Книга только для ознакомления
. But in all the endless
times that I have left here, returned here, betrayed here, I
never saw the simplest reality of this place: That the wood
is larger than I am. It is larger than my need. In the end, it
will be larger, and last longer, than even my love could. I
offer that love, to it and you, freely and without asking in
return - since without asking, you and the wood itself and
all in it have always given what you could. I offer my
service, and," he finished humbly, "I hope it is well done
enough to be of use."
The unicorn looked at him for a long time, seeing every
detail of him, every hair and horn and eyelash. At last she
said gently, "Most well done, beloved. And remember that I
have only said that I COULD not love you - never that I
DID not. Go with the hunt."
She touched his forehead with her horn three times.
He fell sideways, legs jerking and twitching. Terrible
cries came from him, most loudly when the antlers broke
off. His coat grew paler with each moment, and where the
Forestmaster had touched him a single spiral horn emerged,
blood-tipped, pulling itself through his splintered forehead.
When the draconians emerged, they saw a rock peak
and only one unicorn, tottering unsteadily on its hooves
|
