"Edmond Hamilton - The Monsters of Juntonheim" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hamilton Edmond)

We are at the edge of the cliff, Freya said calmly. Another step backward and we fall.

Take care not to push the man over the cliff, shouted the Jotun captain apprehensively. We must not
lose his body!

Whatever its reason, their caution gave me a chance I would not have had otherwise. I stood up against
their stabbing blades, fending off savage thrusts. But such a battle could not go on for long. Already my
arm was tiring, and I was exhausted by all I had gone through.


He weakens! roared the Jotun captain. Thrust home!

At that moment I heard a thunder of approaching hoofs.


Help comes! Freya cried. My kinsman and the Jarl Thor!

The Jotun warriors stopped and swung around. A bellow of rage and terror went up from them. Two
riders were charging toward us, from Asgard, followed by a hurrying troop. One was a helmeted,
gold-haired man, whose handsome face was wild with anger. The other's red face and small eyes were
blazing. His yellow beard bristling, he swung a huge hammer that to me seemed his only weapon.


The Hammerer! cried the Jotuns.


They bolted in frantic fear toward their horses. But they were too late. A terrible bull-roar of rage came
from the bearded, bare-headed giant. His huge hammer smashed a Jotun's helmet and skull like
cardboard. Without slackening his horse's stride, the gigantic Hammerer swung his awful weapon at
another Jotun's head.


It's the Jarl Thor and my kinsman Frey! Freya stated coolly.


Thor, mightiest of the old gods of legend, strongest of Aesir? Frey, the mythical kinsman of Freya? I
shrugged in defeated skepticism.


None of the fleeing Jotuns reached their horses. The lightninglike sword of Frey stabbed two as they ran,
and the terrible hammer of bearded Thor smashed down the others. Then Thor and Frey wheeled their
horses. The Hammerer uttered another roar of rage and spurred straight at me.


Here's a Jotun dog we missed!

Before I could move, his great hammer, bright-red with new blood, was already raised. I swayed
drunkenly, exhausted, unable to defend myself from that terrible weapon.