"Laurell K. Hamilton - Ravenloft - Death of a Darklord" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hamilton Laurell K)

spilled round the strong bones of her face like a raven cloud. Her short, more fashionable tunic was
scarlet, breeches brilliant emerald green. One black-booted foot was drawn up on the chair, her strong
hands holding the knee. The belt from which hung short sword and pouches was black but much
embroidered, so that it gleamed rainbowlike. Jonathan had a matching belt that made his brown robe
look even more ordinary. But Tereza had embroidered the belts herself, and Jonathan always wore his.

There were no more chairs, so Konrad Burn stood behind the others. He was the youngest, not even
thirty yet. His face had been handsome once. His green eyes were fierce and glittering as jewels, brown
hair caught back in a leather thong. He was dressed all in brown leathers of varying shades that matched
the tanned skin of his face and arms. An axe rode at his hip, a small shield on his back. Calum was not
sure what had changed in the younger man. His face was still clean-shaven, still unlined, but the life had
gone out of it. It was as though he were looking at a bad painting. The picture looked like a man, but
there was no life to it. Only his eyes gleamed, alive with . . . rage: KonradтАЩs wife and partner had been
killed two years ago.

CalumтАЩs body was dying, but his mind and spirit cried out for life. KonradтАЩs body was healthy, strong,
but mind and spirit waited for death. Konrad lived, but it was only the motions of life. Calum would have
changed places with Konrad in a moment. He wondered if the younger man would have agreed. тАЬThe
twins are just outside,тАЭ Jonathan said. тАЬThey would love to see you.тАЭ

тАЬNo,тАЭ Calum said. тАЬThey are too young to see how all life ends.тАЭ Jonathan touched his hand, gently,
gripping the fragile flesh. тАЬIt does not always end like this, Calum. You know that.тАЭ

тАЬThen why is my life ending like this?тАЭ Tears warmed his eyes. He tried not to blink, holding his eyes
very still. Crying would have been the final embarrassment. His voice came out choked, and he hated it.
тАЬI was a good man, wasnтАЩt 1, Jonathan?тАЭ

тАЬYou are a good man, Calum.тАЭ Jonathan squeezed his hand as if holding tight could make it better.

Calum clung to his hand, the betraying tears spilling down his cheeks. тАЬI have fought the evil of this land
my entire life. I have nothing to show for it.тАЭ тАЬYou are Calum Songmaster, one of the greatest bards in all
of Kartakass. You could have been a meistersinger of any city or town if you had wanted it. You could
have lived in luxury, but you chose to serve the entire land. To search out and destroy evil, to serve the
brotherhood.тАЭ тАЬBut what have I accomplished, Jonathan? The evil still rules this land. The brotherhood is
no closer to discovering who, or what, poisons Kartakass. The corruption will outlive me, Jonathan. It
will grow and thrive, and I will be dead.тАЭ

тАЬHow can you say that?тАЭ Jonathan asked.

Tereza knelt by the bed. тАЬYou are Calum Song-master, who defeated the vampires of Yurt. Calum
Songmaster, the slayer of the great beast of Pel. Savior of Kuhl.тАЭ

Staring into the womanтАЩs dark eyes, Calum could almost feel his blood flow stronger. For a moment, he
was not an old man at the end of life, but the young Calum, the Songmaster who had tamed the
wilderness and slain his share of monsters.

The pain roared up from his belly. A red, burning tide of pain that filled his body, ate his mind. Nothing
was left but to ride the pain. He was aware, dimly, of JonathanтАЩs hand still gripped in his own, but the rest
of the world vanished while he writhed and trembled with pain.