"Karl Edward Wagner - Kane 02 - Death Angels Shadow" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wagner Karl Edward)

It was indeed a forest--or at least the grove of trees extended as far as Kane could discover. From the
shelter it provided from the stormblast, it seemed likely that this was at any rate a considerable wooded
area. Kane urged his faltering mount deeper into the woods. If he could reach a place far enough within
to break most of the storm's force, he might build a sort of shelter and possibly get a fire going.

He caught the smell of wood smoke on the wind and pulled up. Had his hunters also found the trees, he
wondered--or perhaps he had come upon someone else in this wilderness. He followed the smoke
hopefully. Should it be the fire of strangers, he would share it one way or another. If he found the
Satakis... Well, he had been hunted long enough. Kane loosened his sword from its ice bound scabbard.
At least the cold iron would then find warmth. They would not expect an attack, and maybe with
surprise, and if his strength had not been fatally drained by the storm...

Visions of carnage passed through his mind, as Kane followed the scent of smoke through the sentinel
trees. The ground seemed to rise now, he thought. Revitalized with the tangible before him, hope for
shelter and lust to kill, Kane encouraged his horse. The rugged steed was due to collapse at any step, but
it too sensed salvation and forced itself beyond endurance.

The trees thinned and then broke into a clearing. As he came through the last of their number, Kane
caught sight of several small outbuildings clustered about a walled stone manor house or small castle. The
structures loomed darkly against the snow-filled night skies, their silhouette perforated with specks of
light from curtained windows. Desperately Kane forced his mount to this unknown castle here in the
frozen wastes. Let it be inhabited by demons and he cared not--so long as be found warmth. He shouted
hoarsely as he reached the gate. In sudden despair he realized that no gatekeeper would be at his post on
such a night, and that no one within the castle manor could hear him above the storm--should they be
awake. In his condition he could never climb over the wall. In white fury Kane pounded on the gate with
his great sword. To his amazement the gate swung ajar--it had been left unlocked!

Not bothering to puzzle over this good fortune, Kane pushed aside the gate enough to pass through. The
horses hooves clattered hollowly across the courtyard, as Kane shouted wildly, striving to awaken
someone within. Just as he reached the manor's main doorway, the animal stumbled and fell, pitching the
rider upon the stones. Kane twisted clumsily, too benumbed for his usual lightning reflexes to serve him.
He fell heavily before the door, rolling against it.

With his last strength he battered the iron studded oak with his swordhilt. He looked back weakly to the
gate through which he had entered. Just before blackness overcame him, he seemed to see something
white creeping through that open doorway.




II. Things Found in the Storm



Something white stood blurred in Kane's recovering consciousness. With an effort he forced awareness
into his mind, his eyes to focus.

Her eyes widened in startled fright as Kane's baleful gaze suddenly gripped her, but she recovered
quickly and said to cover her embarrassment, "Here--try to drink this."