"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 09 - Mayenne" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

"You have never heard of it?"

"I am sorry, my friend, but I have never been to the world you mention."

"It doesn't exist, that's why." Chom was emphatic. "Why do we sit here talking
about such things? There is wine to be drunk and beauty to admire. A pity we could
not combine the two. Come, Earl, stop looking so bleak. At least you have the
consolation of wine and there is always the Ghenka. A pleasant combination, yes?"

"For some," admitted Daroca. "For others, perhaps not. Such men are not so
easily pleased. But I offer a toast. To success in all we attempt." He paused and
added softly: "To Earth!"

"To a dream," scoffed Chom. He emptied his glass in a single gulp.

Chapter Two


The Lady Lolis Egas was bored. She lifted an arm and watched as the sheer
fabric of her gown slid, slowly at first, then with an acceleration so fast it was
impossible to follow, down the smooth length of her arm. It was a trick induced by
the drug in her blood; the use of quick-time held peculiar dangers and played visual
distortions. The sleeve had moved at a normal rate, only to her and those with her
had it seemed to travel so fast.

As the cards which left the dealer's hands, the container which one of the players
knocked from its place, the coins which the old harridan insisted on throwing instead
of, as was normal, sliding them across the surface of the table.

The lifted arm, now bare to the shoulder, was flawless. She turned it, allowing the
light to catch the gems on wrist and fingers, the great sapphire of her betrothal ring
shimmering with ice-cold fire. It was a good ring and there would be more like it,
clothes too, rare perfumes, expensive foods. Alora Motril of the House of Ayette
would make a good husband.

But the nuptials were yet to come and, now, she was bored.

"Perhaps you should rest, my lady." Hera Phollen recognized the signs, and
made the suggestion more from hope than any conviction that she would be obeyed.
Her charge would be no trouble once asleep. "We have far to go and you will want
to look your best when we arrive."

"Am I so ugly?"

"You are beautiful, my lady."

Hera's voice was deep, her hair short and her face seamed, but she was not a
man and Lolis had little desire for the adulation of women. She lowered her arm and
turned, studying those in the salon. Vekta Gorlyk? Perhaps, but there was something