"Jack Vance - The Sorcerer Pharesm" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

"Wholeheartedly," Cugel asserted. "The tenets of your belief are demonstrably accurate." And he
drank deep of his wine. Even as he set down the goblet a murmur of music whispered through the air: a
concord infinitely sweet, infinitely melancholy. All sitting under the pergola became silent - though Cugel
was unsure that he in fact had heard music.
The elder huddled forward a trifle, and drank. Only then did he glance up. "The Winged Beings are
passing over even now."
Cugel pulled thoughtfully at his chin. "How does one protect himself from the Winged Beings?"
The question was ill-put; the elder glared, an act which included the curling forward of his ears. "If a
person is about to die, the Winged Beings appear. If not, he need have no fear."
Cugel nodded several times. "You have clarified my perplexity. Tomorrow - since you and I are
manifestly in the best of health - let us walk up the hill and saunter back and forth near the cliff."
"No," said the elder, "and for this reason: the atmosphere at such an elevation is insalubrious; a
person is likely to inhale a noxious fume, which entails damage to the health."
"I comprehend perfectly," said Cugel. "Shall we abandon this dismal topic? For the nonce we are
alive and concealed to some extent by the vines which shroud the pergola. Let us eat and drink and
watch the merrymaking. The youths of the village dance with great agility."
The elder drained his goblet and rose to his feet. "You may do as you please; as for me, it is time
for my Ritual Abasement, this act being an integral part of our belief."
"I will perform something of a like nature by and by," said Cugel. "I wish you the enjoyment of your
rite."
The elder departed the pergola and Cugel was left by himself. Presently certain youths, attracted by
curiosity, joined him, and Cugel explained his presence once again, though with less emphasis upon the
barbaric crudity of his native land, for several girls had joined the group, and Cugel was stimulated by
their exotic colouring and the vivacity of their attitudes. Much wine was served and Cugel was persuaded
to attempt the kicking, jumping local dance, which he performed without discredit. The exercise brought
him into close proximity with an especially beguiling girl, who announced her name to be Zhiaml Vraz. At
the conclusion of the dance, she put her arm around his waist, conducted him back to the table, and
settled herself upon his lap. This act of familiarity excited no apparent disapproval among the others of
the group, and Cugel was emboldened further. "I have not yet arranged for a bedchamber; perhaps I
should do so before the hour grows late."
The girl signalled the innkeeper. "Perhaps you have reserved a chamber for this chisel-faced
stranger?"
"Indeed, I will display it for his approval."
He took Cugel to a pleasant chamber on the ground floor, furnished with couch, commode, rug and
lamp. On one wall hung a tapestry woven in purple and black, on another was a representation of a
peculiarly ugly baby which seemed trapped or compressed in a transparent globe. The room suited
Cugel; he announced as much to the innkeeper and returned to the pergola, where now the merrymakers
were commencing to disperse. The girl Zhiaml Vraz yet remained, and she welcomed Cugel with a
warmth which undid the last vestige of his caution. After another goblet of wine, he leaned close to her
ear. "Perhaps I am over-prompt; perhaps I over-indulge my vanity; perhaps I contravene the normal
decorum of the village - but is there reason why we should not repair to my chamber, and there amuse
ourselves?"
"None whatever," said the girl. "I am unwed and until this time may conduct myself as I wish, for this
is our custom."
"Excellent," said Cugel. "Do you care to precede me, or walk discreetly to the rear?"
"We shall go together; there is no need for furtiveness!"
Together they went to the chamber and performed a number of erotic exercises, after which Cugel
collapsed into a sleep of utter exhaustion, for his day had been taxing.
During the middle hours he awoke to find Zhiaml Vraz departed from the chamber, a fact which in
his drowsiness caused him no distress and he once more returned to sleep.