"Phyllis Ann Welsh - Sylvan Wars 2 - The Choosing" - читать интересную книгу автора (Welsh Phyllis Ann)

authority. He was sure they wanted to be caught in the deadly rays of the sun even less than he
did.
The only reason his men followed his orders at all, LтАЩGarn knew, was because he was the
royal prince. His grandfather would have them staked in the sun and whipped if their insolence
ever came to his ancient, royal ears. LтАЩGarn himself would rather be staked on his back, naked in
the sun with his eyelids removed, than tell King Zimpher that his grandson could not control the
few men in his command. No, LтАЩGarn would continue to ignore his menтАЩs defiance as long as
they eventually obeyed him and did their jobs.
The dawn was just breaking, but the cove would be in partial shadow for another hour or so.
As long as the rays of the sun did not touch him directly, he could survive the daylight without
much inconvenience. He had plenty of time to do some reconnoitering before going home. He
was in no hurry.
It was not often he was able to get away from the crowded conditions of Cragimore. Rarer
still was the opportunity to be alone for any length of time. His duties as a royal prince
prohibited the luxury of solitude. His allegiance to the throne was an effective chain, keeping
him from leaving to satisfy his curiosity about his tainted blood. His human heritage.
He forced his mind away from such forbidden thoughts, and found a comfortable spot below
the rim of the cliff, where he could watch the beach and ocean without being observed. While
LтАЩGarn did not expect to see anyone, it was always wise to prepare for the worst.
One of the scouting parties had returned yester eve to report that a band of Sea Elves were
living in the ruins of Shalridoor, which lay east of Cragimore on the coast. Zimpher was almost
insane with rage at the news, since heтАЩd been sure that the sea scum had been eradicated all those
years ago.
Many fine Night Elves had lost their lives during that time, including their great king,
Meedrion. But LтАЩGarnтАЩs people had been victorious in the end, enslaving many of their enemies,
and killing the rest. They had not had to deal with that menace for a long time. Not since before
LтАЩGarnтАЩs own birth, in fact.
If the scoutsтАЩ reports were correct, it looked like another war was in the making. Perhaps he
would be able to prove to his grandfather, and the rest of the people of Cragimore, that his
tainted blood did not mean he was worthless and beneath contempt. After all, the blood of his
royal mother Sembali flowed through his veins just as much as the hated human blood. That had
to count for something.
His wandering thoughts were abruptly interrupted as a woman stood in the waves and
scrambled out of the surf. Where had she come from? He had not noticed anyone swimming in
the swelling waves.



5
 PhyllisAnn Welsh



The womanтАЩs long black hair picked up the rays of the morning sun and glistened like wet
obsidian. The black tresses reached past her knees, completely blanketing her body from his
gaze, but as she moved, attractive glimpses of smooth skin captivated him. Enticing mounds of
creamy flesh, tipped with dusky nipples, peeked from behind the dark curtain of hair, and his
loins suddenly responded.
All thoughts of war and Sea Elves left his head as he pondered this unusual sight.
At first glimpse, he thought perhaps she was a mermaid stranded on the shore. But as she