"Russell, Sean - Initiate Brother 2 - Gatherer Of Clouds" - читать интересную книгу автора (Russell Sean)

The monkТs recent benefactor stood under the bridge, hoping the
downpour would not last and contemplating the timing of his
offering with the bursting of the clouds. It was not the blessing he
had hoped Botahara would bestow. He shook the hailstones from
his robe, brushing the white pebbles off the shinta blossom and
flying horse emblems embroidered over his heart.

Several of SehТs more humble residents shared the manТs refuge,
but they stood apart from him and had bowed deeply before
stepping into the shelter, waiting for his invitation. Though still a
very young man, Corporal Rohku was a member of Governor
ShontoТs personal guard and, as such, a person of some
importance despite his lack of years and low rank.

The corporalТs father was the Captain of Lord ShontoТs personal
guard and it was the young manТs secret hope to bear this rank
himself in his time. Even more, it was his dream that the Rohku
name would be bound to that of the Shonto over generations of
important serviceЧas the Shigotu of old had attained fame for their
service as elite guards to seven generations of Mori Emperors.
For the time being he would have to accept a more humble
position, for he was not sure that Lord Shonto even knew his name.

Beyond the shelter of the bridge, hailstones flowed down tiny rivers
that ran between cobbles, disappearing before they made their
circuitous way to the canal. Cor-

poral Rohku found himself following their progress, trying to decide
where the stones ceased to be ice and became part of the water.
A second rumble of thunder shook the earth and, as though this
were a signal, an ornate barge took form in the mist that hung over
the canal. Before Rohku truly registered this, the barge faded
again, reappeared, and then disappeared wholly into the clouds as
though it had been only a specter of mist shaped by an errant eddy
of wind.

Rain and hail forgotten, the Shonto guard mounted the stairs back
to the avenue three at a time and ran out onto the bridge. So
absorbed was he in trying to part the clouds with an act of will that
he failed to notice the Neophyte monk was now standing at the
bridgeТs far end staring into the fog with equal focus.

They did not have long to wait, for the barge appeared again, this
time in more substantial form. It was intricately carved, painted
crimson and gold, with banners hanging limp in the teeming rain.

One pennant did not need to stretch itself in the wind to be
recognized for it was Imperial Crimson. A five-clawed Imperial
Dragon would circle the sun within those folds of silk. The other