"David Gemmell - The Complete Chronicles of the Jerusalem Man" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

Jehovah. What does Shannow hope to find in Jerusalem?'
'We do not know, Lord.'
'And why is he a threat?'
'In every chart, or seer-dream, his line crosses yours. Karmically you are bonded. It is so with the
other two; in some way Shannow has touched - or will touch - the lives of two men who could harm
you. We cannot identify them yet - but we will. For now they appear as shadows behind the
Jerusalem Man.'
'Shannow must die ... and swiftly. Where is he now?'
'He is at present some months' journey to the south, nearing Rivervale. We have a man there,
Fletcher. I shall get word to him.'
'Keep me informed, priest.'
As Achnazzar backed away from his monarch, Abaddon rose from the ebony throne and wandered to
the high arched window, gazing over New Babylon. On a plain to the south of the city the Hellborn
army was gathering for the Raids of the Blood Feast. By Winter the new guns would be distributed
and the Hellborn would ready themselves for the Spring war: ten thousand men under the banner of
Abaddon, sweeping into the south and west, bringing the new world into the hands of the last
survivor of the Fall.
And they warned him of one madman?
Abaddon raised his arms. 'Come to me, Jerusalem Man.'




9
 THE COMPLETE CHRONICLES OF THE JERUSALEM MAN

CHAPTER ONE


The rider paused at the crest of a wooded hill and gazed down over the wide rolling empty lands
beneath him.
There was no sign of Jerusalem, no dark road glittering with diamonds. But then Jerusalem was
always ahead, beckoning in the dreams of night, taunting him to find her on the black umbilical road.
His disappointment was momentary and he lifted his gaze to the far mountains, grey and spectral.
Perhaps there he would find a sign? Or was the road covered now by the blown dust of centuries,
disguised by the long grass of history?
He dismissed the doubt; if the city existed, Jon Shannow would find it. Removing his wide-brimmed
leather hat, he wiped the sweat from his face. It was nearing noon and he dismounted. The steeldust
gelding stood motionless until he looped the reins over its head, then dipped its neck to crop at the
long grass. The man delved into a saddlebag to pull clear his ancient Bible; he sat on the ground and
idly opened the gold-edged pages.
'And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for thou art
but a youth, and he is a man of war from his youth.'
Shannow felt sorry for Goliath, for the man had had no chance. A courageous giant, ready to face any
warrior, found himself opposite a child without sword or armour. Had he won, he would have been
derided. Shannow closed the Bible and carefully packed it away.
Time to move,' he told the gelding. He stepped into the saddle and swept up the reins. Slowly they
made their way down the hillside, the rider's eyes watchful of every boulder and tree, bush and shrub.
They entered the cool of the valley and Shannow drew back on the reins, turning his face to the north
and breathing deeply.