"Paul Edwin Zimmer - A Gathering of Heros" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zimmer Paul Edwin)

dropped to a whisperтАФ "Rath Tintallain?" Istvan shook his head; Y'gora was filled with similar names.
"It is an elf fortress, built above a city of die dwarves, and there elf and dwarf together guard for the
Hasturs a secret of which I will not speak. But on alt the paths of the Future, now, we see an attack, and
great danger and destruction should Rath Tintallain fall. Will you go?"



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Glancing quickly around, Istvan saw Nydorean sailors openly staring, while his countrymen pretended,
with amused tolerance, that the appearance of an Immortal upon their ship was an everyday affair, not
worthy of curiosity or notice.
"IтАФof course I will go," said Istvan. "But I do not understand how my single sword can aid you. Ani why
should a city warded by elvesтАФand by your kinтАФneed the aid of any mortal man?"
"Not even the Hasturs can see die true future," said Aldamir, ' 'nor know which of the many branchings
we do see it may take. Our meeting today I have seen on many branchings, and always the future is more
hopeful upon those roads
A GATHERING OF HEROES 3
that lead from it. And you will not be alone. But remember that die sword you bear was wrought by
Earnur Hastur, and some call the arm that wields it one of the most skilled in the world."
"Aha!" Istvan exclaimed. "I knew it! You've got me mixed up with my cousin Raquel!" Aldamir laughed.
"Not so! Your cousin Raquel is in Heyleu, counting up the money from his last campaign and considering
an invitation from his old friend Birthran, swordmaster of the House of Ore, to visit at the Court of
Kadar. No, my lord, there is no mistake.
"A party of picked warriors will gather tonight: if you would join them, you need but ride before midnight
to the Inn of the Silver Axe, at the crossroads by Nockarv."
"Should I not take Alar D'Ascoli with me?" Istvan asked. "He is trained both as wizard and warrior,
while my only skill is the sword."
"Of wizards, Lord DiVega, there will be no lack," said Aldamir. "But time grows short. It is a long ride to
Nockarv hill. You may go or stay, but you must decide soon, to be there by midnight. Fare well!"
The Immortal vanished as suddenly as he had come, and Istvan faced empty air that rippled like the air
above a fire.
He was aware of the curious eyes of the Nydoreans, and of furtive glances from his own men. The twin
suns had reached the sea, and were sinking in a splendour of peacock light. Alar D'Ascoli came slowly
toward him, curiosity raging in dark eyes.
"Take command," Istvan told him, "and when you get home, see that every man is properly paid. It
seems I am to stay in Y'gora for a time." D'Ascoli's eyebrows rose.
"What is it about?"
"Ifl knew that," Istvan snorted, "I might have the sense to go home and forget it all!"
It was full dark by the time the boat put him ashore, and then he had to arrange for a horse. A flight of
little moons soared up ahead of him as he picked out his road and urged the horse to a steady trot
through the streets of Elthar.
Midnight, Aldamir had said. As he left the docks behind, me houses grew wider apart, nestled among
groves of trees. That made him homesick for Carcosa. Bright archways opened
4 Paul Edwin Zimmer
in the ground, doorways down into the dwarf city. On either hand, the guarding towers flamed atop the
great black hills that cradled the city between them.
The trees thickened as he left the mortal sector behind; the trees themselves were citizens of Elthar, with