"Karl Edward Wagner - Sing a Last Song of Valdese" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wagner Karl Edward)

Claesna preened his beard. "Their entire worship is structured on the energy
of opposing systems. Little is known of the cult, since its devotees worship
in secret. New initiates must study seven years in a 'hidden school' to master
the secret powers of the cult; then each is sworn to one of the Seven for the
space of forty-nine years. The names of the Seven are secret, for should the
uninitiate utter them he would evoke the god without having power over him. A
rather hideous fate, it's said. Korjonos was sworn to the Grey Lord, who is
the most feared of the Seven."
"Korjonos? Was that the young wizard's name?" the priest inquired.
Claesna bit his pipestem testily. "Yes, I believe so. After all, the ballad
was based on true events. Happened a century ago, I believe."
"Not at all," corrected the innkeeper. "Not quite fifty years ago. And very
near here."
"Indeed?" Dordron's voice was strained.
"In fact, at this very inn."
The eyes of the travellers bored back into their host's smiling face.
"Why, yes. But I forgot you gentlemen are strangers here. Would you like to
know the story behind Valdese's song?"
No one spoke. He went on as if there were no tension in the room.
"Valdese and Korjonos were childhood lovers. She was the daughter of one of
the richest men in Halbrosn, while he was the son of a servant at his inn.
They were both barely past ten when Korjonos was orphaned. Penniless, be left
the inn to study at a hidden school and vowed to return for her in seven
years, with the wealth and power that his wisdom would bring him.
"Valdese waited for him. But there were others. Six coarse young louts from
the settlements close by. They lusted for her beauty, and more for the gold
she would inherit. Valdese would not have them, but they argued and waited,
for the time was near when Korjonos had promised to return.
"And after seven years he did return. To their brutish anger, Valdese's love
for the young wizard had not diminished with time. They were married that
night at her father's inn.
"But hate was black in the hearts of her rejected suitors, and they drank long
into the night."
A log burst apart in a shower of sparks, cast light over the circle of nervous
faces.
"The guests were gone; her father they slew with the few others who were
there. They took his gold, and they dragged the lovers from their wedding
chamber.
"They hung Korjonos between two trees. Valdese they threw to the ground.
" 'He'll not curse us,' said one, and they cut out his tongue.
" 'He'll not cast spells against us,' said another; and they cut off his
hands.
" 'Nor seek to follow after us,' and they cut off his feet.
"Then they cut away his manhood and told her, 'He's not fit to lie with.'
"And they cut away his face and told her, 'He's not fit to look at.'
"But they spared him his eyes so that he might watch what they did to her, and
they spared him his ears so lie might listen to her screams.
"When they were finished... she died. Korjonos they left hanging. Then they
divided the gold and fled, each choosing a separate path to follow. And while
the infamy of their deed shamed the land, not one of them was ever punished."