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

bath, but there is one among your worshipers here now who would speak with
you, on a matter which I take to be of mighty importance."
"One of my worshipers! Tell him that all-hearing Brahma hears all, and
direct him to pray to me in the ordinary manner, in the Temple proper!"
Brahma's hand moved toward the shutoff switch, then paused. "How came
he to know of the Temple-to-Heaven line?" he inquired. "And of the direct
communion of saints and gods?"
"He says," replied the priest, "that he is of the First, and that I
should relay the message that Sam would have words with Trimurti."
"Sam?" said Brahma. "Sam? Surely it cannot be . . . that Sam?"
"He is the one known hereabouts as Siddhartha, Binder of the Demons."
"Await my pleasure," said Brahma, "singing the while various
appropriate verses from the Vedas."
"I hear, my Lord," said the priest, and he commenced singing.
Brahma moved to another part of the pavilion and stood awhile before
his wardrobe, deciding what to wear.

The prince, hearing his name called, turned from the contemplation of
the Temple's interior. The priest, whose name he had forgotten, beckoned him
along a corridor. He followed, and the passage led into a storage chamber.
The priest rumbled after a hidden catch, then drew upon a row of shelves
that opened outward, doorlike.
The prince passed through this doorway. He found himself within a
richly decorated shrine. A glowing view-screen hung above its
altar/control-panel, encircled by a bronze Naga, which held its tail in its
teeth.
The priest bowed three times.
"Hail, ruler of the universe, mightiest of the four orders of gods and
the eighteen hosts of paradise. From your navel springs forth the lotus,
your hands churn the oceans, in three strides - "
"I acknowledge the truth of what you say," replied Brahma. "You are
blessed and heard. You may leave us now."

"?"
"That is correct. Sam is doubtless paying you for a private line, is he
not?"
"Lord . . . !"
"Enough! Depart!"
The priest bowed quickly and left, closing the shelves behind him.
Brahma studied Sam, who was wearing dark jodhpurs, a sky-blue khameez,
the blue-green turban of Urath and an empty scabbard upon a chain belt of
dark iron.
Sam, in turn, studied the other, who stood with blackness at his back,
wearing a feather cloak over a suit of light mail. It was caught at the
throat with a clasp of fire opal. Brahma wore a purple crown, studded with
pulsating amethysts, and he bore in his right hand a scepter mounted with
the nine auspicious gems. His eyes were two dark stains upon his dark face.
The gentle strumming of a veena occurred about him.
"Sam?" he said.
Sam nodded.