Книга только для ознакомления
.
He relaxed, and his muscles began to unknot from the
day's exercise. He could feel the pull of exhaustion on him.
His fingers continued to massage closed eyelids, and the
inn slowly drifted from his attention.
WHERE IS SHE, MARAKION? A familiar voice asked
the question again inside his head.
"I don't know. Nearby somewhere. I don't know," he
muttered.
THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH, MARAKION.
WHERE IS SHE? WHERE?
"I'm looking, trying to find her!"
NOT GOOD ENOUGH, MARAKION. THERE CAN BE
NO EXCUSES. THEY'LL KILL HER, YOU KNOW. EVERY
DAY YOU FAIL TO FIND THEM IS ANOTHER DAY
THEY COULD KILL HER, OR USE HER.
"I know. I'll find them. If I have to rip apart this entire
continent. I will."
YOU'D BETTER.
The accusing voice drifted away, to be replaced by the
vision that haunted his nights when he slept and his waking
hours whenever he lost the concentration that kept it at bay.
*****
FIRE. FIRE AND SMOKE. THE FLAMES LICKED
THE TOP OF THE TOWER WINDOWS. THE SMOKE
SPIRALED UP FROM EVERY PART OF THE CASTLE,
BLACKENING THE SKY. DESPAIR WRENCHED AT
MARAKION'S HEART. HE HAD RETURNED HOME IN
TIME TO SEE IT FALL TO THE HANDS OF A
PILLAGING GROUP OF BRIGANDS.
HIS HORSE SLIPPED ON THE COBBLESTONES THAT
LED INTO THE CASTLE. HE YANKED BRUTALLY ON
THE REINS, PULLING THE GALLOPING ANIMAL TO A
STOP. THE HORSE ALMOST STUMBLED TO ITS
KNEES. MARAKION LEAPT FROM ITS BACK AND
RACED INTO THE CASTLE GARDENS. THEY WERE
TRAMPLED, DESTROYED, BURNED
|
