"Juliet E. McKenna - Einarinn 1 - The Thief's Gamble" - читать интересную книгу автора (McKenna Juliet E)

THE THIEF'S GAMBLE
The First Tale of Einarinn
JULIET E. McKENNA

ORBIT (v1.1)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many people helped shape this tale. My heartfelt thanks go to Steve, for
his constant support and inspiration; to Helen, for bringing so much to the
original concept; to Mike and Sue, Liz and Andy, for invariably honest
criticism. Also, an honourable mention goes to all at Castle Penar.
The writing is only the start. I am indebted to Emma, Val and Adrian for
championing the cause, to Tim for invaluable editorial advice and to ail at
Orbit for their enthusiasm.
On a personal note, I would like to thank the various branches of the
Rose family for their help during the Great Chicken-Pox Crisis. I would
also like to thank my mother for the unforgettable phone-call: 'You know, it
was just like reading a real book!'
CHAPTER ONE
Taken from:
Wealth and Wisdom
A Gentleman's Guide to their Acquisition and Keeping
BY Tori Samed
Gambling
Most gambling revolves around the runes of the ancient races, their use
for divination and other such superstitions having long been discarded in
civilised countries. Some games are based purely on randomly drawing a
predetermined number of runes; others rely on casting combinations that
earn greater or lesser scores. In either instance, cultivating a memory for
what has gone before is recommended.
The best place to gamble is with friends, in convivial surroundings
accompanied by a good vintage, provided that the stakes and means of
redeeming debts have been agreed beforehand. When travelling, many of
the better inns in the cities and on the major coach routes will have a
permanent gaming table with a resident host. Such games are generally
played fair and can run to very high stakes. If you have sufficient skill,
you may rise from the table, your purse heavy with coin. However, any
debts incurred in such company must be honoured instantly if you wish to
avoid having your goods and luggage seized in payment.
Do not be beguiled into a casual contest in a city thronged at festival
time. Beware the amiable stranger who offers you a friendly game to
while away a dull evening in a back-roads tavern. Such men prey on the
unwary, turning the game mercilessly to their advantage with weighted
runes and sleight of hand. Turned away from hearth and home, disgraced
or fugitive, they are little better than mercenaries and thieves.


The Packhorse Tavern, on the Col Road
South of Ambafost, Ensaimin, 12th of For-Autumn
Some opportunities ought to come labelled'too good to be true'. Of