"Dave Duncan - A Handful Of Men 2 - Upland Outlaws" - читать интересную книгу автора (Duncan Dave)

"Thank Bright Water, " Raspnex growled. He paused to scan the house. "Name of Evil, this place is a labyrinth, isn't it? " Approving images of
mine tunnels . . . "She gave him Kraza. "


Kraza? The name was familiar. Raspnex threw up a brief image of a female dwarf, quite pretty by dwarvish standards, and then Rap remembered.
The wardens had sent her as their emissary, the third time they had begged him to take Zinixo's place on the Red Throne.


Raspnex had located the correct staircase. He scowled at its ramshackle condition and chose to levitate up it, perhaps not trusting its treads to
withstand his great boots.


His young companion grinned and followed suit. He jangled the ambience less than Raspnex did, which meant he was intrinsically more powerful.
His occult image was more solid, too, which was usually a good indication of occult potency.


And that was the key to the whole mystery! That was how Zinixo had escaped from his cocoon to threaten the world ... Rap's mundane companions
were all regarding him with apprehension. As far as they were concerned, he had been leaning against the fireplace and staring glassily at the floor
for the last couple of minutes.


"Stand back from the doorway, Centurion," he said. "Don't go for your sword. It will do no good. "


Hardgraa reached for the hilt automatically, then reluctantly released it. He stepped a pace sideways.


"Cousin!" Shandie said, jumping to his feet. "Rap? What's wrong?"


Even as Rap named the visitor, the warlock hurled the door open and stamped into the room. "You're a fool, imp!" he growled,. glaring across at the
imperor.


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 Upland Outlaws



Fury flickered over Shandie, but he bowed respectfully. "You honor us with your presence, your Omnipotence. "


"You can forget that rot! No more omnipotences. It's over!"


Dwarves were not known for tact, or delicacy of phrase. "No more wardens, no more warlocks, no more witches. Why in the name of Evil didn't
you get out of town while you had the chance?" Raspnex stalked forward to the center of the room, dominating it completely, although everyone
else was much taller. "Flee, I told you! But oh, no! You had to come into this warren, on the one night in centuries when you would leave a trail
through Hub that a blind toad could follow! Idiot! "