"Dennis L. McKiernan - The Silver Call 2 - The Brega Path" - читать интересную книгу автора (McKiernan Dennis L)

The Dwarves looked around in wonder, for at last they had come into their
ancient homeland. Perry saw little, for he was busy counting paces, and when
they reached the distant outlet and the broad road that led down toward the
Great Deep, he was relieved to find that his measure reasonably agreed with
that of Brega's of long ago.
They entered the corridor and sidled along the south wall, which was deepest
in shadow. The farther they went, the darker it got, but their eyes adjusted
to the dim light reaching down the passageway. Down a gentle slope they crept,
another furlong or so, stepping quietly, down from Gate Level toward First
Neath. And the light continued to fade as they went, but ahead there began to
glimmer the dim flicker of far-off torchlight. The Seven edged to the limit of
the corridor and paused ere creeping out upon a landing at the top of a short
flight of wide stairs; the steps led down to the Broad Shelf.
The Shelf in turn came to an abrupt end, scissured by the Great Deep, black
and yawning, the ebon gape splitting out of the high rock walls to jag across
the expansive stone floor and bar the way. Beyond the mighty fissure the wide
stone floor continued, lit by guttering torches, and on farther the Squad
could see the beginnings of the vast Mustering Chamber—the War Hall—receding
beyond the flickering light into impenetrable blackness, the distant ceiling
supported by four rows of giant Dragon Pillars marching away into the vast
dark. Across the Great Deep a spidery rope bridge with wooden footboards was
suspended. The span was narrow; those using it would have to cross the wide
gulf in single file. It was anchored on the near side by two huge iron rings
on iron posts driven into the stone; and it was held on the far side by a
winch set far back from the !ip of the rift—the winch a remnant of the ancient
drawbridge destroyed in the Winter War. Guarding the hoist on the distant side
were two Rucks, squatting on the stone floor, casting knucklebones and
muttering curses at each other.
Lord Kian motioned Shannon Silverleaf forward. "Can you fell the Rukh on the
left with an arrow from here?" Kian whispered.
THE BREGA PATH 15
Shannon eyed the distance; it was a far shot. "It would be surer from the
bottom of the steps.*' He motioned downward into the shadows.
Lord Kian gave a curt nod, and signalling the others to remain, the Man and
the Elf crept down the broad stairway. At the bottom, Kian knelt to one knee
while Shannon stood straight, and each drew his bow to the full. The Rucks
continued their quarrel, unaware of their danger; one, enraged at the turn of
the dice, jumped up with a snarling oath and clouted the other behind the ear.
The second Ruck kicked out at the first and with a curse sprang to his feet,
and they both drew their scimitars, bent on murder. But before they could
close with one another in battle, Th-thunn! two arrows were loosed and sped
hissing through the air to lodge deeply into the Rucks. One fell instantly
dead, pierced through the heart. The other stared in astonishment at the point
emerging from his stomach, but ere he could draw breath to scream, Th-thock!
two more arrows thudded into him, and he pitched forward on his face, dead
before striking the stone floor.
Perry and Delk dashed down the steps, with Anval, Bonn, and Ursor right
behind. "Now!" barked Kian. "Across the bridge. Hurry!" But Shannon, in the
lead, had just stepped onto the span when out of the first side tunnel on the
left came tramping a H!6k-led company of Rucks. It was the change of the