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

morale.' Nogusta had looked into the old man's pale, cold eyes.

'Yes, my general.'

'You want to take Bison and Kebra with you?' asked the general.

'No. Orendo was Bison's friend. I'll do it alone.'

'Was Orendo not your friend also?' said Banelion, watching him closely.

'You want their heads as proof that I killed them?'

'No. Your word is good enough for me,' said Banelion. That was a source of pride to Nogusta. He
had served Banelion now for almost thirty-five years - almost all his adult life. The general was
not a man given to praise, but his men served him with an iron loyalty.

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Nogusta stared into the fire. It had been more than a surprise when Orendo had betrayed him. But
then Orendo was being sent home. Like Bison and Kebra. And even the White Wolf himself.

The king wanted the old men culled. The same old men who had fought for his father, saving the
Drenai when all seemed lost. The same old men who had invaded Ventria, smashing the emperor's
armies. Paid off and retired. That was the rumour. Orendo had believed it, and had robbed the
merchant. Yet it was hard to believe he had also taken part in the rape and attempted murder of
the girl. But the evidence was overwhelming. She said he had not only been the instigator of the
rape, it had been he who had plunged the knife into her breast.

Nogusta stared moodily into the fire. Had the crime shocked him? A good judge of men he would not
have thought Orendo capable of such a vile act. But then all those years ago he had learned what
good men were capable of. He had learned it in fire and blood and death. He had learned it in the
ruin of dreams and the shattering of hopes. Banking up the fire he moved the bed closer to the
hearth. Pulling off his boots he lay down, covering himself with the thin blankets.

Outside the wind was howling.

He awoke at dawn. The cabin was still warm. Rising from the bed he pulled on his boots. The fire
had died down to glowing embers. He took a long drink from his canteen, then put on his cloak,
hefted his saddlebags, and went out to the gelding. The back stones of the hearth were hot, the
temperature in the lean-to well above freezing. 'How are you feeling, boy?' he said, stroking the
beast's neck. The gelding nuzzled his chest. 'We'll catch them today, and then I'll take you back
to that warm stable.' Back in the cabin he put out the

15

remains of the fire, then laid a fresh one in its place, ready for any other weary traveller who
came upon it. Saddling the gelding he rode out into the winter woods.

Orendo stared gloomily at the jewels, purple amethysts, bright diamonds, red rubies, sparkling in
his gloved hand. With a sigh he opened the pouch and watched them tumble back into its dark