"03 - The Qualinesti - Paul B Thompson & Tonya R Cater" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dragonlance - Elven Nations (3))

councilors and thanes halted and waited in respectful silence.

The delegation from Qualinesti approached the dwarves from the north end of the

valley. Most of the delegation were formerly of Silvanesti, and had the chiseled features

and light coloring of that ancient elven race. But sharp eyes could see the mingled

characteristics of the Kagonesti, the elves of the forest, and even the broad features of

humans. The new elven kingdom of Qualinesti had existed for just eighty years, and so

far had proven the truth of its founder's dream: that elves and men and dwarves could live

together in harmony, peace, and justice.

The founder himself led his nobles and notables to meet the Thorbardin thanes. In

middle age now, as elves reckon time, the Speaker of the Sun was by far the most

commanding figure in the valley. Age and toil had sent a few streaks of silver through his

white-blond hair, but the clear, noble features of the House of Silvanos were unaltered by

all the years of strife.

Kith-Kanan, the Speaker of the Sun, the founder of the nation of Qualinesti, stopped

his entourage twenty paces or so from the dwarves. Alone, he went forward to meet King

Glenforth of Thorbardin.

The elf met the dwarf near a large boulder that rose up in the center of the path.

Glenforth extended his thick, powerful arms.


"Royal brother!" he said heartily. "I rejoice to see you!"

"And I you, Thane of Thanes!"

Tall elf and squat dwarf clasped hands about each other's forearms. "This is a great

day for our nations," Kith-Kanan said, stepping back. "For all of Krynn."

"There were many times I didn't think I would live to see this day," Glenforth said

frankly.