"David Gemmell - Drenai Saga 02 - The King Beyond The Gate" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

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 This book is dedicated with love to my children Kathryn and Luke, as a small return for the
gift of their company.Acknowledgements:Without the help of friends there would be no joy in
writing. Many thanks to Tom Taylor for his help with the story, Stella Graham for the proof-
reading, and Jean Maund for the copy-editing. Thanks also to Gary, Russ, Barbara, Philip,
George, John D., Jimmy, Angela, Jo, Lee and lona and all the staff of the Hastings Observer who
created the good years. And to Ross Lempriere for storming the stairs.
Prologue ............................................................................................................................................. 7
1.......................................................................................................................................................... 9
2........................................................................................................................................................ 14
3........................................................................................................................................................ 20
4........................................................................................................................................................ 25
5........................................................................................................................................................ 30
6........................................................................................................................................................ 38
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8........................................................................................................................................................ 52
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10...................................................................................................................................................... 64
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12...................................................................................................................................................... 76
13...................................................................................................................................................... 83
14...................................................................................................................................................... 89
15...................................................................................................................................................... 94
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17.................................................................................................................................................... 109
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20.................................................................................................................................................... 126
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Epilogue ......................................................................................................................................... 156
Prologue
The trees were laced with snow and the forest lay waiting below him like a reluctant bride. For some time he
stood among the rocks and boulders, scanning the slopes. Snow gathered on his fur-lined cloak and on the crown
of his wide-brimmed hat, but he ignored it, as he ignored the cold seeping through his flesh and numbing his
bones. He could have been the last man alive on a dying planet.
He half wished that he were.
At last, satisfied that there were no patrols, he moved down from the mountainside, placing his feet carefully
on the treacherous slopes. His movements were slow and he knew the cold to be a growing danger. He needed a
camp-site and a fire.
Behind him the Delnoch range reared under thickening clouds. Before him lay Skultik forest, an area of dark
legend, failed dreams and childhood memories.
The forest was silent, save for the occasional crack of dry wood as thickening ice probed the branches, or the
silky rushing of snow falling from overburdened boughs.
Tenaka turned to look at his footprints. Already the sharp edges of his tracks were blurring and within
minutes they would be gone. He pushed on, his thoughts sorrowful, his memories jagged.
He made camp in a shallow cave away from the wind and lit a small fire. The flames gathered and grew, red
shadow-dancers swaying on the cave walls. Removing his woollen gloves he rubbed his hands above the blaze;