"Elrod, P N - I, Strahd 2 - War Against Azalin e-txt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Elrod P N)

I was blind to ail things. My feet chose their own path. Breath sawed in and out
of my lungs, not from any exertion but from my effort not to weep. I had shed
too many tears already. No more, no more ever again.
Then I came to a place where I could climb no farther. It looked like a great
knife had sheered away this part of the mountain, leaving it exposed to all the
harsh elements. Around us the growing storm whipped up snow devils that spun and
crashed against the rocks to be born anew in a fresh gust of wind. We were
nowhere near the summit, but high enough for me. I stood at the cliff edge
looking out into the thick Mists below.
The valley here was completely engulfed by their pale touch. All was as calm
below as the heavens were riot above. Tatyana and I were exactly between their
forces.
Lightning streaked the sky. The shifting light seemed to animate her face, make
her appear alive again. It was but a cruel mockery, and I could hold my sorrow
in no longer.
My voice echoed off the cold stones as I shrieked my anguish to the wild skies.
I screamed and howled like an animal, wordless roars of pure grief as the
reaction overwhelmed me. This was what I could not reveal to the village. My
sorrows were my own and with me would stay until I could somehow find a way to
end them.
When the last cry shuddered out of me, I looked into the rising Mists. They were
coming for her, as they had done before. We had not much time left. I kissed
Tatyana's chill lips, then eased her down until her feet dragged upon the
ground, and I supported her weight with an arm around her waist.
We would not wait for the Mists to come, but hurry to meet them and hopefully
the final oblivion.
Whatever is out there that hears, grant me this death!
I leaped for both of us, launching as far out from the cliff as I could.
Rush of wind.
Pale gray nothingness enveloped everything.
We turned and tumbled. I held fast to her, praying to I knew not what for swift
obliteration and its peace. I ceased to know up from down with my eyes, could
only sense it by our fall. Any second and all would be finished.
For both. Please, let it be for us both.
But even as I held to her she began to drift away. I closed my arms more
tightly, but it was like trying to embrace the Mists themselves. All sensation
of touching her fled from my reaching fingers.
Obliteration. Peace.
It seemed to come. For an instant.
As the last of her faded from me I seemed to fade from myself. My body seemed to
dissolve away, as did hers. No harsh impact with the sudden ground to blot me
out, just an easing into a soft cocoon of unconcern, not unlike my daylight
trances.
As with all illusions of contentment it could not last, and I eventually, with
the greatest reluctance, woke from it.
The stars were visible, bright hard points piercing the clear mountain air,
unwinking and merciless. I lay sprawled on my back staring at them for a very
long time, not daring to think, for then would come memory and with memory would
return thoughts of her. I was not ready for that yet.
The mountain's sheer face loomed high over me, snow dusting its stony shoulders,