"Colin Wilson - Spiderworld 05 - The Magician" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wilson Colin)

embarking on an adventure of self-development, and that one day their story would
occupy an important place in the history books.
And now, just as men were beginning to understand the meaning of freedom, this
murder threatened to undermine everything they had accomplished. Niall was aware that
many of the spiders resented this new situation; they regarded human beings as slaves
whose lives were as unimportant as those of the lowest kind of insect. Now they had been
told that these human vermin were under the special protection of Nuada, the Goddess of
the Delta, and that the Spider Lord had ordered that they were to be treated as equals
under the Law. That was, of course, preposterous. Nothing could make a spider regard a
human being as his equal. But because they were accustomed to obedience, they
observed the letter of the Law, and ceased to treat human beings as slaves. They
continued to regard them with contempt, but they no longer showed it openly. And
because human beings continued to regard the spiders with fear and respect, there was no
open friction.
But if these human lice could murder a spider, then the whole situation had
become outrageous. It would surely deserve the utmost severity -- as in the old days,
when rebels had been tortured and executed in batches of a hundred at a time.
Dravig had said that the Spider Lord would stick to the agreement; human life
would continue to be respected. But since spiders were telepathic, they were far more
aware of one another's feelings than human beings were. If the feeling became too strong,
even the despotic old Spider Lord might feel obliged to change her policy. . .
Niall was aroused from these disquieting reflections by the sight of two
charioteers who were laboring breathlessly through the deep snow; behind them in the
cart sat a big, fleshy man, who was shaking his head with visible impatience. Niall
recognized him as an overseer named Broadus, a prominent member of the Council of
Free Men. When he saw Niall, the expression of irritation dissolved into an ingratiating
smile. He made a bow from a sitting position.
"Good morning, highness. I'm sorry I'm late."
 "Good morning, Broadus." (Broadus's smile changed into something like a smirk;
he loved hearing his name spoken aloud.) "I'm afraid we're all late. Would you tell the
Council I'll be with them in a few minutes?"
"Certainly, highness." He shot a wrathful glance at the charioteers as he
clambered out into the snow.
As Niall started to mount the stairs, Nephtys came hurrying down to meet him.
She said in a whisper: "The Princess Merlew is waiting to see you."
"Oh no! I've got a Council meeting."
"I've told her that."
"All right. Thank you, Nephtys."
As he approached his chamber, the door opened and Merlew came out; she must
have been waiting behind it.
"Good morning, Niall."
"Good morning, princess." He deliberately used the formal title.
She was looking dazzlingly beautiful in a short dress of red spider silk which
clung to the curves of her body; her red-gold hair was combed straight down her back.
"You must be cold." She took his hands in both of hers. "Oh yes, you're frozen!
So is your face." She had placed her hands on his cheeks; they felt pleasantly warm. He
felt his impatience melting away; he had never been able to maintain an attitude of
coolness toward Merlew.
"I've got a Council meeting. . ."
"I know. You can keep them waiting. That's your prerogative."