"David Gemmell - Stones Of Power 5 - Shannow 3 - Bloodstone" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

It looks like when the fire was at its worst the Preacher managed to smash his way out at
the rear. There was a man waiting. The Preacher must have surprised him, there was a
fight and the Preacher managed to get the man's gun. Then he killed him and took his
horse. Jack Shale says he saw the Preacher riding from town; said his coat and hair were
ablaze.'
Nestor shivered. 'Who'd have thought it?' he said. 'All his sermons were about God's love
and forgiveness. Then he guns down six raiders. Who'd have thought it?'
тАШI would, boy,' came a voice from the doorway and Nestor turned to see the old prophet
making his slow way inside. Leaning on two sticks, his long white beard hanging to his
chest, Daniel Cade inched his way to a seat by the wall. He was breathing heavily as he
sank to the chair.
Captain Evans stood and filled a mug with water, passing it to the prophet. Cade thanked
the man.
Nestor faded back to the far wall, but his eyes remained fixed "to the ancient legend
sipping the water. Daniel Cade, the former brigand turned prophet, who had fought off
the Hellborn in the Great War. 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.