"Mel Odom - Forgotten Realms - Threat from the Sea Trilogy 03 - The Sea Devils" - читать интересную книгу автора (Odom Mel)

"By Leira's razor kiss, you fool, that man has seen me. He'll know I sail with Cap'n Azla."
"So you say." Jherek shook his head. "Maybe that's just your pride talking. We'll take our chances."
Talif cursed him soundly, using invective that would have shamed even most sailors.
Jherek maintained his grip even though Talif sought to shake out of it. "You think me a fool for letting
this man live, but keep in mind that should a man attack me willingly with a sword in his fist, I'll not be so
generous."
"A man doesn't always see the sword that cleaves him, boy," Talif threatened.
Jherek nodded. "But Glawinn would know." Azla's pirates walked lightly around the paladin.
"Umberlee take you both," Talif snarled. "The two of you think you're so high and mighty."
Jherek felt even more embarrassed. Glawinn was a paladin, a noble and courageous man who lived
for honor and served a god who put quests and challenges before him. The young sailor knew he didn't
belong in such company. He was only a foolish boy with misbegotten pride and an ill luck that followed
him all his life as a birthright from his pirate father.
"Standing among men such as yourself," Jherek said in a harsh voice, "Sir Glawinn has no choice but
to shine. I'd keep a civil tongue in your head, otherwise I'm going to feel that you're questioning his honor.
That's something I won't allow."
 Talif started to say something, but he glanced into Jherek's eyes, swallowed his words, and looked
away.
Jherek released the man and stood with easy grace. He slipped the scaling knife back into his boot,
then turned and walked toward the tavern's back door. He knew Talif thought about attacking him, but
he counted on his own hearing and the dim shadows that moved on the alley wall to warn him if the man
tried. And, truth to tell, maybe he didn't care.
Talif straightened his clothing and followed him a heartbeat later.
A short flight of steps led up to the tavern's back door. The door was narrow and made of scarred
hardwood that showed years of abuse by guests and thieves and the neglect of uncaring employees.
Azla proved most resourceful as a pirate captain, though, and had provided Jherek a key that let
him pass. He opened the door and stepped inside. A mixture of spicy odors tweaked his nose, almost
drawing a sneeze. The aroma filling the room also held the scent of jerked beef and the strong odor of
seafood. The stink of smoky grease overlaid everything.
Sand covered grease spills on the stained wooden floor. Grit rolled and crunched under Jherek's
boots as he walked toward the narrow door on the east wall. He found the latch with his fingers and
slipped it open with a tiny screech that he knew wasn't heard over the uproar in the tavern's main serving
area.
Quietly, he went up the narrow and winding staircase, making himself go when every thought in his
mind was to turn and leave. Kascher, Azla had assured him, used the hidden passageway to serve meals
to guests who preferred to remain incognito. The man the young sailor was after was such a man.
Kascher's Bare Bosom tavern stood three stories tall, shouldered between the warehouses along the
natural harbor at the center of Immurk's Hold.
On the top floor, Jherek paused at the door, listening. Muted voices echoed in the hall as footsteps
passed.
The young sailor let himself out into the passageway. His eyes narrowed briefly even against the dim
brightness of the small oil lamps hanging on the walls.
He glanced at the door on the right, reading the numbers. According to the information Azla gave
him, the room he wanted was at the end.
The door at the end of the corridor was heavy oak, reinforced with bands of beaten iron.
"One side, pup," Talif said arrogantly. "Let a man do his job."
Grudgingly, Jherek stepped aside, leaving the door open to Talif. The thief moved to the door with a
small smile curling his thin lips.
"Ah, pup," he whispered, "there's nothing like the sensation of being someplace you ought not be."
Thin pieces of metal glinted briefly in his gloved hands. "Gladdens a man's heart, it does. The chance to