"Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman - Deathgate Cycle 3 - Fire Sea" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weis Margaret)

Deathgate Cycle
Volume 3

FIRE SEA

MARGARET WEIS AND TRACY
HICKMAN

PROLOGUE

I'VE TRAVELED THROUGH DEATH'S GATE FOUR TIMES, YET I DON'T remember
anything about the journey. Each time I've entered the Gate/ I've been unconscious. The first trip I
made was to the world of Arianus, there and backтАФa trip that was nearly my last. [1]

On my return trip, I acquired a dragonship, built by the elves of Arianus. It's far stronger and much
more suitable than my first ship. I enhanced its magic and brought this ship back with me to the
Nexus, where My Lord and I worked diligently to further increase the magic protecting the ship.
Runes of power cover almost every inch of its surface.

I flew this ship to my next assignment, the world of Pryan. Once again/I sailed through Death's
Gate. Once again, I lost consciousness. I awakened to find myself in a realm where there is no
darkness, only endless light.

I performed my task satisfactorily on Pryan, at least as far as My lord was concerned. He was
pleased with my work.

I was not. [2]

On leaving Pryan, I endeavored to remain conscious, to see the Gate and experience it. The magic
of my ship protects it and me to the extent that we both arrive at our destination completely safe
and undamaged. Why, then, was I blacking out? My Lord hinted that it must be a weakness in me,
a lack of mental discipline. I resolved not to give way. To my chagrin, I remembered nothing.

One moment I was awake, looking forward to entering the small dark hole that seemed far too tiny
to contain my ship. The next moment I was safely in the Nexus.

It is important that we learn as much as possible about the journey through Death's Gate. We will
be transporting armies of Patryns, who must arrive on these worlds prepared to fight and conquer.
My Lord has given the matter considerable study, poring over the texts of the Sartan, our ancient
enemy, who built Death's Gate and the worlds to which it leads. He has just now informed me, on
the eve of my journey to the world of Abarrach, that he has made a discovery.

*

I have this moment returned from meeting with My Lord. I confess that I am disappointed. I mean
this as no detriment to My LordтАФa man I revere above all others in this universeтАФbut his
explanation of Death's Gate makes little sense. How can a place exist and yet not exist? How can it
have substance and be ephemeral? How does it measure time marching ahead going backward?
How can its light be so bright that I am plunged into darkness?