"Mickey Zucker Reichert - Renshai 01 - The Last Of The Renshai" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reichert Mickey Zucker)

"I have," Haim replied as formally.



"And the eighth task?" Tokar continued.



Now all of the Wizards shifted forward to hear the answer, the rustle of robes and cloaks disrupting the
stillness.



"There is no eighth task." Haim parroted the instructions given to him just before the Cardinal Wizards'
magic had sent him to face his destiny.



Tokar questioned further. "But one was offered to you?"



"Yes." Haim looked at the Wizards uneasily, specifically avoiding Carcophan's piercing, cat-like stare.
"The Keeper of the eighth task offered me a chance at ultimate power, even over the gods. As you
advised, I refused it. There is no eighth task."



Though often quoted among the Cardinal Wizards, the final statement was not wholly true, at least in
Shadimar's experience. The decision to refuse or accept the task itself seemed a test of judgment. In the
millennia since Odin had created the Tasks of Wizardry, no survivor of the tasks had ever chosen to
attempt the eighth one. Shadimar had no way of knowing for certain, but it followed that some of the
potential Wizards had tried the task. And it followed equally as naturally that every one who tried it had
failed and died. Each Wizard held his or her own theory, but Shadimar believed that Odin had added the
eighth task to protect the gods, the world, and the system of Wizardry. Surely, anyone interested in
ultimate power could not be trusted to obey the many laws that hemmed in and restricted the Wizards,
and he guessed that the simple act of accepting the eighth task meant failing it.



"Did the Keeper say anything more?" Tokar asked.
Every breath and movement became clearly audible as the silence waxed even deeper. Usually the
Keeper did nothing more than offer the task. But when he did speak, his words were always of the
greatest significance.



"He did," Haim said. His gaze darted from rapt face to face. Apparently intimidated, he chose to focus