"I 03 - Brothers Majere" - читать интересную книгу автора (3))

"What?" asked Caramon.
"The Festival of the Eye," said Raistlin, "Remember? A long time ago, when we were little?"
Caramon's eyes crinkled in thought. Suddenly, his mouth sagged. "I'll be damned," he murmured, staring at his brother. "What does it mean? It's just a holiday, that's all."
"To most of you, it is," Raistlin said, somewhat bitterly. "It's a time to dress up and break the routine of dull existence. But to us, to wizards, it is much, much more."
"Yeah, I remember," said Caramon. "You're supposed to offer your services free."
"Bah! That's the least of it!" Raistlin snarled impatiently. "It is, in reality, a time of great magical power. It began untold ages ago when three sorcerers of tremendous and unparalleled skill gave their lives to their crafts, ending their existence in one final, ultimate expenditure
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that drained their souls. They used the energy to create a force infinitely more potent than any one could ever summon on his own."
Caramon shifted uncomfortably, as he often did when his twin discussed his arcane craft.
"Certain mystical texts stated that the wizards were each dedicated to one of the three alignments," Raistlin continued. "Good, neutral, and evilЧthe incantations required all three members from the Great Balance of the World. Some of the books say that the wizards cast the spell to gamble on the future for their deities, hoping that their particular alignment would wrest control of the power when the time came." Raistlin shrugged. "The sorcerers chose the game, but the gods cast the dice. The wizards died, the energy remained pent up. The texts say that the energy will be released only when the Great Eye is in the heavens."
"The Great Eye?"
"Don't interrupt me, if you want to know what's going on. This year's Festival of the Eye is going to be different from most others because all three moons, including the black moon Nuitari, are moving to rare conjunction. They will form the Great EyeЧan orb of red, silver, and black hovering in the night sky, looking down upon Krynn with unfathomable intent."
Raistlin paused, gazing at his brother with his own golden hourglass eyes.
"This has occurred once before in the history of the worldЧduring the Cataclysm."
Caramon shook his head. "Look, the Festival of the Eye happens every year. You've never been sick before. Except that once."
"And on that night of the FestivalЧthe night I was so strangely illЧmy books showed the convergence of the
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two visible moonsЧLunitari and Solinari. That is something that occurs more frequently, but still not often. Now, this year, according to my reading, that convergence will happen again. My calculations further confirm that the thirdЧthe black moon of the ancient, forgotten goddess Takhisis, Queen of DarknessЧwill cross over them, forming the Great Eye. What I felt so many years ago was the early gathering of mystic power that is going to be freed during the upcoming festival. Much is explained," he added, thinking of the white line, understanding now why he could see it.
"Maybe to you, but not to me," Caramon grunted, yawning. He glanced at his brother uneasily. "Is this sickness likely to happen again?"
But Raistlin was lost in thought and didn't answer.
Earwig walked back up Southgate Street, past the rows and blocks of houses. "Everyone sure likes this necklace," he said to himself proudly. "I'm really glad I found it. Gosh, I'm tired, though. Being a great warrior and getting kissed by beautiful women really takes a lot out of a guy."
The kender made his way back to Barnstoke Hall, where he was delighted to find the street littered with dice and game pieces. He picked them all up and stuffed them into his pants pockets, wondering where they had come from.
The large and unfriendly servant was still guarding the door to the inn. The kender kindly let the man rest and went around to the back of the inn, where he crawled up the trellis and climbed into a window.
"I'll just stop by and tell Caramon about my adventure," he said, going up to the twins' door and knocking on it loudly.
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A bleary-eyed Caramon threw open the door. "You!" He glowered at the kender. "Do you know what time it is?"
"No," said Earwig cheerfully. "But I can find out if you want. There's a clock in the hall. IЧ" The kender's mouth flew open. He stared.
"Raistlin's staff!"
"Yeah, so what?"
"But it was ... I mean I tried to ... It just disaЧ!"
"See you in the morning, Earwig!" growled Caramon as he slammed the door, nearly taking off the kender's inquisitive nose.
"How wonderful! It must have come back all by itself! Still," Earwig added, miffed, "you'd think it would have said something before it let me go to all that trouble looking for it."
Yawning, he started to go to his room, but couldn't remember where it was. He sneaked down into the dark dining hall, undid his pack, rolled out his sleeping mats, and fell asleep under the main table.
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"you little
The woman's scream echoed through the inn, awakening Caramon. The next instant, footsteps pounded up the stair and fists banged on the door.
The fighter turned quickly to observe Raistlin, hoping the mage wouldn't wake from his slumber. A muscle in his brother's face twitched, and he stirred restlessly in his sleep.
Caramon leaped to his feet, fatigue leaving his muscles as he stormed toward the door. Flinging it open, he faced the proprietor he had met briefly last night.
"Stop that racket!" whispered Caramon loudly. "My brother is sick!"
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"Please, kind sir! I know you are important peopleЧ friends of the councillor'sЧbut you must help me!" The proprietor pointed down the stairs. "Your friend is assaulting my patrons!"
"My friend?" The warrior looked around the room to see if he'd forgotten somebody. Realization glimmered. "Earwig!" he groaned.
"Please, sir, please!" The innkeeper pulled on Cara-mon's arm, attempting to tug him out the door.
The fighter came to a dead standstill and looked the proprietor directly in the eye. "Don't let anything disturb my brother, understand?" He held a thick finger in front of the proprietor's face for emphasis.
"Of course not," the innkeeper said, swallowing hard. "Now would you please come reason with your friend, sir?"