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

Then she, too, heard the sound. Her eyes widening in fear, she went limp in
Pukah's arms.
"Kaug's back!" whispered the djinn. "I've got to go!"
Pukah vanished so suddenly that Asrial, bereft of his support, nearly fell.
Weakly, she sank down on the bed and crouched there, shivering, listening to
what was happening outside die basket.
Slowly, unconsciously, her tongue moved across her lips, as though she could
still taste a lingering sweetness.
"Master!" cried Pukah in a transport of joy. "You've returned!" He flung
himself on the cave floor.
"Humpf," growled Kaug, glowering at the groveling djinn. "He doesn't pull the
wool over my eyes!"
"Indeed, such a thing would take a great many sheep, Master," said Pukah,
cautiously rising to his feet and padding after the 'efreet, who was stomping
about the cave angrily.
"He fears Khardan!"
"Does he, Master?"
"Not because your former master is mighty or powerful, but because Quar can't
rule him and, seemingly, he can't kill him."
"So my masterтАФformer masterтАФis not dead?"
"Is that a great surprise to you, little Pukah? No, I thought not. Nor to your
winged friend, either, eh?"
"Unless Sond has sprouted feathers, I have no idea to whom my Master is
referring." Pukah prostrated himself upon the floor, extending his arms out in
front of him. "I assure my Master of my absolute loyalty. I would do anything
for my Master, even go in search of the Calif, if my Master commands it."
"Would you, Pukah?" Kaug, turning, eyed the djinn intently.
"Nothing would give me greater pleasure, My Master."
"I believe that for once you are telling the truth, little Pukah." The 'efreet
grinned. "Yes, I think I will take you up on your offer, slave of the basket.
You understand who it is you serve now, don't you, Pukah? By the laws of the
djinn, I am your master, you are my servant. If I ordered you to bring Khardan
sliced neatly into four equal parts, you would do so, would you not, slave?"
THE PALADIN OF THE NIGHT
31
"Of course, My Master," said Pukah glibly.
"Ah, already I can see your mind turning, planning to find some way out of
this. Let it turn all it wants, little Pukah. It is like a donkey tied to the
waterwheel. Round and round he goes, never getting anywhere. I have your
basket. I am your master. Do not forget that or the penalty if you disobey
me."
"Yes, My Master," said Pukah in a subdued voice.
"And now, to prove your loyalty, little Pukah, I am going to send you on an
errand before you go and search for the missing Khardan. I command you to take
the chirak of Sond to a certain location. You will leave it there and you will
return to me for my orders concerning the Calif."
"Where is this 'certain location,' My Master?"
"Not backing out already, little Pukah, are you?"
"Certainly not, My Master! It is just that I need to know where I am going in
order to get there, you dundering squidhead." This last being muttered under