"03 - A Disagreement with Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gardner Craig Shaw)

"A sharp blow to the head?" Norei frowned. "No, I don't think that was the sort of thing Wuntvor had in mind."

Hendrek nodded thoughtfully. "How about two sharp blows to the head?"

"You try my patience!" Death shrieked behind me. "You know what I desire. Make me an offer!"

"How about a little song and dance?" another voice boomed theatrically.

The earth shook as Damsel and Dragon bounded into the clearing. As serious as our situation was, I couldn't help glancing at Alea with her long blond hair and scanty vaudevillian attire.

Anything?

But I had no time for errant thoughts. Death was waving its bony arms in the air. It was becoming more agitated with every passing minute.

"We've come up with a special song for this occasion," Alea said brightly, tossing her long blond hair so that it shone even beneath the clouds.

Anything?

"Hit it, Hubert!" Alea called out.

"I will not allow this!" Death screamed. "I am here for negotiation, not vaudeville!"

But Damsel and Dragon had already started to shuffle back and forth. I knew a song could not be far behind.

Unfortunately, I was correct:

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"There's something in the air that's pretty scary, The sun is gone, the wind's contrary! It's quite exciting, we must confetti; It must be time for a date with Death!"

"Say, Damsel," Hubert remarked. "Have you been introduced to Death?"

"Not officially," Alea replied jovially, "but I am dying to meet him!"

They launched into another verse:

"I must admit I'm feeling old, My youth is gone, the world is cold, All around me is such a meth, It must be time for a date with Death!"

"Say, Dragon," Alea interjected. "I've heard that Death is rather a cold character."

Hubert slapped a scaly knee before replying: "Well, Damsel, you've heard Dead Wrong!"

"No more!" Death pleaded. "Please, no more!" The specter turned to me. "Make me an offer, please!"

"Death wants an offer?" Hubert chortled triumphantly. "See, Damsel, I knew we could win him over! We simply have to face it. No one can resist our flashing feet and snappy patter!"

"No, no!" Death insisted. "I was speaking to the Eternal Apprentice!"

"Oh, trying to be hard-nosed about this, so we won't charge an arm and a leg?" Hubert laughed again. "You forget, Mr. Death, that we've had to face negotiators much worse than you. After all, we work in the arts!"