"Manly, Peter L - Dragon Three Two Niner" - читать интересную книгу автора (Manly Peter L)

I interrupted him. "I'm not entirely sure, but I believe she had several people killed in order to obtain this gown. Good people. And if she didn't, then I still believe she's capable of it."

"I see. And if I remove the blocking spell, then they will both get what they deserve. May I also suggest a spell of my own as a wedding gift?"

"And what is that?"

"I have one and only one portable spell left. It ensures absolute fidelity in a couple."

"Absolute? How does it do that?" He gave me a fatherly frown and said, "You don't want to know."

"Oh." My mind raced through several unpleasant methods of ensuring fidelity. All were acceptable. Some were funny. Some were disgustingly funny. I gestured toward the gown. "Then you can break the spell?"

"Oh, yes. It's a Class Five spell, not too old, say a century and a half. Feels like a couple of rank amateurs have tried to break it recently-put some dents in the spell, but no harm done." He spread the gown out on his workbench, mumbling to himself. Gathering some powders from the glass vials on the nearby shelf, he looked, for a moment, like a man thoroughly happy doing what he does best. "Step aside, there, young lady," he said as he made preparations. "Never know when some fool has put a hidden backfire on one of these. Some people have a strange sense of humor." Smoothing the gown, pressing the wrinkles out, he said, "Oh, my!"

"A problem?"

"I do believe so."

"Well?"

"The spell was made by a Guild brother of mine. I'm afraid I can't just go off willy-nilly breaking Sorcerer's Guild spells. It wouldn't be ethical!"

"Well, how can you tell who made the spell?"

"It's here in the back of the neck. See the label?" It took three more gold coins to convince him that guilds weren't what they used to be. As I left the shop with the newly reactivated gown, I considered wearing it for a grand entrance down the staircase at the hotel. Then I mused that the Prince might once again be in the lobby, and shelved the idea. Back in my room, I called home and reported success in my mission. I'd stay two more days and then fly home on a leisurely southern route. Pops (the Baron) rumbled his approval, and gave me the verbal equivalent of a pat on the top of my head. Why is it that fathers feel they have to pat their daughters on the head? Then again, why is it that I like it so much?

I took the gown to big sister Katrashkip's room to present it to her, but found she had checked out and gone to the dragon rookery. Since I had to check on Georgine anyway, I went to the rookery, thinking my sister had perhaps rented a dragon to fly home. The thought crossed my mind that 1 might have to rescue my elder Princess, since her skill at flying dragons really stank. She knew it, and any dragon she got on knew it.

Georgine was gone!

There was a letter with my name on it nailed to the gate. It read, "Return my magic gown intact and I won't kill your stupid lizard. It's being kept under a fear cage spell at Bloody Cove. Don't show up without the gown. Katrashkip, Greater Princess of Granite Keep."

My sister does some really dumb things, but most of them don't affect me, so I don't bother to try to beat any sense into her head, as she well deserves. This time, however, she had gone too far. Georgine was a sensitive, gentle friend who trusted even idiots like Katrashkip. I hurried to the rent-a-dragon lot, and endured a sales pitch of high order before I gave the dragon jockey the ultimatum: either shut up and rent me a dragon or point me toward his competitor. The charge card helped, although he pointed out that I was reaching my credit limit rapidly. I'd worry about that tomorrow.

"Dark Castle, this is Rent-A-Wing November one two seven requesting clearance for departure."

"Ah, November one two seven, we don't seem to have a flight plan filed for you."

"Dark Castle, this is a local flight."

"November one two seven, it's still recommended ..."

"OK, we'll do it your way. Dark Castle control, this is Rent-A-Wing November one two seven declaring an emergency. Dragon theft, suspect at Bloody Cove. Do not, repeat do not, apprehend until dragon is set free. Dragon is under a fear cage spell."

"What are your intentions, November one two seven?"

"Suspect has requested ransom. I intend to apprehend the suspect and free the dragon. If any military forces land, she'll kill the captured dragon. Understand?"

"Understand, November one two seven. You are cleared. We will scramble a military flight, but will hold off until you give the word." I was airborne without acknowledging his clearance. I could hear him shouting, into another empathy shell, "Air Force Bravo and Charlie, operational scramble- this is not a test! This is not a test! Follow that dragon!" The blare of the klaxon reached us and spooked my rented dragon. I nudged her and gave her a soothing sound. Usually I try to establish rapport with a dragon before I'm airborne, but there just wasn't time. I nudged her again to bank left and follow the rugged coastline south. The military dragons were forming up behind me. Bloody Cove wasn't far, just a few minutes' flying time away. As I circled the cove, I could see my precious Georgine cowering under an invisible net. Katrashkip was standing out on the headland, her long stringy hair blowing in the wind, revealing her bald spot. She shouted something at me as I approached, but I couldn't make it out. I circled once again and landed inland, near the grassy slope which led to Georgine's prison of fear. Katrashkip came running to me, screaming, "You little ..."