"Jack Vance - Tschai 3 - The DirDir" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

Zarfo let the ladle sag in shock. "The Lokhars are the most avaricious of people, yet how many
attempt the Carabas? Few! And how many return with wealth? Have you noticed the great manor house
to the east, with the chain of carved ivory around the bower?"

"I have seen the manor."

"There are no other such manors near Smargash," said Zarfo portentously. "Do you get my
meaning?" He rapped on the bench. "Pot-boy! More ale."

"I mentioned the Isles of Cloud as well," said Reith.

"Tusa Tala on the Draschade is more convenient for the Isles. How to reach Tusa Tala? The motor-
wagon fares only to Siadz at the edge of the highlands; I know of no route down the chasms to the
Draschade. The caravan to Zara is two months gone. A skyraft is the only sensible conveyance."

"Well, then, where can we obtain a sky-raft?"

"Not from the Lokhars; we have none. Look yonder: a skyraft and a party of rich Xars! They are
about to depart. Maybe their destination is Tusa Tala. Let us inquire."

"A moment. We must get word to Traz." Reith called the potboy, sent him running to the inn.

Zarfo strode out across the compound with Reith and Anacho behind. Five Xars stood by their old


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sky-raft: short bullshouldered men with congested complexions. They wore rich robes of gray and
green; their black hair rose in rigid varnished columns, flaring slightly outward and sheared off
flat.

"Leaving Smargash so soon, friend Xars?" Zarfo called out in a cheerful voice.

The Xars muttered together and turned away.

Zarfo ignored the lack of affability. "Where then are you bound?"

"Lake Falas; where else?" declared the oldest Xar. "Our business is done; as usual we were
cheated. We are anxious to return to the swamps."

"Excellent. This gentleman and his two friends need transportation to a point in your general
direction. They asked me whether they should offer to pay; I said, 'Nonsense! The Xars are princes
of generosity-' "

"Hold!" the Xar called sharply. "I have at least three remarks to make. First, our raft is
crowded. Second, we are generous unless we lose sequins in the process. Third, these two
nondescripts have a reckless and desperate air about them, not at all reassuring. Is this the
third?" The reference was to Traz, who had arrived on the scene. "A mere lad but no less dubious