"Janny Wurts - The Cycle of Fire1 - Stormwarden" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wurts Janny)

Stormwarden

The First Book of the Cycle of Fire

By Janny Wurts




Prologue



Written in the records of the Vaere is the tale of the binding of the Mharg-demons at Elrinfaer by the
wizard of wind and wave, Anskiere. He was helped in his task by Ivain, master of fire and earth, for the
skills of a single sorcerer were in-sufficient to subdue so formidable a foe. But at the moment of crisis,
when the peril of the Mharg-demons was greatest, legend holds that Ivain betrayed his companion out of
jealousy. Yet, Anskiere survived and the Mharg-demons were bound. The major wards are sealed still
by Anskiere's powers. And though neither Ivain nor Anskiere ever spoke of the dissent which arose
between them on a lonely isle at Northsea, so potent was the magic in the words spoken by Anskiere to
his betrayer, sailors who have visited the rocky spread of beach claim the winds there repeat them to this
day.

"Your offense against me is pardoned but not forgotten. This geas I lay upon you: should I call, you,
Ivain, shall answer, and complete a deed of my choice, even to the end of your days. And should you
die, my will shall pass to your eldest son, and to his son's sons after him, until the debt is paid."

On a nearby ledge, battered by tide, lies a stone with an inscription believed to be Ivain's reply.

"Summon me, sorcerer, and know sorrow. Be sure I will leave nothing of value for your use, even
should my offspring inherit."




Stormwarden



The fisher folk clustered in a tight knot before the cottage door. Wind off the sea tugged their
home-woven trousers into untidy wrinkles, making the cloth look awkwardly sewn. One man, tougher,
uglier, and more sunburned that the rest, finally knocked loudly and stepped back, frowning.

The door opened. Dull pewter light from a lowering sky touched a figure in shadow beyond.

"Anskiri?" The fisherman's tone was rough, aggressively pitched to cover embarrassment.

"I am Anskiere." A quiet voice restored the name's foreign inflection. "Has there been trouble?" With the
dignity associ-ated with great power, the Stormwarden of Imrill Kand stepped over the threshold, a thin,
straight man with sculpted features and harsh gray eyes. Sea wind whipped white hair about shoul-ders