"Alan Dean Foster - Icerigger 3 - Deluge Drivers" - читать интересную книгу автора (Foster Alan Dean)

else. Think about"— he grew suddenly wistful—"think about next week when the
next supply ship will arrive and we'll be able to quit this world. "

That was something to think about, Ethan told himself. Think about returning to
civilization after spending almost two years living with well-meaning alien
barbarians. Think about a modem, clean, warm stateroom on a new KK-drive ship.
Think even about getting back to work. Time to put adventure behind him and get
on with the business of everyday life. The ordinary was long overdue.

September gestured toward the chanting elders. "I think she's coming to a close,
feller-me-lad. "

"What makes you think so?"

He pointed across the open central aisle. "See those old Tran over there? The
senior ladies of the court, I believe. They've been standing like trees for the last
thirty minutes and now they're starting to gossip. "

September's surmise was correct. As a final soliloquy crashed to a guttural close on
a rising intonation, the as-sembled nobles gave out three loud shouts. Paws thrust
ceilingward, they began to wave to and fro. This action caused their dan, the
winglike membranes that grew from arm and sides, to move back and forth. The
effect was to shower the happy couple with wind and words. Fortunately Ethan and
Skua stood off to the side and so missed the brunt of the artificial gale.

The elders bowed out as the crowd surged forward to congratulate the newly
joined. Hunnar raised both paws for silence.

"Newfound friends and allies: I thank you for your kindnesses and for your
hospitality. " He nodded toward the elders. "I thank you also for the splendid
ceremony which you have made for us. " Now he turned to face young Gorin-Volga.
"Be assured that, pursuant to the new treaty made between our peoples, the
citizens of Arsudun will be welcome in our home of Sofold as well as in the harbors
of our fellow allies Poyolavomaar and Moulokin. " He stepped back and Elfa moved
forward.


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deluge

"Great times are upon us, my friends, " she began, her strong voice echoing
through the hall. "Wonderful things are happening thanks to our friends the
skypeople. " She gestured in the direction of the two shivering humans, and a
startled Ethan fought to look as dignified as possible under the circumstances.

"We have learned that there are worlds other than our own, worlds as numerous as
the city-states of Tran-ky-ky. To share in their greatest glory and power we must
give up some of our ancient ways. No longer can the Tran live apart from one
another, fighting to settle the simplest of differences and disagreements. We must
come together in peace, for strength, so that when we join our friends the