"De Camp, L Sprague - RK 2 - The Clocks Of Iraz UC" - читать интересную книгу автора (De Camp L Sprague)

"I know not. Perchance in a fortnight, perchance in a year."

"Whither away? Why the haste and mystery?"

"Say that 1 fear the blast of the wintry winds and the drip, drip, drip of the rain. When and if I return, I'll seek you out and tell you about itЧand also collect my pay."

"The boys will be sorry to see you go. You drive them hard, but they think you're a good boss."

"Tis good of you to say so. By rights you should have had my job."

"True, but 1 never could get the work out of them as you do. Did 1 hear that foreign fellow call you 'lorian'?"

"Aye, but he had confused me with another man entirely."

With his duffel bag slung over his back and Ikadion following, lorian strode to the head of the stair. Glancing over the scene below, he muttered: "Where's that Zerlik?" Then he stepped back and knocked on the door of the private room occupied by the Irazi.

"Coming, coming," said Zerlik's voice.

"Well, hurry up! Have you sent your man to get out the car-"

"Nay, Ayuir is in here helping me. You do not expect me to pack my own gear, do you?"

Jorian sucked his breath through his teeth. "I've just packed mine without dying of the effects. What do you want, an egg in your beer? Send the fellow out; we have no time to squander."

The door jerked open. Zerlik said: "My good man,

7

THE CLOCKS OF IRAZ

if you think I will do my own chores like a common lout, just to meet your convenienceЧ"

jorian Bushed a dangerous red. At that moment, Zer-lik's servant, a small, swarthy man, spoke timidly in his own tongue. Zerlik hriefly replied. Ayuir picked up the massive wooden chest and issued from the room.

"One moment," said Zeriik. "I needs must give the room a last inspection, lest I forget aught."

forian waited while the servant staggered down the stairs with the chest. Ayuir set the box down near the door and scuttled out.

Zerlik came out of his room; he, Jorian, and Ikadion started down the stairs. As they did-so, five men in plain black clothing entered the Scarlet Mammoth. In the lead came the chunky man, who pointed to Jorian and shouted:

"There he is, hoys! Take him! King Jorian, I com-maud you in the name of the kingdom of Xylar to surrender!"

The five rushed across the floor, circling around the table at which the gaping surveyors sat. As one of the former started up the stairs, {orian swung his duffel bag off his shoulder and hurled it at the man. The missile bowled the fellow over, and the man behind him tripped over his body.

Before they could recover, Jonan's sword came out with a wheep. Jorian hurdled the two sprawling figures and brought the blade down in a whistling cut on the shoulder of the next intruder. The man screamed and staggered back, cloven halfway to the breastbone. He sank to the floor in a swiftly widening pool of blood.

Another black-clad man threw a net over Jorian's head. Jorian slashed at the net but only entangled his sword in its meshes. He struggled to tear off the net, but the men in black expertly drew it tighter about him, while one stepped up behind him with a bludgeon.

"Surveyors, to me," roared forian. "Help! Zerlik, bear a hand! Theudus!"