"McCay, Bill - Stargate Rebellion" - читать интересную книгу автора (McCay Bill)

It was just as well that the Horus guards stationed outside the entrance
to Sebek's apartments were masked. If Hathor had seen the expressions
on their naked faces, she'd probably have felt obliged to kill them
all-and that wasn't part of her plan. The guards' reaction was only to
be expected under the circumstances. Hathor was clad in a shift composed
of about ten percent linen and ninety percent air-for all intents and
purposes, a transparent wrapping for her abundant charms. Ra's servants
were, of course, chosen almost from infancy on the basis of physical
beauty. Some, like Thoth, grew up to be ugly ducklings in reverse.
Hathor, on the other hand, had matured into a beautiful swan, far
outstripping her childhood prettiness. The sinuous perfection of her
body offered all the attributes one might expect of a goddess of sex and
love. And Hathor was wise enough not to gild the lily. Glass bangles
and a pair of thick-soled sandals made up the rest of her seduction
ensemble. One of the guards moved to block her path-he'd happily have
rubbed against her-while ogling her with his eagle eyes. "What brings
you here?" he demanded. She set her eyes demurely on the floor. "My
master Thoth sent me hither." The guard grunted, then turned in
communication with someone inside the apartment. "Got a girl out here-a
peace offering from Thoth." A couple of coarse interpretations on that
phrase came from within-and then an order. Outside, the guard gave out
with a loud guffaw. "Search her?" he laughed. "She's got no place to
hide anything!" Hathor was then ushered into a large marble chamber
filled with warriors of Sebek's faction, obviously at play. The place
stunk from a pungent combination of beer and sweat. Men shouted at the
tops of their lungs, boasting, arguing, placing bets, all in
counterpoint to the incessant rattling of dried knucklebones being
tossed on the polished stone floor. As the crowd slowly became aware of
Hathor's presence, the din subsided until finally the room was near dead
silence, the men eating Hathor up with their eyes. One of Sebek's
lieutenants reached him and whispered in his ear. The crocodile god's
broad body lurched upright, his heavy face flushed from an excess of
beer. "So, Thoth sent you, did he?" Hathor nodded. "And did he send a
message with you?" Hathor shrugged, knowing it was a good effect. "Only
that he sends me as a token of his high regard." "Well, he certainly
knows how to choose a good ... gift. And he's wise in the choice of
recipients as well." He turned to his followers with a coarse laugh.
"He certainly wouldn't have enough woman-stuff of this quality to send
to all contenders, would he, men?" A loud, boozy chorus of assent rose
from the assembled warriors. "So perhaps you'll excuse me while I enjoy
Thoth's offering ... alone." Sebek hooked a finger to her and set off
across the room. Hathor trailed behind, her eyes still modestly
downcast. She was impressed by the discipline evident in the troops.
Although they hooted and howled, not a man of them moved to put a hand
on the woman destined for their leader. Hathor left the large common
room and followed Sebek to a more secluded chamber. The viceroy dropped
onto a heavy divan and surveyed her with hot eyes. "Stay there," he
said, gesturing for her to stop. "And turn around. I like to see what
I'm getting." With a slow, sinuous movement she revolved before him,