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

"No, of course not." Smooth-tongued Kelos patted his
colleague's arm consolingly. "But we all admire bravery,
I hope." His friends nodded. Silent Deinstaf, the last of
the four, also coughed and wagged his hairy head. He
put his unhealthy fingers on the jewelled hilt of an or-
nate but virtually useless poignard and squared his
shoulders. "But," Kelos went on, glancing at Deinstaf

with approval, "Nikorn takes no risks selling his goods
cheaplyтАФhe's killing us with his low prices."

"Nikorn is a thorn in our flesh," Pilarmo elaborated
unnecessarily.

"And you gentlemen require myself and my compan-
ion to remove this thorn," Elric stated.

"In a nutshell, yes." Pilarmo was sweating. He seemed
more than a trifle wary of the smiling albino. Legends
referring to Elric and his dreadful, doom-filled exploits
were many and elaborately detailed. It was only because
of their desperation that they had sought his help in this
matter. They needed one who could deal in the nigro-
mantic arts as well as wield a useful blade. Elric's arrival
in Bakshaan was potential salvation for them.

"We wish to destroy Nikorn's power," Pilarmo contin-
ued. "And if this means destroying Nikorn, thenтАФ" He
shrugged and half-smiled, watching Elric's face.

"Common assassins are easily employed, particularly
in Bakshaan," Elric pointed out softly.


file:///F|/rah/Michael%20Moorcock/Moorcock,%2...-%20The%20Bane%20of%20The%20Black%20Sword.txt (2 of 112) [1/19/03 6:33:54 PM]
 file:///F|/rah/Michael%20Moorcock/Moorcock,%20Michael%20-%20Elric%205%20-%20The%20Bane%20of%20The%20Black%20Sword.txt


"UhтАФtrue," Pilarmo agreed. "But Nikorn employs a
sorcererтАФand a private army. The sorcerer protects him
and his palace by means of magic. And a guard of
desertmen serve to ensure that if magic fails, then
natural methods can be used for the purpose. Assassins
have attempted to eliminate the trader, but unfortu-
nately, they were not lucky."

Elric laughed. "How disappointing, my friends. Still,
assassins are the most dispensable members of the com-
munityтАФare they not? And their souls probably went to