"David Eddings - Belgariad 2 - Queen of Sorcery" - читать интересную книгу автора (Eddings David)

This gave the West time to mobilize and prepare. The generals gathered at
the Imperial War College in Tol Honeth and planned their strategy. National
differences were set aside, and Brand, the Warder of Riva, was chosen to
have full command. With him came two strange advisers: an ancient but
vigorous man who claimed knowledge even of the Angarak kingdoms; and a
strikingly handsome woman with a silver lock at her brow and an imperious
manner. To these Brand listened, and to them he paid almost deferential
respect.

In the late spring of 4875, Kal Torak abandoned his siege and turned west
toward the sea, pursued still by Algar horsemen. In the mountains, the
Ulgos came forth from their caverns by night and wreaked fearful slaughter
on the sleeping Angaraks. But still were the forces of Kal Torak beyond
counting. After a pause to regroup, the host proceeded down the valley of
the River Arend toward the city of Vo Mimbre, destroying all in its path.
Early in the summer, the Angaraks deployed for the assault upon the city.

On the third day of the battle, a horn was heard to blow three times. Then
the gates of Vo Mimbre opened, and the Mimbrate knights charged out to fall
upon the front of the Angarak horde, the iron-shod hoofs of their chargers
trampling living and dead. From the left came Algar cavalry, Drasnian
pikemen, and veiled Ulgo irregulars. And from the right came the Cherek
berserks and the legions of Tolnedra.

Attacked on three sides, Kal Torak committed his reserves. It was then that
the gray-clad Rivans, the Sendars, and the Asturian archers came upon his
forces from the rear. The Angaraks began to fall like mown wheat and were
overcome by confusion.

Then the Apostate, Zedar the Sorcerer, went in haste to the black iron
pavilion from which Kal Torak had not yet emerged. And to the Accursed One
he said, "Lord, throe enemies have thee surrounded in great numbers. Yea,
even the gray Rivans have come in their numbers to cast defiance at thy
might."

Kal Torak arose in anger and declared, "I will come forth, that the false
keepers of Cthrag Yaska, the jewel which was mine, shall see me and know
fear of me. Send to me my kings."

"Great Lord," Zedar told him, "thy kings are no more. The battle hath
claimed their lives and those of a multitude of thy Grolim priests as
well."

Kal Torak's wrath grew great at these words, and fire spat from his right
eye and from the eye that was not. He ordered his servants to bind his
shield to the arm on which he had no hand and he took up his dread black
sword. With this, he went forth to do battle.

Then came a voice from the midst of the Rivans, saying, "In the name of
Belar I defy thee, Torak. In the name of Aldur I cast my despite in thy