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

УHold, quickly!Ф

The young man reached, but he had hesitated too long. Mist writhed, lashing out, striking him in the face with her tail. He staggered back, at least as surprised as hurt. Snake kept a close grip behind MistТs jaws, and struggled to catch the rest of her as well. Mist was no constrictor, but she was smooth and strong and fast. Thrashing, she forced out her breath in a long hiss. She would have bitten anything she could reach. As Snake fought with her, she managed to squeeze the poison glands and force out the last drops of venom. They hung from MistТs fangs for a moment, catching light as jewels would; the force of the serpentТs convulsions flung them away into the darkness. Snake struggled with the cobra, aided for once by the sand, on which Mist could get little purchase. Snake felt the young man behind her, grabbing for MistТs body and tail. The seizure stopped abruptly, and Mist lay limp in their hands.

УI am sorryЧФ

УHold her,Ф Snake said. УWe have the night to go.Ф

During MistТs second convulsion, the young man held her firmly and was of some real help. Afterward, Snake answered his interrupted question. УIf she were making poison and she bit you, you would probably die. Even now her bite would make you ill. But unless you do something foolish, if she manages to bite, sheТll bite me.Ф

УYou would benefit my cousin little if you were dead or dying.Ф

УYou misunderstand. Mist canТt kill me.Ф Snake held out her hand so he could see the white scars of slashes and punctures. He stared at them, and looked into her eyes for a long moment, then looked away.

The bright spot in the clouds from which the light radiated moved westward in the sky; they held the cobra like a child. Snake nearly dozed, but Mist moved her head, dully attempting to evade restraint, and Snake woke herself abruptly. УI mustnТt sleep,Ф she said to the young man. УTalk to me. What are you called?Ф

As Stavin had, the young man hesitated. He seemed afraid of her, or of something. УMy people,Ф he said, Уthink it unwise to speak our names to strangers.Ф

УIf you consider me a witch you should not have asked my aid. I know no magic, and I claim none.Ф

УItТs not a superstition,Ф he said. УNot as you might think. WeТre not afraid of being bewitched.Ф

УI canТt learn all the customs of all the people on this earth, so I keep my own. My custom is to address those I work with by name.Ф Watching him, Snake tried to decipher his expression in the dim light.

УOur families know our names, and we exchange names with our partners.Ф

Snake considered that custom, and thought it would fit badly on her. УNo one else? Ever?Ф

УWellЕ a friend might know oneТs name.Ф

УAh,Ф Snake said. УI see. I am still a stranger, and perhaps an enemy.Ф

УA friend would know my name,Ф the young man said again. УI would not offend you, but now you misunderstand. An acquaintance is not a friend. We value friendship highly.Ф

УIn this land one should be able to tell quickly if a person is worth calling friend.Ф

УWe take friends seldom. Friendship is a great commitment.Ф

УIt sounds like something to be feared.Ф

He considered that possibility. УPerhaps itТs the betrayal of friendship we fear. That is a very painful thing.Ф

УHas anyone ever betrayed you?Ф

He glanced at her sharply, as if she had exceeded the limits of propriety. УNo,Ф he said, and his voice was as hard as his face. УNo friend. I have no one I call friend.Ф

His reaction startled Snake. УThatТs very sad,Ф she said, and grew silent, trying to comprehend the deep stresses that could close people off so far, comparing her loneliness of necessity and theirs of choice. УCall me Snake,Ф she said finally, Уif you can bring yourself to pronounce it. Saying my name binds you to nothing.Ф

The young man seemed about to speak; perhaps he thought again that he had offended her, perhaps he felt he should further defend his customs. But Mist began to twist in their hands, and they had to hold her to keep her from injuring herself. The cobra was slender for her length, but powerful, and the convulsions she went through were more severe than any she had ever had before. She thrashed in SnakeТs grasp, and almost pulled away. She tried to spread her hood, but Snake held her too tightly. She opened her mouth and hissed, but no poison dripped from her fangs.