"Patrick Welch - Westchester Station extract" - читать интересную книгу автора (Welch Patrick)

"How about medicine?"
"Medicine?" He frowned. "Medicine is not magic. But I know of no..."
"I do. What you suffer from is still a common illness. However, we have
found cures, or at least medicines that can control the spasms. Levodopa
is used most often, but that is a modern curative and doubtless
unavailable to you. Perhaps some sort of muscle relaxer. Something to
soothe your nerves," I added quickly since he would not be familiar with
the more scientific term.
He nodded. "I know of poultices used to soothe the pain in the joints.
Some tonics, ointments, infusions and teas that can bring peace to
troubled souls." He suddenly brightened. "Now that I know what my needs
require, I will surely find something suitable in Camelot!"
"There is no cure," I cautioned, recalling the inevitable devastation my
father had experienced. "But you might find something that will help
control some of the more obvious symptoms. Including the trembling."
He hugged me briefly. "I will try as you say. If what you postulate is
true, I can return to Camelot!"
I thought once again of my father. Only for a brief time. But that may be
sufficient. It was the only hope I could offer. "Good luck, and thank
you."
He stepped back and studied me briefly. "I could bring you along as well.
You have a sharp wit about you, even if thee be old for an apprentice."
A twentieth century man in Camelot? I toyed with the idea briefly, then
shrugged. "I have to stay here. At least for a little while."
He nodded, bowed, and walked slowly, painfully from the room. I looked at
the carnage the miniature gale had wrought, then at the new pants I held.
Two gifts from a doomed magician. I was not surprised that the pants fit
perfectly. I shook my head; such talent now laid to waste by an uncaring,
uncontrollable disease. Just like my father. At least this time I won't be
around to watch it happen. "Travel well," I whispered and followed him out
the door.

й Patrick Welch 1998, 2001
This excerpt from the novel Westchester Station has previously appeared in
Millennium (January 1998) and Dark Matters (May, 2000).