"J. Robert King - Invasion Cycle 01 - Invasion" - читать интересную книгу автора (King Robert J)

fore.
"Make it fast," the guard captain barked.
A line snaked down from the rail. Gerrard slid easily
down it. Tahngarth, Sisay, Orim, and Hanna followed
quickly afterward.
"Don't forget Squee!" came a call from above. The
green fellow followed his comrades down.
"We won't forget you," the guard captain promised as
his men seized Gerrard.
Commander Capashen reached for his sword, but
already it was raked from its scabbard. He tried to drag
loose his thigh daggers, but three men held each of his
arms. Next moment, irons clapped in place, and he was
driven to his knees.
Sisay, Hanna, and Orim were similarly overwhelmed.
Tahngarth hurled back the men that swarmed him. He
drew a curve-bladed striva from his shoulder harness and
swung it around him, clearing space.
Beneath the leaping blade darted Squee, who ran
headlong into the minotaur's leg and clung there piteously.
Tahngarth roared, shaking off the clinging creature.
Gathering his courage, Squee turned and held up his hands
in a pale imitation of a martial master. He even managed a
small roar of his own.
The minotaur kept the ship to his back as he eyed the
soldiers. "What is the meaning of this?"



39
 Invasion

The guard captain rubbed a clean-shaven chin. He
seemed to take Tahngarth's measure. "This man here is a
deserter from the army of Benalia. I am taking him
prisoner. Perhaps deserters are not dishonored among
minotaurs."
A hissing growl was Tahngarth's only response.
"Then surely you will not oppose the rightful arrest of
this man."
"What of the others?" Tahngarth rumbled.
"Would your ... people allow a fully manned warship to
remain in the center of one of your cities?"
Tahngarth changed the subject. "My commander speaks
the truth of the coming invasion. We have fought these
beasts. You must listen to him."
"We will determine that. Gerrard Capashen will have
his audience with his clan chief, but until then, he and his
crew will wait in safety."
The white cast of Tahngarth's knuckles on the striva