"David Eddings - The Elenium 3 - The Saphire Rose" - читать интересную книгу автора (Eddings David)

seduction of lonely shepherdesses that had only directness
to commend it. He was avaricious and slovenly, and he had
a grossly overestimated opinion of his own cleverness. His
mind worked very fast as he tied his goat to the bush.
If this obscure Styric divinity could deliver a lost goat
upon demand, what else might He be capable of? Otha
decided that this might very well be the opportunity of a
lifetime. 'All right,' he said, feigning simple-mindedness,
'one prayer - for now - in exchange for the goat. We can
talk about souls and empires and wealth and immortality
and women later. Show yourself. I'm not going to bow
down to empty air. What's your name, by the way? I'll
need to know that in order to frame a proper prayer.'
'I am Azash, most powerful of the Elder Gods, and if
thou wilt be my servant and lead others to worship me,
I will grant thee far more than thou hast asked. I will
exalt thee and give thee wealth beyond thine imagining.
The fairest of maidens shall be thine. Thou shalt have life
unending, and, moreover, power over the spirit world such
as no man hath ever had. All I ask in return, Otha, is thy
soul and the souls of those others thou wilt bring to me.
My need and my loneliness are great, and my rewards unto
thee shall be equally great. Look upon my face now, and
tremble before me.'
There was a shimmering in the air surrounding the crude
idol, and Otha saw the reality of Azash hovering about
the roughly-carved image. He shrank in horror before the
awful presence which had so suddenly appeared before
him and fell to the ground, abasing himself before it. This
was going much too far. At heart, Otha was a coward,
however, and he was afraid that the most rational response
to the materialized Azash - instant flight - might provoke
the hideous God into doing nasty things to him, and Otha
was extremely solicitous of his own skin.
cPray, Otha,' the idol gloated. "Mine ears hunger for

thine adoration.'
'Oh, mighty - um - Azash, wasn't it? God of Gods and
Lord of the World, hear my prayer and receive my humble
worship. I am as the dust before thee, and thou towerest
above me like the mountain. I worship thee and praise
thee and thank thee from the depths of my heart for the
return of this miserable goat - which I will beat senseless
for straying just as soon as I get her home.' Trembling,
Otha hoped that the prayer might satisfy Azash - or at
least distract Him enough to provide him an opportunity
for escape.
'Thy prayer is adequate, Otha,' the idol acknowledged, 'barely.
In time thou wilt become more proficient
in thine adoration. Go now thy way, and I