"Vance Moore - Magic The Gathering - Masquerade Cycle 03 - Prophecy" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moore Vance)

Haddad followed his friend forward as the sergeant
sent two veterans to the rear of the column. Haddad
noticed each of them looked more calm and ready than he
felt. Perhaps it was only his youth making him so nervous.
Things couldn't be as bad as he feared. Haddad slung his
launcher off his shoulder where he usually carried it. The
sling was too short to quickly shrug off, and whenever he
was nervous he carried it ready to fire.
The sergeant looked at the friends but did not comment
on Haddad trailing along. There were several other men
gathered around, looking like they were awaiting orders.
"Natal, you and Corporal Vanosh will advance ahead of
the group until you find the combat troops or some sign of
the enemy. If you catch the rear guard, ask for a security
detail to return with you. If you find the enemy, fall
back to here. Natal, you're on point. Advance rapidly but
with care. Vanosh, trail Natal at a distance, and if
necessary, fall back with news." The sergeant looked into
Natal's face and looked satisfied at the young man's
expression of determination and anxiety. "Just remember
that returning with information is more important than
being a hero. What are you carrying?" Atul gestured to the
launcher Natal was carrying.
"Web round, Sergeant." Many men carried heavy weapons
in addition to their military short swords, leaving their
shields on the wagons. These wilderness lands were said to
hold the parea, giant carnivorous birds that commonly
attacked men. The birds were land bound but swifter than
horses, which they could chase down and dismember. The
launcher Natal carried had originally been developed to
allow infantry to stand off lesser war machines. The web
round would ensnare a steel ant and could stop a charging
bird with ease, especially with the wide arc a web round
covered.
"Haddad, what are you carrying?" Sergeant Atul looked
pensive and fingered the hilt of his sword unconsciously.
"War rocket, Sergeant," Haddad replied. The rocket
could cripple medium machines if used with skill and
reflected Haddad's confidence in his marksmanship.
"Switch with Natal." Haddad slowly handed over his
weapon and accepted Natal's. His friend looked even more
apprehensive as he exchanged weapons. The sergeant waved
Natal and the corporal forward and then turned around.
Atul looked at the wagons stacked with parts for machines
that might need repair after the Keldon raiders were
defeated.
"Haddad, I want you to find reloads for the men with
launchers and tell the drivers to keep their personal
weapons ready for dismount. We'll pull out in five
minutes." The sergeant pulled a sack of wine from his belt