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

Cylydar swore, then sneezed. "Clean this up," he said and stalked from the room.

Head and tail down, Ahlbhenzer obeyed. He retrieved the ruined goblet and cradled it lovingly. His high
lord and master had been here, had actually touched this goblet! Ahlbhenzer shivered with delight at the
thought he possessed something that had once been used by Fhennezel.

Then his thoughts shifted. "Start acting like a demon." What did Fhennezel mean by that? It certainly
wasn't a philosophical question; after all, he was a demon and could only act as one. How had he failed
them, both his lord and his new master? His thoughts returned longingly to the granite caverns of his
youth, the lava flows where he and others cavorted, the delightful smell of brimstone that permeated
everything. He hadn't even minded the constant tormenting from his instructors as they tried to show him
The Way. And then Fhennezel had given him to Cylydar.

But he could not hold his master accountable. It must be Cylydar, he concluded. The mage was still
angry he had not killed that knight. But that was not The Way. Only the humans killed for enjoyment or
cruelty. Surely Fhennezel knew and understood, surely he could not want Ahlbhenzer to violate such a
basic principle.

Now back in his own chambers, Ahlbhenzer settled himself on the block of granite that served as his bed
and tried to sleep. But with so many questions to ponder he knew he would get none this evening.

"Don't leave any dust on that mirror. Place that book back where you found it. Leave the candlesticks
alone. Be sure to refill the lamp."

Ahlbhenzer sighed and gave a withering glare to the stuffed owl perched on the mantle in the library. It
continued its string of instructions unaware and undeterred.

Ahlbhenzer hated housecleaning as he was too short to reach mantles and such without a stool and his
claws were ill-equipped to handle a broom or feather duster. But, being the only help, he was the only
option.

"Don't open that book," it hooted as he wiped dust off a large tome. Ahlbhenzer glanced at it with
growing interest. This was the first time he had been allowed in Cylydar's library. Usually Cylydar
maintained this room himself, but today the magician claimed more pressing matters and ordered him to
perform the pedestrian duties. The thick book was covered with runes and appeared to be made of
something other than leather. A book of spells perhaps? he wondered. Or just the family diary?
Knowing what was certain to happen, Ahlbhenzer nonetheless flipped over the cover ...and was
rewarded with a jolt of pain as the magical tether tightened around his neck.

Gasping, he let the book close and stepped back. The pressure relaxed immediately. The tether. He
cursed the magician for imprisoning him with it. The invisible leash was with him always, ensuring he
would remain in the servitude of Cylydar. If somehow I could remove it ...



But not today, he knew. The owl began its string of instructions once again so Ahlbhenzer quickly
returned to his labors. But not before lingering several more minutes over the forbidden book.

"Quit standing there and make yourself useful. Bring me that trunk."