"L. Sprague De Camp - The Goblin Tower" - читать интересную книгу автора (De Camp L Sprague)

strike twice, like a new recruit hacking at a pell."

Jorian turned to the Chief Justice. "Most eminent Judge
Grallon, are you ready with your speech? Take a hint and make it
not too long. Long speeches bore the hearer, be the speaker never
so eloquent."

The Chief Justice looked uncertainly at Jorian, who indicated
by a jerk of his head that he was to proceed. The magistrate
pulled a scroll from his girdle and unrolled it. Holding the stick
of the scroll in one hand and a reading glass in the other, he
began to read. The wind whipped the dangling end of the scroll
this way and that, hindering his task. Nevertheless, being
familiar with the contents, he droned on.

Justice Grallon began with a resum6 of Xylarian history.
Imbal the lion god had established this polis many centuries
before; he had also bestowed upon it its unique method of
choosing a ruler. The magistrate spoke of famous kings of Xylar:
of Pellitus the Wise, and Kadvan the Strong, and Rhuys the Ugly.

At last, Judge Grallon came down to the reign of Jorian. He
praised Jorian's bravery. He narrated the battle of Dol, when
Jorian had destroyed the horde of robbers that had infested the
southern marches of the kingdom and had acquired the scar on
his face.

"тАж and so," he concluded, "this glorious reign has now come
to the end appointed for it by the gods. Today the crown of Xylar
shall pass, by the Lot of Imbal, into those hands destined by the
gods to receive it. And we have been a true and virtuous folk,
these hands will be strong, just, and merciful; if notтАФnot. The
king will now receive his final consolation from his holy man."

Old Doctor Karadur had been unwrapping the rope from
around his waist and coiling it in the center of the platform.
From his satchel he produced a little folding brass stand, which
he set down beside the rope. Out of the bag came a brazen dish,
which he placed upon the stand. Out, too, came a
compartmented pouch, whence he sprinkled various powders
into the dish. He put away the pouch, took out flint and steel,
and struck sparks into the dish.

There was a green flash and a puff of smoke, which the breeze
whipped away. A many-hued little flame danced over the dish,
sending up streamers of vapor. The high priest of Zevatas looked
sourly on.

Karadur intoned a lengthy prayer of incantationтАФthose
listening could not tell which, since the holy man spoke Mulvani.