"Karl Edward Wagner - Kane 06 - The Book Of Kane" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wagner Karl Edward)

it too sensed salvation and forced itself beyond endurance.

The trees thinned and then broke into a clearing. As he came through the last of their number, Kane
caught sight of several small outbuildings clustered about a walled stone manor house or small castle. The
structures loomed darkly against the snow-filled night skies, their silhouette perforated with specks of
light from curtained windows. Desperately Kane forced his mount to this unknown castle here in the
frozen wastes. Let it be inhabited by demons and he cared notтАФso long as be found warmth. He
shouted hoarsely as he reached the gate. In sudden despair he realized that no gatekeeper would be at
his post on such a night, and that no one within the castle manor could hear him above the stormтАФshould
they be awake. In his condition he could never climb over the wall. In white fury Kane pounded on the
gate with his great sword. To his amazement the gate swung ajarтАФit had been left unlocked!

Not bothering to puzzle over this good fortune, Kane pushed aside the gate enough to pass through. The
horses hooves clattered hollowly across the courtyard, as Kane shouted wildly, striving to awaken
someone within. Just as he reached the manorтАЩs main doorway, the animal stumbled and fell, pitching the
rider upon the stones. Kane twisted clumsily, too benumbed for his usual lightning reflexes to serve him.
He fell heavily before the door, rolling against it.

With his last strength he battered the iron studded oak with his swordhilt. He looked back weakly to the
gate through which he had entered. Just before blackness overcame him, he seemed to see something
white creeping through that open doorway.

II. Things Found in the Storm



Something white stood blurred in KaneтАЩs recovering consciousness. With an effort he forced awareness
into his mind, his eyes to focus.

Her eyes widened in startled fright as KaneтАЩs baleful gaze suddenly gripped her, but she recovered
quickly and said to cover her embarrassment, тАЬHereтАФtry to drink this.тАЭ

Kane accepted the cup she held to his lips in silent appreciation, even in his condition savoring the
excellent brandy. Warmth flowed from the cognac as fully as from the crackling fire they had laid him by.
So the people of the manor had heard his call after all, he mused, and quickly he took note of his
surroundings.

He was in a small, stone room, furnished by a few benches, some chairs and a heavy table drawn near
the large fire that blazed against one wall. An antechamber, he surmised, from its plainnessтАФprobably
where the porter and stewards kept attendance on the main door. KaneтАЩs ice-crusted cloak had been
removed, and a heavy fur rug was thrown about him. Two servants supported him in a half supine
position before the fire; several others and a very sleepy maid milled about the room and doorway.

Holding the cup to his lips was a tousled girl of elfish beauty. From her magnificent robe of whitesnowcat
and the emerald set ring on her delicate hand, Kane knew her to be a lady of high estate. A mane of pate
blond tresses framed a perfect face from which a pair of wide, grey eyes shone. Together with a pointed
chin and straight, finely chiseled nose, she presented the picture of a somewhat whimsical pixieтАФa mouth
made for quick smiles now set in concern. Her age might be from late teens to early twenties.

тАЬWell, Breenanin, what have you found!тАЭ A bear of a man swept into the room, a huge fur robe hastily