"David Eddings - Belgariad 4 - Castle of Wizardry" - читать интересную книгу автора (Eddings David)

When Riva awoke, he saw two stars fall and he sought and found them in the
high mountains. And he did with them as Belar had instructed. But when it
was done, the blade and hilt could not be joined. Then Riva cried out,
"Behold, I have marred the work, for the sword will not become one."

A fox, which had sat nearby to watch him, said to Riva, "The work is not
marred, Riva. Take the hilt and place the Orb upon it as a pommel stone."
And when Riva did as the fox instructed, the Orb became one with the hilt.
But blade and hilt were still unjoined. Again the fox counseled him. "Take
the blade in your left hand and the hilt in the right and join them."

"They will not join. It is not possible," Riva said.

"Wise are you, indeed," the fox said, "to know what is not possible before
you have made the attempt."

Then Riva was ashamed. He set blade and hilt together, and the blade passed
into the hilt as a stick slides into water. The sword was joined forever.

The fox laughed and said, "Take the sword and smite the rock which stands
before you."

Riva feared for the blade, lest the blow shatter it, but he smote the rock.
The rock broke in two, and water gushed forth in a river and flowed down to
the city below. And far to the east in the darkness of Mallorea, maimed
Torak started up from his bed as a chill coursed through his heart.

Again the fox laughed. Then it ran away, but stopped to look back. Riva saw
that it was a fox no longer, but the great silver wolf form of Belgarath.

Riva had the sword placed upon the face of the black rock wall that stood
at the back of his throne with its blade downward so that the Orb at its
pommel stood at the highest point. And the sword cleaved itself to the
rock. None but Riva could take it down.

As the years passed, men saw that the Orb burned with a cold fire when Riva
sat upon the throne; and when he took down the sword and raised it, it
became a great tongue of blue flame.

In the early spring of the year after the sword was forged, a small boat
came across the dark waters of the Sea of the Winds, moving without oars or
sails. Alone within the boat was the fairest maid in all the world. Her
name was Beldaran, beloved daughter of Belgarath, and she had come to be a
wife to Riva. And Riva's heart melted with love for her, as had been
ordained from the beginning of time.

In the year that followed the wedding of Beldaran to Riva, a son was born
to them upon Erastide. And upon the right hand of this son of Riva was the
mark of the Orb. Straightaway, Riva carried his infant manchild to the Hall