"Flint, Kenneth C - Gods of Eire 03 - Master of the Sidhe UC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Flint Kenneth C)

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MASTER OF THE SIDHE

wooden shutters rose, exposing the openings into the structures. At first, nothing was visible but blackness . . . then, slowly, something began to stir. Wails, horrible screams as of beings in torment, issued from the holes. And finally, figures began to emerge into the open.

At first only a few ventured out, testing the air, hesitating, blinking at the light. Then more followed, faster and faster, until they gushed forth, spreading out across the square. The band of heroes, hardened as experience had made them to the Horrible, drew back at what they saw.

The Fomor in the city's streets had often been monsters. But those that swarmed into view now were far beyond any of them. Bres had certainly not exaggerated. Few of the things bore even a vague resemblance to human beings.

There were so many that they clambered upon one another as they pushed forward. All were naked, their misshapen bodies pallid, streaked with their own filth. Young Lugh could relate them to nothing save the writhing mass found beneath a suddenly upturned rock.

Some skittered spiderlike on spindly limbs, some crept on shortened stubs or dragged themselves with whatever appendages they had. The worst were like some kind of larva, nearly limbless, hairless, soft and waxen white, almost boneless as they squirmed along the ground. Their faces were like wet clay, eyes peeping from the sagging, oozing folds, round-mouths sucking constantly.

"They have no minds, really," Bres continued in an easy, conversational style. "Just a sort ░f primitive drive for survival, mostly for food. Oh, did I mention? The Fomor feed them right here." He glanced up to the sky. "And about this time of day, I think." He laughed. "I watched them eat once. Revolting but amazing. They'll eat almost anything!"

By now the creatures had filled the whole outer edge of the square and had become aware of Lugh and his companions. The countless bizarre faces were turned toward them. Mewling sounds of hunger arose. The mass began to ooze in

toward them,

The little band moved back to the center of the square as a collar began to tighten about them.

"Form a defensive ring," Lugh told the others. "Gilla, time for your trick, I think."

"I thought it just might be," Gilla replied.

He reached into the billowing folds of his coat and pulled

RUNNING THE MAZE

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forth an object, which he launched through the air toward Lugh. It was a sheathed longsword and harness. The finely worked silver of its hilt and scabbard sparkled as it arched across to land in the young Champion's outstretched hand.

Other weapons followed it from the marvelous cloak of Gilla. Swords went to Aine and Morrigan. An enormous double-bladed ax was tossed to the Dagda, and a final sword was drawn out for the Clown himself.

Bres watched this performance with shock.

"You promised to come unarmed!" he shouted in outrage.

"We aren't quite the fools you think, Bres," Lugh called back. Then, to the falcon, he murmured: "Shaglan, get down and change. Find something to clear our way to the avenue."

The Pooka fluttered to the ground inside the pentagram the heroes formed. Lugh quickly donned his harness and drew his weapon from its sheath. The revealed sword flashed as light caught its magically fashioned blade. This was the Answerer, a gift to Lugh from the Enchanted Isles, and he could feel its power course through him as it came into his hand.

He set himself with the others to face the mass around them, swinging the Answerer before him. The blade drew a fan of light in the air and the creatures cowered. But their hesitation was not for long. They were too many, and their hunger overcame any fear.

"I can truly say this is an ugly mob," Gilla observed lightly, looking around at the circle of faces as it closed in.

But then the beings were reeling back, staring up in fear at the thing that had suddenly risen within the defensive ring. It was a bear, twice the height of a man and snarling with a very convincing ferocity.