"Ellen Datlow - SciFiction Originals vol 3" - читать интересную книгу автора (Datlow Ellen)

my language, father."
"There's no need."
"I cannot accept the risk. I have a responsibility to the Reformists and to my good friend Mikael Yucel.
Aside from that, there is my position to consider. My son Rahman will inherit my estates, my position, my
investments, and influence on this and other worlds, and the responsibilities for all of them. I cannot risk it
being known that his mother is troubled."
Hairy Head fell silent for a moment. Hairy Head resumed speaking with a low voice. "You know what can
be made of such things by the news, by the off-world traders, by the orthodoxy—especially by the
orthodoxy."
"Perhaps a visiting therapist, then?" implored Shiny Head.
Hairy Head stared at Silent for a long time before looking at Hard Mouth. "Very well. I will leave it to you to
find someone who can keep our confidence." Hairy Head looked at Shiny Head. "There are only a few
persons who know about this, and I know who they all are. If any of this gets out, I'll know to whom to send
my operatives."
"I understand," answered Shiny Head.
"Make certain your therapist understands as well."
"Yes, minister."
"Make any arrangements with my secretary, Razi." Hairy Head nodded toward the door and there was a
figure standing there with a glittering thing hanging from its neck.
"As you wish, minister."
Hairy Head went out of view and Glitterneck followed. There was a noise. Kind Lips bent over and tucked
in Silent's cover as Shiny Head returned.
"Here," said Shiny Head as Shiny Head handed a small vial filled with blue liquid to Kind Lips. "Rub it on
the bruised area. It will reduce the swelling, relieve the pain, and remove the discoloration. Do you
understand?"
Kind Lips nodded.
Shiny Head nodded toward Hard Mouth. "Keep that one away from the baby. I'm going to tell the
minister's secretary to have her locked up where she will no longer be a danger to the child, or to herself.
After the therapist sees her..." Shiny Head seemed to get angry. "Look who I'm talking to." He pointed to
where Hard Mouth was. "Just keep her out of this room. Can you do that?"
Kind Lips placed hands over her face and bowed toward Shiny Head. Shiny Head reached down and
moved his hand as he said, "In the name of Alilah and his Messengers, in the name of the Enlightener, bless
and protect this female. Amen."
Shiny Head went away. Kind Lips poured some of the blue liquid onto a hand and reached toward Silent.
Silent was afraid for the arm, but as the delicious coolness touched it, the pain went away.
Silent lifted up a hand to touch Kind Lips's face—
Suddenly the world turned over and Silent fell, a cold hard surface striking Silent's cheek. It was dark and
Silent could hear crashes and thumps. Silent hid in the darkness and cried for the pain.
The light invaded Silent's hiding place and Silent could see Hard Mouth and Kind Lips struggling. Hard
Mouth picked up something and struck Kind Lips in the head. Kind Lips fell to the floor.
Hard Mouth knelt and began coming closer and closer. Hard Mouth pulled the black mist off its yellow hair
and came to a stop. Hard Mouth looked down, moved fingers, and pointed at Silent. Then Hard Mouth
reached down and slapped Silent's face right where the cold hard surface had hit it.
Silent cried and screamed, but she made only the same quiet hiss that Hard Mouth made as Hard Mouth
continued to slap and slap at Silent's face. An edge of dark softness came as Glitterneck rushed into the
room. Glitterneck's arm went around Hard Mouth's throat and pulled Hard Mouth away. Glitterneck bellowed
angrily at Hard Mouth as the world became very dark.

In the wonderful-smelling room with the great hot iron cookers, she waved her arms and cried without voice as
Kind Lips put the filmy black veil over her head.