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

"Oh? And were all of them going the same way?"

This came from the Morrigan. She had just entered the room. She wiped a crimson smear from her mouth with the edge of her cloak- Lugh, realizing what she had been about outside, repressed a shudder. He couldn't get used to the raven-woman's grotesque habit of staking her insatiable thirst with the warm blood of her victims, even if they were the beastly Fornor.

"They did all go the same way, I think," said Febal. "Didn't they?" He looked to his people for confirmation.

"Aye, they did," said another. "And all in a great hurry."

Morrigan stepped toward him, her dark eyes glittering, her dry, crackling voice sharp with interest.

"And just which way was it?"

"North and east," he told her. "Toward the sea."

Ill

THE DISCOVERY

"JUST A BIT higher now," the Dagda promised with a grunt of effort as he hauled his bulk up the rocky slope.

Behind him Giila and Lugh scrambled along, their more agile forms still no match for the amazing litheness of the huge man. Panting and hanging on a rock for a brief rest, Gilla looked up enviously at the black bird that soared high above.

"I'd give a pretty to be havin' her powers, so I would," he said sincerely.

"Never mind," said the young warrior, grinning. "The sea lies just beyond this hili, I think. It must be where Morrigan's been leading us."

"I wish she'd remember that 'as the raven flies' is only the easiest route for a raven," the Dagda growled. "I feel as if we've climbed every hill in Eire. She likely did it on purpose, knowing her twisted mind."

But the crown of the ragged hill was just ahead, and beyond

18 CHAMPIONS OF THE SIDHE

it the sea did come into view, a fine, wide cove with a beach of yellow sand stretching around its curve.

The three climbed higher and were able to look down the steep slope to the section of beach just below. What they saw made them jump hurriedly back into some sheltering rocks. :

The flat ground along the waters edge was swarming with Fomor!

They had encampments scattered far along the shore with crude shelters built and scores of fires burning. The smell of cooking food drifted up to the watchers.

"There must be nearly a thousand men there!" said the Dagda. "It looks like half the garrison forces in Eire are gathered."

"They must be planning to attack us," Lugh said. "But why | are they gathering here? And what are they waiting for? There |j are more than enough here to challenge our forces at Tara."

"What's Morrigan about?" Gilla wondered, pointing.

The figure of the raven had soared out far beyond the Fomor, high above the sea and away until she had shrunk to a black fleck against the grey of an overcast sky. But, as they watched, she began to grow again as she returned, sweeping in from the sea with speed, soaring up over them and then fluttering down to alight on a boulder nearby.

She folded her great wings and then began to caw and rattle noisily. The Dagda listened carefully, then nodded.