"L. E. Modesitt - Corean Chronicles 4 - Alector's Choice" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

alectors compared to the millions of indigens and landers.

He nodded and walked down toward the north end of the building to
check the holding cell and third squad. After inspecting and checking all
that was necessary, finally, at a quarter before the third glass, Dainyl
stepped out into the courtyard behind the headquarters building. The two
remaining squads of First Company--first and second squads--and their
pteridons were forming up to the south of the flight stage. Third squad
would be escorting the prisoner, and half of fourth squad had gone with
the marshal, while the other half was out flying dispatch runs.

Dainyl turned and surveyed the circular graystone platform that stood
in the center of the courtyard behind the Myrmidon headquarters--the
flight stage for the pteridons.

The stone stage stood a yard and a half above the paved courtyard and
also doubled, if infrequently, as it did now, as the site for the
administration of justice to alectors. The raised stones were empty, with
only the justice stand--a crossbar affixed atop a single post--set in place
for what was to come.

After several moments, Dainyl turned back to the south and walked
toward Undercaptain Ghanyr. Behind the un-dercaptain were four
Myrmidon rankers and, set as closely as they could be, which still took a
square a good thirty yards on a side, five pteridons, blue wings folded
back, blue crystalline eyes looking forward.

Did the pteridons anticipate what would come? Dainyl had never
known, even with his own, back when he'd been a ranker, then a junior
officer.
 "We're ready, sir." Ghanyr glanced down at his arm and the crimson
armband. "Hate wearing it."

"We all do. That's why it's required."

"Yes, sir."

Dainyl moved toward Undercaptain Yuasylt, who had left the
headquarters building just before the colonel, and second squad and its
pteridons. The pteridons of third squad were ranked just behind those of
first and second squad, but without their riders, since third squad was
providing prisoner escort.

"Almost ready, Colonel," announced Yuasylt.

"Good." Dainyl wasn't certain he was ready, necessary as what was
about to happen might be. As he had surveyed the courtyard and the
squads of First Company, alectors from all around Elcien had begun to
arrive, coming in by themselves, in groups of two or three, and standing
on the north side of the landing stage. He could see several assistants of