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

Destroyed from the inside by a predator that it could not elude, the ram crashed into the mountain
and skidded down the slope in a small landslide of gravel. The being pounced on it. In the first
frenzy of the kill, he ripped into the warm flesh, feeding on the bloody meat and organs. The food
broke an interminable fast and every cell in his body quivered with need for nourishment.

The herd watched him consume its master from a distance before moving on.

Despite the gruesome blood smearing the beingтАЩs face and hands, the food brought order to his
mind, and each gulp of meat that slid down his throat reduced the bestial darkness that ruled his
impulses.

Three days later, the being remained in the same spot, feeding on the carcass and dozing. After so
long locked in the stone of the Tabren, the being was surprised that he wanted to sleep, but after
each rest, he felt calmer and more mentally complete. When his hunger finally subsided after many
feedings, he attempted to grasp the meaning of his existence. He still had no knowledge of his
identity but the surroundings did not feel alien.

Vultures circled above him, waiting for the dark predator, whose skin matched the mountains, to
move away form the torn carcass. Finally, one of the malignant bald birds flew lower, urging the
voracious predator to move on and let them cleanse the bones.

When the vulture swooped over the being, a sudden surge of emotions assailed him. He gasped,
unable to comprehend his feelings that caused him pain far worse than his hunger. The carrion
eaters filled him with an acute desolation.

In a shift beyond his control, the tumult of his emotions coalesced into an aching depression. He
longed to know what he was and why he was. If he was no more than a lonely predator, he almost
wanted the ugly birds to rip him apart.

One of the vultures landed, and as it folded its wings, it squawked at him irritably. He sat up to face
the animal but made no threatening gestures. The other birds began to land and press closer. Their
patience had worn thinner than their necks and they would now test the resolve of the strange
new denizen of the mountains.

The being retreated. He was no longer hungry and the loathsome soiled birds revolted him. The
vultures erupted into a sick chatter as they converged on the carcass.

Reeling with intense emotions that tortured his mind, he staggered down the slope. Below him the
mountain gave way to a broad canyon where flowed a swift river. He stumbled toward the edge of
the canyon. Without hunger to motivate him, he did not know what to do next and he did not know
how to alleviate his rampaging emotions.

Before reaching the canyon cliff, he flung himself to the ground, unable to go any farther. He knew
now what he was contemplating but he longed to understand why he had the urge to destroy
himself. What was the reason for the unbearable grief inside him? Why had he awoken to this
suffering?

Looking at the dried blood on hands, he remembered tearing at the flesh of the sheep. It seemed
that he should be so much more than a slavering beast.