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

'Who dares to challenge the last Granite King?' he cried,
pirouetting Beacon Light and spurring his way angrily into
the shadows beneath the trees. 'Who dares to halt the King's
bathe crescent?'

The voice laughed with a strong deep sound that rang
clear in the half light and as it fell silent a tiny point of light
began to grow, soft light that shone with all the colours of the
rainbow.

'Who else, Lord, but I, Nevian, the Master of Magic, the
Keeper of the Sunlight, would dare to challenge the greatest
King who ever ruled in all Elundium?'

'Nevian?' whispered the King uncertainly, easing Beacon
Light into a walk beneath the trees.

Soft laughter mingled with the rainbow light as Nevian
stepped forwards and put his hand upon Beacon Light's
bridle. 'I have stilled you, Lord, to watch old legends come to
life.'

'But . . .' cried the King, pointing up into the new moming'
s sunlight. 'Nightbeasts are in the heather meadows
retreating towards the Gates of Fight. If they pass into the
darkness all will be lost.'

Nevian slowly shook his head, and while he led the King
back into the centre of the battle crescent he told him quietly,
'Thanehand must face the Nightmare alone if he is to be
worthy of the Kingship of Elundium.'

'But I am the King! I can help him!' cried Holbian, trying
to pull away from the magician. 'Let the Nighthorses gallop

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on to the high plateau and seal the Gates of Night while I
gallop to Thane's side. Let me go!'

Nevian only shook his head again more firmly, holding on
to Beacon Light's bridle, digging his heels into the short
springy turf. 'Darkness is your weakness, Lord. Remember
the bondbreaking. You dared not enter the City of Night.
No, it is here you must wait.'

King Holbian, his face black with anger, tried to force a
passage but Beacon Light would not pass the billowing folds
of the rainbow cloak. 'All Elundium will be plunged into