"C. S. Friedman - Coldfire 1 - Black Sun Rising" - читать интересную книгу автора (Friedman C. S)

changed the face of Nature for your own benefit? Or dreamed of doing so?тАЭ
 тАЬIтАЩm as human as you are,тАЭ Damien answered curtly. тАЬWe all have our
temptations. But our ability to rise above them - to serve an ideal, rather than
the dictates of selfish instinct - is what defines us as a species.тАЭ
тАЬAh, yes.тАЭ The Patriarch nodded. тАЬThe ProphetтАЩs words. He failed us, youтАЩll
recall. And himself. As have all men, who tried to reconcile sorcery with our faith.
Remember that.тАЭ
He walked to the heavy mahogova chair and sat down in it, smoothing the
folds of his robe beneath him as he did so. And he sighed. тАЬYouтАЩll have your
students, Reverend Vryce. Against my better judgment and despite my
objections, but youтАЩll have them. A dozen of our most promising acolytes -
chosen not because they have great sorcerous potential, but because their
theological background is sound. You will not reach out beyond that group until
IтАЩm satisfied that this . . . experiment . . . can proceed without danger to my
charges. Or my Church. Am I making myself clear?тАЭ
Damien bowed, and managed not to grin. Barely. тАЬVery clear, Holiness.тАЭ
He clapped his hands twice. Barely a few seconds later the door swung
open, and a young girl in servantтАЩs livery entered.
тАЬThis is Kami. SheтАЩll get you settled in. Kami, take Reverend Vryce to the
rooms that have been prepared for him. See that he has a schedule of our
services, and anything he needs for tonight. Breakfast is in the Annex, at eight,тАЭ
he informed Damien. тАЬA chance to meet the rest of our staff under slightly less .
. . trying circumstances.тАЭ His mouth twitched slightly; a smile? тАЬIs that too early
for you?тАЭ
тАЬIтАЩll manage it, Holiness.тАЭ
The Patriarch nodded to Kami, a clear gesture of dismissal. Damien gathered
up his pack and turned to follow her - but when they reached the door the
Patriarch called his name softly, and he turned back.
тАЬWhen it comes time to die,тАЭ the Patriarch said, тАЬ- and the time will come, as
it comes to all men - what will you do then? Bow down to Nature, to the patterns
of Earth-life which are the core of our very existence? Help us to lay a foundation
whereby our descendants can reclaim the stars? Or submit to the temptations of
this alien magic, and sell your soul for another few years of life? As the Prophet
tried to do? Consider that as you retire, Reverend Vryce.тАЭ
It was clearly a dismissal, but Damien stood his ground. тАЬThe fae isnтАЩt
magic.тАЭ
The Patriarch waved one ringed hand, dismissing the thought. тАЬSemantic
exercises. WhatтАЩs the real difference?тАЭ
тАЬMagic can be controlled,тАЭ Damien reminded him. He gave that a moment to
sink in, then added, тАЬIsnтАЩt that what ErnaтАЩs problem is all about?тАЭ
And he bowed - with only a hint of defiance. тАЬIтАЩll consider it. Holiness. Good
night.тАЭ
 Three

The sun had set.
Narilka stood in the shopтАЩs narrow doorway, eyes fixed on the western
horizon. She was cold inside, just as the night was cold without. The sun had set
while she was downstairs. Long ago, by the looks of it. How could she; have
been so careless?
The stars were almost gone.