Книга только для ознакомления
.
Shoving past Michael, she drew her sword, started for the
door. "We should leave you to the mob, old man, but there
are others here besides you and, by the Oath and the
Measure, I'm bound to protect the innocent, the
defenseless."
"You are not bound. You are not a knight, young
woman," said Astinus testily.
Nikol, however, had already gone. They could hear her
booted footsteps racing down the hall. And they could hear,
as well, the rising tumult of thousands. Michael took hold of
his staff, set out after Nikol. As he passed Astinus, who
continued to regard him with that faint smile, Michael
paused.
"'This woman is far more worthy than any of you to
wield the sword and wear the armor of a knight,' " he
quoted, pointing back at the book that stood upon the desk.
"Soth said that. You can read it here."
He bowed to Astinus and left to join Nikol in death.
*****
The mob had been astonished to see the master open the
great doors that led into the Library of Palanthas. For a
moment, the sight of Astinus, standing framed in the
doorway, even curbed the loquacity of the Revered Son,
who certainly had never expected such a thing. His jaw
went slack. He stared foolishly at the master, who not only
opened the doors, but bowed silently to the people before
leaving.
Then Nikol appeared. Alone, she advanced to stand
before the great doors.
"Astinus asked me to tell you," she called, spreading
her hands in a gesture of welcome, "that the library is
always open to the public
|
