"Raymond E. Feist - Serpentwar 2 - Rise of a Merchant Prince" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

Glancing around what had once been a regal and richly apPointed
dwelling, the demon closed its eyes, but not before glancing one last
time at the soul jar. Feeding might cease awhile, and with it physical
growth, but it had learned during the war that physical growth, while
impressive, wasn't as important as knowing things. The contents of the
soul jar were a being rich in knowledge, and this little demon meant
to have that knowledge. The den-ion placed the jar against its
forehead and mentally prodded the soul, causing more thrashing, and
the energy that resulted


5


Raymond E. Feist


flowed into the demon. Powerful, like a drug to a mortal, the sensation
was among the most glorious known to demonkind. The
demon felt something new in its experience: satisfaction. Soon it
would be smarter, know things, and then it would be able to use
more than animal cunning to gain rank and a position of power.
And when the Demon Lords finally discovered a way to open
fully the gate that had been sealed behind the fleeing Saaur, then
the Demon Host of the Fifth Circle would follow and then there
would be ample opportunity to feed upon the Saaur and upon
whatever other intelligent, soul-bearing creatures lived upon the
world of Midkemia.


One


A
SHIP SWEPT INTO THE HARBOR.
Black and dangerous, it moved like a dark hunter bearing
down on its prey. Three tall masts, majestic under full sail, propelled
the warship into the harbor of a great city as other ships
gave way. Although she looked like a great pirate vessel from
the distant Sunset Islands, her foremast flew the Royal Ensign,
and all who saw the ship knew that the King's brother was returning
home.
High aloft that ship, a young man worked quickly, reefing the
mizzen topsail. Roo paused a moment as he tied the final reef
point, and looked across the harbor at the City of Krondor.
The Prince's city spread out along the docks, rose on hills to
the south, and spread out of sight to the north. The panorama
was impressive as the ship sped in from the sea. The young