"Simon R. Green - Hawk and Fisher 2 - Winner Takes" - читать интересную книгу автора (Green Simon R)

"Yes, we did." Fisher gave Hawk a puzzled look. "This is Haven, remember? The
most violent and uncivilized city in the Low Kingdoms. The only way we can
hope to keep the lid on things here is by being harder than everyone else."

"I'm not sure I believe that anymore."

They walked a while in silence.

"This is to do with the Blackstone case, isn't it?" said Fisher eventually.

"Yeah. That witch Visage might be alive today if she and Dorimant had talked to
us in time. But they didn't trust us. They kept their mouths shut because they were
afraid of our reputation. Afraid of what we might do to them. We've spent too
long in this city, Isobel. I don't like what it's done to us."

Fisher took his arm in hers. "It's not really that much different here than anywhere
else, love. They're just more open about it in Haven."

Hawk sighed slowly. "Maybe you're right. If we had arrested those posterers, I
don't know where we could have put them. The gaols are crammed full to bursting
as it is."

"And there's still more than half a day to go before they vote." Fisher shook her
head slowly. "I don't know why they don't just have a civil war and be done with
it."

Hawk smiled. "About forty years ago they did. The Reformers won that one, and
the result was universal suffrage throughout the Low Kingdoms. These days, the
lead-up to the elections acts as a safety valve. People are allowed to go a little

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crazy for a while. They get to let off some steam, and the city avoids the buildup
of pressures that leads to civil wars. After the voting's over, the winners declare a
general amnesty, everyone goes back to work, and things get back to normal
again."

"Crazy," said Fisher. "Absolutely bloody crazy."

Hawk grinned. "That's Haven for you."

They walked on in companionable silence, pausing now and then to intimidate
some would-be pickpocket, or caution a drunk who was getting too loud. The
crowds bustled around them, singing and laughing and generally making the most
of their semiofficial holiday. The air was full of the smell of spiced food and wine
and burning Catherine wheels. A band came marching down the street towards
them, waving brightly colored banners and singing loudly the praises of
Conservatism. Hawk and Fisher stood back to let them go by. A burly man