"Anthony, Piers - Incarnations 04 - Wielding A Red Sword" - читать интересную книгу автора (Anthony Piers)

barrier he had supposed. If so, this group had already
given him more than refuge.

They came into Ahmadabad, a sprawling city of more
than a million inhabitants. Here they expected to have
large and generous crowds, for the city folk were more
sophisticated than the villagers and more interested in
oddities. Indeed, their first show was a great success, and
the master was so pleased that he issued bonus payments

to the performers.

Naturally Orb, typical other gender in certain respects,
wanted to go shopping. The master could not deny her,
but insisted that she have some protection. "Thieves are

thick in cities," he muttered.
"Mym can come with me," Orb said brightly.
The master scowled, but evidently remembered the
way Mym had juggled knives. "But stay out of trouble,"
he admonished. "I don't like risking two star performers

together."

So Mym went shopping with Orb, glad for the oppor-
tunity to be with her, however slight the occasion. He
wore a nondescript tunic and an artificial beard that com-
pletely changed his appearance. Still, it was risky for
himЧbut perhaps no more so than performing in this city

as a mime.

Orb was delighted with the wares set forth in the open
market. She went from stall to stall, exclaiming at the
bright woven materials and pretty baubles, choosing first

one and then another.
But Mym was nervous. He felt a motion in his inner

13

Piers Anthony

pocket, so he quietly put his hand in, found the snake-
ring, and put his finger through it. "T-t-t-trouble?" he
murmured, as if to himself.

The ring squeezed once.

That was all he needed. He tried to draw Orb aside to