Fred Saberhagen Lost Swords 7 Wayfinders story

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.Lost%20Swords%207%20-%20Wayfi nders%20Story.txt (69 of 118) [2/4/03 9:57:09 PM]file:///F|/rah/Fred%20Saberhagen/Saberhagen,%20Fred%20-%20Lost%20Swords%207%20-%20Wayfinders%20Story.txt"As I have already mentioned, lady, he spoke chiefly of the Emperor, and the Emperor's treasure.Why the Chairman of the Blue Temple should do that I do not know—I have always thought that theEmperor, if he really existed, was no more than a clown."The lady was not interested in Valdemar's opinions."And what exactly did Hyrcanus ask of thisSword?""I don't remember the exact words.He wanted to be shown the way to the Emperor's greatest treasure.""And what answer was he given?""Nothing very definite.The Chairman discussed this with his colleague—the man you were just talking to back there—and they thought the ambiguity might mean the Emperor was actually approaching.But.you arrived instead."The red lips smiled faintly."Perhaps the real answer was that the Great Clown has no treasure."The smile vanished."But you and I, grape-grower, we have no time to worry about that now.""What are we to worry about instead?"Tigris did not reply.Her one overriding worry was Wood, escape from whose domination was the single thing in the world which she most desired.Now she caught herself instinctively looking over her shoulder.A useless gesture, of course, and she was irritated to catch herself doing it more than once.Valdemar took note of this quirk of behavior, and of the expression on the young woman's face when she looked back toward the encampment where her troops were busy with the tasks she had assigned them.He wondered silently who or what it was that this mighty sorceress feared so much.He asked: "You are very powerful in magic.Also you have just won a victory, and captured one of the gods' own weapons, which you now hold in your hands.What are you afraid of?"She raised the Sword a little, as if she wanted to pretend that she would strike him with it."Yes, this is indeed one of the gods' own weapons—but remember that the gods are dead.Or did you know that, grape-grower?""I think the gods are not all dead, my lady.I still pray to Ardneh.Ardneh of the White Temple, who never allowed himself to be caught up with the other deities in their games—""Ah yes—well, grape-grower, it may surprise you, but I could wish sometimes that Ardneh still lived, and still ruled the world—not that I believe he ever Page 73ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlreally did.""Why should such a wish surprise me? I could share it.I was once," continued Valdemar, not really knowing why he chose this moment for his revelation, "a novice monk in a White Temple.""So? And did those fat Brothers in their Temple warn you, when you abandoned safety for the great world, that you should choose to stay instead?"Without waiting for an answer, Tigris once more raised the Sword of Wisdom.Careless of the fact that Valdemar watched and listened, she couched her next question in clear terms: "Hear me, Sword! Show me the way to gain freedom from the one I fear above all others! I do not mean my own death; that road to freedom I could find without your help.I want a long life, in safety from any harm that he may try to do to me."And again Wayfinder pointed, immediately and steadily, straight at Valdemar."Just who," he asked the enchantress, "is this one you fear above all others?"She ignored him.She gave the impression of a woman fighting back panic, trying to remain patient.There was a faint tremor in her voice."Very well, Sword.I now have firmly under my control this great clod of farmyard mud that you keep pointing at.You are able to perceive that, I suppose?file:///F|/rah/Fred%20Saberhagen/Saberhagen,%2.Lost%20Swords%207%20-%20Wayfi nders%20Story.txt (70 of 118) [2/4/03 9:57:09 PM]file:///F|/rah/Fred%20Saberhagen/Saberhagen,%20Fred%20-%20Lost%20Swords%207%20-%20Wayfinders%20Story.txtWell, what do you expect me to do with him next? Sacrifice him, eat him alive, lie with him? You will have to give me some further sign."The Sword, of course, was not to be commanded thus, and it said nothing in reply.It still pointed where it had been pointing—straight at Valdemar—and that was all.Valdemar cleared his throat."I have noticed, that this Sword's way of conveying meaning can sometimes be rather hard to interpret [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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