"Роджер Желязны. Lord of Light (Лорд Света, engl) " - читать интересную книгу автора

"Yes."
"Know you where he obtained it?"
"I do not."
"Nor I. But I feel we should learn its origin."
"Aye."
"How shall we essay this thing?"
"I have assigned the chore to Tak, who is better suited to the ways of
the forest than we. Even now he follows the trail."
Ratri nodded. "Good," she said.
"I have heard," said Yama, "that the gods do still occasionally visit
the more notable palaces of Kama throughout the land, generally in disguise,
but sometimes in full power. Is this true?"
"Yes. But a year ago did Lord Indra come to Khaipur. Some three years
back, the false Krishna made a visit. Of all the Celestial party, Krishna
the Tireless does cause the greatest consternation among the staff. He
stayed for a month of riot, which involved much broken furniture and the
services of many physicians. He did near empty the wine cellar and the
larder. He played then upon his pipes one night, however, the hearing of
which would have been enough to gain the old Krishna forgiveness for near
anything. But it was not the true magic we heard that night, for there is
only one true Krishna-- swart and hairy, his eyes so red and blazing. This
one did dance upon the tables, causing much havoc, and his musical
accompaniment was insufficient."
"Paid he for this carnage with other than a song?"
She laughed. "Come now, Yama. Let there be no rhetorical questions
between us."
He snorted smoke.
"Surya, the sun, is now about to be encompassed," said Ratri, staring
out and upward, "and Indra slays the dragon. At any moment, the rains will
arrive."
A wave of grayness covered over the monastery. The breeze grew
stronger, and the dance of the waters began upon the walls. Like a beaded
curtain, the rain covered that open end of the porch at which they stared.
Yama poured more tea. Ratri ate another sweetmeat.

Tak made his way through the forest. He moved from tree to tree, branch
to branch, watching the trail below him. His fur was moist, for the leaves
shook small showers down upon him as he passed. Clouds mounted at his back,
but the sun of early morning still shone in the eastern sky and the forest
was a swarm of colors in its red-gold light. About him, birds were singing
from within the tangle of branches, vines, leaves and grasses that stood
like a wall upon either side of the trail. The birds made their music,
insects hummed and occasionally there was a growl or bark. The foliage was
stirred by the wind. Below him, the trail bent sharply, entering a clearing.
Tak dropped to the ground, proceeded on foot. At the other side of the
clearing he took to the trees again. Now, he noticed, the trail was running
parallel to the mountains, even inclining slightly back in their direction.
There was a distant rattle of thunder and after a time a new breeze came up,
cool. He swung on, breaking through moist spider webs, frightening birds
into shrieking flurries of bright plumage. The trail continued to move in