"Asprin, Robert - Another Fine Myth" - читать интересную книгу автора (Asprin Robert)

Garkin was suddenly beside me pounding my shoul-
der enthusiastically. How long he had been there I
neither knew nor cared.

"It went out," I said plaintively.

"Never you mind that. You lit it. You have the con-
fidence now. Next time it will be easy. By the stars, we'll
make a magician of you yet. Here, you must be hun-
gry."

I barely got my hand up in time to intercept the re-
maining lizard-bird leg before it smacked into my face.
It was cold.

"I don't mind admitting I was beginning to despair,
lad. What made that lesson so hard? Has it occurred to
you you could use that spell to give you extra light when
you're picking a lock or even to start a fire to serve as a
diversion?"

"I thought about it, but extra light could draw un-
wanted attention. As for starting a diversion, I'd be
afraid of hurting someone. I don't want to hurt anyone,
just...."

I stopped, realizing what I was saying, too late. A
heavy cuff from Garkin sent me sprawling off my stool.

"I thought so! You're still planning to be a thief. You
want to use my magiks to steal!"

He was towering in his rage, but for once I stood my
ground.

"What of it?" I snarled. "It beats starving. What's
so good about being'a magician, anyway? I mean, your
life-style here gives me so much to look forward to."

I gestured at the cluttered room that was the entirety
of the hut.

"Listen to the wolfling complain," Garkin sneered.
"It was good enough for you when the winter drove you
out of the woods to steal. 'It beats sleeping under a
bush,' you said."

"And it still does. That's why I'm still here. But I'm
not going to spend the rest of my life here. Hiding in a