"Jack Vance - Elder Isles 2 - The Green Pearl" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

Sarles displayed the pearl. "What do you think of that?"

Liba looked down at the gem. "Hmm. Curious. I have never heard of a
green pearl. Are you sure it is genuine?"
 Bah! From now on all will be different.

During the night Sarles was troubled by unsettling dreams. Fates
peered at him through swirls of mist, then spoke gravely aside to each
other. Try as he might he could understand none of the comments. A few of
the faces seemed familiar, but Sarles could put no names to them.

In the morning Junt still had not returned in the Preval. By virtue of
established custom, Sarles therefore became privileged to fish from the fine
new Lirlou. Tamas, Junt's son, wished also to go out aboard the Lirlou but
this Sarles would not allow. "I prefer to fish by myself."

Tamas made a hot protest. "That is not reasonable! I must protect my
family's interests!"

Sarles raised his finger high. "Not so fast! Are you forgetting that I also
have interests? The Lirlou becomes my own until Junt returns me my
Preval safe and sound. If you want to fish, you must make other
arrangements."

Sarles sailed the Lirlou out to the fishing grounds, rejoicing in the
strength of the craft and the convenience of the gear. Today his luck was
unusually good; fish fairly seized at his lines and the baskets in the hold
became filled to the brim, and Sarles sailed back to Mynault congratulating
himself. Tonight he would eat good soup or even a roast fowl.

Two months passed, during which Sarles profited from fine catches,
while nothing seemed to go right for Tamas. One evening Tamas went to
the house of Sarles, hoping to make some sort of adjustment in a situation
which no one in Mynault considered totally fair, though all agreed that
Sarles had acted only within his rights.
my sisters. We have lost everything through no fault of our own. We ask
only that Sarles deal fairly with us, and give us our share."

Liba moved her shoulders in a stony shrug. "It is useless to talk to me. I
can do nothing with him. He is a different man since he brought home his
green pearl." She raised her eyes to the mantel, where the pearl rested in a
saucer.

Tamas went to look at the gem. He took it up and hefted it in his fingers,
then whistled through his teeth. "This is a valuable object! It would buy
another Lirlou! It would make me rich!"

Liba glanced at him in surprise. Was this the voice of Tamas,
everywhere considered the very soul of rectitude? The green pearl seemed
to corrupt with greed and selfishness all those who touched it! She turned