"David Gemmell - Winter Warriors" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

'Yes.' The black man's sword was sheathed, and there was no throwing knife in his hands. It does
not matter, thought Orendo. I don't have the skill to best him.
'I'm glad. I wouldn't want Bison to see me now. Are you taking me back?'

'No. You will remain here, with your friends.'

17

Orendo nodded. 'Seems a shame to end a friendship this way, Nogusta. Will you take back our
heads?'

'The White Wolf told me my word was good enough.'

Orendo felt a trickle of hope. 'Look, man, I was only the look out. I didn't know there was going
to be murder. But it happened. There are enough jewels in that pouch to give us a life ... a real
life. We could buy a palace with them, you and me.' Nogusta shook his head. 'You could just tell
them you killed me. And keep half the jewels.'

'That is what I will tell them. For you will be dead. You were not the look out,' said Nogusta,
sadly. 'You raped the girl, and you stabbed her. You did this. You must pay for it.'

Orendo moved to the fire, stepping over the bodies of his companions. 'They were sending me home,'
he said, kneeling down and pulling off his gloves. The fire was warm and he held his hands out to
it. 'How would you feel? How does Bison feel?' He glanced up at the tall warrior. 'Ah, it is
different for you, isn't it? The champion. The blade master. You're not quite as old as us. No-
one's told you you're useless yet. But they will, Nogusta. The day will come.' He sat down and
stared into the flames. 'You know, we had no intention of killing the merchant. But he struggled
and Eris stabbed him. Then the girl ran in. She had been sleeping, and she was wearing a
transparent shift. I still can hardly believe it happened. The room went very cold. I remember
that, and I felt something touch me. Then I was filled with rage and lust. It was the same for the
others. We spoke about it last night.' He looked up at Nogusta. 'I swear to you, Nogusta, that I
believe we were possessed. Maybe the merchant was a sorcerer. But there was something evil there.
It affected us all. You know me well. In all the

18

years we have fought together I have never raped a woman. Never.'

'But you did three nights ago,' said Nogusta, moving forward, and drawing his sword.

Orendo lifted a hand. 'If you will permit me I will do the deed myself?'

Nogusta nodded and squatted down on the other side of the fire. Orendo slowly drew his dagger. For
a moment he considered hurling it at the black man. Then the image of the girl came to his mind,
and he heard her voice begging for life. Swiftly he drew the sharp blade across his left wrist.
Blood flowed instantly. 'There is a bottle of brandy in my saddlebag. Would you get it?'

Nogusta did so and Orendo drank deeply. 'I-am truly sorry about the girl,' said the dying man.
'Will she recover?'