"Julian May - Trillium 3 - Sky Trillium" - читать интересную книгу автора (May Julian)

"It cannot," the Prince retorted, "for we would surely be seen in daylight. And
early tomorrow the Lord Steward gathers all of the baggage of the royal family
and begins forming up the wagon train. No, we must go tonight. Quickly now!"

The boy and the aborigine hurried down a back stairway, ordinarily used only by
chambermaids and other lackeys who tended to the royal apartments. On the
floor below, a mezzanine overlooking the great hall, was the chapel, together
with the small presence chambers of King Antar and Queen Anigel and the
adjacent offices of the royal ministers. Guardsmen of the nightwatch were on
patrol here, but Tolivar and Ralabun eluded them easily and slipped into a tiny
alcove next to the chancellor's rooms where boxes of old royal correspondence
filled three tall shelves.

file:///H|/eMule/Incoming/Trillium%2003%20-%20Sky%20Trillium%20by%20Julian%20May%20(v1.0)%20(html).html (18 of 455)15-8-2005 22:25:06
Trillium 03 - Sky Trillium by Julian May (v1.0) (html).html




"The secret way is here," Tolivar said softly. As Ralabun gaped in astonishment,
the Prince took out a single letterbox and reached behind it. He then replaced the
box, and the entire middle shelf swung soundlessly outward like a door,
revealing a black opening beyond. "Do you have your dark-lantern, as I
requested?"

Ralabun drew it from beneath his cloak, sliding open the aperture so that light
from the glowing swamp-worms within shone out in a wan beam. The two of
them entered the secret passage. Tolivar closed it behind them, took charge of
the lantern, and began to walk briskly along the narrow, dusty corridor, bidding
the Nyssomu to follow.

"I have heard tales of these hidden passages in the Citadel from Immu, the
Queen's nurse," Ralabun said, "but never have I been in one. Immu says that
long years ago, when the three Living Petals of the Black Trillium were still
young princesses, she and Jagun led the Queen and her sister Lady Kadiya out
from the Citadel through such a passage when the evil King Voltrik would have
murdered them. Was it your Royal Mother who showed you this secret way?"

Tolivar's laugh was bitter. "Nay. I learned of it from a more obliging teacher.
Look sharp! We must go down these steep stairs here and they are damp and
slippery."

"Who then told you of the passageway? Was it Immu?"

"Nay."

"Did you learn of it then through one of the ancient books you are so fond of

file:///H|/eMule/Incoming/Trillium%2003%20-%20Sky%20Trillium%20by%20Julian%20May%20(v1.0)%20(html).html (19 of 455)15-8-2005 22:25:06