The Skull Throne. Peter Brett V.
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Название: The Skull Throne
Автор: Peter Brett V.
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Героическая фантастика
isbn: 9780007425709
isbn:
Jardir crossed his arms, looking sceptical. ‘And how are we supposed to accomplish this?’
‘We use the crown,’ the Par’chin said.
Jardir raised a brow.
‘The Crown of Kaji’s warding field can repel any demon, even an army of them, up to half a mile,’ the Par’chin said.
‘I am aware of this,’ Jardir said. ‘It is my crown.’
The Par’chin smiled. ‘Are you also aware that you can raise the field at a distance? Like a bubble, keeping demons out, or as in the Maze …’
‘… keeping them in,’ Jardir realized. ‘If we get in close …’
‘… you can trap them in with us,’ the Par’chin said.
Jardir clenched a fist. ‘We can destroy Nie’s generals before the first sallies of Sharak Ka even begin.’
The Par’chin nodded. ‘But it won’t do much good if their queen can lay more.’
Jardir looked at him. ‘Alagai’ting Ka. The Mother of Demons.’
‘Just so,’ the Par’chin said. ‘Kill her, and we’ve a shot at winning the war. If not, they’ll come back again, even if it takes another three thousand years. Eventually, they’ll wear us down.’
‘What if I do not agree to this plan, Par’chin?’ Jardir asked. ‘Will you steal the crown and try alone?’
‘Half right,’ Arlen said. ‘Minds are coming to Anoch Sun on new moon and I’ll be there with or without you. If you can’t see the value in that, then you’re not the man I thought you were. Take your crown, slink back to your ripping throne, and leave Sharak Ka to me.’
Jardir gritted his teeth. ‘And the spear?’
‘The spear is mine,’ Arlen said. ‘But you swear by the sun to do this with me, I’ll give it to you free and clear and call it a bargain. If not, I’ll take it to the Core and put it through the demon queen’s heart myself.’
Jardir stared at him a long time. ‘That will not be necessary, Par’chin. It grates me to be given what is already mine, but what kind of ajin’pal would I be if I let you walk such a road alone? You may think Everam a lie, Par’chin, but truly He must love you, to grant you such courage.’
The Par’chin smiled. ‘My da always said I had more sack than sense.’
Arlen bustled about the kitchen, his hands a blur as he worked. He had never been a great cook, but years spent alone on the road had made him efficient enough at boiling potatoes and pan-frying meat and vegetables. He used no fire; heat wards etched into the pots and pans did the work, powered by his touch.
‘May I assist?’ Jardir asked.
‘You?’ Arlen asked. ‘Has the self-proclaimed king of the world ever even touched unprepared food?’
‘You know me well, Par’chin,’ Jardir said, ‘but not as well as you think. Was I not nie’Sharum once? There is no menial task I have not bent my back to.’
‘Then bend your back to setting the table.’ The banter was familiar, something Arlen hadn’t realized he had missed all these years. It was easy to fall into their old patterns, brothers in all but name. Jardir had stood with Arlen on his first night in the Maze, and in Krasia, that was as great a bond as blood. Greater.
But Jardir had been willing to kill him for power. He had not done it with malice, but he had done it all the same, and even now, Arlen had to wonder if he would do it all over again if he had the chance … or if the chance came again in the future. He searched Jardir’s aura for a clue, but he could discern little without Drawing magic through him and Knowing him fully – an intrusion Jardir would no doubt sense, and have every right to take offence to.
‘Ask, Par’chin,’ Jardir said.
‘Ay?’ Arlen asked, surprised.
‘I can see the question that gnaws at your spirit,’ Jardir said. ‘Ask, and let us have it done.’
Arlen nodded. ‘Soon enough. Some things are best done on a full stomach.’
He finished preparing the meal, waiting patiently as Jardir said a prayer over the food before they set to eating. A single serving was enough for Arlen, but Jardir had suffered serious wounds in their battle on the cliff, and while magic could heal them in an instant, it couldn’t make flesh and blood from nothing. He emptied three bowls and still reached for the fruit plate while Arlen cleared the table.
When he returned he sat quietly, watching Jardir gnaw the bowl down to stem, seed, and core.
‘Ask, Par’chin,’ Jardir said again.
‘Did you decide to kill me in the heat of the moment that night in the Maze,’ Arlen asked, ‘or was our friendship a lie from the start?’
He watched Jardir’s aura carefully, taking some small pleasure as hurt and shame coloured it for an instant. Jardir mastered himself quickly and looked up, meeting Arlen’s eyes as he let out a long exhale, nostrils flaring.
‘Both,’ he said. ‘And neither. After she threw the bones for you that first night, Inevera told me to embrace you like a brother and keep you close, for I would one day need to kill you if I was to take power.’
Something tightened in Arlen, and unbidden, the ambient magic in the room rushed to him, making the wards on his flesh glow.
‘That don’t sound like both,’ he said through gritted teeth. ‘Or neither.’
Jardir could not have missed the glow of his wards, but he gave no indication, keeping his eyes fixed on Arlen’s. ‘I knew nothing of you then, Par’chin, save that the Sharum and dama nearly came to blows over your request to fight in the Maze. You seemed a man of honour, but when your rock demon broke the wall, I did not know what to think.’
‘You talk like One Arm was a piece of livestock I tried to sneak past the gate,’ Arlen said.
Jardir ignored the comment. ‘But then, as the alagai poured through the breach and despair took hold in the hearts of the bravest men, you stood fast and bled at my side, willing to give your life to capture the rock demon and put things right.
‘I did not lie when I called you brother, Par’chin. I would have given my life for you.’
Arlen nodded. ‘Nearly did more’n once that night, and Creator only knows how many times since. But it was all a show, ay? You knew you’d live to betray me one day.’
Jardir shrugged. ‘Who can say, Par’chin? СКАЧАТЬ