"William Forstchen - Crystal Warriors 1 - Crystal Warriors" - читать интересную книгу автора (Forstchen William R)

honor. Yes, he would learn to conjure demons tonight--but little did he know that if the demons proved
intractable, he would be given to them as a sacrifice.

Mornan walked over to the pentagram, examined the lines cut into the turf, and nodded with approval.

"Danuth, we're ready."

Mumbling in some arcane language, Danuth wandered over to one of the points.

"You, boy, over there," Mornan directed. "Be sure to stand within the marks of protection, and leave
them not unless I tell you."

Even as she spoke, Mornan looked at Danuth, who gave a silent nod.

From out of the shadows the other two sorcerers appeared, their long robes waving in the breeze.
Stepping forward they took their places around the pentagram, making it whole.

Mornan reached into her robes and brought forth the precious crystal given to her by Sarnak. Its power
would help protect them from the chaos about to be unleashed. Focusing her thoughts through the
crystal, Mornan projected her will to the others.

"Open your minds to find demons in the worlds too long denied Us by the gods. Guide your minds
through the myriad portals, and when you find our goal call to the rest of us and together we shall draw
the quarry out. I can shield us from Allic's power of sensing for only so long. If you are not ready for this,
tell me now!"

The only response was the gentle crying of the wind.

"Begin!"

The hilltop glowed with a pulsing, unworldly light as the four sorcerers and their apprentice projected
their minds through the crystal and then outward, searching for the openings into universes concealed
from all but the most powerful.

War between the gods had been unknown on Haven for three thousand years. The sacred peace was
about to end at last.


Chapter 1
Anshan, Manchuria
July 9,1944
"Kochanski, what does radar show?"

"Their Zeros are holding back, Captain."

"All right, gunners, stay sharp. They'll jump us on the other side of this flak."

Captain Mark Phillips felt a nudge on his shoulder, and looking over, he saw Younger, his copilot,
pointing forward and up to where the first cotton ball bursts of flak were opening up. They were a little
high but Mark knew that the Japanese would soon get the range.