"R A Salvatore - Icewind Dale Trilogy 2 - Streams of Silver" - читать интересную книгу автора (Salvatore R. A)

Book 3: Trails Anew
Chapter 16 Days of Old
Chapter 17 The Challenge
Chapter 18 The Secret of Keeper's Dale
Chapter 19 Shadows
Chapter 20 End of a Dream
Chapter 21 Silver in the Shadows
Chapter 22 The Dragon of Darkness
Chapter 23 The Broken Helm
Chapter 24 Eulogy for Mithril Hall

Epilogue

About the Author




Prelude

On a dark throne in a dark place perched the dragon of shadow: Not a
very large worm, but foulest of the foul, its mere presence, blackness; its
talons, swords worn from a thousand thousand kills; its maw ever warm with
the blood of victims; its black breath, despair.
A raven's coat was its tested scales, so rich in their blackness that
they shimmered in colors, a scintillating facade of beauty for a soulless
monster. Its minions named it Shimmergloom and paid it all honor.
Gathering its strength over the course of centuries, as dragons do,
Shimmergloom kept its wings folded back and moved not at all, except to
swallow a sacrifice or to punish an insolent underling. It had done its
part to secure this place, routing the bulk of the dwarven army that stood
to face its allies.
How well the dragon had eaten that day! The hides of dwarves were tough
and muscled, but a razor-toothed maw was well suited to such a meal.
And now the dragon's many slaves did all the work, bringing it food and
heeding to its every desire. The day would come when they would need the
power of the dragon again, and Shimmergloom would be ready. The huge mound
of plundered treasures beneath it fueled the dragon's strength, and in this
respect, Shimmergloom was surpassed by none of its kind, possessing a hoard
beyond the imagination of the richest kings.
And a host of loyal minions, willing slaves to the dragon of darkness.

* * * * *

The chill wind that gave Icewind Dale its name whistled across their
ears, its incessant groan eliminating the casual conversation the four
friends usually enjoyed. They moved west across the barren tundra, and the
wind, as always, came from the east, behind them, quickening their already
strong pace.