"Lawrence Watt-Evans - Dus 4 - Book of Silence" - читать интересную книгу автора (Watt-Evans Lawrence)

He would have to face the unknown eventually; he decided to advance. If
he looped to the northwest, his shadow would be away from whatever awaited
him, but the sun would be in his eyes when he turned south again on the far
side of the mound. If he went southeast, his shadow might signal his approach.
He had just resolved to head on directly over the mound, slowly and
cautiously, when Koros let out a growl that he recognized as indicating
surprise. He looked up from the harness and found himself staring straight at
an immense red-gold dragon that was sailing down at him on huge, batlike
wings.
It had made no sound, no bellow of challenge, no great flapping; but now
that he was alerted, he noticed a faint hissing that he had not heard over the
breeze rustling the grass.
The creature was at least a hundred feet long, with a slender, graceful
tail winding out behind it and along, arching neck. Its wingspan was even
greater than its length, easily fifty yards, perhaps sixty or more. Its hide
was covered with glittering scales that flashed like golden coins in the sun.
Its head was a thing of horror; its gaping jaws were black, and long,
curving teeth lined both top and bottom like rows of knives. The great
heavy-lidded eyes were faceted ovals, as red as Garth's own but without white
or pupil. Smoke billowed from its flared nostrils and streamed back behind it.
Seeing it, Garth realized for the first time that perhaps he might not
defeat the creature. It was much bigger than he had expected and had the
advantage of flight and was armored as well. It really did breathe flame,
apparently. He understood now why the villagers had despaired of ever killing
such a monster; it moved with sure grace and calm power, a truly awesome sight
as it swooped down, gleaming in the sun.
He drew his sword and waited for its attack.
It swept past him, out of reach overhead, enveloping him in a cloud of
black smoke; he fought down the need to cough, but blinked frantically to
clear his eyes. The hissing grew, crescendoed, then faded as the monster drew
away. The smoke stank; it was greasy and vile, and the smell of it filled his
nostrils.
When he could see again, he looked up; the dragon was looping about in
the eastern sky, coming back for another pass. It had not actually attacked
him, he realized, but merely spewed forth its smoke as if it meant to blind or
frighten him.
He watched it, his face immobile and calm. It would soon learn that
overmen, or at least Garth of Ordunin, could not be frightened easily.
He signaled for Koros to turn, so as to face the dragon's next pass,
then stood in the stirrups and swung his sword as it rushed down at him.
He did not strike squarely, but the blade dragged along the side of one
great, curved talon, making a harsh scraping sound. Again the monster did not
actually attempt to hit him, but merely swooped by, leaving a trail of thick
smoke behind.
He whirled when it was past and saw it swinging around toward him again.
Its mouth gaped wider, and it roared, belching forth an immense cloud of smoke
and fire.
Garth watched the monster spout yellow flame and black smoke and
realized that he might do well to retreat, at least temporarily. The thing had
been easy on him; it could have fried him on its first pass, yet it had not.