"Irene Radford - Draconis Ex Machina" - читать интересную книгу автора (Radford Irene)

tried to run away. Krej had run the man to deathтАФnever even trying to capture him, just
him running and running until he could run no farther. When the man finally lay on
ground gasping for air, too spent to move aught but his lungs, and those only painfully, Krej
dismounted and kicked the man in the groin and the chest until he died.
The villager had fared little better than the deer. And Krej had laughed as he murdered
man. I could only wonder what cruelty on Krej's part had driven the commoner to run away
Now I paced warily behind the most powerful lord in the land. The higher we climbed
colder the air became. I smelled snow. The tree canopy obscured the sun. By the time
cleared the upland forest and moved onto the open slope of the mountain, clouds blocked
noon light and a fierce wind howled. I wanted to draw my cloak closer about me. But I ne
my sword arm free.
Finally, I stopped. A broad ledge, about ten paces deep, cut across an open curv
mountain. Above us, the mountain soared to uncounted heights now lost in clouds. Below u
old landslide dropped sharply to a stony valley. I did not want to be caught out in the ope
that ledge.
"Why have you lured me here, Lord Krej?" I drawled the title with contempt, all pret
gone.
I fought the urge to pace. My habits demanded movement. I thought better while mov
Now, as I looked around, I realized we had been following the cliff edge for some time
sense of space had been tricked by a gentler, rolling slope to my right. Now that it clim
thousands of feet, in a single glance I felt the danger of the drop to my left much more ke
My safety depended upon staying away from the edge of the cliff. I glanced nervously tow
the valley below, a long, long way below me.
I held my breath. I often dreamed of flying with dragons. The reality of the danger m
me sidle closer to the solid security of the mountain.
"The time has come, dear cousin," Krej replied with a sneerтАФ all trace of
condescension vanishedтАФ"to end the charade of your father's reign over Coronnan. To end
de Draconis line and the myth of your dragon protectors."
"So soon?" My thoughts whirled. I lifted one eyebrow in an attempt to stall for time. "
have no son or grandson to succeed you. Only five daughters. I would think you would m
off at least one to get a male heir before attempting to displace
the de Draconis line, a line of kings born of legend and worshiped along with
dragons." I kept my tone emotionless. "You should have put aside your wife years
You'd suffer a lot less frustration with a younger woman capable of producing a son."
The longed-for son must be the only reason he had waited nearly fifteen years to elim
the last two men who stood between him and the throne. Fifteen years while he lulled Fa
and me with false words of loyalty and honor andтАФchokeтАФlove.
I clasped my hands behind my back instead of pacing. If only I dared move, I might
my blood from freezing.
A piercing screech sounded above. I looked up. Saw nothing but a bright flash
dismissed it as the wind and storm.
Krej recoiled from the noise, shifting uneasily closer to the upper slope of the mountai
No one had seen a dragon in generations. They truly were myths. My sword was the
reality, the only rescue I trusted.
I shifted my hands to the hilt of my weapon.
Krej swallowed deeply. Then he seemed to shrug off whatever had frightened him
turned his piercing blue eyes on me.
I could not move. He seemed to drive a spear through my will with those eyes.
"Only I know how to tap Coronnan's greatness." Krej's voice took on the rhythm of a c
He began to draw arcane symbols in the air. Red fire would follow his gestures, leaving