Ведьмак: Кровь эльфов

           Thereisnowaytoavoidthebloodpouringontoherheadandoverhershoulders.

           Ajolt,thesquelchofmud,aviolentcollisionwiththeground,horrificallystillafterthefuriousride.Thehorse’sharrowingwheezesandsquealsasittriestoregainitsfeet.Thepoundingofhorseshoes,fetlocksandhoovesflashingpast.Blackcaparisonsandcloaks.Shouting.

           Thestreetisonfire,aroaringredwallofflame.Silhouettedbeforeit,aridertowersovertheflamingroofs,enormous.Hisblack-caparisonedhorseprances,tossesitshead,neighs.

           Theriderstaresdownather.Ciriseeshiseyesgleamingthroughtheslitinhishugehelmet,framedbyabirdofprey’swings.Sheseesthefirereflectedinthebroadbladeoftheswordheldinhisloweredhand.

           Theriderlooksather.Ciriisunabletomove.Thedeadman’smotionlessarmswrappedaroundherwaistholdherdown.Sheislockedinplacebysomethingheavyandwetwithblood,somethingwhichislyingacrossherthigh,pinninghertotheground.

           Andsheisfrozeninfear:aterriblefearwhichturnsherentrailsinsideout,whichdeafensCiritothescreamsofthewoundedhorse,theroaroftheblaze,thecriesofdyingpeopleandthepoundingdrums.Theonlythingwhichexists,whichcounts,whichstillhasanymeaning,isfear.Fearembodiedinthefigureofablackknightwearingahelmetdecoratedwithfeathersfrozenagainstthewallofraging,redflames.