"John Morressy - Floored" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morressy John)

when dealing with the likes of Grunjak.

He arrived late on the morning of his third day of travel. The trip was
completed without incident, delay, or pleasure. Grunjak's ugly hulk of a castle,
Ma Grossierete, rose from a low mound at the center of a desolate and windswept
wasteland. Under a sky the color of ashes, flat soggy fields extended to the
horizon, bare and lifeless save for a few feeble trees.

A trio of rancid-smelling brutes bade the wizard a sullen welcome and conducted
him directly to their lord's chambers, where Grunjak awaited him in a slipper
bath. Only Grunjak's head was visible, made even less attractive than usual by
the superimposition of a score of blazing red spots each the size of a
thumbnail.

Grunjak dismissed the guards. As soon as he and Kedrigern were alone, he moaned,
"Help me, wizard!"

"That's why I'm here, Grunjak,' said Kedrigern. "But first, I want your solemn
word that you'll abandon your wicked ways if I despell you."

"Oh, I will, I will, I swear it. I've learned a bitter lesson, and I'll never
forget it. May I suffer horrible torments if I go back on my word!"

"You will. Are the boils everywhere?" Grunjak groaned. "Even on the palms of my
hands and the soles of my feet."

"That's a very thorough curse. Who placed it?"

"A nasty hateful old farmer. We had just finished driving off his livestock and
loading up his grain, and were giving his serfs and children and grandchildren a
good beating when he burst out of his hovel and put a curse on me. Me, his lord
and master! We hadn't laid a finger on the old scoundrel. Hadn't even burned
down his ham. There's no gratitude in peasants these days, wizard. No loyalty.
No sense of duty. They're utterly selfish."

"There's to be no more of that once you're cured, Grunjak."

"There won't be. I had him hanged."

"You miss my point. I mean no more looting and beating and summary executions."

Grunjak gave a start, splashing water in all directions. His eyes widened in
pained disbelief. "But that's what makes me a leader!"

"No, it's what makes you a monster whom people wish to see covered in boils. I
should think you'd have grasped that fact. You must change your ways completely,
Grunjak. You must repent and become a new man."
After a long meditative pause, Grunjak muttered, "All right. I'll change."

"Swear."