"Farland, David - Runelords 04 - The Lair Of Bones - txt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Farland David)

Elephant itself.
Raj Ahten grinned. The deed pained him. He had taken many wounds in the Battle
of Kartish, wounds that would have killed any lesser man, and some of those were
to his face. He lay back on his silken pillows, reveled in the gentle sway of
his palanquin as the bearers marched in step, and watched the frightened doves
circle above the city, floating like ashes above the light.
It seemed the start of a perfect day.
Gradually, something caught his attention. Ahead, people bowed to do obeisance,
but among the humped shapes one man remained standing.
He wore the gray robes of the AhТkellah, the judges of the desert. Upon his
right hip, his robe had been thrown back, revealing the handle of his saber. He
held his head high, so that the black ringlets attached to his simple iron war
helm cascaded over his shoulders and down his back. Wuqaz? Raj Ahten wondered.
Wuqaz Faharaqin come to fight at last? Offering a duel?
The humble peasants nearby looked up at the judge fearfully from the corners of
their eyes, and some begged him to fall down and do obeisance, while others
chided him for his deportment.
Raj AhtenТs palanquin came up beside the AhТkellah, and Raj Ahten raised his
hand, calling for his procession to stop.
Immediately, the pounding of the drums ceased, and every man in the army halted.
The crowd fell silent, except for the bawling of a few babes.
The air nearly crackled with intensity, and the thoughts of the flameweavers
burned into the back of Raj AhtenТs consciousness.Kill him, they whispered.Kill
him. You could burn him to cinders, make an example of him. Let the people see
your glory.
Not yet,Raj Ahten whispered in return, for since his near death in the battle at
Kartish, Raj AhtenТs own eyes burned with hidden fires now.I will not unveil
myself yet.
Fire had claimed his life, had filled him with a light divine yet unholy. His
old self had burned away, and from the cinders had risen a new manЧScathain,
Lord of Ash.
Raj Ahten knew most of the members of the AhТkellah. It was not Wuqaz who stood
before him. Instead, his own uncle on his fatherТs side, Hasaad Ahten, barred
the way.
Not Wuqaz, Raj Ahten realized with palpable regret. Instead, his uncle had come
on WuqazТs mission.
Raj Ahten had taken thousands of endowments of Voice from his people, endowments
that came from fine singers, from great orators. He spoke, and let the power of
his voice wash over the crowd. In a tone sweeter than peach blossoms, as cruel
as a blade of flame, he commanded, УBow to me.Ф
Everywhere among the crowd, millions prostrated themselves. Those who were
already bowing flattened themselves further, as if to become one with the dust.
Hasaad remained standing, anger brimming in his eyes. УI come to give you
counsel, my nephew,Ф Hasaad said, Уso that your wisdom may increase. I speak for
your benefit.Ф
By phrasing his words thus, Hasaad made certain that all in the crowd knew that
he spoke by right. Custom dictated that even Raj Ahten, the high king of all the
nations of Indhopal, could not kill an elder relative who sought only to counsel
him.
Hasaad continued, УIt is reported that already you have sent word, ordering your