"David Eddings. Castle of wizardry enchanters' end game (The Belgariad, Part two)" - читать интересную книгу автора

fortress and the city to visit the pavilion of the Ny-Issans, to greet
them courteously, and to receive from them the valueless gifts sent by the
harlot of Sthiss Tor. With smiles of greeting, the Rivan King and his
family were welcomed into the pavilion of the strangers.
Then the foul and accursed sons of Issa struck at all who were the
fruit and the seed of the line of Riva. And venom was anointed upon their
weapons, so that the merest scratch was death.
Mighty even in age, Gorek struggled with the assassins - not to save
himself, for he felt death in his veins from the first blow - but to save
at least one of his grandsons that his line might continue. Alas, all were
doomed, save only one child who fled and cast himself into the sea. When
Gorek saw this, he covered his head with his cloak, groaned, and fell
dying beneath the knives of Nyissa.
When word of this reached Brand, Warder of the Citadel, his wrath was
dreadful. The traitorous assassins were overcome, and Brand questioned
each in turn in ways that made brave men tremble. And the truth was wrung
from them. Gorek and his family had been foully murdered at the
instructions of Salmissra, Snake Queen of the Nyissans.
Of the child who had cast himself into the sea there was no trace. One
assassin claimed that he had seen a snowy owl swoop down and bear the
child away, but he was not believed, though even the severest urging would
not make him change his story.
Then all Aloria made dreadful war upon the sons of Issa and tore down
their cities and put all they could find to the sword. And in her final
hour, Salmissra confessed that the evil deed had been done at the urging
of Torak One-Eye and his servant Zedar.
Thus there was no longer a Rivan King and Guardian of the Orb, though
Brand and those of the same name who followed reluctantly took up rule of
Riva. Rumor, ever vagrant, persisted in the years that followed, saying
that the seed of Riva still lay hidden in some remote land. But
gray-cloaked Rivans scoured the world in search of him and never found him.
The sword remained as Riva had placed it, and the Orb was still affixed
to its pommel, though now the jewel was ever dull and seeming without
life. And men began to feel that so long as the Orb was there, the West
was safe, even though there was no Rivan King. Nor did there seem aught of
danger that the Orb could ever be removed, since any man who touched it
would be instantly and utterly consumed, were he not truly of the line of
Riva.
But now that his minions had removed the Rivan King and Guardian of the
Orb, Torak One-Eye again dared begin plans for the conquest of the West.
And after many years, he led forth an enormous army of Angaraks to destroy
all who opposed him. His hordes raved through Algaria and down through
Arendia, to the city of Vo Mimbre.
Now Belgarath and his daughter Polgara the Sorceress came to the one
who was Brand and Warder of Riva to advise and counsel with him. With
them, Brand led his army to Vo Mimbre. And in the bloody battle before
that city, Brand drew upon the power of the Orb to overcome Torak. Zedar
spirited the body of his master away and hid it, but not all the
disciple's skill could again awaken his God. And again men of the West
felt safe, protected by the Orb and Aldur.