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

part.

тАЬOne to two,тАЭ the gambler replied sarcastically.
тАЬOne to four,тАЭ Garth replied softly, and his hand drifted down to the hilt of his dagger.

The gambler looked around furtively and saw that there was no support from the mob.

тАЬOne to four,тАЭ the gambler snarled, as he made his mark on a smooth chip of wood and shoved it into
GarthтАЩs hand.

Garth turned back to watch the show, arms folded, pulling his robe in tight to keep the chill out.

The crowd quieted down as the last of the bets were placed, all now waiting for the ritual of preparation
to end.

Gray finished first. Raising his head, he fully extended his arms and took a step out of the neutral square
drawn just outside the circle. Even though Orange was not yet finished with his ritual, Gray raised his
hands and the crowd fell silent. Garth shook his head disdainfully. It was a breaking of the rules, but
then again this was a street fight, and any who believed in rules in such an encounter was simply too
stupid to live.

A mist started to form in the center of the circle, coiling, swirling, and yet still Orange did not move, or
even acknowledge that Gray had started his attack. The mist started to twist in upon itself, growing
brighter, glowing, the light reflecting on the pale faces of the eager mob. The light suddenly darkened, a
cool chill sweeping out.

тАЬAn undead,тАЭ someone gasped.

In the middle of the circle a decaying form appeared and started to move toward the Orange fighter, who
finally stirred, raising his head. Orange stepped into the circle and reached into the satchel dangling from
his right hip. Instantly a small cloud appeared over the undead, a sheet of fire flashed out, blinding the
crowd, who recoiled backward at the thunderclap roar. A swirl of smoke roiled outward and Garth
pulled his cloak up tight around his face to block out the stench of decaying flesh that had just been
burned to cinders.

An awed gasp swept the street. Okmark, his gaze still fixed on his opponent, finally allowed a thin flicker
of a smile to show.

тАЬI believe, sir, that since I have won, your spell is now mine to claim.тАЭ

The Gray fighter looked around at the crowd and Garth could only shake his head with amusement.
Only seconds before Gray had been their champion and hero, but their champion had just cost most of
them their money. Garth looked over quickly at the gambler and the picture was now clear as the
gambler started to drift back to the edge of an alleyway. It had been a wonderful setup, a classic con job
on a bunch of yokels in town for the festival and eager for a bet.

Webin looked around anxiously at the mob.

тАЬTo the death, to the death!тАЭ a shout came from the back of the crowd and the cry was instantly picked
up by the mob, which pushed to the edge of the circle, chanting and laughing for blood. Webin, who had