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

ringing tones, audible to the assembled thanes and Qualinesti, the dwarf king declared,

"Great Speaker, on behalf of all the dwarves of Thorbardin, I present you with this

special tool. I know you will wield it justly, for the benefit of your people and mine."

He passed the velvet-wrapped burden to Kith-Kanan. The Speaker of the Sun

whisked the cover away, revealing a large iron hammer, wrought in traditional dwarven

style but made larger to fit the hands of an elf. The octagonal iron handle was banded

with silver, and the sides of the massive flat hammerhead were gilded.

"It is called Sunderer," Glenforth explained. "Our priests of Reorx forged it in a slow

fire, and quenched it in dragon's blood to give it a worthy temper."

"It is magnificent," Kith-Kanan said in awed tones. He turned the great hammer in

his hands. "This is the tool of a demigod, not a mortal such as I."

"Well, as long as it's good enough," the dwarf king said with a wry smile. He waved

a beringed hand, and another Hylar thane came to him. This dwarf bore one of the long

iron chisels banded with silver. He gave it to his king, then he and Gendrin Dunbarth

withdrew.

Kith-Kanan and Glenforth walked in matched step to the boulder that lay in the

center of the pass. As they proceeded with appropriate dignity, Kith-Kanan said softly,

"Will you make the announcement, or shall I?"

"This was your idea." Glenforth replied in a low voice. "You do it."


"It's a joint project, Your Highness."

"Yes, but I'm no speechifier," said the dwarf. They stood by the boulder. "Besides,

everyone knows elves are better talkers than dwarves."

"First I've heard of it," Kith-Kanan muttered.

The Speaker of the Sun turned to face the delegations. King Glenforth stood

resolutely beside him, his hands resting on the long chisel as a warrior rests on his sword