"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 21 - Iduna's Universe" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

had helped and so would share in the achievement. Michelle
would be impressed and he had the gift of a soft pelt to further
win her regard. Tonight, with luck, he would make her his own.

And Dumarest?

Arthen looked at the man now standing tall and silent on the
summit of the crest. To have worked with him was an experience
he would never forget. Against him other hunters were clumsy
fools frightening away more game than they ever caught, lacking
the calm precision, the sure knowledge which Dumarest had
displayed. But he wasn't being fair and knew it. Killing was
against the tenets of those who lived in the valley and only
ruthless predators were hunted so as to save the domesticated
stock. He looked at them grazing in the valley, herds of kine now
safe against the beast which had harassed them as Dumarest
was the richer by the price set on its head.

Was he thinking of that money and what it could bring?

Together with the other skins and furs it would be enough for
him to leave the village and buy passage on a vessel bound for
another world. Mtombo, the itinerant Hausai, would buy them
from him and offer a fair price. Would he go? Or would he stay
until the end of the season? If so he might be pursuaded to stand
at his side when Michelle was led toward him bound with the
marriage ties. Arthen lost himself in speculation as he thought
about it; the fires, the music, the wine and conviviality, the feast
and the dancing, the good-natured horseplay attendant at every
wedding. It would be good to have Dumarest at his side at such a
time.

"Earl—" Impulsively he began to make the request, breaking
off as Dumarest lifted a hand. "Something? You see something?"

"There are no women in the western fields. Should there be?"

Arthen frowned, thinking, then shook his head. "Not
necessarily. Those fields are set with reeds, and harvesting won't
be for another month yet. Sometimes a few girls go out to gather
herbs but a birth could be due and they would be assembling to
greet the new life."

Dumarest nodded, he had met the custom before, one which
fell into neglect as the settlements grew. "And the river? No
boats?"

"The sun is lowering and the fish won't bite when the light is
too bright on the water." Arthen added. "You think there could
be something the matter, Earl?"