"Paul Thompson - [Elven Nations Trilogy 1] - Firstborn" - читать интересную книгу автора (Thompson Paul B)

Framed by ferns and tree trunks wrapped in flowering vines was a
magnificent animal with a single white horn spiraling from its head. A
unicornяГзrarest of the rare, more scarce than the gods themselves. The
unicorn was snowy white from her small, cloven hooves to the tips of her
foaming mane. She radiated a soft light that seemed the essence of peace.
Standing on a slight rise of ground, fifteen yards away, her eyes met Kith--
Kanan's and touched his soul.
The elf prince sank to his knees. He knew he was being granted a rare
privilege, a glimpse of a creature thought by many to be only legend.
"Rise, noble warrior." Kith-Kanan raised his head. "Rise, son of
Sithel." The voice was deep and melodic. Mackeli, still bowed, gave no
sign that he had heard.
Kith-Kanan stood slowly. "You know me, great one?"
"I heard of your coming." So enticing was the majestic creature, he
wanted very badly to approach her, to see her more closely, to touch her.
Before he could put the thought into action, she said sharply, "Stand where
you are! It is not permitted for you to come too near." Kith-Kanan
involuntarily took a step back. "Son of Sithel, you have been chosen for an
important task. I brought you and the boy Mackeli together, so he could be
your guide in the forest. He is a good boy, much skilled in the ways of
beast and bird. He will serve you well!тАЭ
тАЬWhat do you wish me to do?тАЭ Kith-Kanan asked with sudden
humility.
The unicorn tossed her head, sending pearly waves of mane cascading
along her neck. "This deep forest is the oldest in the land. It was here that
leaf and limb, animal and bird first lived. The spirits of the land are strong
here, but they are vulnerable, too. For five thousand risings of the sun
special ones have lived in the forest, protecting it from despoilers. Now a
band of interlopers has come to this land, bringing fire and death with
them. The spirits of the old forest cry out for help to me, and I have found
you as the answer. You are the fated one, the one who carries iron. You
must drive the despoilers out, son of Sithel."
At that moment, Kith-Kanan would have fought armies of dragons
had the unicorn but asked. тАЬWhere will I find these interlopers?" he said,
his hand coming to the pommel of his sword.
The unicorn took a step backward. "There is another, who lives with
the boy. Together, you three shall cleanse the forest."
The unicorn took another step backward, and the forest itself seemed
to close around her. Her alabaster aura shone briefly, and then she was
gone, vanished into the secret depths of the greenwood.
After a few seconds Kith-Kanan recovered himself and ran to
Mackeli. When he touched the boy's shoulder, Mackeli shook himself as if
coming out of a trance.
тАЬWhere is the Forestmaster?" he whispered.
"Gone," said Kith-Kanan regretfully. "She spoke to me!"
A look of awe spread over MackeliтАЩs sharp face. "You are greatly
favored, outlander! What did the Forestmaster say?"
"You didn't hear?" Mackeli shook his head. Apparently the unicornтАЩs
message was for him alone. He wondered how much to tell the boy and
finally decided to keep his own counsel.