"Vance, Jack - Dying Earth 02 - The Eyes of the Overworld (Cugel the Clever) UCb" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

Cugel frowned. In Derwe Coreme's remarks and the poise of her head he noted barely concealed insolence, which he found exasperating. Still, there was ample time to correct the matter after learning the use of the amulet, a business of prime urgency. Cugel leaned back into the cushions, and spoke as one who muses idly. "Everywhere at this time of Earth's dying exceptional circumstances are to be noted. Recently, at the 'manse of lucounu the Laughing Magician, I saw a great libram which indexed all the writings of magic, and all styles of thaumaturgical rune. Perhaps you have similar volumes in your library?"
"It well may be," said Derwe Coreme. "The Fourteenth Garth Haxt of Slaye was a diligent collator, and compiled a voluminous pandect on the subject."
Cugel clapped his hands together. "I wish to see this important work at once!"
Derwe Coreme looked at him in wonder. "Are you then such a bibliophile? A pity, because The Eighth Rubel Zaff ordered this particular compendium submerged off Cape Horizon."
Cugel made a sour face. "Are no other treatises at hand?"
"Doubtless," said Derwe Coreme. "The library occupies
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the whole of the north wing. But will not tomorrow suffice for your research?" And, stretching in languid warmth, she contrived to twist her body into first one luxurious position, then another.
Cugel drank deep from a black glass goblet. "Yes, there is no haste in this matter. And nowЧ" He was interrupted by a woman of middle age in voluminous brown garments, evidently one of the under-servants, who at this moment rushed into the hal!. She was shouting hysterically and several footmen sprang forward to support her. Between racking sobs she made clear the source of her anguish: an abominable act only just now committed by the ghoul upon her daughter.
Derwe Coreme gracefully indicated Cugel. "Here is the new Lord of Cil; he has vast powers of magic and will order the ghoul destroyed. Will you not, Exalted?"
Cugel thoughtfully rubbed his chin. A dilemma indeed. The woman and all the servitors fell down upon their knees. "Exalted, if you control this corrosive magic, employ it instantly to destroy the vile ghoul!"
Cugel winced, and turning his head met Derwe Dor-erne's thoughtful gaze. He jumped to his feet. "What need I of magic when I can wield a sword? I will hack the creature organ from organ!" He signaled the six men-at-arms who stood by in their brass armor. "Come! Bring torchesl We fare forth to dismember the ghoul!"
The men-at-arms obeyed without enthusiasm. Cugel herded them toward the great portal. "When I fling wide the doors, rush forth with the torches, to create a blaze which will illuminate the evil being! Have swords drawn so that when I send him reeling you may strike the coup de grace!"
The men-at-arms each with torch and drawn sword stood before the portal. Cugel slid back the bolts and flung wide of the portals. "Out! Shine upon the ghoul the last light of his existence!"
The men-at-arms raced desperately forth, with Cugd swaggering after, flourishing his sword. The men-at-arms paused at the head of the steps, to look Uncertainly out over the promenade, frqm which a quite horrid sound could be heard.
Cugel looked over his shoulder to see Derwe Coreme watching attentively from the doorway. "Forward!" he
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shouted. "Surround this wretched creature, whose death is now upon him!"
The men-at-arms gingerly descended the steps, with Cugel marching to the rear. "Hack with a will!" he called. "There is ample glory, .for all! The man who fails to deal a stroke I blast t>y magic!"
The flickering lights shone on the pedestals, ranging in a long line to merge at last with the darkness. "Forward!" cried Cugel. "Where is this bestial being? Why does he not appear to receive his deserts?" And Cugel peered through the wavering shadows, hoping the ghoul by now would have taken alarm and fled.
At his side came a small sound. Turning, Cugel saw a tall pale shape standing quietly. The men-at-arms gasped, and fled incontinently up the broad stones. "Slay the beast by magic, Exalted!" called the sergeant. "The most expeditious method is often the best!"
The ghoul came forward; Cugel stumbled back. The ghoul took a quick step forward. Cugel sprang behind a pedestal. The ghoul swung out its arm; Cugel hacked with his sword, sprang to the protection of another pedestal, then raced with great ability back across the terrace. The door was already closing; Cugel flung himself through the dwindling aperture. He heaved the door shut, and thrust home the bolts. The ghoul's weight slammed against the timbers and the bolts creaked in protest.
Cugel turned to meet the bright-eyed appraisal of Derwe Coreme. "What ensued?" she asked. "Why did you not slay the ghoul?"
"The warriors decamped with the torches," said Cugel. "I could see neither where to hack nor where to hew."
"Strange," mused Derwe Coreme. "There seemed ample illumination for so negligible an exercise. Why did you not employ the power of the amulet or rend the ghoul limb from limb?"
"So simple and quick a death is unsuitable," stated Cugel with dignity. "I must cogitate at length, and decide how he may best expiate his crimes."
"Indeed," said Derwe Coreme. "Indeed."
Cugel strode back into the great hali. "Back to the banquet! Let the wine flow! Everyone must drink to the accession of the new Lord of Cil!"
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Derwe Coreme said in a silky voice, "If you please, Exalted, make some display of the power of the amulet, to gratify our curiosity!"
"Certainly!" And Cugel touched carbuncle after carbuncle, producing rumbles and groans of grievous woe, with occasionally a wail or scream.
"Can you do more?" inquired Derwe Coreme, smiling the soft smile of an impish child.
"Indeed, should I so choose. But enough! Drink one and all!"
Derwe Coreme signaled the sergeant of the guard. "Take sword and strike off the fool's arm; bring me the amulet."
"With pleasure, Great Lady." The sergeant advanced with bared blade.
Cugel shouted, "Stay! One more step and magic will turn each of your bones at right angles!"
The sergeant looked at Derwe Coreme, who laughed. "As I bade you, or fear my revenge, which is as you know."
The sergeant winced, and marched forward again. But now an under-servitor rushed to Cugel, and under his hood Cugel saw the seamed face of old Slaye, "I will save you. Show me the amulet!"
Cugel allowed the eager fingers to grope among the carbuncles. Slaye pressed one of these, and called something in a voice so exultant and shrill that the syllables were lost. There was a great fluttering, and an enormous black shape stood at the back of the hall. "Who torments me?" it moaned. "Who will give me surcease?"
"I!" cried Slaye. "Advance through the hall, kill all but myself!"
"No!" cried Cugel. "It is I who possess the amulet! I whom you must obey! Kill all but me!"
Derwe Coreme clutched at Cugel's arm, striving to see the amulet. "It avajls nothing unless you call him by name. We are all lost!"
"What is his name?" cried Cugel. "Counsel me!" "Hold back!" declared Slaye. "I have consideredЧ" Cugel dealt him a blow and sprang behind the table. The demon was approaching, pausing to pluck up the men-at-arms and dash them against the walls. Derwe
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Coreme ran to Cugel. "Let me see the amulet; do you know nothing whatever? I will order him!"
"By no means!" said Cugel. "Am I Cugel the Clever for nothing? Show me which carbuncle, recite me the