"Rachel Pollack - Immortal Snake" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pollack Rachel)

Shining nodded. тАЬYes,тАЭ she said. тАЬI ate three seeds of my husbandтАЩs
heart.тАЭ

Her mother smiled, with love and sadness. тАЬThen you are free to
return to him for one third of every year. In the season of the lion and the
season of the swan you will remain with me, but in the season of the
serpent you may join your husband and all your children.тАЭ

This was the story told by Tribute of Angels on the second night of his
service to his master, Immortal Snake. All those who heard it never knew
exactly when the story ended, for they floated down strange and glowing
rivers until finally the dawn came and they discovered themselves back in
the Hall of Precious Happiness. Silently they left the room, careful not to
look at each other until only the Snake and his companion remained.

Tribute of Angels sat with his hands in his lap, his eyes cast down.
The Snake whispered, тАЬCome again tonight.тАЭ

тАЬAs you wish, Great Lord.тАЭ

тАЬNo. Not my wish. My life. Your voice is my breath. Your stories are
my blood. I was dead and you have brought me alive.тАЭ
 Tribute of Angels raised his head now, and for the first time his eyes
met the eyes of the Snake. тАЬYes,тАЭ he said. тАЬI will come again this evening.тАЭ

тАЬThank you,тАЭ said the ruler.

****

That afternoon, four women dressed as deputy ministers came to the
slave room of Tribute of Angels. Their disguises were not very good, really,
despite their false beards and mustaches, and hair pinned up under a
ministerтАЩs three-cornered hat. They giggled when Tribute of Angels inclined
his head and said, тАЬMy lords. How may I serve you?тАЭ

In a deep breathy voice the one who wore the highest rank
announced, тАЬWe have come to take you to your new quarters.тАЭ

Tribute of Angels stood up. тАЬAs you wish.тАЭ

They marched from the outer to the inner rings of the Nine Rings of
Heaven and Earth until they came to a wide set of rooms with high ceilings.
There were subtle tapestries on the walls, and carpets that mimicked a
summer lawn. Lacquered chairs and tables were draped with clothes, from
shimmery robes with striped collars to shoes with long toes that turned up
in spirals. In the inner chamber a large bed was piled high with pillows and
blankets of every color.

The minister smirked as she waved a long graceful hand whose