"Stephen Lawhead - Pendragon Cycle 05 - Grail" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lawhead Stephen)

eyes heavenward as the Emrys bent over his work. 'There!' said Myrddin
finally, stepping back. 'We are finished.'
Arthur glanced down, holding up his arm, bent at the elbow. I saw the dull
gleam of red-gold encircling the High King's upper arm. It was an
armband, but unlike any I had seen before: a dragon, its serpentlike body
encoiled, glaring fearlessly upon the world with red-flecked ruby eyes. A
handsome ornament, to be sure; God alone knows where Myrddin got it.
It came to me that the trinket's form was not unlike the image on the
standard which Uther had made and carried into battle. Having revived
Uther's old title to such magnificent acclaim, Myrddin thought to adorn
the occasion with a worthy reminder of Arthur's lineage; tradition, they
say, is a powerful and influential friend to those who honour it.
'At last!' said Arthur as he jumped up, making for the tent flap. There was
not the least hesitation or difficulty in his movements. If I had not seen
him sprawled at death's gate, life ebbing with every beat of his heart, I
would have thought myself deceived. Could this be the selfsame man?
How was it possible a wound of such dire consequence could be healed so
quickly?
He pushed through the crush of onlookers, patting their backs and calling
their names, but moving on, eager to get outside. 'We will drink together,
friends,' he called, lifting the oxhide flap and stepping through. That was
Arthur, truly, forgetting that we had only tepid lake water - and were
fortunate to get that, much less any ale! - with which to hail his safe
return.
Snagging hold of Llenlleawg as he followed Arthur out, I asked, 'How is it
possible?'
The lanky Irishman merely looked at me and grinned, but passed along
with no reply. Turning to Myrddin, I said, 'Will no one tell me anything?'
'Greetings, Gwalchavad.' The Emrys spoke soothingly. 'You had a
successful journey, I hope?'
'Never mind about me,' I answered. 'How is it that Arthur is healed? What
is the meaning of the armband? And why is it that -'
'Peace!' said Myrddin, raising his hands against my onslaught. 'I can
answer but one question at a time. We have been to Ynys Avallach,' he
said, 'as you know - to obtain for Arthur the healing we could not effect
ourselves.'
'You have succeeded marvellously well,' I remarked. The others had
quickly cleared the tent, leaving Myrddin and me alone for a moment.
Outside, the cheering grew loud and then died away as Arthur began to
address the Cymbrogi.
'I had little to do with it,' Myrddin assured me. His voice grew solemn.
'Arthur lived, but only that much and no more.' He held up a finger
pressed against his thumb to show how narrow was Arthur's claim on
mortal life. 'I do not know how he clung to a cord so slender, but he did.'
'Yes? And then?'
'Heaven was with us, and he was healed,' Myrddin answered, regarding
me mildly. 'He is as you see.'
'Yes, yes,' I said, impatience getting the better of me. 'I can clearly see, but
how?'
'It was a miracle,' he explained, 'but a miracle of such provenance that it