"Dreamsnake" - читать интересную книгу автора (McIntyre Vonda N)

УI hope so. The tumor is advanced, but it seems solid.Ф Her own voice sounded removed, ringing slightly false, as if she were lying. УMist will be ready in the morning.Ф She still felt the need to give him reassurance, but she could think of none.

УMy sister wished to speak with you,Ф he said, and left them alone, without introduction, without elevating himself by saying that the tall woman was the leader of this group. Snake glanced back, but the tent flap fell shut. She was feeling her exhaustion more deeply, and across her shoulders Mist was, for the first time, a weight she thought heavy.

УAre you all right?Ф

Snake turned. The woman moved toward her with a natural elegance made slightly awkward by advanced pregnancy. Snake had to look up to meet her gaze. She had small, fine lines at the corners of her eyes and beside her mouth, as if she laughed, sometimes, in secret. She smiled, but with concern. УYou seem very tired. Shall I have someone make you a bed?Ф

УNot now,Ф Snake said, Уnot yet. I wonТt sleep until afterward.Ф

The leader searched her face, and Snake felt a kinship with her in their shared responsibility.

УI understand, I think. Is there anything we can give you? Do you need aid with your preparations?Ф

Snake found herself having to deal with the questions as if they were complex problems. She turned them in her tired mind, examined them, dissected them, and finally grasped their meanings. УMy pony needs food and waterЧФ

УIt is taken care of.Ф

УAnd I need someone to help with Mist. Someone strong. But itТs more important that they arenТt afraid.Ф

The leader nodded. УI would help you,Ф she said, and smiled again, a little. УBut I am a bit clumsy of late. I will find someone.Ф

УThank you.Ф

Somber again, the older woman inclined her head and moved slowly toward a small group of tents. Snake watched her go, admiring her grace. She felt small and young and grubby in comparison.

His body tensed to hunt, Sand slid in circles from SnakeТs wrist. She caught him before he could drop to the ground. Sand lifted the upper half of his body from her hands. He flicked out his tongue, peering toward the little animal, sensing its body heat, tasting its fear. УI know thou art hungry,Ф Snake said. УBut that creature is not for thee.Ф She put Sand in the case, took Mist from her shoulders, and let the cobra coil herself in her dark compartment.

The small animal shrieked and struggled again when SnakeТs diffuse shadow passed over it. She bent and picked the creature up. Its rapid series of terrified cries slowed and diminished and finally stopped as she stroked it. It lay still, breathing hard, exhausted, staring up at her with yellow eyes. It had long hind legs and wide pointed ears, and its nose twitched at the serpent smell. Its soft black fur was marked off in skewed squares by the cords of the net.

УI am sorry to take your life,Ф Snake told it. УBut there will be no more fear, and I will not hurt you.Ф She closed her hand gently around the animal and, stroking it, grasped its spine at the base of its skull. She pulled, once, quickly. It seemed to struggle for an instant, but it was already dead. It convulsed; its legs drew up against its body and its toes curled and quivered. It seemed to stare up at her, even now. She freed its body from the net.

Snake chose a small vial from her belt pouch, pried open the animalТs clenched jaws, and let a single drop of the vialТs cloudy preparation fall into its mouth.У Quickly she opened the satchel again and called Mist out. The cobra came slowly, slipping over the edge, hood closed, sliding in the sharp-grained sand. Her milky scales caught the thin light. She smelled the animal, flowed to it, touched it with her tongue. For a moment Snake was afraid she would refuse dead meat, but the body was still warm, still twitching, and she was very hungry. ФA tidbit for thee.У Snake spoke to the cobra: a habit of solitude. ФTo whet thy appetite.У Mist nosed the beast, reared back, and struck, sinking her short fixed fangs into the tiny body, biting again, pumping out her store of poison. She released it, took a better grip, and began to work her jaws around it. It would hardly distend her throat. When Mist lay quiet, digesting the small meal, Snake sat beside her and held her, waiting.

She heard footsteps in the sand.

УIТm sent to help you.Ф

He was a young man, despite a scatter of white in his black hair. He was taller than Snake, and not unattractive. His eyes were dark, and the sharp planes of his face were further hardened because his hair was pulled straight back and tied. His expression was neutral.

УAre you afraid?Ф Snake asked.

УI will do as you tell me.Ф

Though his form was obscured by his robe, his long, fine hands showed strength.

УThen hold her body, and donТt let her surprise you.Ф Mist was beginning to twitch, the effect of the drugs Snake had put in the small animal. The cobraТs eyes stared, unseeing.

УIf it bitesЧФ