"Patrick Welch - Before & Beyond" - читать интересную книгу автора (Welch Patrick)

"Shall I dress as a valet?" he asked between gritted teeth.

The magician tugged at his goatee. "Unnecessary. This is not a social occasion. How you appear now will
do."
Ahlbhenzer gasped as he was yanked by the invisible leash out of the study and down the hall. Who
would visit Cylydar? he wondered as he stumbled behind the magician. The mage lived alone, by
necessity and preference. Except for Ahlbhenzer no others shared his castle. And guests had only visited
several times in the past three years, emissaries of the king and several magicians. There was also the odd
hostage or two but Ahlbhenzer didn't believe those counted. But he did recognize the being who greeted
them in the magician's dining hall. "Fhennezel," he blurted and collapsed to his knees.

The demon lord looked at him, sniffed, turned to Cylydar. "Is this why you summoned me?" He flicked
his tail in disgust.

"You have not fulfilled our agreement," Cylydar said as he took his seat. Then he glared at Ahlbhenzer.
"Stand up, idiot!"

Ahlbhenzer rose slowly, his skin turning from green to sickly yellow as he wilted under the stares of both
the demon and the magician. His tail, normally erect, rested limply on the floor.

"I'm sorry," Fhennezel said as he cradled a glass of wine in one taloned hand. "Why are you upset?"

"This demon," and Cylydar nearly jerked Ahlbhenzer off his feet, "continues to disobey my orders! He is
more than worthless."

"Is this true?" Fhennezel said to Ahlbhenzer in their own tongue. Demon speech is in ultrasonic
frequencies; Cylydar could only assume they were merely looking at each other.

"He told me to stop an intruder. I did so. He was upset I didn't kill the human."

Fhennezel addressed the magician. "You demanded a demon, I gave you one. There were no other
conditions."

"This one is as dense as the village idiot! Even when I give him precise instructions he defies me! This is
not acceptable," and he slammed his fist on the table.

"You've had him three years. He should be housebroken by now."

"Please, Fhennezel, take me with you! I cannot bear any more of this!"

"Shut up and stand up straight, you craven fool. What Cylydar does to you is none of my concern."
Fhennezel finished his wine and crushed the golden goblet, then tossed the remains to Cylydar. "I see no
justification for your complaint. He is your responsibility now."

"Fhennezel, you have cheated me for the last time."

Fhennezel smiled. "On the contrary. I'll cheat you at every opportunity. Just as you will cheat me. If you'll
excuse me, I have more important matters to attend to." He glared one more time at Ahlbhenzer. "And
you," he hissed in their tongue, "start acting like a demon." Then he was gone in a blast of acrid smoke.