"Andre Norton - Witch World - Warlock of the Witch World" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

of the Valley.

As we rode between the carven stones, which had on them protective words, Ethutur
paused now and then and made certain signs to each. Some I knew; others were strange
to me. But I knew that he was relocking the guards of the Valley, alerting them. We came
at last to the greatest of all, which was Euthayan. Deep graven it was, and inlaid in those
cuts was a thread of green. Then did the warlord of the Valley turn to me with his second
order:
“Go, lay your hands to that, your bare hands!”

I knew a small stir of anger, for his suspicion was plain. He believed that I was, or had
become, that which the Valley dared no longer shelter for the good of those who dwelt
there. But I did as he bade, slipped from Shil’s sweaty back, went to lay my bare palms
flat against that symbol which was so much a part of Power that no evil might look upon
it, let alone touch it.

I was startled as my fingers touched cool stone, rough and gritty with windblown
dust when first I set them upon that surface, yet under their tips there came a change. I
saw, or seemed to see, those inlaid traces of green become brighter, while the stone grew
warm. But I was not blasted, nor did any warning come—only the brightening of the
green and the gentle warmth. I held my hands so and looked to Ethutur.
“Are you now satisfied that you do not harbor a traitor?” I asked.

But he was watching the stone and there was puzzlement in his eyes. He raised his
hand and rubbed across them as if to clear away a mist. And he said:

“I do not know what we harbor in you, Kemoc. But it would seem that you do our
company no ill. This I had to know.” There was a note of apology in his voice.

“As your right.” It was, of course, in spite of the smart to my pride. As warlord he
had no right to bring into the Valley any weak link which might open it to the Great
Shadow. And what did he know of we three from Estcarp, save what we had done since
coming to Escore?
It was late afternoon when we came down to those houses of living vine and roofs of
green-blue feathers. Along the way we picked up a company of Ethutur’s men. But I did
not see any of the hill men who had come with Dinzil. That gave me a feeling of relief.
When we swung off the Renthan in the open space where we had taken counsel
earlier, we found a varied company awaiting us. Their faces were sober, their mood one of
impatience. It was Dahaun who spoke first.

“There was”—she seemed almost at a loss for words—“a Great Troubling. What
happened? Or do you know?”

“Ask of Kemoc,” Ethutur returned shortly and their attention fastened upon me.
Kyllan looked surprised but Kaththea, at his side, was frowning slightly.
“I do not know,” I told them. “We were about to be thrice-ringed by Gray Ones,
together with Rasti. All I did, and why I cannot tell you, was speak words I had learned at
Lormt. And then—then—”
 “You were answered.” It was Kaththea who spoke. “Unwise, unwise to meddle when
you are not trained in the Mysteries.”