"Lawrence Watt-Evans - Dus 3 - Sword Of Bheleu" - читать интересную книгу автора (Watt-Evans Lawrence)

your leader." The voice was speaking in little more than a loud whisper, but
Galt had no trouble in making out the words. Aware that the warbeast was
circling around and that a shouted command would bring it leaping upon the
intruder, Galt decided he could risk replying.
"Who are you?" he asked.
There was a pause; the light swung, and slogging footsteps approached a
few paces. Galt could see that the glow came from a lantern held by a human,
but could make out no details.
"My name is Saram. I used to be a lieutenant in the Baron's guard. I
want to speak with your leader."
"Saram?" Galt was startled; he knew the man very slightly, having met
him in the course of the trading expedition that had started this whole silly
mess. Garth, the leader of that expedition, had spoken with Saram at length.
Since Garth's disappearance was more or less the cause of the siege,
conversation with the man might prove worthwhile.
"Where are you?" the human asked.
"Never mind where I am. Hold the lantern up so I can see your face."
The man obeyed; although he was still too far away for Galt to be
certain, his face could well have been Saram's.
"What do you want?" Galt asked.
 "I want to talk to the leader of your expedition."
"About what?"
"About Garth."
"Speak to me, then. I will decide whether what you say is worth bringing
to the attention of our commanders."
"But...who are you? I can't even be sure you're an overman. Come where I
can see you."
Galt considered. The man was merely human, and it was plain that he was
alone; unskilled as he was in fighting, Galt was sure he could handle a lone
human-particularly with the warbeast lurking somewhere close by.
"As you wish." He walked carefully forward until he stood at the outer
edge of the lantern's circle of light. His left hand dropped from holding his
cloak closed and fell instead upon the hilt of his dagger; his sword was drawn
and ready in his right. "Speak," he commanded.
Saram hesitated. "Who are you? You look familiar."
"I was unaware that humans could tell one overman from another."
"I may be mistaken"
There was no harm in admitting his identity. "No; we've met before. I am
Galt."
"Oh, of course; the trader."
"The master trader, yes." There was a moment of silence as each
considered the other; then Galt demanded, "Speak. What have you to say
regarding Garth?"
"I know where he is."
"Do you know when he will return?"
"No. But what difference does that make? He is not in Skelleth. I will
swear to that."
Galt smiled humorlessly. "I am afraid it will take more than the word of
a single human to convince our leaders of that. If he is not in Skelleth, then
where is he? As a matter of fact, Saram, I know as well as you that the Baron