"Роджер Желязны. Lord of Light (Лорд Света, engl) " - читать интересную книгу автора

understand that someone has deciphered my notes, and the trick is now
possible."
The beggar's brows moved a quarter of an inch lower and closer
together.
"You do not realize the forces which even now contain this building,
defending against any such transfer."
The beggar stepped to the center of the room. "Yama," he stated, "you
are a fool if you think to match your puny fallen powers against those of
the Dreamer."
"Perhaps this is so. Lord Mara," Yama replied, "but I have waited too
long for this opportunity to postpone it further. Remember my promise at
Keenset? If you wish to continue your chain of existence you will have to
pass through this, the only door to this room, which I bar. Nothing beyond
this room can help you now."
Mara then raised his hands, and the fires were born.
Everything was flaming. Flames leapt from the stone walls, the tables,
the robes of the monks. Smoke billowed and curled about the room. Yama stood
in the midst of a conflagration, but he did not move.
"Is that the best you can do?" he asked. "Your flames are everywhere,
but nothing burns."
Mara clapped his hands and the flames vanished.
In their place, its swaying head held at almost twice the height of a
man, its silver hood fanned, the mechobra drew into its S-shaped strike
position.
Yama ignored it, his shadowy gaze reaching now like the probe of a dark
insect, boring into Mara's single eye.
The mechobra faded in mid-strike. Yama strode forward.
Mara fell back a pace.
They stood thus for perhaps three heartbeats, then Yama moved forward
two paces farther and Mara backed away again. Perspiration blistered upon
both their brows.
The beggar now stood taller and his hair was heavier; he was thicker
about the waist and broader across the shoulders. A certain grace, not
previously apparent, accompanied all his movements.
He fell back another step.
"Yes, Mara, there is a deathgod," said Yama between clenched teeth.
"Fallen or no, the real death dwells in my eyes. You must meet them. When
you reach the wall you can back no farther. Feel the strength go out of your
limbs. Feel the coldness begin in your hands and your feet."
Mara's teeth bared in a snarl. His neck was as thick as a bull's. His
biceps were as big about as a man's thighs. His chest was a barrel of
strength and his legs were like great trees of the forest.
"Coldness?" he asked, extending his arms. "I can break a giant with
these hands, Yama. What are you but a banished carrion god? Your frown may
claim the aged and the infirm. Your eyes may chill dumb animals and those of
the lower classes of men. I stand as high above you as a star above the
ocean's bottom."
Yama's red-gloved hands fell like a pair of cobras upon his throat.
"Then try that strength which you so mock. Dreamer. You have taken on the
appearance of power. Use it! Best me not with words!"