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

age had spread across his face. Quickly he looked from left to
right at the dark shapes of his warriors in the battle crescent. 'If
you take the Nighthorses it will weaken us and strip the city
folk of their protection.'

'But, Lord,' urged Errant, 'the Nighthorses were gathered
from the dark side of the morning to fight in all the wild places
on this mountain. They are fleet of foot and could outrun the
Nightbeasts and seal the Gates of Fight against them.'

'The smell of battle is in their nostrils, my Lord,' cried a
strong deep voice from the first rank of Marchers.

'Thunders/one!' called out the King, bending in the saddle
to search along the crescent.

Thunderstone laughed and stepped forward quickly, the
horsetail sword resting easily across his shoulder. 'The smell
of Nightbeasts makes them fretful on the bridle.'

'Would you send them, Keeper of World's End? Would you
break my battle crescent?'

Thunderstone knelt, offering up the hilt of the horsetail
sword, saying, 'Lord, the Nighthorses of Underfall will not fail
you. They are battle ready to run the Nightbeasts to ruin.'

'Time runs before us, great Lord,' interrupted Errant,
pointing with his sword at the retreating Nightbeasts.

King Holbian looked quickly from the foul black shadows to

the rising sun, his knuckles tightening against the reins. 'It is
decided! I pledge you, Errant, Captain of Gallopers, to seal the
Gates of Night and bring victory to all Elundium!'

'The pounding of hoofbeats will be music to our ears,'

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shouted Breakmaster above the rising clamour as the Nighthorses
surged forwards, rearing and plunging in excitement.

'No!' thundered a voice from the eaves of Mantern's Forest
where it bordered the dark side of the Causeway Field.

The Nighthorses skidded to a halt, milling in confusion at
the flickers of white light that flashed and sparkled across
their path. Beacon Light neighed and reared up, making the
King snatch at the bridle to keep his balance.