"Mickey Zucker Reichert - Bifrost 01 - Godslayer" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reichert Mickey Zucker)

The king cleared his throat. His look of fear dissolved, masked by a pleasant smile. "You've earned your
reward, Bramin Halfman.Five chests of gold, a parcel of land, or the hand of my daughter, Halfrija. The
choice is yours."



The pronouncement of Halfrija's name made Bramin smile despite his exhaustion and indignation. "I need
neither money nor power, for I have both already. But for Halfrija's hand, I would stop the sun from
setting and the moon from rising. I would still the tides or steal the hammer of Thor."



The court passed opinion in a gentle hum of conversation. The king bit his lip against an ecstatic grin, but
his blue eyes gleamed with excitement as they met Bramin's glowing red glare. The court sorcerer looked
stricken. All three men knew Bramin would need to abandon the School of Dragonrank, since one of its
primary requirements was eleven months per year of training on the school's grounds. For the king, it
meant a new court magician with power beyond any of his predecessors. Only those blessed with the
claw symbol could join the Dragonranks. Its devotees were the most capable users of the art, and the
most able among them became omnipotent lords or directly served gods. "Summon Halfrija," Ashemir
commanded his guards. They rushed to obey.



Bramin knew marriage would force him to sacrifice a future of ultimate power for domesticity and the
banality of court proceedings. He lowered his head, staring at the claw-shaped scar which puckered the
black skin on the back of his right hand. The symbol had appeared at the age of ten along with the first
traces of the life aura which glimmered about him, visible only to those versed in magic. His mother and
human half siblings sent Bramin away that year. So he traded the gibes of the citizens of Forste-Mar for
their respect and the grueling discipline of the Dragonrank.



A person marked with the claw was a rare enough occurrence in any town, and Forste-Mar received its
second surprise three years later. Bramin's eldest half sister, Silme, was similarly stamped by destiny. She
joined the Dragonrank, which pleased Bramin. It gave him a familiar companion on his infrequent breaks
from studying enchantments or practicing swordsmanship. And he had always liked Silme best. Many
times she had dried his tears or soothed his deadly rages when children grew cruel with their taunts or
citizens wounded his pride with derision.
 The doors swung open, interrupting his memories, and the court again fell silent as the guards ushered
Halfrija before them. A dress of blue silk with interlacing patterns of silver tastefully outlined her delicate
frame. Her face was fair with artistically high cheek bones. Her wide-set eyes were the pale blue of
cornflowers. At the sight of the lady he loved, all other thought fled Bramin. His heart pounded, pumping
warmth and desire through his body. He stared without speaking, love-blinded to her taut-lipped pall of
fear.