"Karl Edward Wagner - Undertow" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wagner Karl Edward)

two who held the girl lunged forward, but Dragar sidestepped his
rush, and with a sudden thrust sent his sword ripping into the
man's chest. The remaining assailant shoved the girl against the
barbarian's legs, whirled, and fled down the alley.
Ignoring the fugitive, Dragar helped the stunned girl to her
feet. Terror yet twisted her face, as she distractedly arranged the
torn bodice of her silken gown. Livid scratches streaked the pale
skin of her breasts, and a bruise was swelling out her lip. Dragar
caught up her fallen cloak and draped it over her shoulders.
"Thank you," she breathed in a shaky whisper, speaking at
last.
"My pleasure," he rumbled. "Killing rats is good exercise. Are
you all right, though?"
She nodded, then clutched his arm for support.
"The hell you are! There's a tavern close by, girl. ComeтАФI've
silver enough for a brandy to put the fire back in your heart."
She looked as if she might refuse, were her knees steadier. In a
daze, the girl let him half-carry her into the Inn of the Blue
Window. There he led her to an unoccupied booth and called for
brandy.
"What's your name?" he asked, after she had tasted the heady
liquor.
"Dessylyn."
He framed her name with silent lips to feel its sound. "I'm
called Dragar," he told her. "My home lies among the mountains
far south of here, though it's been a few years since last I hunted
with my clansmen. Wanderlust drew me away, and since then
I've followed this banner or another'sтАФsometimes just the
shadow of my own flapping cloak. Then, after hearing tales
enough to dull my ears, I decided to see for myself if Carsultyal is
the wonder men boast her to be. You a stranger here as well?"
She shook her head. When the color returned to her cheeks,
her face seemed less aloof.
"Thought you might be. Else you'd know better than to wander
the streets of Carsultyal after nightfall. Must be something
important for you to take the risk."
The lift of her shoulders was casual, though her face remained
guarded. "No errand... but it was important to me."
Dragar's look was questioning.
"I wanted to... oh, just to be alone, to get away for a while.
Lose myself, maybeтАФI don't know. I didn't think anyone would
dare touch me if they knew who I was."
"Your fame must be held somewhat less in awe among these
gutter rats than you imagined,'' offered Dragar wryly.
 "All men fear the name of Kane!" Dessylyn shot back bitterly.
"Kane!" The name exploded from his lips in amazement. What
had this girl to do...? But Dragar looked again at her sophisticated
beauty, her luxurious attire, and understanding dawned. Angrily
he became aware that the tavern uproar had become subdued on
the echo of his outburst. Several faces had turned to him, their