"S. L. Viehl - A Diversity of Houses" - читать интересную книгу автора (Viehl S. L)

tтАЩlerue milk was a staple part of their diet and contained

vital nutrients which could not be synthesized. TтАЩlerue

manure was even more valuable, and considered to be the

finest natural crop fertilizer within the quadrant. The

animals served as a cultural foundation as well, for it was

the tтАЩlerue that had convinced the ancient Jorenians to

abandon their nomadic ways and become tribal herders.

A plaintive sound of distress drew TavoтАЩs attention

away from the tтАЩlerue, but the sun had set and darkness

swallowed the source. As he moved around the herd toward

it, he noticed some of the outside animals growing

restless. Very little disturbed tтАЩlerue, so he drew two

blades from his belt and held them ready.

His eyes adjusted to the lack of light, and he saw the

shapes of two yearlings on the ground, struggling as though
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held by a great weight. Two cloaked figures stood over

them, apparently readying to lift one.

тАЬHold!тАЭ he shouted.

One of the pair produced a pulse rifle and fired into

the herd, sending a surge of frightened animals toward

Tavo, who leapt on the back of a female to keep from

getting trampled. After coiling one hand in animalтАЩs

shaggy neck fringe for control, he used the other to throw

a knife at the one who had fired. His blade sank into the