"George R. R. Martin - And Seven Times Never Kill Man" - читать интересную книгу автора (Martin George R R)

The Proctor nodded. "Excellent. Then the trader's threat to report us is
essentially an empty one. We can proceed. Squadfather Walman?"
"Four Jaenshi were taken today, Proctor, and are now on the walls,"
Walman reported. He was a ruddy young man with a blond crewcut and
large ears. "If I might, sir, I would request discussion of possible
termination of the campaign. Each day we search harder for less. We have
virtually wiped out every Jaenshi youngling of the clans who originally
inhabited Sword Valley."
Wyatt nodded. "Other opinions?"
Fieldbishop Lyon, blue-eyed and gaunt, indicated dissent. "The adults
remain alive. The mature beast is more dangerous than the youngling,
Squadfather."
"Not in this case," Weapons-master C'ara DaHan said. DaHan was a
giant of a man, bald and bronze-colored, the chief of Psychological
Weaponry and Enemy Intelligence. "Our studies show that, once the
pyramid is destroyed, neither full-grown Jaenshi nor the immature pose
any threat whatsoever to the children of Bakkalon. Their social structure
virtually disintegrates. The adults either flee, hoping to join some other
clan, or revert to near-animal savagery. They abandon the younglings,
most of whom fend for themselves in a confused sort of way and offer no
resistance when we take them. Considering the number of Jaenshi on our
walls, and those reported slain by predators or each other, I strongly feel
that Sword Valley is virtually clean of the animals. Winter is coming,
Proctor, and much must be done. Squadfather Walman and his men
should be set to other tasks."
There was more discussion, but the tone had been set; most of the
speakers backed DaHan. Wyatt listened carefully, and all the while prayed
to Bakkalon for guidance. Finally he motioned for quiet.
"Squadfather," he said to Walman, "tomorrow collect all the
Jaenshi—both adults and children— that you can, but do not hang them if
they are unresisting. Instead, take them to the city, and show them their
clanmates on our walls. Then cast them from the valley, one in each
direction of the compass." He bowed his head. "It is my hope that they will
carry a message, to all the Jaenshi, of the price that must be paid when a
beast raises hand or claw or blade against the seed of Earth. Then, when
the spring comes and the children of Bakkalon move beyond Sword Valley,
the Jaenshi will peacefully abandon their pyramids and quit whatever
lands men may require, so the glory of the pale child might be spread."
Lyon and DaHan both nodded, among others. "Speak wisdom to us,"
Fieldbishop Dhallis said then.
Proctor Wyatt agreed. One of the lesser-ranking squadmothers brought
him the Book, and he opened it to the Chapter of Teachings.
"In those days much evil had come upon the seed of Earth," the Proctor
read, "for the children of Bakkalon had abandoned Him to bow to softer
gods. So their skies grew dark and upon them from above came the Sons
of Hranga with red eyes and demon teeth, and upon them from below
came the vast Horde of Fyndii like a cloud of locusts that blotted out the
stars. And the worlds flamed, and the children cried out, 'Save us! Save
us!'
"And the pale child came and stood before them, with His great sword