"Reichert, Mickey - Renshai 1 - Last Of The Renshai" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reichert Mickey Zucker)

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

8 Mickey Zucker Reichert

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 on his master's feet as he spoke. "He said that the age of change would begin during Shadimar's reign."

Trilless gasped. It was the first time Shadimar had seen the keeper of all goodness lose her composure. Davrin clutched his mandolin so tightly his fingers blanched on the frets. Even Carcophan looked pale and shaken.

An ancient prophecy flashed into Shadimar's mind, words carved on a wall in the Crypts of Kor N'rual by the original Northern Wizard. Committed to writing, this first prophecy had survived the longest, known not only by the Wizards, but by the few adventurous Northmen who happened to explore the cliffs in the wilderness outside what had once been the tribal city of Renshi:

In the age of change

When Chaos shatters Odin's ward

And the Cardinal Wizards forsake their vows

A Renshai shall come forward.

Hero of the Great War

He will hold legend and destiny in his hand

And wield them like a sword.

Too late shall he be known unto you:

The Golden Prince of Demons.

Not all about the prophecy seemed clear, but one part left little doubt in any Wizard's mind. The age of change

The Last of the Resshai 9

referred to the Ragnarok, the apocalyptic war that would result in the virtual destruction of all life, including the gods. Shadimar shivered. Certainly, against this threat, even Trilless and Carcophan would band together. And Shadimar reminded himself a hundred times in the next second that prophecies did not just occur by destiny; it was the Wizards' job to see them fulfilled.

Only Tokar seemed unaffected by Haim's pronouncement. "The Keeper said the age of change, or an age of change?" i

Haim shifted from foot to foot, looking like an errant child caught daydreaming during an important lesson. "Master, I'm almost certain he said the age of change. He said that Carcophan would incite the Great War.''

Forgetting his manners, Shadimar interrupted. "The Keeper mentioned Carcophan by name? And myself?"

Haim glanced at Shadimar. "Yes, lord."

"And us?" Tokar regained control of the proceedings with a warning glare at Shadimar. "Did he say whether you or I would carry out the Western Wizard's portion of the prophecies?''