"Douglas Niles - Forgotten Realms - Moonshae 02 - Black Wizard" - читать интересную книгу автора (Niles Douglas)

power behind the title. The current king, Carrathal, has brought much trade to
CaDidyrr from the nations on the Sword Coast. He has even hired a council of
mages from Waterdeep and beyond to advise him. Still, he has been no more
dynamic than any of the others in providing strong leadershipтАФor bringing the
nations of the Ffolk together."
Tristan paused. He and his father had discussed this more than once. Because
the Ffolk had no single, strong leader, the Northmen had been able to conquer
many of their landsтАФone by one. We cannot bring ourselves to unite against
them, Tristan reflectedтАФeven when they bring all of their nations together
against one kingdom. But he still could not follow Daryth's argument.
"Perhaps he knew that your father had no ambitions," conceded Daryth. "But
perhaps your father was not the target of this assassin. It may be that he was
simply an unfortunate victimтАФthe real target could be one that the High King
does not know to be a loyal vassalтАФthe one most responsible for the great
victory of last year."
"Me?" Tristan was shocked.
"Of course, that is just a guess," admitted Daryth. "But your father was no
threat to the High King. Maybe you were."
"But what could be gained by slaying me? The king has enemies by virtue of his
position. Who knows how many
DOUGLAS NILES
petty cantrev lords will be arriving here to fight for my father's position?
One of them could have done this."
"I think that is unlikely," argued the houndmaster. "For one thing, the
graduates of the Academy of Stealth do not work cheaplyтАФI doubt whether one of
the cantrev lords could have afforded them."
"Perhaps they were hired by the High King, or at least by some wealthy
individual of Callidyrr," Tristan said. "I cannot accept the idea that I was
the target." Still, he recalled his father pushing over his chair and the dart
that followed.
"Very well," Daryth shrugged. "But have a care for your back nonetheless."
"I shall. The coming council of lords gives me enough cause for nervousness,
in any event. The major lords of Cor-well will ride here upon hearing of the
news of my father's death. After the funeral feast they will select a new
king."
"What do you plan?" asked the houndmaster.
"I plan to be the one selected."
The sliver of a moon cast little light over the vast wilderness of Myrloch
Vale. It did not penetrate the thick canopy of aspen leaves, and thus the
confines of the bower remained pitch black.
The shriveled figure there twisted and sat up, breathing heavily. He had slept
all afternoon and now felt strong enough to move.
With exaggerated stealth, he reached a clawlike hand into his tattered pouch,
pulling forth a black rock. It was curved, with smooth surfaces. Like a stone
sculpture of a heart. Some of its facets were pure, deep black, and others
seemed even darker. It absorbed light and radiated a faint heat. Deep within
its center, it throbbed with a deep, evil cadence that few could hearтАФbut
those that heard it heard it most profoundly. Nervously peering into the woods
surrounding him, he hunched over and clasped the object to his breast.
Rabbits and squirrels shifted uneasily throughout the woods as some nameless