"Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman - Deathgate Cycle 1 - Dragon Wing" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weis Margaret)

exultant smile. And then you collapsed at my feet.

"It was that expression which drew me to you, dear boy. I felt the same when I
escaped from that hell so long ago. I was the first one, the first one to make
it through alive.

"Centuries ago, the Sartan thought to defeat our ambition by sundering the
world that was ours by rights and throwing us into their prison. As you well
know, the way out of the Labyrinth is long and tortuous. It took centuries to
solve the twisting puzzle of our land. The old books say the Sartan devised
this punishment in hopes that our bounding ambition and our cruel and selfish
natures would be softened by time and suffering.

"You must always remember their plan, Haplo. It will give you the strength
you'll need to do what I ask of you. The Sartan had dared to assume that, when
we emerged into this world, we would be fit to take our places in any of the
four realms we chose to enter.

"Something went wrong. Perhaps you'll discover what it was when you enter
Death Gate. It seems, from what I have been able to decipher in the old books,
that the Sartan were to have monitored the Labyrinth and kept its magic in
check. But, either through malicious intent or for some other reason, they
forsook their responsibility as caretakers of our prison. The prison gained a
life of its own-a life that knew only one thing, survival. And so, the
Labyrinth, our prison, came to see us, its prisoners, as a threat. After the
Sartan abandoned us, the Labyrinth, driven by its fear and hatred of us,
turned deadly.

"When at last I found my way out, I discovered the Nexus, this beautiful land
the Sartan had established for our occupation. And I came across the books.
Unable to read them at first, I worked and taught myself and soon learned
their secrets. I read of the Sartan and their 'hopes' for us and I laughed
aloud-the first and only time in my life I have ever laughed. You understand
me, Haplo. There is no joy in the Labyrinth.

"But I will laugh again, when my plans are complete. When the four separate
worlds-Fire, Water, Stone, and Sky-are again one. Then I will laugh long and
loudly.

"Yes. It's time for you to leave. You've been patient with the ramblings of
your lord. Another salute.

"To you, Haplo.

"As I was the first to leave the Labyrinth and enter the Nexus, so you shall
be the first to enter Death Gate and walk the worlds beyond.

"The Realm of the Sky. Study it well, Haplo. Come to know the people. Search
out their strengths and their weaknesses. Do what you can to cause chaos in
the realm, but always be discreet. Keep your powers hidden. Above all, take no