"Robert Reed - Night Calls" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reed Robert)

тАЬAnd so long as we think in small ways, this is where we will be
trapped, and for all of our Days.тАЭ

A sudden shout interrupted the lecture. From the knoll where Ferrum
had helped uncoil wire, someone shouted a single command ... and then,
on that signal, a soft wet woosh could be heard.

Ferrum saw red sparks rising in the darkness.

RabiahтАЩs warm hand slipped inside his grip, and now she leaned hard
against him, waiting for a kiss.

Then the first explosive was detonated above the flat barren plainтАФa
bright greenish light that flung stars in every direction, accompanied by a
host of bright sharp blasts.

A cheer rose up with a wave of rockets.

Rabiah had explained the tradition this way: In ancient times, the
desert people were never caught unaware of the Night. Their open country
was the best place to watch the sky, and when the heavens warned of
darkness coming, scarce wood was piled high. When it was impossible to
see, great bonfires were set ablaze. The tribes feared that the gods would
forget what light was if none could be seen, and that was how people
ensured that the Sullen Sisters would find their way to the other side of the
moon.

In recent times, bonfires gave way to more interesting pyrotechnics.

Each wave of rockets was bigger than the last, and despite his
doubts, Ferrum found himself spellbound. The colors; the noise; the wild
patterns burning into his eyes: The show was spectacular and lovely, and
thrilling, and he didnтАЩt mind that the darkness was being pushed away. He
smelled the burnt powder and his own excitement, and he felt RabiahтАЩs
wonderful body pressing hard against him. When the fourth wave exploded,
he looked into her face. When the fifth broke, he clumsily pawed her. Then
came the sixth wave, and he thought to look for Ocher. Her one-time lover
was standing beside his telescope, his hands on the tube but his gaze
watching the nearer spectacle. Ferrum walked to him. Together, they
watched the seventh salvo of rockets head skyward, and just before the
carefully timed blasts, he put his mouth against the manтАЩs ear, asking,
тАЬWhat did you mean?тАЭ

тАЬMean?тАЭ the man replied.

Then neither could hear anything but the noisy rainbows flying
overhead.

When the rockets paused, Ferrum said, тАЬIf we think in small ways, we