"Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman. Time of the Twins ("DragonLance Legends" #1) (angl)" - читать интересную книгу автора

was somewhat startled to note the swiftness and almost mascu-
line length of her stride. It seemed oddly incongruous with her
delicate features. Her handshake, too, was firm and strong, not
typical of Palanthian women, who rarely shook hands and
then did so only by extending their fingertips.
"I must thank you for giving up your valuable time to act as a
neutral party in this meeting," Crysania said coolly. "I know
how you dislike taking time from your studies."
"As long as it is not wasted time, I do not mind," Astinus
replied, holding her hand and regarding her intently. "I must
admit, however, that I resent this."
"Why?" Crysania searched the man's ageless face in true per-
plexity. Then - in sudden understanding - she smiled, a cold
smile that brought no more life to her face than the moonlight
upon snow. "You don't believe he will come, do you?"
Astinus snorted, dropping the woman's hand as though he
had completely lost interest in her very existence. Turning
away, he walked to the window and looked out over the city of
Palanthas, whose gleaming white buildings glowed in the sun's
radiance with a breathtaking beauty, with one exception. One
building remained untouched by the sun, even in brightest
noontime.
And it was upon this building that Astinus's gaze fixed.
Thrusting itself up in the center of the brilliant, beautiful city,
its black stone towers twisted and writhed, its minarets -
newly repaired and constructed by the powers of magic -
glistened blood-red in the sunset, giving the appearance of
rotting, skeletal fingers clawing their way up from some unhal-
lowed burial ground.
"Two years ago, he entered the Tower of High Sorcery,"
Astinus said in his calm, passionless voice as Crysania joined
him at the window. "He entered in the dead of night in dark-
ness, the only moon in the sky was the moon that sheds no
light. He walked through the Shoikan Grove - a stand of
accursed oak trees that no mortal - not even those of the ken-
der race - dare approach. He made his way to the gates upon
which hung still the body of the evil mage who, with his dying
breath, cast the curse upon the Tower and leapt from the upper
windows, impaling himself upon its gates - a fearsome watch-
man. But when he came there, the watchman bowed before

him, the gates opened at his touch, then they shut behind him.
And they have not opened again these past two years. He has
not left and, if any have been admitted, none have seen them.
And you expect him... here?"
"The master of past and of present." Crysania shrugged. "He
came, as was foretold."
Astinus regarded her with some astonishment.
"You know his story?"
"Of course," the cleric replied calmly, glancing up at him for