"Zelazny, Roger - The George Business" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zelazny Roger)

As the creature advanced, he felt himself seized by the shoulders. He was borne aloft so rapidly that the scene below dwindled to toy-size in a matter of moments. He saw his new steed bolt and flee rapidly back along the route they had followed.

"What the hell happened?" he cried.

"I hadn't been around for awhile," Dart replied. "Didn't know one of the others had moved in with her. You're lucky I'm fast. That's Pelladon. He's a mean one."

"Great. Don't you think you should have checked first?"

"Sorry. I thought she'd take decades to make up her mind Ч without prompting. Oh, what a hoard! You should have seen it!"

"Follow that horse. I want him back."

.

They sat before Dart's cave, drinking.

"Where'd you ever get a whole barrel of wine?"

"Lifted it from a barge, up the river. I do that every now and then. I keep a pretty good cellar, if I do say so myself."

"Indeed. Well, we're none the poorer, really. We can drink to that."

"Thanks. You're not so bad yourself."

"Now supposing Ч just supposing Ч you were to travel about. Good distances from here each time. Scout out villages, on the continent and in the isles. Find out witch ones are well off and lacking in local heroes..."

"Yes?"

"... And let them see that dragon-slaying certificate of yours. Brag a bit. Then come back with a list of towns. Maps, too.

"Go ahead."

"Find the best spots for a little harmless predation and choose a good battle site Ч"

"Refill?"

"Please."

"Here."

"Thanks. Then you show up, and for a fee Ч"

"Sixty-forty."

"Thats what I was thinking, but I'll bet you've got the figures transposed."

"Maybe fifty-five and forty-five then."

"Down the middle, and lets drink on it."