"Julian May - Boreal Moon 01 - Conqueror's Moon" - читать интересную книгу автора (May Julian)

THIRTY-FOUR

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THE TWELVE MOONS RHYME SUNG BY CATHRAN CHILDREN

Snow Moon, Storm Moon, winter fast.

Wind Moon, Green Moon, spring at last.

Milk and Blossom follow after,

Then comes Thunder, God’s own laughter.

file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20kruiswijk/Mijn%20document...aar/Julian%20May%20-%20Boreal%20Moon%2001%20-%20Conqueror's%20Moon.html (7 of 243)20-2-2006 21:47:26
Julian, May - Boreal Moon 01 - Conqueror's Moon


Corn and Harvest bring their boon,

But Hunters curse the Boreal Moon.

Last of all the Ice Moon drear

Doth bring the end of Blenholme’s year.

Each of my successors may pose to me one Question before singing the Deathsong, and I will answer true.

—Bazekoy, Emperor of the World




prologue
The Royal Intelligencer

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In obedience to a command from the throne commuting my death sentence, the Lord Chancellor of Blencathra banished me to the continent two years ago, with an adequate stipend
that will continue so long as I keep my mouth shut. Left unsaid was what would happen if I did not. Cutting off my pension would doubtless be the least of it; and I fear it’s only a
matter of time before my silence is ensured by more economical means.

Well, if I’m caught, so let it be. I value my life, as every man does, but there’s also a great fatigue having nothing to do with bodily weariness that tempts me to release my grip and
allow all the burdens to fall away.

But not yet, I think. Not quite yet.