"Lawrence Watt-Evans - War Surplus 01 - The Cyborg And The Sorcerers" - читать интересную книгу автора (Watt-Evans Lawrence)

could not sling it over his shoulder without getting very much in Silner's way. Despite the awkward
position, riding was, however, better than walking.

"Query: Advisability of current cooperation with native civilian."

The computer's question surprised Slant; it had failed to recognize the warriors as soldiers, apparently.
Upon consideration, though, Slant realized they had no uniforms, no firearms—to a computer, operating
on the assumption of a high-level technology, it was a reasonable mistake. It was also a good thing, since
cooperation with an enemy soldier could be fatal.

"You want me to get close to the enemy weapons research, right? To do that, it appears I have to get
into Teyzha, and this seems like the best way to do it. These people don't recognize my origin; I'm
operating undercover. You heard the man say that I'm not a prisoner, and I'm still armed. Besides, riding
is faster than walking."

"Affirmative. Continue action."

Slant nodded to himself, and noticed that while he had conversed with the computer Silner had turned the
horse's head back toward Teyzha and that they were moving at a gentle trot. The young warrior did not
deign to speak to Slant, then or for some time thereafter; it was not until they made camp that evening
and it became necessary to discuss building a fire that the cyborg learned the youth had a pleasant tenor
voice.



Chapter Three

AROUND NOON OF THE DAY AFTER SLANT LANDED, THE PAIR reached Teyzha. About
midmorning they had emerged from the forest into rolling farmland, but since neat rows of trees served as
boundary markers and windbreaks on every side of each little patch of cultivated land, and since the road
continued to wind between hills, Slant did not have a clear view of the city until they were less than a
kilometer from its gates.

As he had half expected, the city was walled, with dull gray stone fortifications that stood seven or eight
meters in height. From a distance bright domes and spires could be briefly glimpsed through the treetops,
rising above the drab walls, but as they drew nearer the angle became impossible, and he could see
nothing of the city but the gray stone.

The trees and the swaying motion of the horse had prevented close study, but those towers had looked
quite elaborate and substantial Slant was pleased to see that the planet was not still in the
caves-and-mud-huts stage.

He had little chance to consider the city; sooner than he had expected they were at the gate, and Silner
was stating his name, rank, and purpose to a suspicious guard. Slant's knowledge of the local dialect was
still poor enough that it took a conscious effort for him to follow a conversation, and he made no effort to
follow this one, but simply sat, silent and disinterested, until at last the guard pushed open one of the gates
and allowed them through.

Slant's disinterest evaporated. The city was fascinating. He was slightly impressed; he had not expected
much, given the drab gray walls, but it appeared the decorative domes he had glimpsed were more