"Flint, Kenneth C - Gods of Eire 02 - Champions of the Sidhe UC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Flint Kenneth C)

"We haven't many days in which to prepare," Lugh went on. "We're meeting tonight in Nuada's quarters to discuss our plans. But, until then, don't speak of this to anyone else."

"I understand," Findgoll said. "We'll surely all be there." He looked at the other Druids. "In the meantime, we'd best

BRES RETURNS 27

be going on with our work, hadn't we? From the look of our warriors, our magic may be the best defense we'll have."

The four warriors left the Druids and moved back through the hall to the raised platform at the back where the High-King and his champions sat at the feasts. On the long table there were set out plates of cheeses and bread, dried meat and fruit, and large pitchers of a!e. The Dagda helped himself to a plate of food, took up a whole pitcher, and sat down heavily on one of the large benches.

"I'm going to watch this," he said. "It should be a good bit of entertainment."

Morrigan sat down, too, refusing the ale the Dagda held out, folding her cloak tightly about her and staring ahead, silent and expressionless.

"I'll be back to join you," Lugh promised. "I just want to tell Aine and Taillta that we're back."

He turned away toward the wooden stairway beside the platform and found Gilla falling in beside him. He gave him a curious look.

"I thought you were going to eat first."

The clown shrugged. "It'll wait a bit. I want to see them too."

Across the room, the Druids were back at their practice. Findgoll gestured one of the group forward. He was a young man, and looked very uncertain.

"Ce, you are the newest of our group," said Findgoll. "See what you can conjure that might frighten the Fomor."

As Lugh and Gilla started up the stairs, they heard the young Druid's incantation begin. They were nearing the top when there came a muffled boom and a bright flash of light from below. Then came Findgoll's voice, raised in sharp annoyance;

"I ask for frightening and what is it I get? A sheep! And a dead one at that!"

"I think it's only asleep, Findgoll," came the weak, defensive voice of hapless Ce.

"Is it? With all four feet straight up that way?" was the little Druid's biting retort.

Gilla flashed a broad grin at Lugh.

"Poor Findgoll. He's got his hands full with that lot of pompous tricksters. Only a handful of real sorcerers in the whole bunch of them."

The two reached the top of the stairs. There a long room ran

28

CHAMPIONS OF THE SIDHE

BRES RETURNS

29

along the back curve of the hall above the High-King's dais. It was open on the inside to the hall, edged by a low gallery rail. On the outside was a row of windows, now all open, allowing sunlight to flood the room.