"01 - A Difficulty With Dwarves" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gardner Craig Shaw)

The Brownie shook his head sadly. 'It's tragic to meet a

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being who can't see the beauty of Brownie Power. I'm afraid I tried to show our friend here the glories of Browniedom too quickly. Listen to me, friend Snarks!'

'Sorry,' the demon murmured, trying hard to maintain his composure. 'Not interested.'

Tap tugged at the demon's robes. 'I will start where I should have all along: In the beginning, long ago, before there were Brownies . . .'

'Maybe I'm interested after all!' Snarks brightened momentarily.

'. . . or before there were demons,' the Brownie continued, refusing to be sidetracked. The little fellow looked at the rest of us. 'Or before there were wizards, or warriors, or apprentices, or trained assassins. Before all these things, there was the Great Shoe!'

'Now I'm really not interested!' Snarks exclaimed as he began to sidle away from the little person.

'I'm not very interested, either,' another voice said behind me. 'At least, I'm only interested in certain very special individuals.'

It was the unicorn.

'But what I wouldn't do for those individuals!' the magnificent beast continued. 'Oh, if only I could find a place to lay -'

'If you'll excuse me.' My beloved stepped between me and the unicorn's horn. 'I thought that I might like to be included in the discussion. Who knows? Perhaps I can be of some help' - she looked pointedly in my direction - 'at least for that short time that I am still available.'

'Hey, what's going on here!' A deep voice cut off the unicorn's complaint. 'It looks like a victory celebration, damsel! But what sort of celebration would it be without entertainment!'

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The Brownie continued his speech, eyes closed, in a clear, high voice, as if everyone else was not shouting simultaneously. '. . . and the Great One looked out upon the void, and saw nothingness. So the Great One reached out its laces to the Void, and said "Let there be shoes!" '

'What we need here,' the dragon continued, 'is a funny story from our new act. How about this one? Seems there was this thirsty dragon decided he needed to have a drink. So he goes into this local tavern, see -'

'Ahem,' my master intoned, holding his nose against the ever-increasing scents of magical creatures in the immediate vicinity. 'I think, Wuntvor, that the time has come for us to consult briefly in the college library. Alone.' He turned and called to the others. 'Wuntvor and I will return anon. Please wait for us. We beg your -'

My master sneezed once. He turned upon his heel and rapidly strode across the courtyard. I did my best to keep up.

'And there were shoes!' the Brownie continued behind us, his voice filled with wonder. 'And boots, and sandals, and slippers with pointy toes -'

'So, anyway' - Hubert's booming voice drowned out the little person's - 'the tavern keeper brings the dragon a tankard of mead and says, "That will be five hundred golden crowns." Then the barkeep adds, "You know, we don't get many dragons -" '

Ebenezum slammed the door of the library after I had followed him inside.

'I fear,' my master remarked, 'that this situation may be getting out of hand.'

I agreed with the mage.

Ebenezum pulled absently at his beard. ' 'Tis always the way when great magic is involved. One way or another,

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