty?"

"Besides his reluctant acceptance of the present situation?" Jecks
offered a wry smile. "He noted that the return of the rains offers
the first opportunity in many years for the planting of all his
fields. He also noted that seed grain is scarce."

Anna nodded, waiting for the shoe, or boot, to fall.