"II - Chainer's Torment" - читать интересную книгу автора (McGough Scott)

main road that led to the city center and the Cabal seat of
power. Chainer thought the term "tavern" was actually too
generous. Roup's was a single room with a single door and a
single foul-tasting grog on the menu.
It was a welcome sight to Chainer, however. People
didn't come to Roup's for the fare or the decor or the
atmosphere. They came to be seen and heard at the very edge
of the Cabal's web of influence. Or, as in Chainer's case,
to escape from the Cabal's enemies.
"The Cabal is here," Chainer greeted Roup through
gritted teeth.
"And everywhere," Roup replied.
"I need your help, big brother."
"Ask, little brother, and I shall answer."
Chainer struggled to remain patient. Roup was
technically his superior, but there was a clingy
desperation to his manner that made Chainer's knife hand
itch. He was flabby and slow, and Chainer thought he
dressed like a molting parrot dunked in bile. Roup also
tried to make every conversation last as long as possible,
which made Chainer and everyone else try to cut them short.
It was the general opinion of Cabalists everywhere that
Roup deserved to be forgotten at the edge of the city. But
the Cabal was, in fact, everywhere, and Roup was the
Cabal's man in this sector. He also had the only means of
direct communication to the organization's headquarters in
the heart of the city.
"I need to use the grapevine," Chainer said. "It's
important."
Roup laughed jovially and poured himself a half-goblet
of noxious green liquid. "It's always important with you
young ones. 'Oh, I've lost the message I was supposed to
deliver. Oh, a mean elder stole my package. Woe is me, I
stubbed my toe.' Relax, little brother. You'll live
longer."
Chainer patted the satchel at his side. "I have a
delivery for the First. I need you to contact-"
"The First is only twelve blocks away," Roup smirked.
"Did you forget the way? Go out the front door, turn left .
. ." Roup trailed off, waiting for Chainer to join him in a
smirk.
"I know where the manor is," Chainer said. "The problem
isn't the path, it's-"
"Now that you mention it," Roup went on, "I'll bet you
a silver marker that if you stood on my doorstep and
shouted, the First would hear-"
"Big brother," Chainer snapped. "The Order is waiting
outside."
"You led them here?"
"I had no choice. 'Here' is directly between the First