Книга только для ознакомления
.
Fear consumed me. All I could think of was escape. The
wailing of the clerics rose to a hysterical crescendo. Only a
few feet away from me I saw steps that would lead me out
of this unholy circle. Beyond - a desperate sprint away -
the tunnel would take me to the surface. So convoluted was
my own reasoning that I completely forgot about the gates
of gold and silver that must eventually block my exit.
I sprang away from the priest and priestess, made a
dash for the stairs. The two made no reaction; their chant
continued without interruption. I reached the bottom step
and leapt upward, passing in two bounds out of that hateful
arena. Still Erasmoth and Kassandry chanted.
My breath came in ragged gasps. My heart pounded. I
turned to look for the tunnel by which we had entered this
accursed cavern.
But where was it? My surroundings looked different, as
if this was not the place I had passed mere minutes before.
Dark shadows stood in places where I remembered glowing
patches of light. The five columns of flame still burned,
however, and they gave me my bearings. I started in the
direction I believed would offer escape. My feet skimmed
across the smooth floor, and still the two clerics stood,
locked in the grip of their unholy ritual.
I sensed the movement of the darkness against the fiery
background. My heart chilled at the sound of approaching
footsteps. Hands reached for me. The cloying scent of death
was all around me. An arm, like a sodden piece of old meat,
struck my chest, knocking me backward
|
