"Chalker, Jack L - DG3 - Vengeance of the Dancing Gods" - читать интересную книгу автора (Chalker Jack L)

CHAPTER I

ENCOUNTER ON A LONELY ROAD

If a worshipped idol has power, it shall always emanate from
the eyes or the navel, except for gotems, in which case see
Vol. XCVIH.

-- The Book of Rules, XCLV, 194(d)

IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES; IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES.

In point of fact, Husaquahr had been blessed now with
good government -- as good as it was going to get, any-
way -- and peace for several years.

In other words, it was pretty damned dull in Husa-
quahr.

Oh, there were the usual quotient of crimes, magic
spells, occasional irritating geases, and a number of black-
art wizards and witches lurking about, and the general
population was oppressed by a ruling class of one sort or
another as usual, but it was minor, petty stuff. There'd
be no great new warrior kings to fear and celebrate in
song and story through the generations, no wondrous bat-
tles, the tales of which would thrill the newer generations
for centuries, no epic quests or bold adventures that would
make this a time to look back on. Since the defeat and
subsequent exile of the Dark Baron and the dispersement
of his armies, even those who were most evil in Husa-
quahr seemed willing to compromise with the good and
just have a comfortable old time.

The rider on the black horse was almost invisible in
the dusk, wearing as he was a tight black body stocking,

2 VENGEANCE OF THE DANCING GODS

black belt, and worn riding boots. He was a small man,
both short and slight, and wore only a small dagger for
his defense. He looked elfin, although he was of totally
human blood, and somewhat boyish; yet any who looked
into his cold, penetrating eyes knew both fear and respect.
They were dark eyes, as black as his garb, and they were
very old eyes as well. They said to one and all that this
was a dangerous man and not ever to be taken lightly.

It had been seven years since he'd stood with the greats
and fought with the best of this world the forces of evil