"Eddings, David - Malloreon 01 - Guardians Of The West" - читать интересную книгу автора (Eddings David)

had come from a humble farm in Sendaria to become the Rivan King was betrothed to
the Princess Ce'Nedra. But before the wedding could take place, the voice of
prophecy that was within his head urged him to go to the room of documents and there
take down the copy of the Mrin Codex.
In that ancient prophecy, he discovered that he was destined to take up Riva's sword
and go with it to confront the maimed God Torak and to slay or be slain, thereby to
decide the fate of the world. For Torak had begun to end his long slumber with the
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EDDINGS, David - Malloreon 1 - Guardians of the West.txt
crowning of Garion, and in this meeting must be determined which of the two opposing
Necessities or prophecies would prevail.
Garion knew that he could marshal an army to invade the East with him. But though
his heart was filled with fear, he determined that he alone should accept the
danger. Only Belgarath and Silk accompanied him. In the early morning, they crept
out of the Citadel of Riva and set out on the long northern journey to the dark
ruins of the City of Night where Torak lay.
But the Princess Ce'Nedra went to the Kings of the West and persuaded them to join
her in an effort to distract the forces of the Angaraks, so that Garion might win
through safely. With the help of Polgara, she marched through Sendaria, Arendia, and
Tolnedra, raising a mighty army to follow her and to engage the hosts of the East.
They met on the plain surrounding the city of Thull Mardu. Caught between the forces
of Emperor 'Zakath of Mallorea and those of the mad King of the Murgos, Taur Urgas,
Ce'Nedra's army faced annihilation. But Cho-Hag, Chief of the Clan-Chiefs of
Algaria, slew Taur Urgas; and the Nadrak King Drosta lek Thun changed sides, giving
her forces time to withdraw.
Ce'Nedra, Polgara, Durnik, and the child Errand, however, were captured and sent to
Zakath, who sent them on to the ruined city of Cthol Mishrak for Zedar to judge.
Zedar slew Durnik, and it was to see Polgara weeping over his body that Garion
arrived.
In a duel of sorcery, Belgarath sealed Zedar into the rocks far below the surface.
But by then Torak had awakened fully.
The two destinies which had opposed each other since time began thus faced each
other in the ruined City of Night. And there in the darkness, Garion, the Child of
Light, slew Torak, the Child of Dark, with the flaming sword of the Rivan King, and
the dark prophecy fled wailing into the void.
UL and the six living Gods came for the body of Torak.
And Polgara importuned them to bring Durnik back to life. Reluctantly they
consented. But since it would not be mete for her so far to exceed Durnik's
abilities, they gave to him the gift of sorcery.
Then all returned to the city of Riva. Belgarion married Ce'Nedra, and Polgara took
Durnik as her husband. The Orb was again in its rightful place to protect the West.
And the war of Gods, kings, and men, which had endured for seven thousand years, was
at an end.
Or so men thought.
PART ONE
THE VALE OF ALDUR
It was late spring. The rains had come and passed, and the frost had gone out of the
ground. Warmed by the soft touch of the sun, damp brown fields lay open to the sky,
covered only by a faint green blush as the first tender shoots emerged from their
winter's sleep. Quite early one fine morning, when the air was still cool, but the