"David Gemmell - The Damned 02 - The Swords Of Night And Day" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

. . . have you wed to a princess named Dunaya. It is said she was slain by a demon and carried away into
the underworld. You went after her. For years you were lost to the world of men, as you journeyed
through the deepest places of the earth seeking to bring her back.тАЩ Landis Kan chuckled. тАШA fine tale,
and there is probably a grain of truth in there somewhere. Now come with me, my friend. I have much to
show you.тАЩ


Landis struggled to contain his excitement. Through what seemed endless years of fruitless toil he had
held to the conviction that one day he would find a way to redeem himself. For the last twenty-three
years he had waited patiently, hoping against all reason that this latest experiment would prove to be
decisive.

The first three failures had been galling, and had dented his confidence. Now, however, in one glorious
moment, all was restored. Two names had rekindled the fires of his vision. The Zharn and Dayan. He
glanced at the tall man with the brilliant sapphire eyes, and forced a smile.

тАШWhere are we going?тАЩ asked the man.
 тАШTo my library and workplace. There is something I am anxious for you to see.тАЩ

Landis led the man along a narrow corridor and down a set of stairs. The lower levels were cold,
despite the lanterns hanging on cast iron brackets. Landis shivered, but the man beside him seemed
untroubled.

At last they came to a set of double doors. Beyond them was a long room, with five soft chairs and
three couches, festooned with embroidered cushions. A tall arched window showed a view of the distant
mountains. The curtains billowed in the afternoon breeze. To the left was a second arch, leading through
to a library, the scores of shelves bent under the weight of the books upon them. Landis walked on to
another door at the rear of the library. This he opened with a key taken from his pouch.

Inside it was windowless and dark. Landis lit a lantern, and hung it from a bracket. Golden light
flickered in the room, shadows dancing upon the plain walls. тАШWhat has been removed?тАЩ asked the man.

Landis smiled, noticing the rectangular dust patterns that showed where objects had been taken down
from the walls. тАШJust some paintings,тАЩ he answered swiftly. тАШYou are very observant.тАЩ Moving to a desk,
he reached down and lifted what at first appeared to be a short, curved ornamental staff. At each end
were sections of beautifully carved white ivory, though the centre was smooth, polished ebony. Turning,
he offered the object to his guest.

The manтАЩs face darkened and he stepped back. тАШI do not want to touch them,тАЩ he said.

тАШThem?тАЩ

тАШThere is evil in them.тАЩ

тАШBut they are yours. They were buried with you in the tomb. They were laid upon your chest, your
hands clasped over them.тАЩ

тАШEven so, I do not want them.тАЩ

Landis took a deep breath. тАШBut you know what they are?тАЩ