"Zelazny, Roger - Amber 09 - Knight Of Shadows" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zelazny Roger)

Roger Zelazny
Chapter 4
     Recovering.
     My head ached, and there was dirt in my mouth. I was sprawled face down. Memory made its way home through the traffic, and I opened my eyes. Still black and white and gray all about. I spit sand, rubbed my eyes, blinked. The Logrus Sign was not present, and I could not account for my recent experience with it.
     I sat up and hugged my knees. I seemed to be stranded, all of my extramundane means of travel and communication blocked. I couldn't think of anything to do other than get up, pick a direction, and start walking.
     I shuddered. Where would that take me? Just through more of the same--more of this monotonous landscape?
     There came a soft sound, as of a throat being gently cleared.
     I was on my feet in an instant, having inspected every direction on the way up.
     Who's there? I inquired, having given up on articulation.
     I seemed to hear it again, very near at hand.
     Then, I've a message for you, something seemed to say within my head.
     What? Where are you? Message? I tried asking.
     Excuse me, came the muffled voice, but I'm new at this business. To take things in order, I am where I've always been--on your wrist--and when the Logrus blasted through here, it enhanced me additionally, so that I could deliver the message.
     Frakir?
     Yes, My first enhancement, that day you bore me through the Logrus, involved sensitivity to danger, mobility, combat reflexes, and a limited sentience. This time the Logrus added direct mental communication and expanded my awareness to the point where I could deliver messages.
     Why?
     It was in a hurry, could stay in this place for only an instant, and this was the only way for it to let you know what is going on, I didn't realize the Logrus was sentient.
     Something like a chuckle followed.
     Then, It is hard to classify an intelligence of that order, and I suppose it doesn't really have much to say most of the time, came Frakir's reply. Its energies are mainly expended in other areas.
     Well, why did it come through here and blitz me?
     Unintentional. It was a by-product of my enhancement, once it saw that I was the only means of reaching you with more than a few words or images.
     Why was its time here so limited? I asked.
     It is the nature of this land, which lies between the shadows, that it be mainly inaccessible both to the Pattern and the Lagrus.
     A sort of demilitarized zone?
     No, it is not a matter of truce. It is simply that it is extremely difficult for either of them to manifest here at all. This is why the place is pretty much unchanging.
     This is a place they can't reach?
     That's about the size of it.
     How come I never heard of it before?
     Probably because no one else can reach it too readily either.
     So what's the message?
     Basically, that you not try calling upon the Logrus again while you're here. The place represents such a distorting medium that there's no assurance how any projected energy might manifest outside some convenient vessel. It could be dangerous for you.
     I massaged my throbbing temples. At least it got my mind off my sore jaw.
     All right, I agreed. Any hints as to what I'm supposed to be doing here?
     Yes, this is a trial. Of what, I can't say.
     Do I have a choice?
     What do you mean?
     May I refuse to participate?
     I suppose. But then I don't know how you get out of here.
     So I do get released from this place at the end, if I play? If you're still living, yes. Even if you're not, I'd imagine.
     Then I really have no choice.
     There will be a choice.
     When?
     Somewhere along the way. I don't know where.
     Why don't you just repeat all of your instructions to me?
     Can't. I don't know what all is here. It will surface only in response to a question or a situation.
     Will any of this interfere with your strangling function?
     It shouldn't.
     That's something, anyway. Very well. Have you any idea what I'm supposed to do next?
     Yes. You should begin climbing the highest hill to your left.
     Which--Okay, I guess that's the one, I decided, my gaze settling upon a broken fang of blazing white stone.