"Roger Taylor - Whistler" - читать интересную книгу автора (Taylor Roger)

building before its creator.
 Two novice brothers pursuing their duties stepped aside hastily as the stocky, scowling figure strode past
them. They bowed tentatively but did not appear to be either surprised or offended at receiving no
response. They were just starting to whisper to one another when a second figure passed by them,
obviously in anxious pursuit.

тАШCassraw, wait!тАЩ Vredech called out as he reached a balcony that overlooked the entrance hall to the
Witness House. There was both appeal and urgency in his voice, and Cassraw, halfway across the
entrance hall, paused.

тАШPlease wait,тАЩ Vredech called again.

This time, Cassraw looked up. Vredech leaned forward, resting his hands on the wide stone balustrade.
Cassraw was standing at the very centre of an elaborate mosaic pattern that radiated outwards in all
directions. As Vredech looked down at his friend, it seemed to him that CassrawтАЩs dark scowling face
had replaced the image of Ishryth that was the focus of the mosaic, and that his anger was flowing out to
fill the entire hall. Vredech felt a chill of foreboding rise up inside him, and for a moment was held
immobile, like prey before a predator. Then CassrawтАЩs voice released him, or rather, tore him free.

тАШWait for what?тАЩ he demanded.

Vredech shook his head to dispel the lingering remains of his eerie vision, then, turning, he ran towards
the curving stairway. He had no idea what he was going to say when he reached his friend, but was just
thankful that he had stopped his flight.

Cassraw watched him as he ran down the stairs.

тАШJust wait for me,тАЩ Vredech said lamely, in the absence of any greater inspiration as he walked across to
him.

тАШFor what, Vredech?тАЩ Cassraw repeated impatiently, holding out a hand as if to fend him off.

VredechтАЩs distress showed on his face and he turned away from the outburst. Guilt seeped into
CassrawтАЩs expression, changing his scowl to a look of irritation. тАШDonтАЩt do this, Vred,тАЩ he said, turning
away himself and looking up at the high-domed roof. тАШDeliberately throwing yourself in my way and
getting hurt.тАЩ

тАШHow can you hurt . . .?тАЩ

Cassraw rounded on him. тАШI said, donтАЩt!тАЩ he shouted. He pointed in the direction of the Debating Hall.
тАШIshryth knows, youтАЩre my oldest friend and I love you, but theyтАЩre wrong тАУ and youтАЩre wrong if you side
with them. The Word is the Word.тАЩ He plunged into a pocket of his black cassock and produced a small
copy of the Santyth. He slapped the book in emphasis. тАШWe reject this at our peril.тАЩ

VredechтАЩs heart sank and he could not keep the exasperation from his voice. тАШNo oneтАЩs talking about
rejecting it,тАЩ he said. тАШWhy wonтАЩt you just listen to other peopleтАЩs points of view? Why are you suddenly
obsessed with this need to take the Santyth so literally? You know as well as I do that itтАЩs not without
obscurity in places, even downright contradictions.тАЩ

Cassraw stiffened and his hand came up again, this time to point an accusing finger. тАШThatтАЩs blasphemy,тАЩ