"Octavio Ramos jr -The Master" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ramos Octavio Jr)

greeting, at once acknowledging each other yet averting their gazes. No one screamed here; whispers
ruled sound.

Still, there was danger here. I had not but walked one aisle, my thoughts intent on searching for new
collectibles, when two men stood in my way.

"I say she will become my concubine for a handful of gold," said the first.

"I would not make such a boast. Once she has tasted my dragon, she will offer herself without measure."

They were filthy creatures, the two that stood before me. The first, tall and muscular, wore a soldier’s
uniform. A helmet adorned a bloated crown and a beard covered a hardened face. He wore simple
armor and carried two long swords.

The second was shorter and wore the clothes of a merchant. Under his clothing, concealed in clever
folds, were several knives. This shrewdness made him all the more dangerous.

"You speak of dragons," I said after they had stopped their infernal chuckling and leering. "Have you ever
laid eyes upon one?"

"We have slain our share," responded the soldier.

"Small ones, I gather."

"Perhaps you lack the strength or will to take upon yourself the task of subduing a larger beast," the
merchant quipped. "Few can handle my dragon."

"Do not anger me, merchant. If I were not consumed by wantonness, I would slay you where you
stand."

"Perhaps both of your should slay your dragons elsewhere."

Then a third man entered the scene. He stood beside me, his warmth sending tingles through suppressed
scales. It was the young man I had watched earlier.

"Go away, boy," the soldier said, his hands falling onto his weapon.

"You dishonor the lady."

"You have been warned, child. She is ours." The merchant placed his hands on his belly.

"I warn you one last time. I am skilled with empty hands."

"A warrior," the soldier jeered. "I will show you the true hands of war."

My self-appointed protector struck first, his punch slamming into the merchant’s jaw. At the last moment,
however, the merchant stepped to one side, thus deflecting most of the blow.

Concurrently, he grabbed the young man’s outstretched forearm, clasped his wrist, and turned it
clockwise.