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

"You come to replenish your chest? Rest assured, sir, I can
guide you to fascinating bargains, absolute novelties."

Gersen took Edelrod aside. "You are acquainted with Master
Kakarsis Asrn?"

"I know him. He is condemned to cooperation."

"He is not dead then?"

"He dies tomorrow night."

"Good," said Gersen. "I will hire you then, provided that your
rates are not exorbitant."

"I lend my knowledge, my friendship, my protection: all for
fifty SVU per day."

"Agreed. Well then, our first need is conveyance to the inn."

344 I HE DFMON PRINCES

"At once" Edelrod summoned a dilapidated carryall, they
bumped and jounced through Pamg to the Poison Inn, a three-
stoned structure with walls of poles, a twelve-coned roof sheathed
with green glass tiles There was a barbaric grandeur to the great
lobby Rugs woven in bold patterns of black, white and scarlet cov-
ered the floor, along the wall were pilasters carved to represent
attenuated hankap with gaunt sagging faces, vines with green leaves
and purple flowers hung from the roof beams Windows thirty feet
high overlooked Gorobundur Steppe, with a black-green swamp to
the west, a dark forest to the east Meals were to be taken in a vast
dining room furnished with tables, chairs and buffets of a dense
black wood To Alusz Iphigenia's relief, the kitchen appeared to be
operated by outworlders, and they were offered a choice of six cui-
sines Alusz Iphigema nevertheless distrusted the food. Tor all we
know it's seasoned with some horrid drug."

Gersen made light of her qualms "They wouldn't waste good
poison on us. I can't guarantee much else This is nomad-style
bread, the little black things are reed-berries, and this is some sort
of stew or goulash " He tasted it. "I've eaten worse."

Alusz Iphigema glumly ate the reed-berries, which had a dank
smoky flavor. "How long do you plan to remain here?" she asked
politely

"Two days or so, provided all goes well "

"Your business of course is your own affair, but I feel a certain