"Jack vance - Tschai 2 - Servants of the Wankh" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

incalculable help to me. But for them I doubt if I would be alive."
"In that case," declared the cavalier, "they may ever rely upon the patronage
of Dordolio, Gold, and Carnelian. They shall use my fieldname Alutrin Stargold."
He performed a salute which included all three, then snapped his finger at the
serving woman. "A chair, if you please. I will dine at this table."
The serving woman somewhat unceremoniously pushed a chair into place;
Dordolio seated himself and gave his attention to the Flower. "But what of your
adventures? I assume them to be harrowing. Still you appear as fresh as
ever-decidedly unharrowed."
The Flower laughed. "In these steppe-dweller's garments? I have not yet been
able to change. I must buy dozens of sheer necessities before I dare let you
look at me."
Dordolio, glancing at her gray garments, made a negligent gesture. "I had
noticed nothing. You are as ever. But, if you wish, we will shop together; the
bazaars of Coad are fascinating."
"Of course! Tell me of yourself. My father issued a behest, you say?"
"He did indeed, and swore a boon. The most gallant responded. We followed
your trail to Spang where we learned who had taken you: Priestesses of the
Female Mystery. Many gave you up for lost, but not I. My perseverance has been
rewarded! In triumph we will return to Settra!"
Ylin-Ylan turned a somewhat cryptic smile toward Reith. "I am of course
anxious to return home. What luck to find you here in Coad!"
"Remarkable luck," said Reith dryly. "We arrived only an hour ago from Pera."
"Pera? I do not know the place."
"It lies at the far west of the Dead Steppe."
Dordolio gave an opaque stare, then once more he addressed himself to the
Flower. "What hardships you must have suffered! But now you walk under the aegis
of Dordolio! We return at once to Settra."
The meal proceeded, Dordolio and Ylin-Ylan conversing with great vivacity.
Traz, preoccupied with the unfamiliar table implements, turned them dour
glances, as if he suspected their ridicule. Anacho paid them no heed; Reith ate
in silence. Finally Dordolio sat back in his chair. "Now, as to the
practicalities: the packet Yazilissa is at mooring, and shortly departs for
Vervodei. A melancholy task to take leave of your comrades, good fellows all,
I'm sure, but we must arrange our passage home."
Reith spoke in an even voice. "All of us, so it happens, are bound for Cath."
Dordolio presented his blank questioning stare, as if Reith spoke an
incomprehensible language.
He rose, helped Ylin-Ylan to her feet; the two went to saunter on the terrace
beyond the arbour. The serving woman brought the score. "Five sequins, if you
please, for five meals."
"Five?"
"The Yao ate at your table."
Reith paid over five sequins from his wallet. Anacho watched in amusement.
"The Yao's presence is actually an advantage; you will avoid attention upon your
arrival at Settra."
"Perhaps," said Reith. "On the other hand, I had hoped for the gratitude of
the girl's father. I need all the friends I can find."
"Events sometimes display a vitality of their own," observed Anacho. "The
Dirdir teleologists have interesting remarks to make on the subject. I recall an