"Watt-Evans,.Lawrence.-.Ethshar.3.-.The.Unwilling.Warlord" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dragon Stories)

CHAPTER 1

he dice rolled, smacked against the baseboard, then
bounced back and skittered to a stop. One showed five
pips, and the other two each showed six, clearly visible
even in the flickering light of the tavern alcove.

The paunchy farmer in the greasy gray tunic stared at
the dice for a moment, then snapped his head up and
glared suspiciously at his opponent. He demanded, "Are
you sure you're not cheating?" His breath carried the
warm, thick aroma of stale wine.

The thin young man, who wore a patched but clean
tunic of worn blue velvet, looked up from raking in the
stakes with a carefully contrived expression of hurt on
his face. His dark brown eyes were wide with innocent
dismay.

"Me?" he said. "Me, cheating? Abran, old friend,
how can you suggest such a thing?"

He pushed the coins to One side, then smiled and said,
"Still my throw?"

Abran nodded. "Make your throw, and I'll decide my
wager."

The youth hesitated, but the rules did allow a losing
bettor to see the next roil before wagering again. If
Abran did decide to bet, though, it would be at two-to-
one instead of even money.

That probably meant the game was over.

He shrugged, picked up the bits of bone again, and
rolled them, watching with satisfaction as the first

4 THE UNWILLING WARLORD

stopped with six black specks showing, the second
seemed to balance on one comer before dropping to
show another six, and the last bounced, rebounded from
the wall, spun in mid-air, and came down with five spots

on the top face.

Abran stared, then turned his head and spat on the
grimy floor in disgust. "Seventeen againT' he growled,
turning back. "Sterren, if that's really your name," he