"Esther M. Friesner - Chicks 04 - The Chick Is In The Mail" - читать интересную книгу автора (Friesner Esther M)

ISBN: 0-671-31950-7


Cover art by Larry Elmore


First printing, October 2000


Distributed by Simon & Schuster

1230 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020


Production by Windhaven Press, Auburn, NH

Printed in the United States of America



TROLL BY JURY
In the center of the sand-strewn ring, Duke Janifer stood between the two combatants and nervously
asked, "Ladies, are you certain you wouldn't like to reconsider this trial by combat to the death?"

"Iwould," Zoli said. "It's not combat, it's bloody murder. I've eaten seafood that had more hope of killing
me thanthis idiot." She gestured scornfully at Goodwife Eyebright.

"Willyou withdraw?" Duke Janifer turned to Goodwife Eyebright, entreating her with his eyes.
"Pleeease?"

Eyebright stood herself up a bit taller and held the sword she'd been given as though it were a carpet
beater. "I'd sooner die."

"I was afraid you'd say that." The duke sighed, shrugged, and tossed a bright orange kerchief high into
the air. As he dashed from the arena he called back over one shoulder. "When it hits the ground, start
fighting."

The audience gasped and held its breath. Zoli went into her preferred fighting stance, grim and silent,
eyes fixed on the floating kerchief. Goodwife Eyebright, on the other hand, began jabbering the instant
the bit of cloth left the duke's hand.

"My gracious, aren't you in a hurry? I'm sure it's not going to take you long to kill me, but don't you
worry about that. Nor about all my poor little lambkins that'll be left orphaned and helpless, oh no, don't
you give any of them a second thought. You've done your duty, you don't have to bother your head
about whether they'll be decently clothed and fed and who'll tuck them into their cold, lonesome little
beds of a winter's night with not ever the comfort of a loving mother's kiss on their tiny tear-stained faces,
no. Don't you concern yourself over their bitter tears or their heartbreaking sobs or theirтАФ"