"02 - Tantras - Richard Awlinson 1.0.palmdoc.pdb" - читать интересную книгу автора (Avatar Trilogy)

"The prosecution calls Rhaymon of Lathander," Storm pronounced, and a blond man dressed in bright red robes with thick bands of gold trim was led forward by a guardsman.

"Tell us about the last time you saw Elminster alive," Storm said.

The priest frowned thoughtfully, then began to speak. "My final duty on the day of the Battle of Shadowdale was to stand guard at the Temple of Lathander until Elminster arrived."

"Stand guard? Against what?" Storm asked. "What were your fellow priests worried about?"

Rhaymon frowned, as if he had been asked a foolish question. "Earlier that day, the Temple of Tymora had been attacked. We were all badly shaken. The priests of Tymora were slaughtered, the temple desecrated, and the symbol of Bane painted in blood on its walls. Also the healing potions stored in Tymora's temple were stolen."

"So you feared, naturally enough, that the same thing could happen at your temple?"

"Yes, that's correct," Rhaymon said. "Elminster said he had something important to do at the temple. He said he would guard it for us."

"Even with his very life?" Storm leaned close to the cleric.

Thurbal stepped forward, gesturing with his cane in pro-test. "She's putting words in his mouth. Let the man speak for himself!"

Mourngrym's eyes smoldered. "Get on with it, Storm."

The silver-haired adventurer frowned and backed away from Rhaymon. "Was Elminster alone when he arrived at the temple?" the bard asked after a moment.

Shaking his head, the priest gestured toward the prisoners. "No. They were with him."

"Can you describe Elminster's mood at the time?"

Rhaymon seemed put off by the question. "Are you serious?" he mumbled quietly.

"I assure you, no one could be more serious," Storm said grimly.

The priest swallowed. "He was a bit cranky, but he was Elminster, after all."

There was some laughter from the crowd, but no hint of a smile crossed Storm's features. "Would it be fair to say Elminster seemed agitated? Did the presence of the prisoners upset him?"

Rhaymon looked serious. "I couldn't say what the cause of his uneasiness was. I do know this," the priest said quickly as he pointed toward Adon. "The one with the scar stopped me as I was leaving and told me to make Bane's soldiers pay for what happened to the worshipers of Tymora."

Stormed nodded. "I have one final question. Do you think the prisoners killed Elminster?"

Thurbal rushed to stand before Mourngrym. "Milord, this goes too far!"

The expression of the dalelord grew dark. "I will decide how far this goes." Mourngrym turned to the priest. "Answer the question."

The priest tensed as he looked down at the prisoners. "If I could run them through, here and now, I would gladly do so. Many men, some hardly more than boys, died to save this town. While those heroes were giving their lives, these two were making a mockery of their sacrifice!"

"That is all," Storm said, and she took her place beside Mourngrym.

Thurbal eyed the priest carefully before he spoke. "Did you see either the scarred cleric or the woman harm Elminster in any way?"

"Our way of life has been destroyed! We will have to rebuild the temple-"