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

Through the gloom, footfalls could be heard coming
closer, then they stopped at the foot of his pallet. From the
next pallet, he could hear Laurie's sharp intake of breath,
and he knew the minstrel was awake also. Probably half
the slaves had been awakened by the intruder. The
stranger hesitated over something, and Pug waited, tense
with uncertainty. There was a grunt, and without hesita-B
tion. Pug rolled off his mat. A weight came crashing down,
and Pug could hear a dull thud as a dagger struck where
his chest had been only moments before. Suddenly the
room exploded with activity. Slaves were shouting, and
could be heard running for the door.

Pug felt hands reach for him in the dark, and a sharp
pain exploded across his chest. He reached blindly for his
assailant and grappled with him for the blade. Another
slash, and his right hand was cut across the palm. Abruptly
the attacker stopped moving, and Pug became aware that a
third body was atop the would-be assassin.

Soldiers rushed into the hut, carrying lanterns, and
Pug could see Laurie lying across the still body of Nogamu.
The Bear was still breathing, but from the way the dagger
protruded from his ribs, not for long.

The young soldier who had saved Pug's and Laurie's
lives entered and the others made way for him. He stood
over the three combatants and simply asked, "Is he dead?"

The overseer's eyes opened and in a faint whisper he
said, "I live, lord. But I die by the blade." A weak but
defiant smile showed on his sweat-drenched face.

The young soldier's expression betrayed no emotion,
but his eyes looked as if ablaze. "I think not," he said softly.
He turned to two of the soldiers in the room. "Take him
outside at once and hang him. There will be no honors for
his clan to sing. Leave the body there for the insects. It
shall be a warning that I am not to be disobeyed. Go."

The dying man's face paled, and his lips quivered.
"No, master. I pray, leave me to die by the blade. A few
minutes longer." Bloody foam appeared at the corner of his
mouth.

Two husky soldiers reached down for Nogamu and,
with little thought for his pain, dragged him outside. He
could be heard wailing the entire way. The amount of
strength left in his voice was amazing, as if his fear of the