"Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman - Rose of the Prophet 02 - The Paladin of the Night" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weis Margaret)

journey of mine has not been pleasant, yet I do not look forward to its
ending." Sighing, he crossed his arms over his chest. "I dread bringing this
news to my long. The young man"тАФwith a nod toward the corpseтАФ"is his only son,
the child of his old age at that. And now"тАФibn Jad bowed gracefullyтАФ"to answer
your most reasonable question, Captain. The Calif was visiting the court of
the Emperor in Khandar. Hearing of the fame of the Amir, the Calif rode to
Kich to study the art of warfare at the feet of a master. It was by the vilest
treachery that the savage nomads killed him."
44
WEIS AND HICKMAN
THE PALADIN OF THE NIGHT
45
Ibn Jad's story seemed plausible. The Captain had heard rumors of the Amir's
attack on the nomads of the Pagrah desert. It was well-known that the Emperor
of Tara-JcanтАФa man who thirsted after knowledge as another thirsts for strong
drinkтАФencouraged visitors from strange lands who worshiped strange Cods. Yes,
it was all nice and neat, so very nice and neat. . . .
."What do you carry in those other twe litters, Effendi?"
"Ah, here you will see a sight that will move you profoundly, suit. Come."
Walking over to the two litters that rested behind the first, the Captain
sawтАФout of the corner of his eyeтАФthat his troops had almost completed their
search of the caravan's goods. He would have to make a decision soon. Admit
them into the city or keep them out. Every instinct, every twitching nerve
fiber in his body warned himтАФkeep them out. Yet he needed a reason.
Glancing inside the litter, expecting to see another soldierтАФ perhaps a
bodyguard who had sacrificed his life for his masterтАФ the Captain caught his
breath. "Women!" he stated, looking from one litter to the other.
"Women!" murmured Auda ibn Jad in reproof. "Say rather 'Goddesses' and you
will come nearer the truth, for such beauty as theirs is rarely seen on this
wretched plane of mortal existence. Look upon them, Captain. You may do so
now, though to have set eyes upon their beauty before the death of my Calif
would have cost you your life."
A white gauze veil had been drawn over the face of each woman. With great
respect and reverence, ibn Jad removed the veil from the first. The woman had
classic features, but there was something about the pale, still face that
spoke of fierce pride and stern resolution. Her long black hair glistened blue
in the sun. Bending near her, the Captain caught the faintest smell of
jasmine.
Auda ibn Jad turned to the other woman, and the Captain noticed that his touch
grew more gentle. Slowly he drew back the veil from the motionless body.
Gazing at the woman lying before him, the Captain felt his heart stirred with
pity and with admiration. Ibn Jad had spoken truly. Never had the soldier seen
a woman more beautiful. The skin was like cream, the features perfect. Hair
the color and brilliance of dancing flame tumbled down over the slender
shoulders.
"The wives of my Calif," Auda said, and for the first time the Captain heard
grief in the voice. "When his body was brought into the palace at Kich where
they were staying, awaiting my lord's return, they hurled themselves upon him,
weeping and tearing their clothes. Before any could stop them, the one with
the red hair grabbed the Prince's sword. Crying that she could not live