"Paul McAuley - The Book of Confluence 01 - Child of the River" - читать интересную книгу автора (Mcauley Paul J)

"As if the Preservers care about your small sins, " Yama
said.
"You're too proud to be a priest, " Ananda said. "Above
all, you're too proud. Come and pray with me. Unburden
yourself."
Yama said, "Well, I would rather be a priest than a clerk,
but most of all I would rather be a soldier. I will run away
and enlist. I will train as an officer, and lead a company




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of
myrmidons or command a corvette into battle against the
heretics. "
Ananda said, "That's why your father wants you to be
a clerk. "
Derev said, "Listen."
The two boys turned to look at where she pointed. Far out
across the flooded fields, a point of intense turquoise light
was moving through the dark, air toward the Great River.
"A machine, " Yama said.
"So it is, " Derev said, "but that isn't what I meant. I
heard someone crying out."
"Frogs fornicating." Ananda said.
Yama guessed that the machine was half a league off. It
seemed to slide at an angle to everything else, twinkling as
if stitching a path between the world and its own reality.
He said, "We should make a wish."
Ananda smiled, "I'll pretend you didn't say that, brother
Yama. Such superstitions are unworthy of someone as educated
as you."
Derev said, "Besides, you should never make a wish in
case it is answered, like the story of the old man and the fox
maiden. I know I heard something. It may be heretics. Or
bandits. Quiet! Listen!"
Ananda said, "I hear nothing, Derev. Perhaps your heart
is beating so quickly it cries out for relief. I know I'm a poor
priest, Yama, but one thing I know is true. The Preservers
see all; there is no need to invoke them by calling upon
their servants."
L




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