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

"I, too, have wondered if this new kingdom of ours could have been born without the

blood and suffering of the war. My late wife used to say that all things are born that

wayнwith blood and pain." Kith-Kanan nodded slowly, thinking of days gone by. "But

we're here now, that's the important thing," he added, smiling.

"Praise the gods," said the dwarf sincerely.

Kith-Kanan turned back the folds of his emerald green cape to free his left hand.

Looking to his waiting entourage, he smiled and lifted his arm, gesturing two figures

forward. Glenforth squinted his good eye and saw that the two were children, a

golden-haired boy and a brown-haired girl.

"King Glenforth, may I present my son, Prince Ulvian, and my daughter, Princess

Verhanna," Kith-Kanan said, pushing the children forward. Ulvian dragged his feet and

hung back from the unfamiliar dwarf. Verhanna, however, approached the king and

bowed deeply to him.

"You do me honor," Glenforth said, a smile flashing amidst his black beard.

"No, sire. I am the honored one," Verhanna replied, her high voice ringing clear in

the mountain air. Her large, dark brown eyes appraised the dwarf frankly, with no sign of

fear. "I've heard the bards sing of your greatness in battle. Now that I've met you, I see

the truth of their songs."


"Memories of battle are a poor comfort when one grows old and tired. I would trade

all of mine for a child like you," he said gallantly. Verhanna flushed at this praise,

stammered a thank-you, and withdrew to her father's side.

"Go on." Kith-Kanan said to his son. "Make your greetings to King Glenforth."

Prince Ulvian took a small step forward and bowed with a quick, bobbing motion.

"Greetings, Great King," he said, running his words together in his haste to get them out.

"I'm honored to meet you."