"Glass,.James.C.-.Shanji" - читать интересную книгу автора (Glass James C)

The three men jumped back, auras changing to blue from being
startled as another man came forth. The first thing Toregene saw
was the huge arch of his nose, the distended, vein-lined dome of
his frontal lobes. A Searcher, taller than the others by several
centimeters, his eyes fathomless blackness in her enhanced
vision.

"She is a spy, Mengmoshu," said Shan.

"Indeed she is, though she speaks the truth about using the night
to gather her herbs. Mostly she has been observing our camp from
a place I can now locate. We have been negligent in scanning the
rim of the cliff overlooking the valley. She knows our strength
there." The Searcher's aura was the red of Tengri-Nayon, with
radiating streamers in gold. His mind clamped down on hers like a
velvet claw, and now she lay motionless, unable to speak,
screaming silently.

"Then she must die," said Shan. "It is a cold night, Mengmoshu,
and we have been patrolling without women for two weeks. Certain
pressures of our manhood could be relieved here before we kill
her, and with all the shizi prowling about, the evidence of our feast
will surely be gone by early morning."

Mengmoshu looked down somberly at Toregene, considering for a
long moment, then said, "I understand, but the flyer will return within
the hour, and we must walk to the rendezvous. There's no time for
what you desire, Shan. I will act in behalf of all of us."

Shan snorted, and the other two men's eyes narrowed with
displeasure. "You claim privilege of rank, Mengmoshu?"

Toregene felt a slight release of the force paralyzing her mind and
body as the Searcher turned to face the smaller man. "Do you
question my rank or authority here, Shan? Would you speak of this
to others?"

Shan stumbled back a step, eyes wide, his aura flickering as if
sucked from him. "NoЧno, of course not. We are in your service,
Mengmoshu. You are the chosen of the Emperor here."

"Good, Shan. Humility leads to wisdom. Now, pack your things and
leave. I will catch up with you shortly."

Mengmoshu leaned over, and pulled Toregene to a sitting position
as the other men returned to the trees. She tried to cry out, but full
paralysis had returned, and she could only grunt as he gagged her
with a cloth taken from his pocket. He lifted her up like a child and
carried her to the trees, setting her gently down on soft needle