"Robert Weinberg - Logical Magician 01 - A Logical Magician" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weinberg Robert)

screws in this prediction business."
The changeling's tone brightened noticeably. "What do you think? Any chance the
famous wizard might have bitten off more than he could swallow? Maybe we're worrying
about nothing."
"I don't think so," said Jack. "Merlin struck me as being pretty well grounded.
There was no hint of senility in anything he said. Besides, that ignores the supernatural
motorcycle gang who grabbed him and Megan."
"Damn," said Simon, his expression souring. "I hate when you humans use logic. I
much prefer wishing and hoping myself."
The changeling wandered back to the refrigerator and latched onto another beer.
"You're running low on brew. Better buy some more. You got any chips? Beer always
tastes better with chips."
"Try the cabinet over the sink," said Jack. All of Simon's worries had obviously not
damaged the changeling's appetite. "I figure the first thing we should do is search for the
kidnappers. They're our only lead."
 Simon, his mouth full of potato chips, gasped, almost choking. "We?" he managed
to sputter out. "Uh, who volunteered me? I'm a poor faerie, not a companion of heroes.
Remember the mischievous elf, good-natured trickster, I spoke about? Nothing in that
description covers saving the world."
Jack smiled. "On the other hand, you mentioned that all supernatural beings reflect
man's dual natureтАФgood versus evil. You squarely lined yourself up with the good guys.
Well, it's time to stand up and be counted, my friend. I need your help."
The changeling groaned. "You're crazy, Jack. Absolutely, totally crazy. We can't
defeat one of the Old Ones. You have no concept of how powerful those monsters are.
He'll chew us up for an afternoon snack. A small snack at that. I might be on the side of
the angels, but I prefer staying alive. And challenging the overwhelming forces of the dark
isn't a way to remain that way."
"Merlin selected me," said Jack stubbornly. "That much I understood. He thought I
could handle the job, and I fully intend to try. With or without your help."
Simon pulled a box of cereal out of the cabinet. "I didn't say I wouldn't help. Just
give me a little time to consider my options. In the meantime, I'll continue thinking you're
nuts. Do you mind if I nibble on this?"
"Go ahead," said Jack. He frowned. "Don't they feed you in the dorms?"
"Sure," said Simon, munching on a handful of frosted corn flakes. "Three meals a
day. Normally, I don't eat anywhere near this much in the cafeteria."
"Then why," asked Jack, gritting his teeth, "are you acting tonight as if you haven't
had a bite of food in weeks?"
"Annoying, isn't it?" replied Simon, grinning. "Which is exactly the reason I do it.
I'm only being true to my nature, Jack. If, after a while whenever we're together, you're
not angry with me, then something's wrong. My whole purpose for existing is to drive
people nuts. Even my friends."
"Fair enough, I guess," said Jack, squeezing his eyes shut in frustration. Then, as a
new thought struck him, he stared directly at the changeling.
"Why don't we follow that line of reasoning one step further. By your own
admission, you know it all . That's another part of your character. Well, then, I think it's
time for you to share some of your wisdom. Let's discover how much information you
really possess. Like, for example, who or what is this Old One and why are you so
terrified of him?"
Simon paused in the midst of crunching a mouthful of cereal. "That's a good idea,"
he said. "Wonder why I never thought of it."