"Константин Бояндин. The Guardian ("Истории Ралиона") " - читать интересную книгу автора

bitterness was gone, his spirit rose high and the colors shone all around.
"He heard the oath," Rhissa said. "You have a blessing of Naata, my
friend."
Nlaminer had only scarce knowledge about the cult of Naata but made
himself keep silence (this was not easy). Instead he bowed again.
"The city was devastated during the last war," Rhissa added. "I think
you know this. I should find their sacred place and invoke for blessing.
Otherwise, these undead darklings will crawl outside again. We cannot
destroy them; even an army cannot do that. All we can do is to seal them in
their dwellings. Will you help me ?"
Nlaminer did not hesitate. He can at least help Rhissa in her quest. As
for him, he will continue his studies... later.
"I will help you," he replied simply.
"We need some shelter," Rhissa said. "We cannot rest in the caves;
undead are near."
Nlaminer concentrated and closed his eyes. A vision came to him...
there was a forest nearby, safe enough to stay. He broke his concentration
and pointed westward. Rhissa was looking at him curiously.
"We can stay in that forest," he pointed. They took their belongings
and left, for the night was falling. Nlaminer turned and looked at the
entrance to the accursed city. The cave grinned malevolently at him. Come
back, it was saying. We will wait.

* * *

He shuddered. But it was only Rhissa, touching his arm. "We are here,"
she whispered. Nlaminer looked around and understood why she was whispering.
It was a great cavern, ceiling raising to several hundred feet, all
emitting this unsteady imitation of light. It was dry here, though a pool of
water occupied the center of the cavern. The air was filled with the essence
of eternity and calmness. He had never before experienced such an
equilibrium of mind. Nlaminer looked around.
Several iguana-like creatures crawled around. They paid little
attention to the new visitors and were completely friendly. Their
countenance was impressive. When Nlaminer ventured to touch one it just
looked at him with dignity and opened its "smiling" mouth a bit. Rhissa
moved to the pool and sniffed.
"Here is the water," she called. "This pool is always clear. Look in
the water, over there."
Nlaminer looked and saw a huge shining rune incrusted in the bottom of
the pool. Andrynx rune, no doubt. So it was the shrine.
Nlaminer drank the water. It gave him a feeling of the Water of
Strength (though they had none this time) - clear, with no special taste,
but refreshing and restoring strength. Rhissa pointed to the north.
"And here is the shrine," she added. "We should visit it now. We can
rest here later; Andrynx grants rest to everyone."
Nlaminer looked at the rune and his mind was getting clearer. The
battles, losses and victories meant less and less; looking in the pool was
like looking in the whole life. He thought he heard voices,.. sounds...
images drifted beneath the pool's surface. He closed his eyes. This was no