ALL ARE MORTAL. Greg Pius

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ would pity anyone who tried to steal from Amon. He is the oldest son of the city's king of thieves. They have their own code. Their 'king' and his family are better protected than my father. The boy has been my firmest protector ever since I saved him from my father's palace guard. He had just stolen the Guard Captain's jeweled knife. I came along just as the Captain was going to slice him in two. Of course, he saw his chance and slipped out of the guard's clutches. He then ran and hid behind me. I laughed so much, tears ran down my face. As the Guard's Captain has known me since birth he spared the boy. But the boy is still being punished today."

      Abram thought he had missed something whilst gazing into the eyes of his mistress. Young males did not look down in submission to anyone. But this time it was not pride but sheer lust that kept Abram's eyes firmly locked in Sarai's gaze. Still, he saw the anomaly in her words. Trying to impress this beautiful lady had suddenly become very important to Abram. So he said in a tone of inquiry,

      "How could the boy be still punished if you rescued him from this Guard Captain's clutches?"

      That laugh that seemed to rock Abram's soul to its very foundations again was heard by his ears. Smiling broadly at the big joke she explained,

      "A short time later my father gave me a bodyguard from his palace. Just guess who that turned out to be? Much to Amon's horror I might add."

      All desert tribe people were good at adding up what they could see and hear. Abram was exceptionally good at both these skills. So he replied in a tone of understanding,

      "Surely not? Your own personal bodyguard was the Guard Captain? No wonder Amon bolted out of here so quickly. Aren't you afraid he may not return?"

      Somewhat affronted that this man would doubt her power over all males of any age, Sarai said in a tone of high dungeon,

      "We city people are not all evil. The streets may look grim but I grew up on those streets. Some of my best friends are street folk. There is not a more loyal people anywhere than my neighbors."

      Stunned at the rebuke in Sarai's voice, Abram said in a much meeker tone of voice,

      "I had not intend to give offence mistress. Both Lot and I are new to your city, so we do not know their ways. Forgive my impertinence."

      Feeling once more in control of her emotions, Sarai replied,

      "You are forgiven Abram. But remember your place in future. My father has done wonders with this city since he became ruler. Before him the streets were lethal and crime ridden. My neighbors may steal but they do so only to survive. There are much worse people hiding their evil intentions in mansions around this city."

      Just then a noise distracted them from this awkward moment. It was the boy Amon returning. In his arms were two huge swords, two long knives and some arrows. On his back he had slung the short bow favored by the palace guard. In a breathless voice Amon said,

      "Sorry it took so long mistress. That fool of an armorer cannot read. He had to get his slave to read out the Ruler's order."

      To prove her point to Abram and assert her superior knowledge of the city Sarai asked,

      "Tell us Amon my lovely boy were you hindered on your return trip in any way?"

      A look of sheer scorn raced across the face of this young boy as he asserted,

      "None would dare. My father would have their innards for his midday meal." A look of triumph now made Sarai's face look even more radiant, as she accepted the bundle from the hands of Amon.

      That night Sarai got an invitation to the palace. It was from her birth mother. Sarai's father had two wives. Her mother was the senior wife so issued all the invitations. This one was for the celebration of the full moon festival. A big gathering of the city's richest and most powerful people would attend. As the eldest daughter of the ruler Sarai knew she was expected to attend. Besides she had not had a chance to have a long chat with her mother. So Sarai sent Amon with a note of acceptance.

      Sari now called her dressers to help her chose an outfit. Usually she wore something demur so as not to excite the lust of her father's visitors. But this time she chose something revealing. Yet no one new would be at that celebration. So who could she be trying to impress with her physical charms? This is a question Sarai avoided answering even to herself.

      Arriving at her father's palace, Sarai was flanked by her three bodyguards. Still not trusting Abram and his nephew, Azur took the front position. This left the two new men to walk behind their mistress. With her perfume filling the space between them, Abram did not mind his lowly placement one little bit. He walked taller in Sarai's presence with a puffed out chest that sent Lot into hysterics.

      There to met their daughter was both her mother and father. She was her father's only daughter among his children. So when he said,

      "My daughter you make a father's heart glad!"

      There was no ironic twist to his words. The smile on her father's face warmed Sarai's heart so she replied,

      "When I saw your face honorable father it was as if the sun rose in my eyes."

      Not wanting to miss out, her mother now said,

      "Sarai you are more lovely each time I look at you. There is a light in your eyes I have not seen for some time. We must talk on this in my garden. Forgive your senior wife a short absence from your side my esteemed husband."

      Laughing at this mock timidity from a woman he knew to be a tigress in bed, her husband took advantage by saying,

      "I have two wives. Surely I can let one leave my side especially to talk to my favorite daughter."

      Now Sarai was in on the family joke, so she said in mock horror,

      "Be careful my father. Your youngest son will hear and never let you forget those words."

      Determined to have the last say for once in his time with these two powerful women, her father said in mock severity,

      "Am I not master in my own palace. If he dares do such a thing I will have him banished to the farthest oasis."

      Now mother and daughter were both laughing, knowing that the youngest son of which he directed this empty threat was the real favorite child. Just seven years old, Sarai's youngest step brother was as precocious as Sarai herself had been at that age. This was one reason why her father loved them both so much. A man used to the fawning attention of palace officials relished the displays of temper he saw from his children.

      Chapter 4

      In the private guardian that was reserved for the sole use of Sarai's mother, the two women spoke of many things. The loss of a husband is not forgotten easily. There were words of motherly comfort as well as advice on how to manage the dark hours of the night. But soon the talk move to more recent changes in Sarai's life. Her mother now adopted a playful tone when she asked,

      "Wherever did you find those new bodyguards?"

      Blushing with embarrassment Sarai replied,

      "They were the gravediggers at the funeral. At least they were the biggest ones there when the hole was filled over."

      Sensing that her daughter was attempting to hide something from her, Sarai's mother said,

      "So СКАЧАТЬ