"Michael Moorcock - Elric 5 - The Bane of the Black Sword" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moorcock Michael)

Moonglum bent forward out of the shadows where he
sat, his expression showing that he strongly disapproved
of Elric's statement.

Pilarmo and the other merchants were plainly aston-
ished, too. "Then how shall we pay you?"

"I will decide that later," Elric smiled. "But why talk
of such things until the timeтАФwhat do you wish me to
do?"

Pilarmo coughed and exchanged glances with his
peers. They nodded. Pilarmo dropped his tone and
spoke slowly:



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"You are aware that trade is highly competitive in
this city, Lord Elric. Many merchants vie with one an-
other to secure the custom of the people. Bakshaan is a
rich city and its populace is comfortably off, in the
main."

"This is well known," Elric agreed; he was privately
likening the well-to-do citizens of Bakshaan to sheep and
himself to the wolf who would rob the fold. Because of
these thoughts, his scarlet eyes were full of a humour
which Moonglum knew to be malevolent and ironic

"There is one merchant in this city who controls more
warehouses and shops than any other," Pilarmo contin-
ued. "Because of the size and strength of his caravans,
he can afford to import greater quantities of goods into
Bakshaan and thus sell them for lower prices. He is vir-
tually a thiefтАФhe will ruin us with his unfair methods."
Pilarmo was genuinely hurt and aggrieved.

"You refer to Nikorn of Ilmar?" Moonglum spoke
from behind Elric.

Pilarmo nodded mutely.

Elric frowned. "This man heads his own caravans-
braves the dangers of the desert, forest and mountain.
He has earned his position."

"That is hardly the point," snapped fat Tormiel, be тАФ ringed and powdered, his flesh a-quiver.