"Sara Douglass - The Axis Trilogy 1 - BattleAxe" - читать интересную книгу автора (Douglass Sara)

extreme, and I believe the winter snow and ice persisted in places above the
Urqhart Hills throughout the summer." Even northern Ichtar usually thawed
completely for the summer.
Jayme raised his eyebrows. Gilbert's intelligence was good indeed. Did he
have sources that Jayme did not know about? No matter, what was important
was that much of northern Ichtar had spent the summer encased in ice when
usually the ice and snow disappeared by Thaw-month.
"If the ice persisted above the Urqhart Hills, then Gorkentown must also
have remained in conditions close to winter," Jayme pondered. "Tell me, Gilbert,
did the attacks continue through the warmer months?"
Gilbert shook his head and took another sip of wine. "No. The creatures
appeared only during the most severe weather in the depths of winter. Perhaps
they have gone again."
"And perhaps they have not. If the extreme north remained encased in ice
during summer then I dread the winter ahead. And if they depend on extreme
weather conditions, then does that mean they will be back?"
 "We should also consider the reports of our brothers in the Retreat at
Gorkentown, Brother-Leader." The Brotherhood of the Seneschal had a small
retreat in Gorkentown for those brothers who preferred a more ascetic life, spent
in contemplation of Artor, to the comfortable life of the Tower of the Seneschal.
"Yes, Gilbert. Perhaps we should."
"Our brothers believe that the Forbidden might be behind this."
"And their reasons for thinking so, Gilbert?"
"The reports and experiences of the garrison for one, Brother-Leader. But
also several of the brothers have reported that demons inhabit their dreams on
those nights when the wind is fiercest."
Jayme chuckled softly. "Not reliable. You give me bad dreams most nights,
Gilbert, and I am not yet ready to class you as one of the Forbidden."
All three men smiled, Gilbert more stiffly than the other two. Moryson spoke
gently, turning the younger brother's mind from Jayme's heavy-handed attempt
at humour. "Have they reported seeing anything, Gilbert?"
"Neither Govkenfort nor Gorkentown has been attacked; only small patrols
or individuals outside the walk. No, die brothers have actually seen little. But
they have observed the mood of the town and garrison, and they say that dark
thoughts and moods lay heavily across the inhabitants. Extra prayers are offered
to Artor every day, but the fear grows."
"If only there was someone alive who actually knew anything about the
Forbidden!" Jaynie was angry at his inability to understand the nature of the
threat in northern Ichtar. He stood xip from his chair again and paced restlessly
across the chamber.
"Gilbert. Forget the mutterings of the brothers in Gorkentown for the
moment. What news out of Smyrton?"
"Unusual happenings there, too, but not the same as in northern Ichtar."
Smyrton was a largish village at the extreme edge of the Seagrass Plains,
the main grain-producing area of Achar. It was the closest settled area to the
Forbidden Valley. If the Forbidden ever came swarming over Achar again, then
the valley was the obvious place they would emerge, a natural conduit out of the
Shadowsward, the darkest and most evil place bordering Achar. One day,
thought Jayme, we'll take the axe to the Shadowsward as well.
"The local Plough-Keeper, Brother Hagen, has sent reports of strange