"Vance, Jack - Gaean Reach - Demon Princes 03 - The Palace of Love" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

sure. She opened Handbook to the Planets, read the article on Sar-
kovy. Gersen stood by the pharmaceutical cabinet, compounding a
conditioner against possibly noxious serums, proteins, viruses and
bacilli of Sarkovy.

'Interchange an institution of the planet Sasani in the near-Beyond, functioning as a
detention depot and broker between kidnappers and those who sought to pay ransom.
Gersen had swindled Interchange of ten billion SVU (Standard Value Units).

THE PALACE OF LOVE 343

Alusz Iphigenia asked, "Why are you going to this planet? It
seems an evil place."

"I want to talk to someone," said Gersen in a measured voice.
He handed her a cup. "Drink this; you'll avoid itches and scabs."

Wordlessly Alusz Iphigenia drank the mixture.

There were no formalities at Sarkovy; Gersen landed at Paing
Space-port, as close as possible to the depot, a timber structure
roofed with varnished reeds. A clerk registered them as visitors, and
they were immediately set upon by a dozen men wearing dark
brown gowns with bristling fur collars and cuffs. Each protested
himself the foremost guide and sponsor of the region.

"What do you wish, my sir, my lady? A visit to the village? I
am a hetman-"

"If it's the sport of harbite you seek, I know of three excellent
beasts in furious condition."

"Poisons by the dram or pound; I guarantee freshness and pre-
cision. Trust me for your poisons!"

Gersen looked from face to face. Several of the men were tat-
tooed on the cheek with a dark blue Maltese cross; one wore two
such tattoos. "Your name?"

"I am Edelrod. I know the lore of Sarkovy, marvelous tales. I
can make your visit a joy, a period of edification-"

Gersen said, "I see you are a venefice of the undermaster cat-
egory."

"True." Edelrod seemed a trifle crestfallen. "You have visited
our world before?"

"For a brief period."