"David Gemmell - Winter Warriors" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

'Do you know what is special about you?' asked the general.

'No, sir!'

'Absolutely nothing,' said the White Wolf. 'You are an undisciplined wretch and the clumsiest man
ever to serve under me. For a copper coin I'd hang you and be done with it. Now get to the post.
This cold is chilling my bones.' So saying he lifted the sheepskin hood over his head and pulled
the cloak around him.

'Yes, sir!' Bison spun on his heel and marched back to the post, reaching up and taking hold of
the wood.

The man with the whip untied the thong binding the five lashes and cracked it into the air. Then
he shrugged his shoulders twice and took up his position. His arm came back.

'Hold!' came a commanding voice. The soldier froze. Dagorian turned to see a small group of men
striding onto the barracks ground. They were all Ventrian officers wearing golden breastplates and
sporting red capes. At the centre was the Prince Malikada, the king's general, a tall, slender
nobleman, who had been chosen to replace the White Wolf. Beside him was his champion, the
swordsman, Antikas Karios. A fox and a cobra, thought Dagorian. Both men were slim and graceful,
but

Malikada's power was in his eyes, dark and brooding, gleaming with intelligence, while Antikas
Karios radiated a physical strength, built on a striking speed that was inhuman.

Malikada strode to the dais and bowed to the general. His hair was jet black, but his beard had
been dyed with streaks of gold, then braided with gold thread. Dagorian watched him closely.

'Greetings, my lord Banelion,' said Malikada.

'This is hardly the time for a visit,' said Banelion. 'But you are most welcome, Prince.'

'It is exactly the time, General,' said Malikada, with a wide smile. 'One of my men is about to be
disciplined incorrectly.'

'One of your men?' enquired the White Wolf, softly. Dagorian could feel the tension in the
officers around him, but no-one moved.

'Of course one of my men. You were present when the king - glory be attached to his name - named
me as your successor. As I recall you are now a private citizen of the empire about to head for
home and a happy retirement.' Malikada swung round. 'And this man has been accused of striking one
of my officers. That, as I am sure you are aware, under Ventrian law, is a capital offence. He
shall be hanged.'

An angry murmur sounded throughout the ranks. Banelion rose. 'Of course he shall hang - if
convicted,' he said, his voice cold. 'But I now change his plea to not guilty and - on his behalf -
demand trial by combat. This is Drenai law, set in place by the king himself. Do you wish to deny
it?' Malikada's smile grew wider, and Dagorian realized in that moment that this was exactly what
the Ventrian wanted. The swordsman, Antikas, was already removing his cloak and unbuckling his