"Michael Kane - 01 - Warriors Of Mars" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moorcock Michael)

time seem as good to me as good, old-fashioned
coffee. Later I was to discover that basu grew on
one and then I preferred it to coffee. Like coffee, it
is a mild stimulant.

In spite of the basu, I began to feel quite sleepy
and, always alert to her guests' needs, Shizala
sensed this.

"I have had a room prepared for you," she tele-
pathed. "Perhaps you would like to retire now."

I admitted that the day's surprising experiences
had taken a lot out of me. A servant was called
and Shizala went with us up the stairs to the sec-
ond floor of the palace. A dim bulb burned in the
room, giving adequate light,

Shizala showed me a bell-rope very like old-fash-
ioned bell-ropes on Earth. It was close to the bed
and was used to summon a servant. She left her
circlet behind when she left. Before she did so she

told me that anyone could use the circlet and the
servant would know how.

The bed consisted of a wide, hard bench, on
which was a thin mattress. A large fur rug was laid
over this, and it seemed rather too heavy, since the
day had been very warm. To some, perhaps, the
bed would have been too austere but, as it hap-
pened, it was the kind I preferred.

I fell asleep immediately, having shed my
clothes, and I awoke only once in the middle of the
Martian nightЧwhich is, of course, longer than
oursЧfeeling very cold. I had not realized how
much the temperature could change. I pulled the
rug about me and was soon asleep again.

Chapter Three

THE INVADERS

A FEMALE servant entered in the morning, after
knocking lightly on the door. I was standing at the
window looking out over the beautiful streets and
houses of Varnal. At first I felt embarrassed by my
nakedness. But then I realized that there was no
need since it was abnormal here to wear many