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

In the silence, the High Alector stepped forward. "We are here to do
justice. You are here to see justice done. So be it." He turned toward the
alector strapped to the frame "You, Bealtyr of Elcien, have abused those
who trusted you. You have betrayed the trust placed in you by the Archon
and the Duarches. You have deceived, and you have cheated all who live
upon Acorus by your acts. For your crimes, you have been sentenced to
die."

The High Alector paused, then turned to accept the lash from the taller
assistant, who then stepped back. The ot№er assistant stepped forward,
holding the Mace of Justice in her hands.

"Justice will be done." The High Alector of Justice raised the lash, and
struck.
 The barbs on the lash were sharp enough to shred normal cloth and
flesh with but a single blow, but the lash was as much symbolic as physical
because, as the lash struck, the High Alector used his Talent and the
crystals concealed within the Mace to rip chunks of the very lifeforce from
the malefactor. Rather than waste that energy, it was funneled to the
pteridons formed up behind first and second squads, who drew it and
stored it for when they would next fly.

The High Alector needed but five strikes from the lash barbs before the
figure in the tee-frame slumped forward, unconscious, blood splattered
across his back and oozing over the red garments.

Brief as those five strokes had been, even so, Dainyl had to brace
himself against the agony radiated from the malefactor and Talent-spread
across the watching alectors. He watched as several alectors swayed. One
young man pitched forward, and those beside him barely caught him
before he would have struck the paving stones of the courtyard.

Two more strikes of the lash followed before Dainyl could sense the
emptiness that signified death. He managed to keep his lips tight
together.

"Justice has been done." The High Alector nodded to the assistant with
the Mace.

She turned the Mace on the figure in the frame. A pinkish purple haze
flared over the dead alector, then vanished. Only the empty frame
remained.

Actually, the Mace was attuned only to the specially treated red
clothing. With death, the alector's body would have turned to dust and less
in moments, but the use of the Mace provided absolute visual closure.

Had justice been done? Dainyl wasn't sure of that. He was more than
certain that, without the visual and emotional reminders provided by the
spectacle--and the required regular attendance by all alectors--that far