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

Pukah's breath.
"Despite his harsh treatment of me, I am going to grant Sond his heart's wish.
I am going to reunite him with his beloved Nedjma. You wanted to know where
the Lost Immortals were, little Pukah?"
"I assure my Master that I have not the slightest interestтАФ"
"Take the lamp of Sond and fly with it to the city of Serinda and you will
discover what has become of the Vanished Ones."
"Serinda?" Pukah's eyes opened wide; he raised his head from the floor. "That
city no longer exists. My Master. It vanished beneath the desert sands
hundreds of years ago, so long past that I cannot even remember it."
Kaug shrugged. "Then I am asking you to deliver Sond's chirak to a dead city,
little Pukah. Do you question my commands already?" The 'efreet's brow creased
in a frown.
"No, Master!" Pukah flattened himself completely. "The wings of which you
speak are on my feet. I will return to my 1 dwellingтАФ"
"No need to rush, little Pukah. I want you to take some time to look around
this interesting city. ForтАФif you fail me, djinnтАФyour basket will find itself
sitting in Serinda's marketplace."
"Yes, My Master. Now 111 just be getting back to my dwellingтАФ"
"Not so fast. You must wear this." A black, three-sided rock attacked to a
leather thong appeared in the 'efreet's hand. "Sit up." Pukah did as he was
ordered and Kaug cast
32 WEIS AND HICKMAN
the thong around the djinn's neck. The rockтАФwhich came to a point at the top
like a small pyramidтАФthumped against Pukah's bare chest. Pukah regarded it
dubiously.
"It is kind of you to give me this gift, Master. What is this interesting
looking stone, if I might ask?"
"Black tourmaline."
"Ah, black tourmaline," said Pukah wisely. "Whatever this is," he muttered.
" What did you say?"
"I will keep it always, Master, to remind me of you. It's ugly enough."
"You must learn to speak up, little Pukah."
"I was saying that if you don't need me, I will return to my dwelling and put
this marvelous object somewhere safeтАФ"
"No, no! You will wear it at all times, little Pukah. Such is my wish. Now, be
gone!"
"Yes, Master." Rising to his feet, Pukah headed for his basket.
"What are you doing?" Kaug growled.
Pukah stopped, glancing over his shoulder. "I am returning to my dwelling, O
Mighty Master."
"Why? I told you to take Sond's lamp and leave."
"And so I will, Master," said Pukah firmly, "after I have made myself
presentable. These"тАФhe indicated his pantafonsтАФ "are stained with blood and
slime. You would not want me appearing before your friends in such a state,
Master. Think how it would reflect upon you!"
"I have no friends where you are going, little Pukah," Kaug said with a grim
smile. "And believe me, in Serinda, no one will remark on a few spots of
blood."
"Sounds like a cheerful place," Pukah reflected gloomily. "Then I am not going