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

magic creatures appear in great numbers and stand around being magical. Unfortunately, it can be very disruptive' - he paused to blow his nose - 'especially considering our present circumstance. Like all things sorcerous, magical creatures must be kept under strict control. They need a firm hand. They need a leader.'

'Master?' I asked, not quite seeing his point.

'Indeed.' The wizard fixed me with his steely gaze. 'They need you, Wuntvor.'

'Master?' I repeated, a bit of panic in my voice.

'Yes,' Ebenezum continued. 'There's no use denying it, Wuntvor. This situation needs a leader, a focus to direct all those magical actions we will require to defeat the Netherhells. Unfortunately, my malady prevents me from being that focus. And now all the wizards in Vushta seem to have caught that same malady. It is therefore up to you, Wuntvor, to become the magician who will lead our forces to success.'

I did not know what to say. Me, Wuntvor, a mere unschooled apprentice, the leader of all our forces? I was quite overwhelmed by the amount of faith my master held in me. I looked at the wizard, resplendent in his new robes of deepest blue, and he nodded solemnly.

I swallowed and took a deep breath, careful to stand at my full height. Perhaps my master was right after all. I had shown that I could perform magic in a pinch, both in our trip to Vushta and in my quest to the Netherhells. Now that I thought of it, I had conjured dead fish and turned myself into a grackle.

Very well. I folded my arms and nodded, ready to fulfill my destiny.

'Indeed,' my master continued when it became apparent that I had no objections. 'Now we must prepare for your

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quest. And Wuntvor, the best preparation a wizard can have is that of a ready mind and positive attitude towards what is to come.'

'Indeed,' I replied, ready to shoulder a wizard's responsibility.

'Therefore,' Ebenezum resumed, 'you must keep a cool head, no matter what should occur or what people should tell you. There are many rumors about the Eastern Kingdoms, and while most of them are completely unfounded, there are many in Vushta who enjoy spreading these rumors about.' He paused to stroke his mustache thoughtfully. 'You should know, then, to pay no heed to the stories of Mother Duck's kingdom, especially those about her cooking magicians and heroes in those ovens she keeps for her giants. And, of course, give not a thought to those unfounded tales about how she can twist the very fabric of reality and turn men into beasts and shrubs.' Ebenezum's great white eyebrows rose as he made his final point. 'Remember, no matter what happens, your magic will be able to save you!'

Beasts and shrubs? Then again, it occurred to me that there might be some situations that required spells other than grackles and dead fish. I cleared my throat. Perhaps I had objections after all. But how would I best be able to express them to the mage?

'But master,' I began hesitantly, 'will I be able to learn the spells required? I mean, my magical background -'

' 'Tis true, Wuntvor.' Ebenezum nodded sagely. 'I have been slightly remiss in your education. During your first two years of apprenticeship I had meant to begin your course of magical lessons. Still, you know how things go - one thing leads to another, and the time is gone before you know it. Well, it is no use crying over broken

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spells. We will have to remedy your lack of education, beginning now.'

Ebenezum turned to the rows of books that stood behind us. 'Indeed, Wuntvor. I brought you to the library for more reasons than to free ourselves of the crowd. There is a certain tome here that I feel might be of assistance to you.' Holding his nose, he scanned the shelves.

'There!' he said at last, pointing to an aged volume on the uppermost shelf. 'Could you reach it for me?'

I pulled down the book, which was bound in dark blue vellum. At first glance it was a quite impressive-looking tome, although the parchment within appeared a touch dog-eared, as if it had seen frequent use. The cover bore a title, in highly illuminated script of pure gold leaf: Magic for the Millions - A Home Study Course.

'A home study course?' I replied.

'Even more than this,' my master intoned. 'It is the finest home study course ever invented.'

'Pardon, master,' I asked with some trepidation, 'but what is a home study course?'

'Indeed.' The mage pulled at his beard. ' 'Tis a series of lessons that are self-contained, so that you might gain the advantages of a schooling in magic without actually attending the school. There are a great many advantages to learning magic in this method. Think, Wuntvor. For one thing, you don't have to sit through the study halls, and you'll never catch yourself glancing at the classroom hourglass while your teacher goes on and on about something you could care less about.' The wizard sighed. 'Of course, you also aren't able to try out for the sports teams, sorcerous soccer, and the like, and I would imagine that the senior play might have to be a monologue - but I