"Stephen Lawhead - Patrick, Son of Ireland" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lawhead Stephen)

тАЬAnd is God then greater than a man?тАЭ

тАЬInfinitely so, lord.тАЭ

тАЬThen why do we stand here with long faces?тАЭ I say. тАЬKindle
the flame and light the bonfire. King Loegair-for all his warriors
and weapons, horses, chariots, and strongholds-is but a whelk
upon a rock that is about to be overturned by the hand of God.тАЭ

They laugh uneasily at this.

To demonstrate the power I proclaim, I make a motion in the
air with my staff and speak the quickening words. The damp air
shimmers, and a sudden warmth streams around us. Raising the
staff, I touch the topmost branch on the heap we have labored all
day to raise. A red spear of flame leaps from staff tip to sodden
branch. тАЬGreat of Light,тАЭ I cry, тАЬhonor your servant with a sign
of your approval!тАЭ

The dull red flame flickers, clinging to life. High in the unseen
sky above, there is a rush of wind, and brightness falls from
heaven; fingers of light trickle downward through the thick
tangle of wet wood we have erected. Down, down it seeps. The
sodden branches sizzle and crack.

The red flame fades and appears to die. The men hold their
breath.
 As darkness closes around us, I shout, тАЬBehold! The rising sun
has come to us from heaven to shine on those living in the
darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet along the
paths of peace!тАЭ I stretch out my hand to my companions.
тАЬBrothers, you are all Sons of the Light. You do not belong to the
night. Therefore darkness can have no dominion over you.тАЭ

A flash of fire strikes up through the heart of the pyre. Blue
sparks rush into the air in a fountain of dazzling light. The good
brothers fall back as tongues of flame seize the rain-damp fuel.
Instantly the great heap kindles to blazing warmth, scattering
the shadows and illuminating the hilltop.

The brothers fall on their faces in reverent awe, but in my
mind is kindled the memory of another night, long ago. And
another fire.

Part 1
Succat
1

Concessa Lavinia lived in fear of thieves carrying off her