"Kushner,.Donn.-.A.Book.DragonUC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dragon Stories)

to protect them from any of the human enemies that had
appeared thus far. But in their sorties and forays, they ex-
posed themselves sufficiently to provide many tasty meals for
Cauchemar. Though they tried, in a simple-minded fashion, to
avoid the wfly dragon, their cruel, twisted thoughts and schemes
drew him surely towards them. When they spied the mud-

48

colored dragon lurching away with a look of sly satisfaction on
his face, the men of The Undergrowthe could be sure that their
number had been reduced by at least one more.

The clerk of the band was named Ambrose, sometimes
"Brother Ambrose" because of his pious demeanor. He was
the only one of the group who had been born in the village of
Serpent Grimsby. He had served as altar boy in the church and
later as pot-boy in the tavern. He had known of the dragon
since his own childhood; thus far, he had avoided any of the
places where Cauchemar might hunt. Since he knew that evil
thoughts attracted the dragon, he mixed his ill deeds with
thoughts of higher things. His comrades were sometimes
shocked to see Brother Ambrose, his dagger and clothing
splashed with blood, walk along with pious steps, reciting
lengthy prayers. He also remembered the dragon's taste for
alcoholic beverages, or rather for those who consumed them.

Brother Ambrose reflected long on the dragon's nature
while he sat with his book of records in his accustomed place,
behind his bold captain and equally bold lieutenant, the one-
legged "Lopped Cedric." Ambrose's fresh, smooth face was
sorrowful, his blue innocent eyes almost weeping as he recorded
the loss of yet another member of the band. From one of their
raids he hid a small cask of rare fortified Rhenish wine, for
later use.

A month afterwards, the captain and the lieutenant returned
from another raid, leading a pack-train of goods from which all
the guardians had fled. Only the fat cook and a slim, pretty
kitchen wench remained, tied together on one of the mules.
The cook was howling with indignation, the girl was pale with
fear. The clerk brought the wine cask out to the victorious
warriors and volunteered to lead the mules with their burden

49

of treasure into the ruined castle walls. He also suggested,
winking, that he relieve them of the company of the cook, who
could be better employed making supper for the band.