"Margaret Weis - Dragonlance Chronicles 01 - Dragons Of Autumn Twilight" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dragonlance)

"The same can't be said of others." Flint sat back down on the stone and began
to carve once more. He scowled up at Tanis. "Why the beard? You were ugly
enough."
Tanis scratched his chin. "I have been in lands that were not friendly to those
of elven blood. The beard-a gift from my human father," he said with bitter
irony, "did much to hide my heritage."
Flint grunted. He knew that wasn't the complete truth. Although the half-elf
abhorred killing, Tanis would not be one to hide from a fight behind a beard.
Wood chips flew.
"I have been in lands that were not friendly to anyone of any kind of blood."
Flint turned the wood in his hand, examining it. "But we're home now. All that's
behind us."
"Not from what I've heard," Tanis said, drawing his hood up over his face again
to keep the sun out of his eyes. "The Highseekers in Haven appointed a man named
Hederick to govern as High Theocrat in Solace, and he's turned the town into a
hotbed of fanaticism with his new religion."
Tanis and the dwarf both turned and looked down into the quiet valley. Lights
began to wink on, making the homes in the trees visible among the vallenwood.
The night air was still and calm and sweet, tinged with the smell of wood smoke
from the home fires. Now and again they could hear the faint sound of a mother
calling her children to dinner.
"I've heard of no evil in Solace," Flint said quietly.
"Religious persecution . . . inquisitions . . ." Tanis's voice sounded ominous
coming from the depths of his hood. It was deeper, more somber than Flint
remembered. The dwarf frowned. His friend had changed in five years. And elves
never change! But then Tanis was only half-elven-a child of violence, his mother
having been raped by a human warrior during one of the many wars that had
divided the different races of Krynn in the chaotic years following the
Cataclysm.
"Inquisitions! That's only for those who defy the new High Theocrat, according
to rumor." Flint snorted. "I don't believe in the Seeker gods-never did-but I
don't parade my beliefs in the street. Keep quiet and they'll let you
alone-that's my motto. The Highseekers in Haven are still wise and virtuous men.
It's just this one rotten apple in Solace that's spoiling the whole barrel. By
the way, did you find what you sought?"
"Some sign of the ancient, true gods?" Tanis asked. "Or peace of mind? I went
seeking both. Which did you mean?"
"Well, I assume one would go with the other," Flint growled. He turned the piece
of wood in his hands, still not satisfied with its proportions. "Are we going to
stand here all night, smelling the cooking fires? Or are we going to go into
town and get some dinner?"
"Go." Tanis waved. The two started down the path together, Tanis's long strides
forcing the dwarf to take two steps to his one. Though it had been many years
since they had journeyed together, Tanis unconsciously slowed his pace, while
Flint unconsciously quickened his.
"So you found nothing?" Flint pursued.
"Nothing," Tanis replied. "As we discovered long ago, the only clerics and
priests in this world serve false gods. I heard tales of healing, but it was all
trickery and magic. Fortunately, our friend Raistlin taught me what to watch-"
"Raistlin!" Flint puffed. "That pasty-faced, skinny magician. He's more than