"03 - Shadowlight" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jefferies Mike)

fate of Elundium would rest so heavily on his shoulders, even
the King had sent him beneath a blanket of darkness to
perish at World's End.

Angis sighed and turned her head, listening to the dark
whispers rising from the assembled warriors, and heard
Thane's name as the chill dawn breezes strengthened. Angis
shivered ag un, pulling her shawl tight and heard far away the
first blackbird herald the new morning, and saw the feathered
edge of the blood-red sun breasting World's End.

Beacon Light stood waiting in the centre of the battle
crescent, her neck arched beneath the steelsilver coat. It
rippled in the grey dawn breezes, shimmering with the
colours of watered silk. King Holbian smiled to see her so
proud, battle dresssed as the great Warhorses of yesterlight.
'It will be us the Nightmare strikes at first,' he whispered,
moving to her side and gently stroking her velvet-soft muzzle.

'Silver against black we will fight for the sunlight! Good
against evil we will fight to save Elundium!'

Beacon Light neighed and struck at the dew-wet grass
with her hoof, tossing her head in the half light. King Holbian
laughed, setting his foot in the stirrups, and with Breakmaster'
s help he climbed stiffly up into the saddle. Turning, he
looked at the sheer walls of Underfall, casting his gaze across
the rows of galleries that seemed to stare back at him, black
empty eyes edged with twisted metal spokes climbing up into
the morning light. On the highest gallery the great Lamp of
World's End paled against the growing strength of the new
day.

'I will come to you, Palace of Kings, when the Nightmare
is dead!' he shouted before turning to the assembled battle
crescent.

For long moments he sat watching his warriors. Then
slowly he stood up in the stirrups, his hand on the hilt of his

sword. 'Warriors!' he cried, sweeping the sword aloft. 'Who
will stand with me against the Nightmare, Krulshards? Who
will stand with me if Thanehand fails?'

9

aThe battle crescent shifted as corn touched by a summer
wind as each warrior took a step forward.