"William Forstchen - Magic The Gathering - Arena" - читать интересную книгу автора (Forstchen William R)

on the side of his pants.

Hammen laughed.

тАЬA cleaner handshake than what youтАЩll get from any House Master.тАЭ
Garth could not help but smile.

тАЬWhere can I find the Gray House?тАЭ

тАЬWhy do you want to go there?тАЭ

тАЬJust curious to see, thatтАЩs all.тАЭ

Hammen, raising his staff with a flourish, pointed down the refuse-choked alleyway and they were off.

Garth followed behind his self-appointed guide, cautiously looking up side streets as they passed. It was
well past dawn and yet the city was still barely stirring, the revelry in celebration of the approaching
festival having obviously consumed the energy of the citizens. Hammen stopped for a moment to poke at
several prostrate forms lying next to an overturned rain barrel. One of them stirred slightly, the other two
remained still.

Garth looked down at them. He could see all three were alive but would soon regret that state of affairs
when they woke up.

"They've already been picked over," Hammen announced, and continued on out into a main boulevard
that was nearly a dozen fathoms across.

Garth turned and looked back up the street, where wisps of smoke were still rising from yesterday's fun.
Around him shopkeepers were just beginning to unshutter their stalls, placing their wares out on tables in
front of their doors. A few early risers were already out purchasing food and Garth strode along slowly,
unable to hide his amazement at the multitude of goods for sale.

Hammen looked back at him.

"I don't think you've had much experience with cities."

Garth nodded.

"I could see that; no one but a fool would have followed me down a back alley the way you did. Such
trust is only found in yokels from the countryside. No citizen of this city would be so stupid."

"Either a fool or someone who could take care of himself," Garth replied coolly.

Hammen looked up at Garth and nodded in agreement.

"I think you can take care of yourself. But survive here? That will be interesting to see."

Hammen slowed and pointed to a fruit stand.

"Ah, my favorite, pomegranates from Esturin." Hammen strode up to the fruit monger, who was setting