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

THE PALADIN OF THE NIGHT
41
The Captain still had one more bone to toss in the game, however. "All those
desirous of entering the city of Idrith must surrender to me not only their
weapons but all their magic items and djinn as well, Effendi. These will be
given as sacrifice to Quar," said the Captain, hoping that this edictтАФ one
that had come from the God and one that therefore not even the Sultan could
liftтАФwould discourage these visitors. His hope was a vain one, however.
Auda ibn Jad nodded gravely. "Yes, Captain, such a commandment was imposed on
us in Kich. It was there that we left all our magical paraphernalia and our
djinn. We were honored to do this in the name of so great a God as Quar andтАФas
you seeтАФhe has in turn favored us with his blessing in our journeying."
"You will not be offended if I search you, Effendi?" asked the. Captain.
"We have nothing to hide, sidi," said ibn Jad humbly, with another graceful
bow.
Of course they don't, the Captain thought dowerly. They knew about this and
were prepared. Nevertheless, he had to go through the motions. Turning, he
ordered his men to commence the search, as Auda ibn Jad ordered the leader of
the goums to unload the camels.
"What is in there?" The Captain pointed to the litters.
"The bodies, sidi," replied ibn Jad in low, reverent tones. "I did mention
that this was a funeral cortege, didn't I?"
The Captain started. Yes, the man had said that they were a funeral
procession, but the Captain had assumed it was an honorary one, perhaps
escorting the icon of some deceased Imam back to his birthplace. It never
occurred to the soldier that this Auda ibn Jad was carting corpses around with
him. The Captain glanced at the litters and frowned outwardly, though inwardly
sighing with relief.
"Bodies! I am sorry, Effendi, but I cannot allow those inside the city walls.
The risk of diseaseтАФ"
"тАФis nonexistent, I assure you. Come, Captain, look for yourself."
The Captain had no choice but to follow the man in black to where the litters
rested on the sandy soil of the plains. Not a squeamish manтАФthe Captain had
seen his share of corpses in his lifetimeтАФhe nevertheless approached the
litters with extreme reluctance. A body hacked and mangled on the field
WEIS AND HICKMAN
THE PALADIN OF THE NIGHT
43
of battle was one thing. A body that has been traveling in the heat of early
summer was quite another. Coming near the first titter, the Captain hardened
himself for what was to come. It was odd, though, that there were no flies
buzzing about. Sniffing, the Captain detected no whiff of corruption, and he
glanced at the man in black in puzzlement.
Reading the Captain's thoughts, Auda ibn Jad smiled dep-recatingly, as if
denying credit for everything. He neared the litter, and his smile vanished,
replaced by the most sorrowful solemnity. With a gesture, he invited the
Captain to look.
Even as close as this, there was no hint of the nauseating odor of decay, nor
could the Captain detect any perfume that might have covered it. His
repugnance lost in curiosity, the Captain bent down and peered inside the