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

years.'
The priest bowed and hissed, 'Lord, my life and honor
are yours. I remain, to add my small aid to your rear
guard. In this pitiful fashion I show my people's respect
and wish to bring the Saaur, who are so like us in so
many ways, to our home.'
If Jarwa was impressed by the sacrifice, he gave no
hint. He motioned his youngest son outside the great
tent. The youth followed his father to the ridge and
looked down upon the distant city, made hellish in the
demons' fires. Faint screams, far beyond those made by
mortal throat, tore the evening,. and the young leader
pushed back the urge to turn his face away.
'Jatuk, by this time tomorrow, on some distant world,
you will be Sha-shahan of the Saaur.'
The youth knew this was true no matter how much he
would wish it otherwise. He made no false protest.
'I have no trust of snake priests,' whispered Jarwa.
'They may seem like us, but always remember, their blood
runs cold. They are without passion and their tongues are
forked. Remember also the ancient lore of the last visit to
us by the snakes, and remember the tales of treachery
since the Mother of us all gave birth to the hot bloods and
the cold bloods.'
'Father.'
putting his hand, callused with years of swordwork
and scarred by age and battle, upon his son's shoulder, he
gripped hard. Firm young muscle resisted under his
grasp, and Jarwa felt a faint spark of hope. 'I have given
my oath, but you will be the one who must honor the
pledge. Do nothing to disgrace your ancestors or your
people, but be vigilant for betrayal. A generation of service
to the snakes is our pledge: thirty turnings of this
alien world. But remember: should the snakes break the
oath first, you are free to do as you see fit.'
Removing his hand from his son's shoulder, he
motioned for Kaba to approach. The Sha-shahan's
Shieldbearer approached with his lord's helm, the great
fluted head covering of the Sha-shahan, while a groom
brought a fresh horse. The great herds had perished, and
the best of what remained would go to the new world
with the Saaur's children. Jarwa and his warriors
would have to make do with the lesser animals. This
one was small, -barely nineteen hands, hardly large
enough to carry the Sha-shahan's armored weight. No
matter, thought Jarwa. The fight would be a short


one.
Behind them, to the east, a crackle of energy exploded,