"Kenneth C. Flint - Gods of Eire 01 - The Riders of the Sidhe" - читать интересную книгу автора (Flint Kenneth C)

voice:

"Go now. See to the defense. And have the boy sent up to

me."

He hurried from the room and she turned back to the window. The ships were
already against the cliffs below, out of her sight. But she knew that their
warriors were swarming up the treacherous cliff-face without fear or
hesitation. It would be only moments before they would come against the walls.
"Taillta," said a voice behind her.

She turned to face a boy, tall for his fifteen years, fair-haired and slender,
and with a fine, long nose and boldly jutting chin that age would chisel to
clean, sharp handsomeness. He was breathless with his run to her and vibrating
with an excitement he could not totally control.

"Taillta... those ships... who are they? What's happening?"

"They're coming to attack us, Lugh," she answered bluntly.
"Attack!" The idea startled him at first. Then a look of

determination hardened his young face. "I've got to join the

companies," he said firmly.

He moved swiftly to the weapons hung along the walls and seized a longsword,
pulling it from its brackets. But Taillta moved up behind him, gripping his
shoulder.

"Lugh, you can't join them. You've got to leave." He whirled to her, his look
confused. "Leave? What do you mean? I've got to fight!" He was aroused by the
expectation of battle. The fire of it ruddied his pale skin, lit his grey
eyes. His muscles were taut with the need to act, his legs set solidly, his
sword gripped tight. She saw all of it and she felt a sudden stabbing of
regret. She had hoped that the need for this would never come. He had been
a poet, a craftsman, a lover of the peaceful ways taught him. A mild boy,
safe here from the worries of the world.

Harshly she reminded herself that she knew this day would

6 THE RIDERS OF THE SIDHE

come. She fought back the sorrow which had threatened to overwhelm her usual
control.

She moved close to him and stroked his beardless cheek lightly. He realized
that her eyes were full of tears.

"Taiilta," he said, concerned now for her. "I didn't think of you. Are you