"Stephen Goldin - Storyteller" - читать интересную книгу автора (Goldin Stephen)

master to discard such faithful and valued servants without suitable reward for their efforts. Oromasd has
blessed me with the means for your reward. Ours was a wedding party, laden with gifts for our
treacherous host, King Basir. We carry with us enough wealth in goods and coin to make each of you
secure for many years. I shall see to it, before I depart on my own journey, that the riches are divided
fairly among you, and no man of my service shall go wanting.

“As for where you will go—the world is wide and varied. Though Ravan may be dangerous for you,
there are many other places where honest and hardworking men like yourselves can build their fortunes
and will be eagerly welcomed. Those of you with families in Ravan may be able to send for them and get
them out of the city. Those of you free from encumbrances can build new and better lives for yourselves.
I shall send you forth with all my blessings and, I hope, with Oromasd's as well. For those of you
uncertain of direction, the prophet Muhmad may give you guidance and counsel as wise as he's given to
me."

And, I hope, less ambiguous,the prince thought, but kept that piece of doubt to himself.

As Prince Ahmad stood on the minbar, gazing down at the confused and tearful faces, a man on the left
side stood up. In the gloom the prince at first had difficulty recognizing him, but as the man spoke Ahmad
knew it was Nurredin al-Damasci, captain of his guard. The soldier spoke loudly, with force and fire in
his voice.

“No,” he said aloud. “I will not accept this decision. As you said, the world is wide, and I have traveled
widely through it. I've served many masters through my years, but never have I served one as fair, as just,
and as righteous as Prince Ahmad Khaled bin Shunnar el-Ravani. The prince needs my help now more
than ever. The journey he contemplates will be long and dangerous, and the fight against the demon
forces of Rimahn will be the hardest men have ever waged. I would be less than a man if I did not keep
my oath to him and fight at his side against the enemies of mankind."

“Your oath was made to the prince of Ravan,” Ahmad said. “I am that no longer, and you are released
from that oath. It is no shame on you not to fulfill it."

“Then I make anew oath, to the man and not the prince,” Nurredin al-Damasci persisted. “I vow by
Oromasd and the Bounteous Immortals, and by all my hopes of attaining the House of Song, that I shall
faithfully serve the wishes of Ahmad Khaled bin Shunnar el-Ravani with all my breath, all my strength,
and all my soul, as long as life remains in my body, and that I shall fight the lies of Rimahn and his legion
of evil servants."

The captain turned and looked at the rest of the men seated in the courtyard. “Thus have I pledged my
life and my sword to the defense and honor of my noble lord. All those among you who would call
yourselves men, I charge you now to give your oath again."

And as a single man, the audience rose to its feet and began cheering the name of Prince Ahmad Khaled
bin Shunnar el-Ravani, their chosen liege. The deafening chorus of their enthusiastic voices rang out over
the still desert air and shook the very walls of the shrine with the power and intensity of their devotion.

Prince Ahmad stood on the minbar utterly speechless, gazing down at the emotional outpouring that
threatened to overwhelm the oasis. His eyes were suddenly filled with tears at the loyalty he inspired in
these good men, and he vowed silently to Oromasd that he would not lead them astray. He prayed for
wisdom to do justice to these people who would place their lives so trustingly in his hands, and for the
maturity and composure to carry on with what must yet be said. He made a mental note to thank his