"01 - Odyssey" - читать интересную книгу автора (McGough Scott)

illuminating the site of Kamahl's future triumphs. From mountain

obscurity he traveled toward his destiny.

Cabal City was the largest in the continent's interior, but

only a few signs of its size were visible from Kamahl's vantage

point. He could see just the roofs of a few buildings and the

residential quarters' laundry hanging in the still air. The city

was held in a huge rocky crater, its sides uneven but highest on

the western outskirts. The glow of torches and the streetlights

near the great dome of the arena began to color the walls of the

buildings as Kamahl moved closer. The flare of both ordinary fire

and magic lit the streets, but the dark shadow cast by the crater

walls shrouded most of the city in darkness.

The barbarian started down the shallow incline at a slow run.

He breathed easily, even with the armor in his pack and the great

sword strapped to his back. Skin the color of brass showed no

flush of exertion. His smooth beardless features were calm. No

sweat dampened his inky hair, and his violet eyes were clear.

Living in the mountains had given him good night vision, and he

looked through the increasingly dim light to the town's gate. The

road began to rise, and he breathed harder as he neared the city

limits. The crater walls were notched, and the entrance reminded

the barbarian of a pass through mountains, though far smaller in

scale than the peaks of his childhood home. Drovers hurried a

string of camels into the city, their whips snapping as they

moved the animals through the high gate. Merchants from across