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

an instant, then turning her clear eyes back to look at the
Tower, already shrouding itself with the coming night's
shadows. "A good general always studies the enemy before
engaging in battle. I know Raistlin Majere very well, very well
indeed. And I know - he will come this night."
Crysania continued gazing at the dreadful Tower, her chin
lifted, her bloodless lips set in a straight, even line, her hands
clasped behind her back.
Astinus's face suddenly became grave and thoughtful, his
eyes troubled, though his voice was cool as ever. "You seem
very sure of yourself, Revered Daughter. How do you know
this?"
"Paladine has spoken to me," Crysania replied, never taking
her eyes from the Tower. "In a dream, the Platinum Dragon
appeared before me and told me that evil - once banished from
the world - had returned in the person of this black-robed wiz-
ard, Raistlin Majere. We face dire peril, and it has been given to
me to prevent it." As Crysania spoke, her marble face grew
smooth, her gray eyes were clear and bright. "It will be the test
of my faith I have prayed for!" She glanced at Astinus. "You
see, I have known since childhood that my destiny was to per-
form some great deed, some great service to the world and its
people. This is my chance."
Astinus's face grew graver as he listened, and even more
stern.
"Paladine told you this?" he demanded abruptly.
Crysania, sensing, perhaps, this man's disbelief, pursed her
lips. A tiny line appearing between her brows was, however,
the only sign of her anger, that and an even more studied calm-
ness in her reply.
"I regret having spoken of it, Astinus, forgive me. It was

between my god and myself, and such sacred things should not
be discussed. I brought it up simply to prove to you that this
evil man will come. He cannot help himself. Paladine will bring
him."
Astinus's eyebrows rose so that they very nearly disappeared
into his graying hair.
"This 'evil man' as you call him, Revered Daughter, serves a
goddess as powerful as Paladine - Takhisis, Queen of Dark-
ness! Or perhaps I should not say serves," Astinus remarked
with a wry smile. "Not of him...."
Crysania's brow cleared, her cool smile returned. "Good
redeems its own," she answered gently. "Evil turns in upon
itself. Good will triumph again, as it did in the War of the Lance
against Takhisis and her evil dragons. With Paladine's help, I
shall triumph over this evil as the hero, Tanis Half-Elven, tri-
umphed over the Queen of Darkness herself."
"Tanis Half-Elven triumphed with the help of Raistlin
Majere," Astinus said imperturbably. "Or is that a part of the