"Raymond Feist - Saga 2 - Magician - Master" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

8 MAGICIAN

The man said nothing, but when the overseer ap-
proached, directed his remarks to him. "The slave was
right, and you were not. The tree was rotten. It is not
proper for you to punish him for your bad judgment and
ill-temper. I should have you beaten, but will not spare the
time for it. The work goes slowly, and my father is

displeased."

Nogamu bowed his head. "I lose much face in my

lord's sight. May I have his permission to kill myself?"
"No. It is too much honor. Return to work."
The overseer's face grew red in silent shame and rage. S

Raising his lash, he pointed at Laurie and Pug. "You two, "<

back to work."

Laurie stood, and Pug tried. His knees were wobbly

from his near-drowning, but he managed to stand after a

few attempts.

"These two shall be excused work the rest of the day,"

the young lord said. "This one"—he pointed to Pug—"is of
little use. The other must dress those cuts you gave him, or
festering will start." He turned to a guard. "Take them back

to camp and see to their needs."

Pug was grateful, not so much for himself as for
Laurie. With a little rest. Pug could have returned to work,
but an open wound in the swamp was a death warrant as ;1
often as not. Infections came quickly in this hot, dirty |
place, and there were few ways of dealing with them. •

They followed the guard. As they left. Pug could see
the slave master watching them with naked hatred in his

eyes.

There was a creaking of floorboards and Pug came
instantly awake. His slave-bred wariness told him that the
sound didn't belong in the hut during the dead of night.