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

The imperor flushed darkly in the flickering candlelight. The second dwarf followed the warlock in, slamming the door. There was a shimmer of
sorcery on him, probably a loyalty spell. He was very young, with a hint of down like gray moss on his sandstone cheeks. His hair dangled in
elaborate curls like iron turnings. Typical dwarf, though-his pants and boots had been patched repeatedly.


"Tell us why you came, Sorcerer," Shandie said coolly. "I'll be buried if I know!" Raspnex pointed at Rap. "Well, I suppose I came to appeal to him,
but I see now that I wasted my time. I'd hoped he could help, but he can't. "


"Who's your companion?" Rap asked.


"Grimrix. He's a votary. Don't laugh at his hairstyle or he may turn you into a woolly caterpillar. "


The youngster scowled; blue fire flickered ominously in the ambience.


"Steady!" the older dwarf snapped. "Well, imp," he said aloud. "So you didn't listen to me! Who outside this room knows where you are?"


"No one," the imperor said, "except Legate Ugoatho."


"Who's he?"


"Head of the Praetorian Guard."


Raspnex snorted. "They'll have gotten him already, then. One of the first they'd go for. In fact, it's amazing they're not here yet."


"The legate is utterly loyal!" Shandie protested. The warlock showed his big teeth. "Not anymore."


"Tell them the problem," Rap said sadly.


"You tell them. I already tried, and seems they don't heed me."


"I'll have to be quick, though." Time was precious, Rap realized. Whether or not Zinixo had brought in his main occult strength yet, if he had
perverted the head of the Praetorian Guard, then a thousand men might be on their way already. Four carriages stood outside in the snow, there were
tracks. "The problem is Zinixo. I'm sure you remember him. "


"Former warlock of the west. "