"Vance Moore - Magic the Gathering - Odyssey Cycle 01 - Odyssey" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moore Vance)

shot down the ramp lubricated by its own blood. The
animal hit the railing, wood coming apart in a spray of
rotten timbers. The remains of the beast and fence fell
to the ground below with a heavy thud. Kamahl
withdrew power from the blade and continued down
the road, walking just along the bloodied skidway.
"The Cabal pit masters bought that carcass!"
bellowed someone. Kamahl's ears picked up the
conversation even as he continued away.

4
Vance Moore

"Leave it alone," he heard someone else hiss.
"Jacks are all crazy; just consider the meat
tenderized."
*****
Fighters from throughout the continent moved in
the streets. Kamahl saw races of all descriptionsтАФ
faerie, human, dwarf, centaur, and others that he
could not name. They came to the pits to compete for
their own glory and the prizes offered. Everywhere in
the land the contest between warriors played out every
day, but it was in the pits that jacks of known mettle
found opponents worth the sweat of battle. Kamahl
came for worthy adversaries and to prove his mastery.
Most of his opponents were there for more.
The Cabal had opened up its vaults to supply the
prizes. Booty from centuries of collecting and a
thousand battlefields was available. Sages and
historians were nearly as prevalent as fighters in the
city. All converged to see the treasures drawn from the
rock deep below the pits. With the fighters and the
learned men, an influx of gamblers and enthusiasts
filled the avenues. Moving among the throngs worked
pickpockets, whores, and sellers of the forbidden. The
barbarian sauntered over the cobblestones, seeing
unfamiliar sights. Tents stood with ragged and dirty
men calling for custom. Though from the sparsely
settled mountains, Kamahl was completely civilized in
his cynicism. False wonders filled the streets as the
hopeful went from stall to stall, determined to find the
lucky prize that surely must be hidden in all the chaff.
Torches flared and some burned brightly with
magic enhanced lights. Kamahl took a second to feel


5
Odyssey