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

troops on RofehavanТs border to march to war.Ф Hasaad shouted his words, so that
they rang out over the crowd, but with only two endowments of Voice, HasaadТs
words could not convey the emotional appeal that Raj AhtenТs did. УThe reavers
have laid waste our fields and orchards in all of the Jewel Kingdoms. Our people
face starvation. Do you think it wise to send more men to war, when they could
better spend their time gathering food?Ф
УThere is food in Rofehavan,Ф Raj Ahten said reasonably, Уfor those strong
enough to take it.Ф
УAnd in Kartish,Ф Hasaad said, Уyou have sent a million commoners to work the
mines, hauling blood metal from the earth so that you heap upon yourself more
endowments.Ф
УMy people need a strong lord,Ф Raj Ahten said, Уto defeat the reavers.Ф
Hasaad asked, УYou have heaped the strengths of others upon yourself for many
years, claiming that you only seek to save your people from the reavers. Now the
reavers are vanquished. You have already claimed victory over the lords of the
Underworld. But it is not victory over reavers that you want. When you have
stolen RofehavanТs food, you will force their people to give endowments.Ф His
voice grew thick with accusation.
Burn him now,the voices of the flameweavers sputtered.
УTwo battles we may have won against the reavers,Ф Raj Ahten answered in a tone
that suggested grief at being questioned in so callous a manner, Уbut a greater
battle remains to be fought.Ф
УHow can you know that?Ф Hasaad demanded. УHow can you know that the reavers
will attack again?Ф
УMy pyromancer has seen it in the flames,Ф Raj Ahten said, waving his hand
toward Rahjim, a flameweaver riding to his right. УA great battle will flare up,
more fearsome than any that we have ever known. Reavers will boil from the
Underworld like never before. I go now to RofehavanЧto win food for my people,
and to fight reavers in my peopleТs behalf. Let every man who has access to a
force horse ride at my side. I will lead you to victory!Ф
Cheers arose from the multitude, but Hasaad stood defiantly.
How dare he! Raj Ahten thought.
УYou are a fool,Ф Hasaad said, Уto persecute the Earth KingТs people. Your
rapacity is endless, as is your cruelty. You are no longer human, and as such,
should be put to death like an animal.Ф
Raj Ahten ripped back the veil that hid him from the crowd, and a collective
gasp arose. The wizard fires in Kartish had seared every hair from his head,
leaving him bald and without eyebrows. The flames had also burned away his right
ear and scalded the retina of his right eye, so that now it shone as pale as
milk. White bone protruded in a cruel line along his lower jaw.
The crowd gasped in horror, for Raj AhtenТs visage seemed the very face of ruin.
But he had taken thousands of endowments of glamour from his subjects, giving
him a beauty ethereal, as overwhelming as it was impossible to define. In a
moment, the gasps of horror turned into УaaaahsФ of admiration.
УHow dare you,Ф Raj Ahten roared, Уafter all that I have suffered for you. Bow
before my greatness!Ф
УNo man can be great who is not also humble,Ф Hasaad intoned in the calm,
dignified manner common to the AhТkellah.
Raj Ahten could not let his uncle continue to stand against him. He would seek
to sway the crowds after Raj Ahten left, when the power of Raj AhtenТs voice