"Kate Forsyth - Eileanan 01 - The Witches Of Eileanan" - читать интересную книгу автора (Forsyth Kate)

"I've also read about witches who folded the fabric of the universe and sailed across space. Is that
true?"

"Where did ye read that! It's forbidden, ye ken, to talk about the Great Crossing. Ye'd be put to
the Question if ye were heard! What sort o' book did ye read that in, lassie?"

Meghan cleared her throat. "I've always had a passion for books."

"But that's a story she could only be reading about in the Book of Shadows, which was destroyed
by the Banr├мgh on the Day o' Betrayal!" Seychella was sitting bolt upright, her cheeks crimson. "She
would be burned by the Awl if they heard her saying such thingsтАФthey deny all stories o' the Great
Crossing now, ye must ken that?"

"I wrote down what I could remember, from all the books. So many books were burned, so much
knowledge lost. I was afraid it would never be found again if someone did no' try to remember."

Isabeau said nothing, thoughtfully choosing another honeycake from the plate on the unsteady
table by the fire. She knew as well as Meghan did that although many of the books piled on every
table and shelf were written in Meghan's spidery handwriting, this particular book was an enormous,
ancient affair, bound in red leather, with a tarnished silver key as long as Isabeau's longest finger.
Each page was filled with handwriting different from the page that had gone before; many were
ornately illustrated with brightly colored pictures of dragons and winged horses, or the tracks of
stars and moons, or the shape of unfamiliar lands. Like many of Meghan's books, the last page was
empty, untouched, yet Isabeau knew by experience that if you should write on that page and turn
the leaf, there would be another blank page there waiting for your pen. She was never able to work
out how it got there or when, but the magic never failed.

As Isabeau wondered why Meghan had denied the book's existence, Seychella, apparently
accepting Meghan's explanation, went on to talk about how difficult it was to get the right ingredients
for spells and medicines when the merchants' ships no longer dared face the sea serpents. "I am
almost out o' rhinfrew," the witch said testily, "and the Power ken, I havena much murkwoad left
either."

"Aye, it may be time for a journey to the ports," Meghan said dreamily.

Isabeau's heart jumped with excitement. They had never ventured further away from the
mountains than the highlands of Rionnagan. Isabeau had heard of the dangerous beauty of the sea,
but she had never seen any water greater than Tuathan Loch at Caeryla. She hoped Meghan meant
what she said. What an adventure! It would take months to reach the sea from their home, and they
would have to travel half the country. She might see fairy creatures, or sea serpents, or even visit the
R├мgh's palace.

"Bedtime, Isabeau," Meghan said, getting stiffly to her feet and gathering up the dirty dishes.

"But it's only earlyтАФ"

"Ye've been out on the mountain all day, remember. Ye can hardly keep your eyes open!" her
guardian retorted, limping around the room.

"ButтАФ"