"Julian May - Boreal Moon 2 - Ironcrown Moon" - читать интересную книгу автора (May Julian)

тАЬCalm yourself, Ugusawnn,тАЭ the Master Shaman replied equably. тАЬI myself gave Beynor leave to investigate the Unknown PotencyтАЩs
history not long after his arrival. Why not, since our own scholars seemed unaccountably tepid in their reaction to the precious sigilтАЩs
return? As to BeynorтАЩs discovery, he told me of it just hours ago, saying he had finally marshaled sufficient evidence to support his
hypothesis. I commanded him to wait on us Four without delay and explain everything.тАЭ

тАЬAnd now the insolent groundling thinks he can barter his so-called knowledge!тАЭ roared the Warrior. тАЬI say he should be tortured until the
truth is wrung out of him!тАЭ

тАЬThe journeyman is deserving of his wage,тАЭ said Beynor, who seemed unfazed by the threat. тАЬForgive my saying so, Eminences, but your
shamansтАФ with the shining exception of Master KalawnnтАФare a timid and lazy lot, fearful of arcane matters outside the range of their
limited experience. They flatly refused to help with my researches, so I undertook them alone, working for four years under conditions
inimical to human good health. Eventually I uncovered the PotencyтАЩs secrets. It may no longer be called Unknown, Eminences! I know
its true nature. And while the Great Lights have forbidden me to empower itтАФor any other sigilтАФthey have not constrained you Salka.
IтАЩm willing to show you how to bring the stone to life. WhatтАЩs more, with my help, this one small moonstone can restore to you your lost
homeland on High Blenholme island, avenging your defeat by Emperor Bazekoy.тАЭ

тАЬAstounding, if true,тАЭ said the First Judge. He was a rotund personage who snacked on tidbits from the refreshment table as he observed
Beynor through shrewd, half-closed eyes.

The ancient Conservator of Wisdom whispered, тАЬIf there is the least chance that the groundling does speak the truth, we must weigh his
proposition.тАЭ


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 May, Julian - Boreal Moon 2 - Ironcrown Moon



тАЬI am truthful,тАЭ Beynor stated. тАЬAnd IтАЩll reveal everything I know if you pledge to help me attain my own heartтАЩs goal.тАЭ

The Supreme Warrior gingerly replaced the precious piece of moonstone on its golden stand and loomed over the young man. Two
boneless arms as thick as beech trunks, each having four digits armed with daggerlike talons, reached out in menace as the Salka general
spoke with ominous gentleness. тАЬYouтАЩll tell what you know without making demands, carrion-worm, or I will first disjoint your limbs
piecemeal, then slowly slice open your belly and consume your throbbing entrails while you watch with dying eyes.тАЭ

тАЬThat will do, Ugusawnn,тАЭ said the Conservator of Wisdom. He was an individual of wizened stature, plainly infirm and weighted with
years, but his red eyes burned with an authority that quelled the Supreme Warrior like an upstart child. тАЬPlease resume your place. I will
question the former Conjure-King of Moss myself.тАЭ

тАЬHuh!тАЭ said Ugusawnn. But he crawled obediently back to his slimy kelp couch as the Conservator beckoned for Beynor to come closer.

тАЬIt pains me to speak loudly, groundling. But listening to lies pains me even more. Do you swear by your human God to tell me the truth
about the Unknown Potency, on peril of damnation to the Hell of Ice?тАЭ

тАЬI do indeed, Eminence.тАЭ

But not all of the truthтАж no more than I told it to Kilian!

тАЬThen say first what favors you seek in return for your discovery.тАЭ