"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 04 - Kalin" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

of the guards, the stir of displaced air. "Earl!" he yelled.

"Earl, you crazy fool! Come back here!"

Dumarest paid no attention. He ran, face hard as he
estimated time and distance. He could reach the girl before the
mob. He might just be able to reach her and return to the gate
before they covered the distance. It was a thing he had to try.

She looked up at him, eyes pools of green fire in the
translucent pallor of her face. Her hands lifted, white butterflies
of defense. "No!" she said. "No!"

His words were quick, harsh. "I mean you no harm. Can you
stand? Run?"

She moved, winced. "My ankleтАФ"

There was no time for more. He stooped, gripped her wrist
and hauled upward. The impact of her body was light on his
shoulder. He felt the smoothness of her naked thigh against the
palm of his left hand, the warmth of her body against his cheek.
He ran toward the gate, seeing the faces of the assembled
guards, their lifted weapons, the watchful eyes of his two
companions.

"Earl!" called the trader. "Behind you!"

Something struck his leg. Something else clawed at his arm.
He spun, lashing out with his free hand, saw a snarling face fall
away. A man, quicker than the rest, had reached him and had
tried to tear the girl from his shoulder. Dumarest set her on her
feet and thrust her toward the gate.

"Move!" he ordered. "Hop if you have to, but move!"

"But youтАФ"

"Damn it, girl, don't argue!"

He turned just in time to avoid an ax swinging at his skull. He
stepped backward, caught the haft, tore it free and slammed the
side of the blade into the wielder's mouth. He fell, spitting teeth
and blood, screaming as feet trod him to the stone. A knife
flashed in the firelight. Dumarest lifted an arm and blocked the
blade. It slashed his tunic; the edge sliced through plastic and
grated on the metal weave below. He struck out with the ax, felt
it stick, released the haft as a thumb gouged at his eyes. He
kicked and felt bone snap beneath his boot. With both hands
stiffened he moved slowly back toward the gate: chopping,