"Shadowplay" - читать интересную книгу автора (Clayton Jo)

CELL 1

Shadith lay cuddled next to Rohant, both unconscious, the cats were slung across the Ciocan's legs, also out. Kikun sat beside them, watching events with his usual detachment. They were In a cage made from limbs the site of a man's arm, pointed and pounded into the dirt, net over the top, ropes pulled taut around them and around, knotted and reknotted to each of the uprights. The hawk flew in. uneasy circles overhead, having followed the flier that brought the captives to this clearing in a forest of antediluvian trees forty meters across at the base, the smallest a hundred meters tall. Half a dozen men sat round a fire In the center of the clearing. Several others were moving in and out of the moonlight, busy at obscure tasks. Tvio men stood arguing in low tones, stiff with anger. Sisipin had set long ago, Natamin was a faint glow behind the tree tops, Niskikin was a fingernail crescent directly overhead.

Ginbiryol Seyirshi ran his eyes across the cells, caressed his pathecorder with the side of his thumb. It was all going very well despite the girl's unexpected Talent. He wasn't about to let the others see his satisfaction, however; they worked best with spurs in the ribs. He thought about spurs and began to feel excited, Praisesong soon. Must be soon. Yesss. In the meantime… "Aina'iril is developing satisfactorily, Puk, the Pliciks are frightened, they smell the hate growing day by day and everything they do breeds more, but the farmers and factory workers out on the Plain seem reluctant to rebel against the landlords. Get hold of that man of yours and set up some incidents to stir the yokels out of their lethargy. I do hope it will be accomplished more efficiently than the pickup."

Pukanuk Pousli nodded. "The Makh Hen needs a boot in sometimes, he's got his mind on his own ambitions. I'll remind him he can be replaced real easy." He scratched at his nose. "Truth is, Ginny, we can't do better than the Head of the Nistam's secret police. There's no one else with his scope, at least no one we can get at. We'd have to try Ayawit and his Na-priests," he giggled suddenly, "that was a good one No-legs got off, Ay-no-wit, that's him all right, mean as a snake but he couldn't find his asshole with a map…" He saw Ginbiryol frown at him, went on hastily, "We could try him, but I don't know how far we'd get…"

"Don't be absurd. We will obtain whatever services we need, Puk. We always do. It is only a matter of correctly assessing the price. Keep an EYE on that legless street-singer. I read her as a developing vortex. She evokes powerful emotions, even a spark of hope, which makes an effective counterpoint to the rage and increases the eventual pain." He glanced at Cell 1. "I think we should permit the Avators to escape the Question and the Na priests. It will enhance their value. When they've been loose a day or two, guide Kiscomaskin's forces to them. I believe the girl will be especially attracted to him, she is at base a disruptor. Luck was truly with us that day she came to us."