"Raymond E. Feist - Serpentwar 1 - Shadow of a Dark Queen2" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

themselves, a stronger tie than any other. To the named
warrior Jatuk said, 'You shall give up your arms and
armor and you shall remain behind.'
The honor was mixed with bitterness, for the honor of
being Cupbearer was high, but giving up the call to battle
was difficult for any warrior.
'Protect your lord from the stealthy hand, and from the
cunning word whispered over too much drink by false
friends.'
Chiga saluted. Like Monis, he was now free to speak to
his lord without fear of punishment, for in being
Cupbearer he was pledged to protect Jatuk in all ways as
much as the warrior who rode on the Ja-shahan's shield
side.
Jarwa turned to another figure, his Loremaster
surrounded by several acolytes. 'Who among your company
is most gifted?'
The Loremaster said, 'Shadu. He remembers everything.'


Jarwa addressed the young warrior priest. 'Then take
the tablets and the relics, for you are now chief keeper of
the faith. You will be Loremaster to the People.' The
acolyte's eyes widened as his master handed the ancient


tablets, large sheaves of parchment kept between board
covers, and written upon with ink nearly faded white
with age. But more, he was given the responsibility to
remember the lore, the interpretations, and the traditions,
a thousands words in memory for each word
drawn in ink by an ancient hand.
Jarwa said, 'Those who have served with me from the
first, this is my final charge to you. Soon the foe comes a
last time. We will not survive. Sing your death songs
loudly and know that your names will live in the
memory of your children upon a distant world under an
alien sky. I know not if their songs can carry across the
void to keep the memory of the Heavenly Horde alive, or
if they will begin a new Heavenly Horde upon this alien
world, but as the demons come, let every warrior know
that the flesh of our flesh shall endure safely in a distant
land.'
Whatever the Sha-shahan might feel was hidden
behind a mask as he said, 'Jatuk, attend me. The rest of
you, to your appointed places.' To the snake priest he
said, 'Go to the place where you work your magic, and
know that should you play my people false, my shade
shall break free from whatever pit of hell holds it and
cross the gulf to hunt you down if it takes ten thousand