"George R. R. Martin - The Sandkings" - читать интересную книгу автора (Martin George R R)

here. I thought perhaps you'd changed and wanted to apologize." She had never forgiven him for the
time his shambler had eaten an excessively cute puppy of which she had been fond. "Don't ever
invite me here again, Simon." She strode out, accompanied by her current lover, to a chorus of
laughter.

Kress's other guests were full of questions.

Where did the sandkings come from? they wanted to know. "From Wo and Shade, Importers," he
replied, with a polite gesture toward Jala Wo, who had remained quiet and apart throughout most of
the evening.


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Why did they decorate their castles with his
likeness? "Because I am the source of all good things. Surely you know that?" This retort brought
a round of chuckles.

Will they fight again? "Of course, but not tonight. Don't worry. There will be other parties."

Jad Rakkis, who was an amateur xenologist, began talking about other social insects and the wars
they fought. "These sandkings are amusing, but nothing really. You ought to read about Terran
soldier ants, for instance."

"Sandkings are not insects," Jala Wo said sharply, but Jad was off and running, and no one paid
her the slightest attention. Kress smiled at her and shrugged.

Malada Blane suggested they-have a betting pool the next time they got together to watch a war,
and everyone was taken with the idea. An animated discussion about rules and odds ensued. It
lasted for almost an hour. Finally the guests began to take their leave.

Jala Wo was the last to depart. "So," Kress said to her when they were alone, "it appears my
sandkings are a hit."

"They are doing well," Wo said. "Already they are larger than my own."

"Yes," Kress said, "except for the oranges."

"I had noticed that," Wo replied. "They seem few in number, and their castle is shabby."

"Well, someone must lose," Kress said. "The oranges were late to emerge and get established. They
have suffered for it."

"Pardon," said Wo, "but might I ask if you

are feeding your sandking sufficiently?"

Kress shrugged. "They diet from time to time. It makes them fiercer."