"I - Odyssey" - читать интересную книгу автора (McGough Scott)

the continent come to satisfy the tourney crowds, the warrior
thought.
Kamahl breathed deeply, the prospect of the games exciting
his blood more than the run. Years mastering the fighting arts
lay behind him, and now he rushed to show his skills before the
wider world. Veteran of many a duel in his home mountains, he
wanted more than the championship of an alpine valley. The best
fighters on the continent converged on this tourney, and he
belonged here.
His stride lengthened as he left the hills, his boots
pounding into the road's surface. The guards waved the merchants
through, uttering only a few threats to increase the bribes
offered. They turned their attention on the jogging figure. His
light throwing axes softly rubbed against Kamahl's wallet. He had
run for days approaching the contest and lost what little fat he
might have had. The strict regime of exercise had refined him
down to his essence. He pulled up to the gate without any sign of
exertion except his deep breaths.
"Another jack," muttered a guard as he took a firmer hold of
his halberd and moved out from the gate, Kamahl frowned, for the
soldier used the term for an arena fighter as if it were an
insult. He was a champion, and only the obvious inferiority of
the speaker prevented a demand for satisfaction. The man looked
nervously at a stack of orders. The rest of the troops had
withdrawn inside to the guardhouse. Two stout men-at-arms slowly
lugged a crossbeam to brace the gate when it closed for the
night. The road lead directly into town with only a portcullis to
bar the way. The wall was only twelve feet high and the guards
served more to collect tolls than defend the city.
"Why have you come to the pits of the Cabal?" intoned a guard
who drew away from the gate as if to duck behind the wall.
"I have come into my own," Kamahl said absently, looking to
the city beyond. The guard was confused and unconsciously gave
way as the massive barbarian came closer. The fighter drew his
attention to the minor servant before him. "I will compete in the
tourney. Where would I find the Master of the Games?"
The guard blinked at the bald statement but regarding the
warrior seemed uncertain how to respond. Shouting broke out on
the road behind him, and he turned from the barbarian to the
commotion. There were several wagons backed up the causeway
leading down to the pit. Kamahl could see soldiers gathered in a
clump in front of the waiting vehicles.
"As you can see, the road is backed up due to a wreck." The
guard said, drawing a little confidence from the sight of his
fellows so far away. "The elevator cable snapped and killed a
mule." Kamahl just strode forward, ignoring the guard's
outstretched arm.
"No profit from crazy men anyway," the soldier muttered as he
stepped away from the barbarian.
The road's decline prevented horses hauling fully loaded