"Nine Princes In Amber 08" - читать интересную книгу автора (Varley John)

Eric seated himself then and the nobles followed suit, and I was released to fall into my chair.
The serving began, and since I was hungry I ate as well as the rest of them, and better than most.
There was constant music and the meal lasted for over two hours. No one said a word to me during the whole time, and I said nothing more myself. But my presence was felt, and our table was quieter than the others.
Caine sat farther up along the table. At Eric,'s right hand. I gathered that Julian was out of favor. Neither Random nor Dierdre was present. There were many other nobles whom I recognized. some of whom I had once counted as friends, but none of these would return my glances.
I gathered then that it only required a small formality for Eric to be king in Amber.
And this followed shortly.
After dinner, there were no speeches Eric simply stood.
There came another flash of trumpets and a raucous sound upon the air.
Then there was a procession, leading all the way to the throne room of Amber.
I knew what was coming next.
Eric stood before the throne and everybody bowed.
Except for me, that is, and I was forced to my knees anyway.
Today was the day of his coronation.

There was silence. Then Caine bore in the cushion which held the crown, the crown of Amber. He knelt and froze in that position, offering it.
Then I was jerked to my feet and dragged forward. I knew what was about to happen. It came upon me in a flash, and I fought. But I was beaten down and brought to my knees at the foot of the stair before the throne.
The music rose up softly-it was "Greensleeves"-and somewhere at my back Julian said, "Behold the crowning of a new king in Amber!" Then to me, in a whisper, "Take up the crown and hand it to Eric. He will crown himself."
I stared at the crown of Amber upon the crimson cushion Caine held.
It was wrought of silver and had seven high points, each topped by a gem stone. It was studded with emeralds, and there were two huge rubies at either temple.
I didn't move, thinking of the times I had seen the face of our father beneath it.
"No," I said simply, and I felt a blow upon my left check.
"Take it and give it to Eric," he repeated.
I tried to strike at him, but my chains were drawn tight. I was struck again.
I stared at the high sharp peaks.
"Very well," I finally said, and reached for it.
I held it in both hands for a moment then quickly placed it on my own head and declared, "I crown me, Corwin, king of Amber!"
It was removed immediately and replaced upon the cushion. Several blows fell upon my back. There came a murmuring throughout the hall.
"Now pick it up and try it again," said Julian. "Take it and hand it to Eric."
Another blow fell.
"Okay," I told him, feeling my shirt grow wet.
This time I hurled it, hoping to put out one of Eric's eyes.
He caught it in his right hand and smiled down at me as I was beaten.
"Thank you," he said. "Now hear me, all you present, and those of you who listen in Shadow. I assume the crown and throne this day. I take into my hand the scepter of the kingdom of Amber. I have won the throne fairly, and I take it and hold it by the right of my blood."
"Liar!" I cried, and a hand was clapped over my mouth.
"I crown myself Eric the First, King of Amber."
"Long live the King!" cried the nobles, three times.
Then he leaned forward and whispered to me, "Your eyes have looked upon the fairest sight they will ever hold. . .. Guards! Take Corwin away to the smithy, and let his eyes be burnt from out his head! Let him remember the sights of this day as the last he might ever see! Then cast him into the darkness of the deepest dungeon beneath Amber, and let his name be forgotten!"
I spat and was beaten.
I fought every step of the way, but was taken forth from the hall. No one would look upon me as I went, and the last thing I remember was the sight of Eric seated upon the throne, pronouncing his blessing upon the nobles of Amber, and smiling.
That which he said was done to me, and mercifully I fainted before it was finished.

I have no idea how much later it was that I awakened within absolute blackness and felt the terrible pains within my head. Perhaps it was then that I pronounced the curse, or perhaps it had been at the time that the whitehot irons had descended. I don't remember. But I knew that Eric would never rest easy upon the throne, for the curse of a prince of Amber, pronounced in a fullness of fury, is always potent.
I clawed at the straw, in the absolute blackness of my cell, and no tears came. That was the horror of it. After a time-only you and I, gods, know how long-sleep came again
When I awakened. there was still the pain. I rose to my feet. I measured off the dimensions of my cell. Four paces in width, five in length. There was a lavatory hole in the floor and a straw-tick mattress in a corner. The door contained a small slot at the bottom, and behind it there was a tray which held a stale piece of bread and a bottle of water. I ate and I drank, but I was not refreshed.
My head ached so, and there was nothing of peace within me.
I slept as much as I could, and no one came to see me. I awakened and crossed my cell and felt for food and ate it when I found it. I slept as much as I could.
After seven sleeps, the pain was gone from out my eye sockets. I hated my brother who was king in Amber. Better he had killed me.
I wondered at the popular reaction, but could not guess.
When the darkness reached as far as Amber, however, I knew that Eric would have his regrets. This much I knew, and this comforted me.