"Andre Norton - Witch World - The Warding of the Witch World" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

seemed no use.

The scholars who lived like gray-backed mice within those walls тАФ some for almost the extent of their
long lives тАФ had been so overwhelmed by the extent of these finds that they thought of little else than
burrowing a way into the next unsealed chamber.

Duratan, once of the Borders and at the time of the Turning marshal and protector of these
knowledge-mad delvers, had built up a small force of his own. From second and third sons drafted from
the surrounding farms, and from drifting Borderers whose companies had been rent apart during the
Turning, and some oftheir sons in turn, he had brought into being a force which had easily reckoned with
outlaws and such. It was said openly that while the masters of Lormt sought so avidly for one form of
knowledge, Duratan gathered the remnants of another. He sought fabled weapons of the far past тАФ or at
least such descriptions that they might be brought into being again. Thus had come Denners arrows,
Keris was sure. But they must be hard to make, since the man from Lormt rode with so few in his quiver.

Now the Gray Ones had slunk back among the mounds while the Sarn Riders were veiled in by
thickening mists. Those by the hillock prepared for attack as the riders of the Valley began a low buzzing
chant. When that creeping mist reached toward them it was stopped by the Valley magic, plowed up and
down, side to side, forming a rolling wall of fog.

Though they expected the Sarn Riders to burst out, there now was no change тАФ save that the clouds
overhead were very dark; it might be well into evening rather than midday. It began to rain, huge drops
striking at them as if they were blunt-nosed darts.
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Simon stirred uneasily. Direct attack he could understand and welcomed тАФ for the pull on him, drawing
him forward, grew stronger with every breath he drew. But he had lived many seasons now with magic,
enough to be doubly cautious of anything out of nature which his own senses could not explain.

"Jonka?"

The Valley rider's Renthan trotted closer. Under this dull sky, that peculiarity of the Valley race тАФ their
ability to change the color of both skin and hair тАФ had now left him gray, and against the wanness of his
hair his ivory horns were agleam.

"There is a need," he said, Simons uncertainty clear to him. "A greater trouble than we thought lies
ahead."

Simon waited, hoping the other would enlarge upon that, but it was the Renthan whose thoughts reached
him first.

*Those we have faced came at a hurry. Perhaps that which we seek has not Power enough to raise a full
range of any Dark fighters against us.* He tossed his head so that the brush of hair between his big ears
flopped near his eyes. *They may trail us if we go forward, but such is their nature they cannot hide.*

Simon made his decision. "Loose file, then, and let us ride."