"Karl Edward Wagner - Kane 01 - Darkness Weaves" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wagner Karl Edward)

Better would it have been for Maril had he first made certain of her death. A number of Efrel's loyal
retainers had eluded Maril's wrath. They caught the bull as it reached the twilight-hung outskirts of the
city, and there they killed it and stopped its flight. Although they did this seeking only to recover their
queen's body for proper burial, they discovered to their utter astonishment that the mutilated body still
lived!

Again the half-human, half-demon parentage seems to apply--for surely only an inhuman vitality could
survive such an ordeal. Yet, live she did--for the Pellinites immediately bore her to the ship they had
hidden in a secret cove and set sail for their homeland. Fearing relentless pursuit should Maril learn that
Efrel still lived, all were sworn to secrecy--agreeing to say no more than that they had reclaimed their
queen's corpse. And all human logic would suspect nothing further.

This was nearly two years ago. In this time Efrel has recovered--thanks to her unnatural vitality and to
the skill of the court physicians. But she is no longer a woman of unearthly beauty--only a hideously
mutilated wreck of humanity that hides from the sight of men. Life is held in her ruined body only by an
all-consuming lust for vengeance upon Netisten Maril and all that is his. In her hidden chambers within
Dan-Legeh, Efrel spins her web of vengeance, and only a trusted elite are privy to her commands.

Unceasingly since her return to strength has she intrigued to gather an army about her. She has delved
ever deeper into the occult mysteries, seeking to marshal forces of the other planes for her vengeance.
The others of her family are powerless or unwilling to halt the destructive designs of her fiendish energy.
Her hidden conspiracy against Thovnos and its Monarch progresses daily, and she seeks everywhere for
those who will aid her in this. Soon the magnitude of the venture must alert Maril to its
existence--assuming he does not already suspect.

In some unknown manner Efrel became aware of your presence here, milord--and she is convinced that
your generalship is essential for her victory in the rebellion. Accordingly, she has sent me to you as an
emissary to secure your aid.

In conclusion, Efrel offers this proposition: Assume leadership of her naval forces, and when victory is
ours, your reward shall be the island kingdom of your choice--saving Thovnos and Pellin.




There was quiet as Imel finished his narrative. Kane sipped his wine and brooded over the tale. The
tomb beetle had finally given up its obsession with the lamplight and escaped on some other errand.
At length Kane turned to Imel and said, "Well, your story does interest me. I'll have to look over your
Queen's set-up before I decide definitely, but what you say sounds attractive. Dramatic, but in content
your account is in keeping with various things I've heard from time to time.

"The main problem, though, is how to get out of here. I assume you have made some sort of
arrangements?"

Imel felt his insides slowly unknot as the tension left him. The first part of his mission was going to be a
success. The rest would be on more familiar ground for him. "Yes. We have a small craft, fast and
well-manned, hidden in a cove along the coast maybe thirty miles from here. If we reach it, I think we can
run or fight through any blockade the Combine may have sent out--these Lartroxians never were worth
much on the seas."