"Patrick Tilley - Amtrak 5 - Death - Bringer" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tilley Patrick)

Yes... Given the nature of Cadillac's mission, their escape would cause
a definite loss of face, and the authorities concerned would spare no
effort to recapture them.

Failure to do so would cause heads to roll. Mr Snow who knew nothing
of the mayhem the trio had caused at the Heron Pool - was unaware that
in its bloody aftermath a great many already had. He only knew the
Iron Masters were tenacious adversaries who did not admit defeat. That
was why he had to be on hand in case they pursued his young charges
into the heartland of the Plainfolk.

But he could not be in two places at once and he could no longer
hesitate. He now had less than a week in which to make his decision.

Perhaps the Sky Voices would consent to guide him. He had consulted
them many times during the past year but they had greeted his questions
about Clearwater, Cadillac and the cloud-warrior with a baffling
silence. He clambered up to his favourite rock, sat down with his legs
crossed, took several deep breaths while he admired the view, then
raised his closed eyes and opened his mind to the sky.

For a long while it seemed as if the staff of this spiritual advice
bureau was out to lunch but eventually a series of pictures appeared
before his inner eye. Soul-searing images of death and destruction on
an unparalleled scale; a grisly drama in which he had been given a
starring role.

Mr Snow was renowned for his courage and resolution but even his
indomitable heart quailed at this new burden that Fate had thrust upon
him. And what made it worse was the knowledge that these fleeting
images were merely a foretaste of what was to come. But there could be
no turning back. The Sky Voices had spoken - and had left him in no
doubt as to what he had to do.

Some two thousand miles to the east of the M'Call settlement, Ieyasu,
Lord Chamberlain of the Inner Court, grand-uncle and principal advisor
to the Shogun Yoritomo Toh-Yota, absolute ruler of Ne-Issan, was also
beset by problems that demanded resolution.



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If Mr Snow was old, Ieyasu was ancient, but they had many qualities in
common including keen eyes and fire in their belly. Both were shrewd,
highly intelligent and infinitely wise in the ways of the world even
though the societies in which they lived were totally dissimilar except
for their respect of physical courage and the code of honour which
formed the basis of the warrior ethos.