"Karl Edward Wagner - Cold Light" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wagner Karl Edward)

to them! Just ask either Jan or Mollyl there what the name of
Kane means to their fellows in the Thovnosian Empire! Ask Bell
what Kane did to the people of his native Myceum Mountains!
Ask Sod tho'Dosso to describe for you the murder
Kane and his bandits made upon caravans crossing the Lomarn
here at your doorsteps only a few months ago! I've talked enough
now—go on and question these men!"
Gaethaa looked about him, earnest eyes seeking the faces of
the townspeople—faces that turned away in frightened
confusion. Finally Gavein essayed to speak, blinking at the
Avenger as if hoping he and his men would suddenly fade off into
the late afternoon shadows. His response gave Gaethaa his
greatest shock of the long, trying day.
"Please! I don't really care to hear your tales of ancient legends
and black evil run rampant in the world beyond our land. We of
Demornte have quite enough to consider in our own sorrows.
You speak to us of murder and destruction—but we have
watched the death of our entire land and its people. Kane's
crimes mean nothing to us here; we care nothing and ask nothing
of the outside world. What happens or has happened there does
not concern us."
The paleness of his face made his lips a red wound Checking
his hand that longed to seize sword hilt, Gaethaa thundered
incredulously, "Do you mean to say that you intend to protect
Kane!"
 Gavein looked at him with a touch of almost pity in his tired
face. "You misunderstand. We care nothing of your quarrel. If it
is between you and Kane, then go to him with it. The two of you
settle it according to whatever laws seem best to you. In Sebbei
we ask only to be left alone with our sorrow. As regards your
'mission,' we will neither help you nor hinder you in any manner
whatsoever. It's your fight—do what you wish. But leave us
alone!"
Shaking his head in astonishment, Gaethaa turned to Alidore
for counsel. "They're obsessed, you know!" he exclaimed in sick
pity. "The whole land is like this it seems. So obsessed with this
one thing that they've lost all perspective! I don't think a man
here really understands anything I've tried to tell them!"
"I'll agree it looks hopeless for them. At any rate they'll pose
no threat to us," Alidore observed. "Kane's backed himself into a
corner this time, and it appears that he has only himself to turn to
for help. Ask the old man to tell us where Kane's villa is."
"And get lost again?" Gaethaa growled. "Got a better idea.
We'll let him lead us there in person."
Invited to accompany them, Gavein protested that it was not
his affair. But when Bell and Sed tho'Dosso eagerly stepped
toward him at Gaethaa's nod, the Lord Mayor gloomily rose to
his feet and was escorted into the street outside.
 V. To Trap a Tiger in His Lair
Rehhaile frantically hurried through the narrow streets of