"Robert Jordan - Wheel of Time 11 - Knife of Dreams" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jordan Robert)

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УThis is ridiculous,Ф he said in tones more of sorrow than of anger.
УTake the fool, and weТll find out what Darkfriend plot to discredit the
Children he is part of.Ф He motioned, and two of the hulking Questioners
took a step toward Galad, one with a cruel grin, the other blank-faced,
a workman about his work.

Only one step, though. A soft rasp repeated around the courtyard as
Children eased their swords in their scabbards. At least a dozen men
drew entirely, letting their blades hang by their sides. The Amadician
grooms hunched in on themselves, trying to become invisible. Likely they
would have run, had they dared. Asunawa stared around him, thick
eyebrows climbing up his forehead in disbelief, knotted fists gripping
his cloak. Strangely, even Valda appeared startled for an instant.
Surely he had not expected the Children to allow an arrest after his own
proclamation. If he had, he recovered quickly.

УYou see, Asunawa,Ф he said almost cheerfully, Уthe Children follow my
orders, and the law, not a QuestionerТs whims.Ф He held out his helmet
to one side for someone to take. УI deny your preposterous charge, young
Galad, and throw your foul lie in your teeth. For it is a lie, or at
best a mad acceptance of some malignant rumor started by Darkfriends or
others who wish the Children ill. Either way, you have defamed me in the
vilest manner, so I accept your challenge to Trial Beneath the Light,
where I will kill you.Ф That barely squeezed into the ritual, but he had
denied the charge and accepted the challenge; it would suffice.

Realizing that he still held the helmet in an outstretched hand, Valda
frowned at one of the dismounted Children, a lean Saldaean named
Kashgar, until the man stepped forward to relieve him of it. Kashgar was
only an under-lieutenant, almost boyish despite a great hooked nose and
thick mustaches like inverted horns, yet he moved with open reluctance,
and ValdaТs voice was darker and acrid as he went on, unbuckling his
sword belt and handing that over, too.

УTake a care with that, Kashgar. ItТs a heron-mark blade.Ф Unpinning his
silk cloak, he let it fall to the paving stones, followed by his tabard,
and his hands moved to the buckles of his armor. It seemed that he was
unwilling to see if others would be reluctant to help him. His face was
calm enough, except that angry eyes promised retribution to more than
Galad. УYour sister wants to become Aes Sedai, I understand, Damodred.
Perhaps I understand precisely where this originated. There was a time I
would have regretted your death, but not today. I may send your head to
the White Tower so the witches can see the fruit of their scheme.Ф

Worry creasing his face, Dain took GaladТs cloak and sword belt, and
stood shifting his feet as though uncertain he was doing the right
thing. Well, he had been given his chance, and it was too late to change
his mind, now. Byar put a gauntleted hand on GaladТs shoulder and leaned