"David Gemmell - Wolf in Shadow" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

they appear as shadows behind the Jerusalem Man.’Shannow must die … and
swiftly. Where is he now?’He is at present some months' journey to the south,
nearing Rivervale. We have a man there, Fletcher. I shall get word to
him.’Keep me informed, priest.'As Achnazzar backed away from his monarch,
Abaddon rose from the ebony throne and wandered to the high arched window,
gazing over New Babylon. On a plain to the south of the city the Hellborn army
was gathering for the Raids of the Blood Feast. By Winter the new guns would
be distributed and the Hellborn would ready themselves for the Spring war: ten
thousand men under the banner of Abaddon, sweeping into the south and west,
bringing the new world into the hands of the last survivor of the Fall.

And they warned him of one madman?

Abaddon raised his arms. 'Come to me, Jerusalem Man.'


Chapter One


The rider paused at the crest of a wooded hill and gazed down over the
wide rolling empty lands beneath him.

There was no sign of Jerusalem, no dark road glittering with diamonds.
But then Jerusalem was always ahead, beckoning in the dreams of night,
taunting him to find her on the black umbilical road.

His disappointment was momentary and he lifted his gaze to the far
mountains, grey and spectral. Perhaps there he would find a sign? Or was the
road covered now by the blown dust of centuries, disguised by the long grass
of history?

He dismissed the doubt; if the city existed, Jon Shannow would find it.
Removing his wide-brimmed leather hat, he wiped the sweat from his face. It
was nearing noon and he dismounted. The steeldust gelding stood motionless
until he looped the reins over its head, then dipped its neck to crop at the
long grass. The man delved into a saddlebag to pull clear his ancient Bible;
he sat on the ground and idly opened the gold-edged pages.
 'And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine
to fight with him, for thou art but a youth, and he is a man of war from his
youth.'Shannow felt sorry for Goliath, for the man had had no chance. A
courageous giant, ready to face any warrior, found himself opposite a child
without sword or armour. Had he won, he would have been derided. Shannow
closed the Bible and carefully packed it away.

Time to move,' he told the gelding. He stepped into the saddle and swept
up the reins. Slowly they made their way down the hillside, the rider's eyes
watchful of every boulder and tree, bush and shrub. They entered the cool of
the valley and Shannow drew back on the reins, turning his face to the north
and breathing deeply.