"Tracy Falbe - The Rys Chronicles 03 - Judgment Rising" - читать интересную книгу автора (Falbe Tracy)

disposed to putting his faith in an abstract divinity, he tried to believe that a greater power added
to his own power. In two days Sandin would depart for the west, and in the five years since leaving
Jingten, he had not forgotten the real power living in the Rysamand Mountains.

At last the ceremony ended and the congregation came to its feet. Sandin glanced at the shadowy
statue of his patron God. Smoke from the braziers curled around the smooth head with black stone
lips. Sandin imagined that he had GolanтАЩs blessing as he left the sanctum.

They went to the templeтАЩs grand banquet hall that had been filling with guests during the
ceremony. When Sandin entered, he raised the Rod of Golan and the hall erupted with cheers. It
was a wonderful moment for him, especially now that the better part of the day had begun. An
excess of blue Clan Promentro banners hung from the ceiling, and their golden eagles within
sunbursts flew over the elite of Atrophane. The lavish clothes of the guests were dazzling after the
gloom of the GolanтАЩs lair.

Finally Sandin chose to subdue their applause and the high priest declared that the reception
should begin. Musicians started playing and servants dispensed drinks and set the tables for the
feast. SandinтАЩs wife, the Lady Haley Triesto, approached him and he offered her his arm.

She expertly snapped her fan shut and quietly commented, тАЬI thought your knee bruising would
never end. I have been waiting in here for an hour.тАЭ

тАЬI am touched that you gave up so much of your schedule for me,тАЭ Sandin said.

Haley reached over, stroked the golden rod, and gave him a quick lewd look. тАЬOh, I wouldnтАЩt miss
this,тАЭ she said.

тАЬFor the sake of the stars, woman, at least fake some respect while you are in this temple,тАЭ Sandin
scolded. тАЬAnd stop hogging my attention. CanтАЩt you see my lieutenants want to congratulate me.тАЭ

Haley rolled her blue eyes with light-hearted contempt. Her fan burst open and she placed it in
front of her mouth as if a barrier were needed to could keep her words inside.

SandinтАЩs officers were at the fore of the group of lords and ladies waiting to congratulate him.
Sandin looked at the lieutenants in their shining chestplates of armor and blue uniforms. He
remembered twenty years ago when he had been among them and watched Lord Kwan enter the
banquet hall.

SandinтАЩs best friend Carfu was in the group. Although Carfu still possessed his military rank of
lieutenant, he had been made the Governor of Phemnalang the year before. He would soon
assume his full-time duties in that civilian post. Along with the other officers, Carfu saluted with a
beaming smile on his face.

Sandin held up the rod and said, тАЬHere it is, gentlemen. Take a good look. I shall be too busy to
carry it around after today.тАЭ

тАЬMy Lord, what a life for you. Last week the Darmar pronounces you Darhet of the West and today
you get the Rod of Golan,тАЭ Carfu said happily.

тАЬI hope I do not hear jealousy in your voice, Lieutenant,тАЭ Sandin joked. тАЬIf you had graduated a