"02 - Torment" - читать интересную книгу автора (McGough Scott)

possibility of a nebulous spiritual reward, and even that

was contingent upon obedience to their childish concept of

justice. The Cabal was far more concrete and pragmatic. It

provided food, shelter, and education for anyone willing to

work for it.

Chainer resumed his pace, quickly eliminating the

distance between himself and the Order party. If he turned

or otherwise tried to avoid them, they would surely follow.

Best to confront them now.

"Greetings, traveler," the human soldier called. "On

your way to the city?" Judging by the wrap of the Order

members' robes and the insignias on their shoulders,

Chainer made the aven as an officer and the human as a foot

soldier. Beside the officer squatted an ugly, even more

birdlike creature with a long neck, jagged beak, and

vicious sharp talons. The other, taller figure kept its

back to Chainer, but he could see that it was one of the

Nantuko, a tribe of intelligent mantislike creatures from

the Krosan forest. Chainer was uneasy. The bug-men rarely

came this close to the Cabal's city. "1. live there,"

Chainer said, "and I'm on my way home." "Have you seen the

light of justice, my friend?" Chainer was now close enough,

so they could speak without shouting. "I have. I found it

wanting. Let me pass."

"At ease, trooper," the aven officer said quietly. His