"David Gemmell - Knights Of Dark Renown" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

Nine riders on nine white stallions. . . .
Lug remembered the stories Patricaeus told in the SlavesтАЩ Hall at the Solstice Feast - and
he knew then upon whom he spied.
The legendary Knights of the Gabala.
Lug did not know their names - save that the Lord Knight was Samildanach, the greatest
swordsman in the realm. The boy scanned the group. There at the centre, taller than the
others, shining silver raven wings adorning his helmet, was Samildanach, sitting silently .
. . waiting.
But for what?
Lug transferred his gaze to the chanting man and suddenly the horses began to whinny in
fear. The Knights held them steady, and LugтАЩs mouth dropped open, for the stars were
disappearing from the sky as a great black gateway formed before the riders. A sliver of
silver grey appeared in the rectangle of black and a bitter wind howled through the
opening. Then the mist rose like a huge wave to engulf the Knights, and unearthly
screams sounded from beyond the black Gate.
тАШFollow the Sword,тАЩ came the cry, and Lug saw the blade of Samildanach shining like a
lantern, and heard the drumming of hooves as the Knights thundered forward.
Then there was silence and the darkness faded, leaving the stars to shine once more.
Lug looked across at the far hillside, but the chanting man had gone.
The mist gathered and flowed up the hillside and Lug rose and tried to fly. But he could
not. His body was solid, and rooted to the earth. The cold wind touched him and he
shivered.
The dream was no longer comforting and he was desperate to return home. But where
was home? How far had he flown?
A noise came to him through the mist тАФ a slithering, rustling sound. He spun and tried to
scan the ground, but the grey fog was everywhere. Lug ran back up the hill, heart
pounding, but he slipped and fell in the muddy grass and rolled to his back. A black
shadow reared over him and sharp talons raked down at his body; he rolled again
desperately as they scored the skin of his chest.
тАШNo!тАЩ he screamed, as the slavering jaws of the beast dropped towards his face. He threw
up his arm. A blazing beam of golden light sprang from his fingers to engulf the creature
and with a scream of agony it disappeared as Lug sank back to the grass. Another shadow
fell across him and he cowered to the ground.
тАШDo not be afraid,тАЩ said a voice.
Lug looked up to see the outline of a man. The moon was shining over the strangerтАЩs
shoulder and his face was in silhouette, his features impossible to see.
тАШIтАЩm frightened,тАЩ said Lug. тАШI want to go home.тАЩ
тАШAnd so you shall, my boy. And then this. . . dream . . will be forgotten.тАЩ
тАШWhat was the beast?тАЩ
тАШIt came from beyond the Gate. But it is dead. You destroyed it, boy тАФ as I knew you
would - for within you is the Power. Farewell. We will meet again.тАЩ
тАШWho are you?тАЩ
тАШI am the Dagda. Sleep now - and return home.тАЩ
Lug had closed his eyes and slipped from awareness. When he opened them again he was
lying in PatricaeusтАЩ bed; the old man was sitting beside him, dozing in a chair.
Lug rolled over. The bed creaked and the old man awoke.
тАШHow are you feeling, Lug?тАЩ
тАШWhat am I doing here, sir? Where is my mother?тАЩ
тАШShe is dead, boy,тАЩ said Patricaeus sadly. тАШWe buried her this afternoon.тАЩ The blanket slid
from the boyтАЩs chest as he sat up.