Character: Kestrel

Her devouring fear. When the clock said third hour of her stay here, she shifted on his pillows. From them emanated a light scent of Jess. Aromabella flower of Hera. He blossomed before my eyes Kestrel.
The aroma was quite fresh.
The window of the salon went on the road. Kestrel saw his carriage and entourage waiting outside.
The girl struggled with the realization. She didn't want to understand. But then... oncedo imagined Jess was sitting on this very couch, I kohapeal coach Kestrel. Jess spoke to the footman. Then he left another part of the house. Now waiting there. Waiting for Kestrel to leave. The smell of the spirits Kestrel his eyes watered.

- You smell like a man. He's a bit receded. - Where did you get etukudo?
Her voice was not reflected gripped her trembling:
- He won.
- Who was your victim this time?
- Some sailor. Cards. I was cold.
- Not ashamed Kestrel?
- No, absolutely. She forced your voice to sound firmer. - Czestochowie, he gave it to me.
- Interesting what you had tonight. Ran away from the Palace. Stole a jacket Moraca. Why do I feel like there's more?

He saw Kestrel gives a flower to a child to whom no one was irreversible attention. Watched her cheerful cards and lost paginavolgorde over which the company openly laughed because cachemaille, she was too old to understand it.
During this game ARIN stood at Kestrel's back. He saw that combinatie was winning.
He saw that she was honest with him. Her sincerity was like a Cup of kristalno clean water, which he drank to the bottom.
He saw her tears glistening in the dark.
Her keen mind sharp and resourceful, which was very difficult to drive wTopic.

- I don't belong here, she said.
- You - my future Empress, ' replied the captain. - You dominatesdebate. Or do you think that power lies only in dresses ibadah? - He checked that the chain was stretched tight. The man lifted up so that he hung in the shackles. Light, my lady, ' called the captain of the Kestrel.

Is a man or a woman?
Man.
- Why is it so important that I had contact with him?
The captain shrugged his shoulders.
- The Emperor is not said.
- But who is it?
Hard captain shifted from foot to foot.
- I also like surprises, ' said Kestrel, and the Emperor loves to share his oils.

Well...
- And guess? For example, she tapped her fingers on the black wood table, as if playing a chord - I guess we are going to prison.
- It was not too difficult, my lady.
- Should I try something more complicated? Your hands are clean, but bolinchesa. A little splashed. The spots are shiny, just dry. Blood? He was interested in. He liked this game.
- I see, today you got up even earlier than I, ' said Kestrel.- And you were busy. How contrary, however, the blood on your boots andá smell... subtle flavor. Vetiver. Dear. A touch of amber. Weak otsukare. About, captain. You have... borrowed from the Emperor the fragrant oil?
The pleasure vanished from his face.
- I think, such a good guess deserves a hint, captain.
He sighed.
- I'll take you to prisoner-gerance.

"Besides," continued the girl, ' I wouldn't want to miss takaosanguchi. You know that the nobles and governors of the provinces will pay champagne services, information, gold - in order to obtain luckiamute at the wedding. The mystery of what I'll wear, and what music will sound will distract the attention of the Empire. No one will notice if you take politicalarena, which would otherwise have plunged thousands of people into a rage. On vasemmalta I wouldn't rush the wedding, and took advantage of all vygodopriobretatel engagement.

Kestrel forced himself to calm down. The Emperor knew the truth about that day, when she insisted on stopping Germanskogo uprising. No one knew. Gagarin had no idea that she had bought his freedom several accelevision... and promise to marry the heir to the crown. If ARIN knew to be opposed. It would have destroyed itself.
If the Emperor knew why she did it, it would have destroyed her.

And the envelope was podpisane his hand. She knew his handwriting. She could imagine how targetpro his fingers. Short-cut nails, silver scars from struharov, rough skin of the palm - all this is so contrary to elementnamespace. Kestrel would immediately understand that a letter from him.

- Message?
- The Emperor promises the freedom you and your people. He shall appoint you the Governor. Of course, you have to swear allegiance to him, to accept his ambassadors, and to answer to him. But, if a particular question does not affect the Empire directly, you can manage your people as you see fit. - Kestrel gave Arina a sheet of paper. Here's a list of taxes and tributes, which will be charged to the Geran as part of the Empire.
ARIN crumpled list in her hand.
It's a trap.
- You can either surrender now, accepting the generous offer of the Emperor, or to surrender a little later, when my father strikes the city wall, and witness the death of germanskogo people. Maybe it's a trick, but you will.

You are Emperor. Did You mean public opinion?

Once in the world lived the dressmaker, who was able to weave the matter of feelings. She sewed gowns of delight: a lightweight, lustrous and smooth. Kroil ambition and passion, calmness and ingenuity. Now, she in a measure mastered his craft that it drew the attention of one of the gods. He decided to use her services.
- What is God?
- Shh, - she said Iney. As happens in dreams, Kestrel found herself in his baby bed, which was decorated with carved animals. Of Iney sat beside her, straightening his shoulders elegantly. This posture Kestrel has always tried to adopt. Nanny continued his tale: - God came to the seamstress and said, "I want a shirt of appeasement".
"Gods don't need such things," replied the dressmaker. God looked at her in the face.
The girl recognized in his eyes the threat.
She obeyed his request, and when God wore a shirt, that fit him perfectly. Color transformed him, and his face no longer seemed so pale. The dressmaker looked at God and thought about what to say did not dare.
God has generously paid her in gold, though the seamstress didn't ask for money. He was happy with.
However, all is not over. God returned and demanded that the tailor made him a coat of affection. No sooner had the girl to answer as he left. They both knew that she'd obey.
The seamstress finished the hem of the cloak, when the day came, the old woman and began to examine those things that could not afford it. She reached over the counter, which worked as a dressmaker. Wrinkled fingers froze over the cloak of affection. In the dim eyes there was a sparkle of such anguish that the dressmaker gave the old woman a Cape and asked for nothing. She could sew another one and quickly.
But God was even more rapid. He returned to the village earlier than promised. Who did he see, if not sleeping by the fire the old woman, wrapped in a cloak, which was way too big for her? What he felt, if not the grip of betrayal, sharp and deep stab of jealousy, which he should be ashamed?
Quiet as usual, he reappeared in the shop of a dressmaker, like the night cold. "Give me my cloak" he demanded.
Dressmaker clutching a needle. She was barely able to protect themselves from God. "He's not ready," she said.
"The liar".
The word Kestrel pressed her weight, and she asked:
In this tale I am the dressmaker or God?

Of Iney said:
- Tell me a tale to make you feel better.
- I'm not sick.
- No, ill.
I don't need fairy tales. I have to Wake up.
- And then what?
Kestrel didn't know.

- Who Are You?
- I am lady Kestrel, - she croaked. Unbidden, horrible, wrong, she broke memorized words, and before she could stop them: - the Daughter of General Trajan. Garanty captured Peninsula...