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

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digress.' Ebenezum paused to clear his throat and straighten his robes.

Study halls? Sorcerous soccer? I had no idea what my master was talking about. I hoped there was enough in this book so that I might make some sense out of it. I hastily opened the cover and read aloud the words imprinted on the first page:

'Compiled by Ebenezum, Greatest Wizard in the Western Kingdoms. Fourth Printing.'

'Indeed,' my master remarked. ' 'Twas part of my association with the Famous Wizards school. Made me quite a bit of - but that is beside the point. We must address our present task!' He waved with a flourish at the book I held in my hands. 'You have before you everything you need to become a full-fledged wizard, competent in all the basic sorcerous arts - alchemy, healing with herbs, love potions, how to predict the arrival of tax collectors. And that is but the mere beginning!'

Love potions? All thoughts of quests and battles with the Netherhells fell away from that one glowing thought. My master had said love potions, hadn't he? I tried to contain my excitement. Perhaps there was some way Norei and I could be reunited after all! I could barely wait to begin this 'home study course.' Love potions, indeed!

'No matter what danger you might face,' the wizard resumed, 'within this book there is a magical solution. If you would turn to the back, you'll find an index.'

I struggled to put thoughts of a happy reunion out of my mind, and did as Ebenezum bade, opening to a page titled 'Easy Wizard's Index.' I scanned quickly down the righthand column:

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Demons, who are about to eat you, 206, 211 Demons, who are about to tear you limb from limb,

207 Demons, who are about to thrash you soundly,

206-7 Demons, who have already begun to eat you,

208 ...

'As you can see,' my master continued, 'quick reference to this index can prepare you for virtually any eventuality. In all, I think this home study course will go some distance toward remedying your lack of education. Of course, while you are on the quest you might have difficulty in mailing your lessons, but we'll devise some method to overcome that.'

I closed the tome and looked to my master. The index certainly did seem thorough. I was happy that he was so sure of my success. There was a damp spot on the vellum where my sweaty palm grasped the book. Suddenly my brain was no longer filled with thoughts of my beloved. Instead, the words I had read in the index were sinking into my overworked consciousness: 'Demons, who have already begun to eat you . . .'

I had been thinking too much of Norei and not enough about the quest. I would have to study this book in some detail before I began my journey. Then, when there was time, I would study the love potions.

'Indeed,' my master remarked. 'I have also spoken with Snorphosio, and he shall supply you with a map of the region.' He pulled at his beard. 'Or at least what we know of that region. But what say, Wunt, that we go over the introductory lesson together? I may have to hold my nose a bit, but I think I can make it through. If we work on it

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now, in the library, we should be able to speed through it without interruption.

I had barely reopened the book when the earth began to shake again.

'Then again,' the wizard muttered, 'we may never again be able to do anything without interruption.'

I hurriedly followed my master back into the courtyard, ready for our next confrontation with the Netherhells.

Or so I thought.

SIX

'Demons do not generally make the best of friends, unless, of course, you like to center all your social activities around eating, and furthermore, enjoy serving yourself as the main course.'