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

chosen as master.

Then Brand took counsel with his advisers. And Belgarath said to him,
"Torak is not dead. He only sleeps. For he is a God and cannot be slain by
any mortal weapon."

"When will he awaken?" Brand asked. "I must prepare the West against his
return."

Polgara answered, "When once again a King of Riva's line sits on his
northern throne, the Dark God will waken to do war with him."

Brand frowned, saying, "But that is neverl" For all knew that the last
Rivan King had been slain with his family in 4002 by Nyissan assassins.

Again the woman spoke. "In the fullness of time the Rivan King will rise to
claim his own, as the ancient Prophecy foretells. More cannot be said."

Brand was content and set his armies to cleaning the battlefield of the
wreckage of Angaraks. And when that was finished, the kings of the West
gathered before the city of Vo Mimbre and held council. Many were the
voices raised in praise of Brand.

Soon men began crying that Brand should henceforth be chosen as ruler of
all the West. Only Mergon, ambassador of Imperial Tolnedra, protested in
the name of his Emperor, Ran Borune IV. Brand refused the honor, and the
proposal was dropped, so that there was again peace among those assembled
in council. But in return for peace, a demand was made of Tolnedra.

The Gorim of the Ulgos spoke first in a loud voice. "In fulfillment of the
Prophecy, there must be promised a princess of Tolnedra to be wife unto the
Rivan King who will come to save the world. This the Gods require of us."

Again Mergon protested. "The Hall of the Rivan King is empty and desolate.
No king sits upon the Rivan throne. How many a princess of Imperial
Tolnedra be wed with a phantom?"

Then the woman who was Polgara replied. "The Rivan King will return to
assume his throne and claim his bride. From this day forward, therefore,
each princess of Imperial Tolnedra shall present herself in the Hall of the
Rivan King upon her sixteenth birthday. She shall be clad in her wedding
gown and shall abide there for three days against the coming of the King.
If he comes not to claim her, then she shall be free to return to her
father for whatever he may decree for her."

Mergon cried out. "All Tolnedra shall rise against this indignity. No! It
shall not be!"

The wise Gorim of the Ulgos spoke again. "Tell your Emperor that this is
the will of the Gods. Tell him also that in the day Tolnedra fails in this,