"Derek Paterson - The Kaiserine's Champion" - читать интересную книгу автора (Paterson Derek)

Duke's Wardens decided they wanted the girl for themselves, and pretended to take insult at something
 the boy said or did. Am I right?"

"Close enough,тАЭ I said, wondering how he knew so much.

"And so you decided to interfere, decided to help a stranger you didn't even know.тАЭ He gave another
humorless chuckle. тАЬI shouldn't imagine the Wardens took kindly to your interfering in their business?"

They most certainly hadn't. They'd overpowered me through sheer weight of numbers and forced me
outside, into the dark alleyway behind the tavern. Instead of arresting me, as I'd expected, their drunken
fool of a corporal had drawn his sword and tried to cut me in two. I'd avoided his clumsy attack and run
him headlong into the wall, relieving him of his blade in the process. His men came at me then, roaring
with blood-lust, demanding vengeance. I'd wounded when I could, killed only when they gave me no
other choice. But, outnumbered as I was, they would have butchered me for certain if a squad of Noseys
hadn't chanced by and dragged me to safety. Before I'd a chance to thank them for saving my life, they'd
beaten me unconscious with their wooden clubs. The lumps on the back of my head still throbbed
painfully.

"The Duke's Wardens are indeed ruffians,тАЭ the noble said. тАЬBut they are also excellent swordsmen. They
are trained by the Duke's swordmaster, Schwertkampfer, who is no slouch with the blade. Yet you
managed to kill six of them. You're either very good, or you're the luckiest man alive. Which is it?"

"Perhaps a little of both,тАЭ I suggested modestly.

"A good answer. It may be that I have a use for someone who possesses such luck, and knows how to
use a sword."

"I don't quite follow you,тАЭ I said, but a tiny flame of hope sparked within my breast.

"Tomorrow, as you may know, is the Kaiserine's birthday. It's a very special occasion, and special
entertainment is arranged. I'm looking for someone to put into the Arena. You may be that man."

The Arena! Professional fighters battled in the Arena for the entertainment of the Kaiserine and the
Empire's aristos. If they won, they received riches and anything else they might desire. Losing, on the
other hand, often earned mutilation or worse.

"What exactly are you offering?тАЭ I asked.

"Your freedom, a large bag of silver and a fast horse to take you out of the city. Assuming, of course..."

He left the rest unsaid. Assuming, of course, that I lived. The Arena was far different from the crowded
alley behind the tavern where drunken soldiers had tripped over each other and botched their attacks. I'd
be matched against the toughest killers in the Empire. Then again, what was the alternative? A rope, a
trapdoor and a quick end, if I was lucky. If I wasn't lucky, I might dangle there for hours, dying a very
unpleasant death. My bowels turned liquid at the very thought.

"I'm your man, if you can get me out of this,тАЭ I said, not bothering to mention that I'd be running for the
hills at the first opportunity.

"Very sensible. I like that.тАЭ He rapped on the door. The sergeant opened it at once and examined me