"Bunch, Chris - Seer King 1 - Seer King" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bunch Chris)

I am, I suppose, the only tribune left of the Emperor Tene-dos's
great army, save Herne, who betrayed us, and Linerges, who I
understand was able to flee abroad. The only other ranking
survivor might be Yonge, who vanished long ago into the crags of
the Border States.

Perhaps I too will have a convenient accident, or sickness.

It matters not.

I have seen, and done, as much as one man should be
permitted. I've cut my way through battlefields where the blood
lapped around my horse's fetlocks.

I've loved well twice and been betrayed once. Both those I loved
are dead now, as is the part of me that loved them.

I've sat at the head of an army, a thousand thousand men who
cheered and charged into certain death and their return to the
Wheel on my command.

I've seen the greatest cities of Maisir and Numantia, from Kallio
to the jungle borderlands, roar up in flames, flames I ordered to
be set.

I've seen battlegrounds torn by demons called by the most evil
and powerful wizards, demons who broke a column of charging
cavalry when they appeared, ripped a company of spearmen
apart with their talons, or sent them screaming away in madness.

I have eaten from golden plates, surrounded by silk and gentle
music.

That is the one side.

There is the other:

*

I've stumbled, bleeding, from the field of war, gut-sick as I saw
our banners trampled and torn by the enemy triumphant.

I've snatched a half-burned potato from a low fire and gnawed at
it, the best and only meal I'd had for close on a week.

I've screamed on a witch's pallet, while she muttered words and
taped dressings around my wounds, and then spent weeks
wishing for the softness of death in a recovery tent.