"Adkins, Patrick H - Titans 01 - Lord of the Crooked Path" - читать интересную книгу автора (Adkins Patrick H)

the rocky terrain and between the huge fir trees of the mountain
forests. When the trees grew too closely together, they bent them aside.
They drew up the hems of the chitons to step lightly across rivers and
gaping chasms.

For the Muses the journey was a lark; the divine maidens traipsed along,
singing and bantering among themselves. The young goddess Metis, no
longer quite a child but not yet a youth, usually rushed impetuously
ahead. Lachesis, stately and somber as ever, followed at a steady pace,
wrapped in her own thoughts.

"Can't you three come on?" Metis demanded, her dark curls flouncing as
she stamped her foot.

Lachesis had gotten ahead of the others and finally slowed to a stop.
"Is something wrong?" she called down, her voice not quite as
lackadaisical as usual.

Melpomene shook her head and held up a hand to silence them. Metis
shrugged in resignation and began to skip back down the path. A few
moments later Lachesis followed her.

Thalia danced toward them as they reached the group. "Quiet, child, do
try to hold your tongue," she sang without the slightest hesitation,
caressing Metis's cheek with her open hand; "a song is not a song, you
know, until that song is sung!" She twirled gracefully away, continuing
to sing as though there had been no interruption.

Metis folded her arms across her chest and waited with obvious
impatience. Finally Thalia completed her last verse, swept into a
pirouette, and ended with a deep bow. Kalliope and Melpomene, both
laughing, applauded with enthusiasm.

Metis planted her hands firmly on her narrow hips as she turned toward
Melpomene. "You promised to show us something new and interesting," she
said. "You're supposed to be leading us to it, but I'm always in the
lead. And 1 don't even know where we're going!"

Thalia answered before her sister could. "You lead, rash child, because
your feet outpace your brain. A slower pace--"

"You brought your basket," Melpomene interrupted, smiling indulgently.
"If we walk too leisurely, you can distract yourself among the plants
that grow beside the path."

Metis shook her head vigorously. "You go too slow. You keep stopping to
talk and dance--and to sing your untrue songs."

"What's this?" Thalia asked, turning to her sisters in exaggerated
surprise. "Untrue songs, indeed! The child thinks we lie."