"Lawrence Watt-Evans - Dus 1 - Lure Of The Basilisk" - читать интересную книгу автора (Watt-Evans Lawrence)

leaving a bloody corpse to slip slowly from the saddle.
"Down!" Garth roared, and the warbeast suddenly stopped, as docile as a
housecat, to tend to its wounded shoulder as best it could, licking at the
oozing blood and brushing at the shaft of the spear while keeping a wary eye
on the bandit leader.
"Why should I care if Elmil dies?" Both bandit and overman ignored the
panic that appeared on Elmil's face as a slight jab kept him from protesting.
"You apparently have some use for a captive."
"No more. I kept him as hostage, but it appears you care as little for
him as I do."
The bandit was disconcerted, and hesitated before saying, "Let us
negotiate. Perhaps we can avoid further bloodshed."
"As you wish."
Unsure of himself, the bandit went on. "I fear we have made a mistake in
attacking you."
Garth said nothing.
"Therefore, although we have wronged you, we ask that you pardon us, and
we will go in peace."
 Garth waited before replying, but the bandit could think of nothing
further to add; so, finally, the overman said, "You will not bother me again,
nor harm my beast."
"You have my word."
"You will leave Elmil alive and in my custody, and receive him back
willingly when I free him."
"As you wish."
"You will remove this obstruction, and answer my questions."
"Very well."
"Should you renege on any of these promises, I shall track you down and
kill you."
It was the bandit's turn to say nothing.
"Remove this barrier."
Hesitantly, the bandit said, "I must first have your word for my life,
and for the lives of my companions...if any still survive."
"I give you my word that neither I nor my beast shall slay any of you
without further provocation."
"Very well." The bandit turned away and fumbled with something under his
vest; Garth felt the air in front of him, and found that the invisible wall
was gone. He strode over to where Elmil lay and the bandit leader stood.
"Who are you?"
"I am Dansin of Derbarok."
"You are the leader of the bandits?"
"I was, from the time you slew Khand, our former leader, until now. I do
not know if I can be so called any more."
"How did you create that barrier?"
"It is controlled with a talisman given me by the wizard Shang."
"Why did the wizard give you this charm?"
"To subdue you."
"How did Shang know of me?"
"We went to him for aid when you slew our fellows, and told him of the
battle, and that you rode toward Mormoreth."