"Brian Lumley - Necroscope 2 - Wamphyri!" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lumley Brian)

Thibor put on a look of indecision. He shrugged. 'I might, if I knew the way. But these cliffs
and passes are treacherous.'


'I know the way.'


'You've been there?' Thibor tried not to seem too eager.


The old man nodded. 'Oh, yes, and I could take you. But would you go alone? The Ferengi's
not one for too many visitors.'


Thibor appeared to give it some little thought. 'I'd want to take two of my friends, at least. In
case the way gets rough.'


'Huh! If these old bones can make it, surely yours can! Just two of them?'


'For assistance in the steep places.'


Thibor's host pursed his lips. 'It would cost you a little something. My time and...'


That's understood,' the Wallach stopped him.


The gypsy scratched his ear. 'What do you know of the old Ferengi? What have you heard of
him?'


Thibor saw a chance for knowledge. Getting information out of people such as these was like
drawing the teeth of a bear! 'I've heard he has a great company of men garrisoned with him, and
that his castle is a fastness impenetrable. Because of this he swears no fealty, pays no taxes on his
lands, for none may collect it.'


'Hah!' The old gypsy laughed out loud, thumped the bar, poured more brandy. 'A company of
men? Retainers? Serfs? He has none! A woman or two, perhaps, but no men. Only the wolves
guard those passes. As for his castle: it hugs the cliff. One way in - for mere men - and the same
way out. Unless some unwary fool leans too far from a window...'


As he paused his eyes because suspicious again. 'And did your father tell you that the Ferengi
had men?'