"Karl Edward Wagner - Ravens Eyrie" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wagner Karl Edward)

like the edge of his sword. "Where's Kane?" he demanded softly.
Scarcely comprehending that disaster had so swiftly overtaken
them, Weed stood silent, swaying back from the blade. His mouth
was dry.
"You got half a minute to tell me. And you've just about used
that up."
Ionor appeared from the kitchen. Her face was flushed and her
blouse disordered. "They carried him upstairs," she announced,
hatred bright in her voice. "I'll show you where."
"Carried?"
"He's wounded near death, by the look of his side. He couldn't
walk."
Pleddis smiled like a wolf at her words. "By Vaul, you were
right about your aim, Stundorn! I'll double your share if it sure
enough was your quarrel that brought the devil low. Quickly now,
show us!"
Leaving Weed under guard, the captain and a number of his
men followed Ionor up the stairs to the third level. Triumphantly
she led them to the door of the room where Kane had been taken.
Pleddis's smile split his leathery face. Inside this room lay the
object of his pursuit, the successful conclusion of a dangerous
campaign. And a bounty that would leave him a wealthy man.
Knowing Kane's cunning, their weapons were poised for
whatever last trick he might have left. In the darkness outside,
others of his men surrounded the inn. Kane would not escape.
But even with a crippling wound, they feared the savage power
of his sword.
Sucking in his breath, Pleddis kicked open the door. It was
unlocked. Slammed back against the wall.
Only silence met them. Kane lay sprawled across the bed,
unmoving. A chill wind eddied through the open window. Blood
stained the blankets. Kane's arms lay at his sides, in the attitude
in which his men had left him. His face was turned to one side; a
tiny pool of dampness trickled past his partly opened lips. In the
flickering firelight his face seemed unnaturally lax and pale.
Wary of tricks, Pleddis approached the bed. Kane did not
move. Only when he reassured himself that no weapon lay near
did Pleddis touch the silent figure. Kane's skin was cold as a
snake's. Almost impatiently the captain shook his still form, found
his body unnaturally rigid. Frowning, he felt for a pulse, then held
his blade before the motionless nostrils. No moisture fogged the
cold steel.
Pleddis stood up, almost with an air of disappointment
"He's dead."
 IV
Hounds and Carrion Crows

Weed slumped against a table, his arms tightly bound behind
his back, his mind seeking desperately for some hope of escape.
With a sick chill in his belly, he realized his position was without