"David Gemmel - Sipstrassi Tales 03 - Bloodstone" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

Everyone knew that God spoke to the old man, and Nestor's parents had been two of the many people
saved when Cade's brigands took on the might of the Hellborn army.
'Who burned the church?' asked Cade, the voice still strong and firm, oddly in contrast to the arthritic
and frail body.
'They were raiders from outside Pilgrim's Valley,' the captain told him.
'Not all of them,' said Cade. 'There were townsfolk among the crowd. Shem Jackson was seen. Now
that disturbs me - for isn't that why the Crusaders were not here to protect the church? Weren't you
called to Jackson's farm?'
'Aye, we were,' said the captain. 'Brigands stole some of his stock and he rode in to alert us.'
'And then stayed on to watch the murders. Curious.' 'I do not condone the burning of the church, sir,'
said the captain. 'But it must be remembered that the Preacher was told
- repeatedly - that Wolvers were not welcome in Pilgrim's Valley. They are not creatures of God, not
made in his image, nor true creations. They are things of the Devil. They have no place in a church, nor in
any habitat of decent folk. The Preacher ignored all warnings. It was inevitable that some . . . tragedy . . .
would befall. I can only hope that the Preacher is still alive. It would be sad . . . if a good man - though
misguided - were to die.'
'Oh, I reckon he's alive,' said Cade. 'So you'll be taking no action against the townspeople who helped
the raiders?'
'I don't believe anyone helped them. They merely observed them.'
Cade nodded. 'Does it not strike you as strange that men from outside Pilgrim's Valley should choose to
ride in to lance our boil?'
The work of God is often mysterious,' said Evans, 'as you yourself well know, sir. But tell me, why were
you not surprised that the Preacher should tackle - and destroy - six armed men? He shares your name
and it is said he is your nephew, or was once one of your men in the Hellborn War? If the latter is true,
he must have been very young indeed.'
Cade did not smile, but Nestor saw the humour in his eyes. 'He is older than he looks, Captain, and, no,
he was never one of my men. Nor is he my nephew - despite his name.' With a grunt the prophet pushed
himself to his feet. Captain Evans took his arm and Nestor ran forward to gather his sticks.
'I'm all right. Don't fuss about me!'
Slowly, and with great dignity, the old man left the room and climbed to the driving seat of a small wagon.
Evans and Nestor watched as Cade flicked the reins.
'A great man,' said Evans. 'A legend. He knew the Jerusalem Man. Rode with him, some say.'
'I heard he was the Jerusalem Man,' said Nestor.
Evans shook his head. тАШI heard that too. But it is not true. My father knew a man who fought alongside
Cade. He was a brigand, a killer. But God shone the great light upon him.'
*
The Deacon stood on the wide balcony, his silver-white beard rippling in the morning breeze. From this
high vantage point he gazed affectionately out over the high walls and down on the busy streets of Unity.
Overhead a bi-plane lumbered across the blue sky, heading east towards the mining settlements, carrying
letters and possibly the new Barta notes that were slowly replacing the large silver coins used to pay the
miners.
The city was prospering. Crime was low and women could walk without risk, even at night, along the
well-lit thoroughfares.
'I've done the best I could,' whispered the old man.
'What's that, Deacon?' asked a slender, round-shouldered man, with wispy white hair.
'Talking to myself, Geoffrey. Not a good sign.' Turning from the balcony he re-entered the study. 'Where
were we?'
The thin man lifted a sheet of paper and peered at it. There is a petition here asking for mercy for
Cameron Sikes. You may recall he's the man who found his wife in bed with a neighbour. He shot them
both to death. He is due to hang tomorrow.'