"Esther M. Friesner - Chicks 02 - Did You Say Chicks" - читать интересную книгу автора (Friesner Esther M)

Milhauser reopened the paperback and resumed reading aloud. We were well into the first dumb fight
scene, where Gort skewers a couple of city guards through the heart, when a glimmering of an idea came
to me.

"Mr. Milhauser, that's not such a great technique. You know, the heart is an awfully small target. Also
you've got to get through the rib cage. Me, I prefer to take them in the abdomen. It's a nice big soft
target. Or if your employer wants them brought back alive, go after the legs and try to cripple them."

That point was engraved on my memory; I'd once had a very embarrassing discussion with Duke Zolkir
after a call. Trans-Forwarded from the P.T.A. had distracted me in the middle of a swordfight so that I
forgot to keep any of the thieves I was after alive long enough to stand trial.

Milhauser gave me a cold, reptilian glance. "Gort," he said, "is the world's greatest swordsman. For him
to pierce an opponent through the heart is child's play."

"Oh, yeah? You just don't know how hard it is. I bet you've never tried."

"I've done my research!" he snapped.

"And I've livedmine. Also, it's not that easy to pierce chain mail."

"Lady, will youstop interrupting'? I've studied the matter in great detail, andтАж"

"Let's have a demonstration, then." I stood up, wriggling slightly so as to get maximum jingle from my
chain-mail corselet and divided skirt. "I'm willing to let you try and skewer me. Or are you scared to fight
a girrrl?" I added with a teasing pout and another strategic wriggle.



тАФfrom "Tales from the Slushpile" by Margaret Ball




ALSO IN THIS SERIES



Chicks in Chainmail,

edited by Esther Friesner
 Did You Say Chicks?!,

edited by Esther Friesner



Chicks 'n Chained Males,