Archiwum
- Index
- 02 opengl 3.2 szablon aplikacji OpenGL
- Brooks, Terry Word 02 A Knight of the Word
- John DeChancie Castle 02 Castle for Rent
- Celmer Michelle Królewskie zwišzki 02 Ksišżę i sekretarka (Goršcy Romans 893)
- Margit Sandemo Cykl Saga o czarnoksiężniku (02) Blask twoich oczu
- 115. Sherryl Woods Bogaci kawalerowie 02 Randka z przeznaczeniem
- Diana Palmer Big Spur,Texas 02 Passion Flower
- Johanna Lindsey Viking Family Tree 02 Hearts Aflame
- Carroll_Jonathan_ _Vincent_Ettrich_TOM_02_ _Szklana_zupa
- James Alan Gardner [League Of Peoples 02] Commitment Hour
- zanotowane.pl
- doc.pisz.pl
- pdf.pisz.pl
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Dain rose to his feet in astonishment. The movement made him dizzy, and he
bhnked hard to fight off his weakness.
By then the king was staring at his son. What accusation is this?
Have him questioned, Gavril said harshly. He has tried to murder my
betrothed
That s a lie! Dain shouted.
At that moment the doors burst open and Cardinal Non-cire, followed by a trio
of priests and two court physicians, entered the room. One of the latter went
to Pheresa and bent over her.
Seconds later he straightened and made the swift sign of the Circle. He
murmured into the cardinal s ear, and the men exchanged somber looks.
What is it? the king asked. What can be done?
All must clear the room, Noncire said. If she is to be saved at all costs,
majesty?
Verence frowned and seemed to hesitate, but Gavril stepped forward. Yes, yes,
at all costs. How
can you even ask such a thing? Noncire, if there s any way to preserve her
life, do it! She is to be my wife.
The king met the eyes of the cardinal and nodded. Noncire bowed. By your
command, he said. All must leave. Quickly, before it s too late.
Dain wanted to protest. He distrusted these men, for they were the same
priests who d tested him that night before King Verence. But he was given no
chance to speak. The guards pushed him out of the room in the wake of Verence
and Gavril, and no sooner did he cross the threshold than the doors were
slammed behind him.
He turned back, frowning at the carved panels. His keen ears could already
make out the strange words the priests were chanting softly. Hairs prickled on
the back of his neck, and he caught the burned whiff of magic. His mouth went
dry. They were casting a spell over her.
What are they going to do? Gavril asked in the corridor.
Whatever they can, the king said grimly. Come away.
Eyes wide with astonishment, Dain turned to him. What hypocrisy was this? To
preach against and condemn the use of magic, to torture Gavril for having
tried to learn the weakest of spells, and yet to order its use now. Dain had
not ex-pected to find such contradictions in the king. Your majesty, he
said.
The king s gaze flicked to him, and Verence nodded grimly as though to confirm
Dain s suspicions.
By my command only can it be done, he said. And only in a true emergency,
such as this, will I
command it. Now, both of you come with me. We will get to the bottom of this.
By the time they reached the king s study, a spacious room with a wall of
leaded windows overlooking the central courtyard of the palace, the
chamberlain and some of the ministers were waiting. A harried servant bustled
about, trying to light candles. The room was shadowy and cool, with a long
wooden table in its center.
The chamberlain stepped forward with a bow. Your majesty, he said in a
hushed voice of profound shock. May I express our deepest sympathies
regarding the serious illness of your lady niece.
Clune also came forward, his old face looking tired and haggard. Not plague,
is it? he demanded.
Don t want my daughters exposed to plague. Be a panic if it is.
The king glared at him impatiently. It is poison.
General consternation broke out among the others while the chamberlain lifted
his hands ineffectually for silence.
The king glanced at his master of arms. Remove these men.
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But, your majesty, please, the chamberlain protested. Affairs of state must
be
Everything must wait, the king told him. Until we know if she will live or
die, there is nothing to be done. She His voice grew hoarse and cracked. He
stopped, frowning, and cleared his throat. She is betrothed to his highness.
You may announce that. You may also ask the people for their prayers on her
behalf.
The chamberlain bowed and backed himself out, while the ministers did
likewise.
As soon as the guards had shut the doors, Gavril flung himself in a chair and
demanded that the servant who was building a fire in the hearth stop what he
was doing and bring him wine. Drinking deeply, he pointed at Dain. The pagan
must be put in the dungeons, sire, without delay. He attacked me, and he must
pay the price.
Blinking against the dizzying little dots that kept swimming in front of his
vision, Dain opened his mouth to speak in his defense, but no words came out.
He closed his eyes for a second, and opened them again to find that he d sunk
to his knees before the king.
Pacing back and forth, Verence gestured impatiently at Dain. No need to beg.
I am not ready to execute you... yet.
Sire, you are too merciful. He is both a liar and an assassin.
Gavril, please hush these wild accusations, the king said, and rubbed his
face. Tis I who gave her the stuff to drink. Damne! I feel the guilt of
that most strongly.
The poison was in my cup, Dain said in a thin voice. It was meant for me.
Gavril leaned forward in his chair. And did you drink any of it?
Dain met his gaze, feeling Gavril s hatred wash over him with such violence he
swayed on his knees.
The king stopped pacing and frowned at Dain. Did you? The color drained from
his face, and before
Sir Odeil could stop him he hastened over to grip Dain s shoulder. Great
Thod, it was half-empty when I picked it up. No, no, my boy, not you as well.
Dain tried to tell him he had not drunk the poison, but his voice failed him
again. Through a strange roaring in his ears, he heard the king issuing
orders. The fire was blazing now on the hearth, casting its orange light
across Dain s face and body, but he could not feel its warmth. He was very,
very cold. And then he knew nothing.
He dreamed that he stood in a gloomy cave, a place of dank, bone-chilling
coldness. Ice glistened on the stone walls where water had seeped through the
rock and frozen. His feet and hands were numb.
When he looked down at himself, he wore a shroud of white linen and his feet
were bare. Wondering if he was dead, he shivered and looked ahead to the
source of pale clear light that illuminated the cave. He saw the Chalice of
Eternal Life shining from a niche carved into the wall. Light emanated from
it, and as
Dain drew closer, he felt himself bathed in its radiant purity.
Awed, he knelt before it and traced a ring about himself in the dirt. He had
no salt, no ash rods, no candles with which to make the proper rituals. All he
could do was worship with his heart.
Faldain.
Turning around, he faced King Tobeszijian. Ghostly pale, almost transparent in
places, the lost king wore his gold breastplate and mail. His great sword hung
at his side. Dain rose to his feet before this vision of the man who had been
his father. Aside from his pallor, Tobeszijian still looked young and
vigorous. An invisible wind stirred his black hair back from his stern,
forbidding face. His eyes, pale blue and fierce, blazed into Dain s.
Father, Dain whispered.
The vision glared at him a moment, then held out his gauntleted hand.
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A rush of emotions choked Dain s throat. He went forward and knelt, then
reached out to grasp his father s fin-gers, but his hands passed through the
vision and touched only air.
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