Ведьмак: Кровь эльфов

           Indescribablyhappy,shedived,caughtupwithaflockofhercompanions,brushedthecrestsofthewaveswithherclaws,soaredintotheskyagain,sheddingwaterdroplets,andglided,tossedbythegalewhistlingthroughherpinfeathers.Forceofsuggestion,shethoughtsoberly.Itisonlyforceofsuggestion.Seagull!

           Triiiss!Triiss!

           Ciri?Whereareyou?

           Triiiss!

           Thecryoftheseagullsceased.Themagicianstillfeltthewetsplashofthebreakersbuttheseawasnolongerbelowher.Oritwas–butitwasaseaofgrass,anendlessplateaustretchingasfarasthehorizon.Triss,withhorror,realisedshewaslookingattheviewfromthetopofSoddenHill.ButitwasnottheHill.ItcouldnotbetheHill.

           Theskysuddenlygrewdark,shadowsswirledaroundher.Shesawalongcolumnofindistinctfiguresslowlyclimbingdownthemountainside.Sheheardmurmurssuperimposedovereachother,minglingintoanuncanny,incomprehensiblechorus.

           Ciriwasstandingnearbywithherbackturnedtoher.Thewindwasblowingherashenhairabout.

           Theindistinct,hazyfigurescontinuedpastinalong,unendingcolumn.Passingher,theyturnedtheirheads.Trisssuppressedacry,watchingthelistless,peacefulfacesandtheirdead,unseeingeyes.Shedidnotknowallofthefaces,didnotrecognisethem.Butsomeofthemshedidknow.

           Coral.Vanielle.Yoël.Pox-markedAxel...

           "Whyhaveyoubroughtmehere?"shewhispered."Why?"

           Ciriturned.Sheraisedherarmandthemagiciansawatrickleofbloodrundownherlife-line,acrossherpalmandontoherwrist.