"Tad Williams - Memory Sorrow & Thorn 2 - Stone of Farewell" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williams Tad)

figure at the top of the stone well spoke again.
тАЬNine times nine days, Binabik, your spear stood before my cave, and I waited for
you.тАЭ
The words were spoken in a ritual chant, but the voice wavered un-steadily, pausing
for a moment before continuing. тАЬI waited and I called out your name in the Place of
Echoes. Nothing came back to me but my own voice-Why did you not return and take up
your spear again?тАЭ
Still there was no reply.
тАЬBinabik? Why do you not answer? Surely you owe me that, do you not?тАЭ
The larger of the two shapes at the bottom of the pit stirred. Pale blue eyes caught a
thin stripe of moongleam.
тАЬWhat is that trollish yammering? ItтАЩs bad enough you throw a man down a hole
whoтАЩs never done you harm, but must you come shouting your nonsense-talk at him when
heтАЩs trying to sleep?тАЭ
The crouching shape froze for a moment like a startled deer splashed by lantern-glare,
then disappeared into the night.
тАЬGood.тАЭ The Rimmersman Sludig curled himself up once more in his damp cloak. тАЬI
do not know what that troll was saying to you, Binabik, but I do not think much of your
people, that they come to mock at you тАУ and me, too. although I am not surprised that they
hate my kind.тАЭ
The troll beside him said nothing, only stared at the Rimmersman with dark, troubled
eyes. After a while, Sludig rolled over again, shivering, and tried to sleep.

тАЬBut Jiriki, you canтАЩt go!тАЭ Simon was perched at the edge of his pallet, wrapped in his
blanket against the insinuating chill. He gritted his teeth against a wave of light-
headedness; he had not been off his back often in the five days since he had awakened.
тАЬI must,тАЭ the Sitha said, eyes downcast as though he could not meet SimonтАЩs
imploring stare. тАЬI have already sent Sijandi and KiтАЩushapo ahead, but it is my own
presence that is demanded. I shall not leave for a day or two, Seoman, but that is the
utmost length I can put off my duty.тАЭ
тАЬYou have to help me free Binabik!тАЭ Simon lifted his feet off the cold stone floor back
onto the bed. тАЬYou said the trolls trust you. Make them set Binabik free. Then weтАЩll all go
together.тАЭ
 Jiriki let out a chin whistle of air between his lips. тАЬIt is not so simple, young
Seoman,тАЭ he said, almost impatiently. тАЬI have no right or power to make the Qanuc do
anything. Also, I have other responsibilities and duties you cannot understand. I only
stayed as long as I have because I wanted to see you on your feet once more. My uncle
KhendrajaтАЩaro has long since returned to Jao ├й-TinukaiтАЩi, and my duties to my house and
my kin compel me to follow.тАЭ
тАЬCompel you? But youтАЩre a prince!тАЭ
The Sitha shook his head. тАЬThat word is not the same in our speech as in yours,
Seoman. I am of the reigning house, but I order no one and rule no one. Neither am I ruled,
fortunately тАУ except in certain things and at certain times. My parents have declared that
this is such a time.тАЭ Simon thought he could almost detect a touch of anger in JirikiтАЩs
voice. тАЬNever fear, though. You and Haestan are not prisoners. The Qanuc honor you.
They will let you leave when you wish.тАЭ
тАЬBut I wonтАЩt leave without Binabik.тАЭ Simon twisted his cloak between his fists. тАЬAnd
Sludig, too.тАЭ
A small dark figure appeared in the doorway and coughed politely.
Jiriki looked over his shoulder, then nodded his head. The old Qanucwoman stepped