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

a weapon, for complex reasons that now seemed invalid,
and the fact that Orb was the obvious target made it
worse. Alone, he could have given them the slip, but there
was no way she could do that. This was going to be ugly.

What way? he demanded of the ring in his pocket. Then
he ran through a mental list of alternatives, beginning with
straight flight and ending with mayhem. The ring
squeezed at mayhem.
Where? he thought next.

The ring signaled as they passed a deserted alley. This
was the best place to meet the thuggees.

Mym did not question this; he trusted the ring. He took
Orb by the elbow and guided her into it.

The thuggees were jubilant at this break. This was ex-
actly what they wantedЧthe prey secluded, so that the
dirty work could be done without witnesses. Killing could
be accomplished quickly, but it took longer to rape a living
womanЧand it wasn't any fun when she was deadЧbe-
cause they had to take turns. Here in the alley, setting
two of their number as guards for the occasionЧ

They closed, one of them blocking off the far exit, the

other four advancing from behind.

Mym took Orb to a niche between buildings, where
some dilapidated crates were piled. "Hide!" he directed,
his stutter not manifesting during his distraction. Seeing
the tough-looking men, she obeyed, frightened.

Now Mym stood before the crates, holding a board with
a nail protruding, facing the thuggees.

The five closed in. As one, they laughed, pointing at
his inadequate weapon. They were armed with knives of
various descriptions, and their leader had a short sword.

Mym bit his tongue, deliberately. In a moment he tasted
the blood. His eyes glazed, his breathing quickened, and

his dark skin paled.

"Hey, he's freezing!" one of the thuggees exclaimed

in the native tongue.