"Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman - Rose of the Prophet 02 - The Paladin of the Night" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weis Margaret)

regarded Pukah through narrowed eyelids.
It may have been his overwrought imagination, but Pukah thought he heard a
smothered cry at this. The 'afreet's eyes opened suddenly. "What was that?"
Kaug glanced about the cave.
"Sond! Moan more quietly! You disturb the Master!" Pukah ordered, leaping to
his feet. "Allow me to deal with him, O Mighty 'Efreet. You rest."
Kaug obediently leaned back and shut his eyes. He could sense Pukah hovering
over him, staring at him intently. Then he heard the djinn padding away on his
bare feet, hastening toward Sond. The 'efreet heard something else,
tooтАФanother grieving moan. Opening his eyes a slit, he saw a most interesting
sight. Pukah had tucked his hands beneath his armpits and was flapping his
elbows frantically.
Sond stared at him, bewildered, then suddenly took the hintтАФfor that's what it
obviously wasтАФand began to groan loudly.
"What do you mean by that dismal howling?" Pukah shouted. "My Master is in
enough pain as it is. Shut up this instant!" Whirling about to face the
'efreet, Pukah grabbed hold of a largish rock. "Allow me to knock him
senseless, My Master!"
"No, that will not be necessary," Kaug muttered, shifting Jn his chair. "I
will deal with him myself."
Pukah flapping his arms. Pukah with wings? The trail had taken an unusual turn
and the 'efreet, in trying to follow the path, had the distinct impression
he'd become lost en route. He knew he was getting somewhere, but he needed
time to find his way.
"Sond, I confine you to your chirakV The 'efreet snapped his fingers and the
djinn's body slowly began to dissolve, changing to smoke. The smoke wavered in
the air; two eyes could be seen, fixed in malevolent fury on Kaug. A simple
WEIS AND HICKMAN
gesture from the 'efreet caused the lamp to suck the smoke out of the air, and
Sond was gone.
"And what is your will concerning me, My Master?" Pukah asked humbly, bowing
low, his hands pressed against his forehead.
"Return to your dwelling. Remain there until I call for you," Kaug said
absently, preoccupied with his thoughts. "I am going to pay my homage to
Quar."
"A safe and pleasant journey, Master," said Pukah. Bowing his way across the
floor, the djinn retired precipitously to his basket.
"Ugggh," grunted Kaug, heaving his bulk up out of the chair.
Ugggh," Pukah mimicked, his ears attuned to ascertain the 'efreet's departure.
"One of his more intelligent noises. The great oafl Pukah, my friend, you've
fooled him completely. He has neglected to confine you to your dwelling, and
while he is gone, you may leave it to search for your lost angel."
Materializing inside his basket, Pukah found it in a state of general
disarrayтАФthe furniture overturned, crockery smashed, food scattered about.
Having previously shared his dwelling with a snake, who had not been very neat
in his personal habits, the djinn was accustomed to a certain amount of
slovenliness. Ignoring the mess, Pukah set the bed to rights, then lay down on
it and waited, listening intently, to make certain the 'efreet had really gone
and that this wasn't some sort of lamebrained trick to trap him.
Hearing nothing, Pukah was just about to leave his basket and go search the