"Katherine Kerr - Deverry 02 - Darkspell" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kerr Katherine)

up the sword belt, she hesitated, half-tempted to throw it to the floor; then she buckled it on with a toss
of her head.

The round wooden temple stood in the center of the compound. At either side of the door grew
twisted, flamelike cypress trees, brought all the way from Bardek and nursed through many a cold winter.
When Gweniver walked between them, she felt a surge of power as if she passed through a gate into
another world. She knocked nine times on the oak door and waited until nine muffled knocks answered
from inside. Then she opened it and went into the antechamber, dimly lit by a single candle. A priestess
robed in black waited for her.

тАШWear those clothes into the temple. Take in your sword as well. The high priestess has so
commanded.тАЩ

In the inner shrine, the polished wood walls gleamed in the light of nine oil lamps, and the floor was
spread with fresh rushes. By the far wall stood the altar, a boulder left rough except for the top, which
had been smoothed into a table. Behind it hung a huge circular mirror, the only image of Her that the
Goddess will have in Her temples. Dressed in black, Ardda stood to the left.

тАШUnsheathe the sword and lay it on the altar.тАЩ

Gweniver curtsied to the mirror, then did as the high priestess ordered. Through the door to the side
three senior priestesses entered without a word and stood at the right. They would witness her vow.

тАШWe are assembled to instruct and receive one who would serve the Goddess of the Moon,тАЩ Ardda
went on. тАШGweniver of the Wolf is known to us all. Are there any objections to her candidacy?тАЩ

тАШNone,тАЩ the three said in unison. тАШShe is known to us as one blessed by Our Lady.тАЩ

тАШWell and good, then.тАЩ The high priestess turned to Gweniver. тАШWill you swear to serve to the
Goddess all your days and nights?тАЩ

тАШI will, my lady.тАЩ

тАШWill you swear never to know a man?тАЩ

тАШI will, my lady.тАЩ

тАШWill you swear never to betray the secret of the holy name?тАЩ

тАШI will, my lady.тАЩ

Ardda raised her hands and clapped them together three times, then three more, and finally a third
three, measuring out the holy number in its just proportion. Gweniver felt a solemn yet blissful peace, a
sweetness like mead that flowed through her body. At last the decision was made, and her vow given
over.

тАШOf all the goddesses,тАЩ Ardda went on, тАШonly Our Lady has no name known to the commonfolk. We
hear of Epona, we hear of Sirona, we hear of Aranrhodda, but always Our Lady is simply the Goddess
of the Moon.тАЩ She turned to the three witnesses. тАШAnd why should such a thing be?тАЩ