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

But it was enough. He was ready this time, he managed to wedge his claws into the small opening so
when the lid quickly closed they were wedged firmly beneath it.

Ahlbhenzer would not be denied now; he scratched at the mirrored wall with his clawed feet until he was
able to obtain a perilous purchase. He arched his wings and lifted the lid nearly an inch, allowing him to
get one hand under the lid. Now he had enough leverage to use most of his strength. Another five minutes
of painful effort and he was out of the box and flying free in Cylydar's study.

Ahlbhenzer was exhausted and aching everywhere from his countless collisions and wanted only to rest.
But being free of the box did not make him free of Cylydar, not with the tether which still bound him. He
was not used to viewing Cylydar's residence from aloft, having never flown indoors before. It took him
several moments to recognize his surroundings, then find the door and leave. He stayed near the ceiling as
he flew into the hall. It was doubtful Cylydar would still be up, but then he had no idea how long he had
been in the box.
Not sure how much time he might have, he flew quickly to the library. Would the watch owl see him? he
wondered. Did Cylydar have magical alarms in place? He suspected not. All of the magician's defenses
he was aware of were designed to prevent trespassers from entering. He was already inside.

His eyes adapted rapidly to the lack of light. He saw the large tome resting so invitingly on the table and
landed next to it. But even as he began to open it he felt the magical leash tighten around his neck.
Ahlbhenzer stepped back and felt the pressure ease. Not that way.



He did a rapid reconnaissance and found a small wand, one which even in his minuscule condition he
could wield. Hovering above the book, just beyond the point where he felt the leash tighten, he wedged
the wand under the cover then forced the book to open. He quivered as the cover hit the table; could
Cylydar have heard that?

Ahlbhenzer couldn't worry about that now. He read the first page and realized with delight that this was
indeed a book of spells. Using the wand again, he turned to the next page, then the next. Until, after what
seemed like hours, he found the spell that had bound him for these past few years. And the words that,
once spoken, removed the tether forever from his neck.

One more thing to do; now that the tether no longer interfered, he quickly closed the book and returned
the wand to where he had found it. Then back down the hall and to the box. To wait for Cylydar.

"Wake up, worthless. You and I are going to see Fhennezel," Ahlbhenzer heard Cylydar say as the lid
flew open. Ahlbhenzer tried to scuttle away but the magician grabbed him quickly, then threw him to the
floor. "I shall tolerate no more of your incompetence."

Is he going to keep me like this? Ahlbhenzer wondered as he followed behind the magician. He was
tempted to fly but thought better of it. Instead he used his wings to help him scuttle across the floor as
rapidly as his even shorter legs would carry him. He wondered if the magician knew he had thrown off his
magical chains, but by all actions Cylydar seemed unaware.

"Now sit and be still," and Cylydar set Ahlbhenzer roughly on the great stone table in the laboratory.
Ahlbhenzer folded his wings around himself in total servility as Cylydar began to intone an ancient ritual,
then made arcane gestures. There was a puff of crimson smoke and Fhennezel suddenly appeared. And