"Brooks, Terry - First King of Shannara" - читать интересную книгу автора (Brooks Terry)

"It has the power to subvert other magic, whatever its form, and
convert it to the holder's use. No matter how powerful or intricate
another's magic might be, if you hold the Black Elfstone, you can
master your adversary. His magic will be leached from him and
made yours. He will be helpless against you."

Kinson shook his head despairingly. "How can anyone stand
against such a thing?"

The old man laughed softly. "Now, now, Kinson, it isn't really
that simple, is it? You remember our lessons, don't you? Every
use of magic exacts a price. There are always consequences, and
the more powerful the magic, the greater that consequence will be.
But let's leave that argument for another time. The point is that the
Warlock Lord must not be allowed to possess the Black Elfstone
because consequences matter not at all to him. He is beyond the
point where reason will hold sway. So we must find the Elfstone
before he does, and we must find it quickly."

"And how are we to do that?"

The Druid yawned and stretched wearily, black robes rising and
falling in a soft rustle of cloth. "I haven't the answer to that ques-
tion, Kinson. Besides, we have other business to attend to first."

"You will go to Paranor and the Druid Council?"

"I must."

"But why bother? They won't listen to you. They mistrust you.
Some even fear you."

The old man nodded. "Some, but not all. There are a few who
will listen. In any case, I must try. They are in great danger. The
Warlock Lord remembers all too well how they brought about his
downfall in the First War of the Races. He will not chance their
intervention a second time—even if they no longer seem a real
threat to him."

Kinson looked off into the distance. "They are foolish to ignore
you, but ignore you they will, Bremen. They have lost all touch
with reality behind their sheltering walls. They have not ventured
out into the world for so long that they no longer are able to take a
true measure of things. They have lost their identity. They have
forgotten their purpose."

"Hush, now." Bremen placed a firm hand on the tall man's
shoulder. "There is no point in repeating to ourselves what we
already know. We will do what we can and then be on our way."