"Adkins, Patrick H - Titans 01 - Lord of the Crooked Path" - читать интересную книгу автора (Adkins Patrick H)

hurriedly concealed him within her basket, then followed. As she looked
up, Thalia was grinning at her. She had seen, but made no attempt to
tell her companions.

"Why do you suppose they've come into existence now, so late?" Lachesis
asked.

"Does there have to be a reason?" Thalia said.

The creatures scurried along the opposite bank, behind the trees and
brush. Here and there eyes and heads were visible.

"They're so curious," Metis said. "Why don't we try to make friends with
them?"

"Just how do you propose we do that?" Thalia asked.

Metis considered for a moment. "You could sing for them. Even animals
love your singing. I'm sure these tiny gods will. Please sing for them."

The Muses consulted.

"Dance for them too," Metis begged.

"What shall we sing?" Melpomene asked,

"A lullaby. Sing a gentle, soft lullaby."

Metis and Lachesis drew back to make room. Melpomene began with a voice
like the wind whistling through canyons and rustling among forest
leaves. Her sisters danced with the flowing grace of autumn leaves
lapped by the breeze.

Tiny heads appeared among the foliage on every side. Hairy, mud-streaked
bodies edged forward, until all around the goddesses men stood watching
and listening in entranced wonder.

TWO

Proteus, the shape changer, awoke suddenly, listening. The singing was
real, though distant. It had insinuated itself into his dream, merging
with the slow, rhythmic caress of the tide upon the rocky shore of a
shaded cove.

He arose slowly, disentangling himself from the arms of the sleeping
naiad beside him. She sighed softly at his touch, moistening her parted
lips and curling into a more comfortable position. During the night she
had shared her cloak with him. As he bent to tuck it carefully around
her slender body, he experienced once again the disconcerting sensation
he had felt last night--a sort of false memory, as though he had done