"John Ringo - Council War 4 - East of the Sun, West of the Moon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ringo John)

taken the portals and tipped them over! We tried to right them but we were about to be overwhelmed. I
returned to bring word, Master!"

"How the hell did that happen?" the lesser master shouted.

"What the hell is happening?" another voice bellowed and the orcs fell silent, falling to their knees and
bowing as a True Master approached.

"Lord Chansa," the lesser master said, bowing so that his robes swished back in forth nervously. "This
one has returned through the portal. He says that the humans have taken the camp on the far side and are
turning the portals face down. We can't push through that."

"Damn!" Chansa shouted. "Damn and damn and damn again!"

Chansa Mulengela was a huge "natural" human. He was nearly three meters tall, broad and thick in
proportion, designed right at the limits of what a normal human could support. Huge, dark and fearsome,
he appeared like nothing but a human juggernaut, especially when, as now, he let loose his volcanic
temper.

Tur-uck had assumed the full prostration, nose in the dirt, arms and legs spread, as the True Master
approached. At the sight of the Master's anger, many of the gathered orcs had followed his example.

"You!" Chansa said, tapping him on the side. "Get up. Tell me what you know."

"Master!" Tur-uck said, almost overjoyed to be actually addressed by a Master but well aware that it
might be the last conversation he ever had on earth. He stumbled to his knees and bowed his head, hands
clasped in front of him. "I was part of Sub-Leader Grath's group. We were assigned to provide internal
security to the south-east portion of the camp. The camp was attacked by dragons as the portals
opened. We reacted to the landed dragons then saw many human soldiers poring out of other portals.
They were pushing the portals of the Masters over so we went to stop them. There were only four on the
portal that we attacked, but they killed eight of my leader's group. We took the portal and the remainder
of us tried to raise it, but it was too heavy. So I came through to bring word. Master, spare me!"

"Stand up, orc," Chansa growled. "Let me look at you. Did your sub-leader order you to return?"

"No, Master," Tur-uck admitted, getting to his feet and standing to attention. The build of his body did
not permit him to stand fully erect and his long arms dangled almost to his bowed knees. "He ordered me
not to return."
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"So, why did you?" Chansa asked, mildly.

"I..." Tur-uck started to reply then stopped. "Masters needed to know. There was not time to explain,
Master. I beg your forgiveness! I was not fleeing battle, Master! I am brave and willing to die. My life is
yours, Master! But the Masters needed to be told!"

"My God," Chansa muttered. "Celine finally screwed up and produced an orc with initiative."