"Tad Williams - MST4 - To Green Angel Tower Part 2 v0.5" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williams Tad)

Kicking near Camaris' feet was an even less decipher-
able muddle, although Tiamak thought he saw more
black-clothed limbs, as well as the pale nimbus of Aditu's

Tad Williams

hair. A third dark-clad attacker huddled in the corner,
warding off a swooping, fluttering shadow.

Terrified, Tiamak tried to raise his voice to call for
help, but could make no sound. Indeed, despite what
seemed to be life-or-death struggles, the entire tent was
silent but for the muffled sounds of the two combatants
on the floor and the hectic flapping of wings.

Why can't I hear? Tiamak thought desperately. Why
can't I make a sound?

Frantic, he searched the floor for something to use as a
weapon, cursing himself that he had carelessly left his
knife behind in the sleeping-place he shared with
Strangyeard. No knife, no sling-stones, no blow-darts-
nothing! She Who Waits to Take All Back had surely
sung his song tonight.

Something vast and soft seemed to strike him in the
head, sending Tiamak to his knees, but when he looked
up, the several battles still raged, none of them near him.
His skull was throbbing even more painfully than his leg
and the sweet smell was chokingly strong- Dizzy, Tiamak
crawled forward and his hand encountered something
hard. It was the knight's sword, black Thorn, still
sheathed. Tiamak knew it was far too heavy for him to
use, but he dragged it out from beneath the tangle of bed-
ding and stood, as unsteady now on his feet as Camaris.
What was in the air?

The sword, unexpectedly, seemed light in his hands,
despite the heavy scabbard and dangling belt. He raised it
high and took a few steps forward, then swung it as hard
as he could at what he thought was the head of Camaris'
attacker. The impact shivered up his arm, but the thing
did not fall. Instead, the head turned slowly. Two eyes,
shining black, stared out of the corpse-white face.
Tiamak's throat moved convulsively. Even had his voice
remained, he could not have made a sound. He lifted his
shaking arms, holding the sword up to strike again, but
the thing's white hand flashed out and Tiamak was
knocked backward. The room whirled away from him; the
sword flew from his nerveless fingers and tumbled to the