"Elenium 02 - The Ruby Knight" - читать интересную книгу автора (Eddings David)

The barons' first attacks on the combined forces of the
Pandions and King Antor's troops were tentative, more
.in the nature of tests of the strength and resolve of the
Church Knights and their allies. When it became evident
that the response was in large measure defensive, these
assaults grew more serious, and ultimately there was a
pitched battle not far from the Pelosian border. As soon
as it became evident that the barons were committing
their full forces to the struggle, the Pandions reacted with
their customary savagery. The defensive posture they
had adopted during the first probing attacks had been
clearly a ruse designed to lure the barons into an all-out
confrontation.
The battle raged for the better part of a spring day, and
late in the afternoon when bright sunlight flooded the field,
King Antor became separated from the troops of his
household guard. He found himself horseless and hardpressed,
and he resolved to sell his life as dearly as possible.
It was at this point that Sir Sparhawk entered the fray. He
quickly cut his way through to the king's side, and, in the
fashion as old as the history of warfare, the two stood back
to back, holding off their foes. The combination of Antor's
headstrong bravery and Sparhawk's skill was convincing
enough to hold their enemies at bay until, by mischance,
Sparhawk's sword was broken. With triumphant shouts
the force encircling the two rushed in for the kill. This
proved to be a fatal error.
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Eddings, David - Elenium 2 - The Ruby Knight.txt
Snatching a short, broad-bladed battle-spear from one
of the fallen, Sparhawk decimated the ranks of the
charging troops. The culmination of the struggle came
when the swarthy-faced baron who had been leading the
attack rushed in to slay the sorely wounded Antor and
died with Sparhawk's spear in his vitals. The baron's fall
demoralized his men. They fell back and ultimately fled
the scene.
Antor's wounds were grave, and Sparhawk's only
slightly less so. Exhausted, the two sank side by side to
the ground as evening settled over the field. It is
impossible to reconstruct the conversation of the two
wounded men there on that bloody field during the early
hours of the night, since in later years neither would
reveal what had passed between them. What is known,
however, is that at some point during their discussions,
they traded weapons. Antor bestowed the royal sword of
Elenia upon Sir Sparhawk and took in exchange the
battle-spear with which Sir Sparhawk had saved his life.
The king was to cherish that rude weapon to the end of
his days.