"Anthony Piers - Incarnations Of Immortality 1 - On A Pale Horse [uc]" - читать интересную книгу автора (Anthony Piers)

1

TO BUY A STONE

"Death," the proprietor said clearly, showing the stone.
It was a bright red ruby, multifaceted, set in a plain gold
ring. It was a full caratЧlarge for this quality.

Zane shook his head, experiencing a chill. "I don't
want that one!"

The man smiled, an obviously perfunctory and prac-
ticed expression reserved for wavering marks. He was
well dressed, but somewhat sallow, in the manner of those
who remained in the shade too long. "You misunderstand,
sir. This fine gem does not bring you death. It does the
opposite."

Zane was hardly reassured. "Then why call itЧ?"

"The Deathstone." Again that annoyingly patronizing
shaping of the face, as the proprietor eased the ignorant
concern of the balky customer. "It merely advises the
wearer of the proximity of termination, by darkening. The
speed and intensity of the change notifies you of the po-
tential circumstance of your demiseЧin plenty of time for
you to avoid it."

"But isn't that paradox?" Zane had seen such stones
advertised, usually at prohibitive prices, but discounted
the claims as marketing hyperbole. "A prophecy isn't valid,
ifЧ"

"No paradox," the proprietor said with professional
certainty. "Merely adequate warning. You could hardly

2 On A Pale Horse

obtain a better service, sir. After all, what is more pre-
cious than life?"

"That presumes a person's life is worth living," Zane
said sourly. He was a young man of no particular stature
or distinction of feature, with acne scars that neither med-
ication nor spot-spell had been able to eradicate entirely.
His hair was dishwater brown and somewhat unkempt,
and his teeth were unfashionably irregular. He was ob-