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

"Who has told you this shocking lie?" Kadiya demanded. When the Skritek
leader did not reply, she drew from her scabbard a strange dark sword with a
tripartite pommel, having a dull-edged blade that lacked a point. Reversing it,
she held it high, and at the sight of it all the captive swamp-fiends began to moan
in fear.

"You recognize the Three-Lobed Burning Eye that I hold." Kadiya spoke with an
awful calmness. Raindrops streamed unheeded down her face and sparkled like
gems on her armor. "I am the custodian of this true talisman of the Vanished
Ones. It can decide in an instant whether or not you have the right to flout me.
But understand this, you Drowners of the Southern Morass: If you are judged
and found guilty of sedition, the Eye will engulf you in magic fire and you will
perish miserably."

The monsters were muttering among themselves now. Rora-gath said at last:

We believed what the Star Man said, even though he offered no proof beyond the
wonders he worked to demonstrate his command of magic. Perhaps… we were
mistaken.

"A Star Man—?" Jagun cried in dismay. But Kadiya hushed him with a wave of
her hand.


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Trillium 03 - Sky Trillium by Julian May (v1.0) (html).html


"Falsehoods pour easily from a glib and mischievous mouth," she said to
Roragath, "and fools who are reluctant to give up their old, violent ways may be
all too eager to believe liars and charlatans. I know how your people have
resisted the truce. You thought that because you dwelt in a remote corner of the
mire you were beyond the White Lady's governance—and beyond my
enforcement of her will. You were wrong."

The huge Skritek gave a groan of furious despair. Kadiya of the Eyes, leave off
chiding us like stupid children! Let your talisman judge us and slay us. At least
that will put an end to our shame.

But Kadiya lowered the peculiar sword instead and slipped it again into its
sheath. "Perhaps that will not be necessary. Thus far, Roragath, you and your
band have only been guilty of scattered acts of terror and the destruction of
Asamun's village. Nys-somu Folk have been injured, but none have died—no
thanks to you. Restitution can be made. If you atone for your hostile actions and
pledge to return to your own territory and keep the truce, then I will spare your
lives."

The great muzzled head of the Skritek leader remained defiantly level for many
heartbeats, but at last it sagged in submission and the creature fell to his knees. I
promise on behalf of myself and my fellows to obey your commands, Lady of the