"Miller,.Steve.And.Lee,.Sharon.-.Liaden.Universe.01.-.Conflict.Of.Honors.v1.1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Miller Steve)

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MAIDENSTAIRS PLAZA

LOCAL YEAR 1O02

STANDARD 1375

Eight Chants past Midsong: twilight.

In the plaza around Maidenstairs a crowd began to gather: men
and women in brightly colored work clothes; here and there the
sapphire or silver flutter of Circle robes.

The last echo of Eighthchant faded from the blank walls of Circle
House, and the crowd quieted expectantly.

In a thin pass-street halfway down the plaza, a slim figure stirred.
She adjusted the cord of the bag over her shoulder, but her eyes
were fixed on Maidenstairs, where two of the Inmost Circle stood.

The shorter of the two raised her arms, calling for silence. The
crowd held its breath, while across the plaza a dust devil swirled to
life. The watcher in the by-street shivered, hunching closer to the
wall.

"We are gathered," cried the larger of the two upon the stairs, "to
commend to the Mother the spirit of our sister, our daughter, our
friend. For there is gone from us this day the one called
Moonhawk." He raised his arms as the other lowered hers to intone
the second part of the ritual.

"Do not grieve, for Moonhawk is gathered into the care of She who
is Mother of us all, who will instruct and make her ready for her next
stay among us. Rejoice, indeed, and be made glad by the fortune
of our sister Moonhawk, called so soon to the Mother's side."

The crowd spoke a faint "Ollee," and the shorter Witch continued,
her voice taking on the mesmerizing quality appropriate to the
speaking of strong magic.

"Gone to the Mother, to learn and to grow, Moonhawk walks among
us no more. For the span of a full lifetime shall she sit at the feet of
the Mother, absorbing the glory, seen by us no more. In this
Wheel-turn none shall see Moonhawk again. She is gone. So mote
it be."