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

"The only source of such seed grain is the Ranuan factors in
Sudwei or Ranwa, and they are hesitant to extend credit to
Defalkan lords, especially when the Regency itself has not
completed repaying those funds borrowed by the former lord."

"And I suppose Lord Birfels lacks sufficient golds to purchase
the seed outright?"

"He did not write of that, but, as you know, the past years have
been hard. Were I in his situation, even I would be pressed..."

"Except you're more prudent than most and saved the
necessary seed grain?" asked Anna, glancing toward the closed
door to the receiving room.

"It was not easy, but Herstat and Dythya also insisted." Jecks
grinned. "Herstat has been my saalmeister for many years, and
when they insist, a lord should listen."

"That's why you let me borrow Dythya to get the liedstadt and
liedburg accounts in order?"

"I do not feel quite so outnumbered now-at home. Here..." As
he smiled, Jecks' eyes went to the closed door of the receiving
room, almost as though he were nervous about being alone
with the regent.

Nervous? Why was every man in Defalk nervous to be around
her? When she had appeared on Erde, and especially after
Brill's death spell had turned her permanently young-looking,
they'd all been leering, except Jecks, but he'd been interested,
just more restrained.

Now... once she'd demonstrated some power, and ability to
rule, the leering and interest had vanished. Of course, using
spells to burn up a dozen or so assassins and plotters didn't
exactly help your sex appeal .

"I take it that this seed grain would be a problem for most lords
in Defalk?" she finally asked, ignoring Jecks' glance past her.

"Many," admitted Jecks. "Especially those in the south. Ranuak
is close, and they have relied on the grain dealers there for
generations."

"How can I repay the Ranuans when I can't even get the lords
of Defalk to pay liedgeld?" She extended the scroll from Arkad
to the white-haired lord. "Please read this."

Jecks read slowly, then looked at Anna.