"Terry Goodkind. Faith of the Fallen (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

"I've overstepped what you have all decided is my proper place,"
Richard said. "Is this what you mean to say?"

"You turned your back on your community, on your roots, as I see
it; you think our women aren't good enough for the great Richard Cypher.
No, he had to marry some woman from away. Then you come back here and
think to flaunt yourselves over us."

"How? By doing what? Marrying the woman I love? This, you see as
vain? This nullifies my right to live in peace? And takes away her right
to heal, to get well and live?"

These men knew him as Richard Cypher, a simple woods guide, not as
the person he had discovered he was in truth, and who he had become. He
was the same man as before, but in so many ways, they had never known him.

"You ought to be on your knees praying for the Creator to heal
your wife," another man put in. "All of mankind is a wretched and
undeserving lot. You ought to pray and ask the Creator's forgiveness for
your evil deeds and sinfulness-that's what brought your troubles on you
and your woman. Instead, you want to bring your troubles among honest
working folks. You've no right to try to force your sinful troubles on us.
That's not what the Creator wants. You should be thinking of us. The
Creator wants you to be humble and to help others-that's why He struck her
down: to teach you both a lesson."

"Did he tell you this, Albert?" Richard asked. "Does this Creator
of yours come to talk with you about his intentions and confide in you his
wishes?"

"He talks to anyone who has the proper modest attitude to listen
to Him," Albert fumed.

"Besides," another man spoke up, "this Imperial Order you warn
about has some good things to be said for it. If you weren't so
bullheaded, Richard, you'd see that. There's nothing wrong with wanting to
see everyone treated decent. It's only being fair minded. It's only right.
Those are the Creator's wishes, you've got to admit, and that's what the
Imperial Order teaches, too. If you can't see that much good in the
Order-well then, you'd best be gone, and soon."

Kahlan held her breath.

In an ominous tone of voice, Richard said, "So be it."

16

These were men Richard knew; he had addressed them by name and
reminded them of years and deeds shared. He had been patient with them.
Patience finally exhausted, he had reached intolerance.