"Henry Lion Oldie. Fragments of novels in english translation" - читать интересную книгу автора

It was a Brilliant and it greeted me with ritual whistle.
The stranger's blade licked slightly the fine cloth of the falling
shawl and divided the butterfly into two lesser ones; and I bowed
apporovingly and remembered that since ancient times the natives of the
torrid Kharza (one and a half day of caravan march from Kabir) have been
renowned for their ancestor, the Ore Snake.
And I felt uncomfortable in my dress -- the everyday leather
scabbard fastened with seven rings of old bronze. I slid out, glad to
feel the Kabirean dusk, and I did it in time: the Carrier of the Kharzean
has already bent his legs and stood firmly as if having roots in the
ground. I made my Carrier pull his hand up and to the left, otherwise the
stranger Brilliant could have easily cut the top of my Carrier's turban
and according to the Law of Debate it would mean that I were defeated.
It was probably a new-comer in the capital, for it reckoned to end
the Debate after the first stroke. I admit that the Kharzean was more
flexible than me (everyone knows they are especially flexible) but as to
the swiftness of our movements I could contend with it -- and this time
no to its benefit.
-- Very well, the Straight,-- tinkled the guest from Kharza
vibrating after our collision, and I felt that he called me by an
impersonal name with pleasure.-- And what if we...
But he spent his time in vain. I threw the talkative Kharzean aside
and then pushed slightly my Carrier's palm. His obedient body reacted at
once, he bent one knee and I pierced the Kharzean Carrier's cloak close
to his shoulder and right elbow. I touched the alien flesh and felt its
burning heat. Both times I leaned closely to the Carrier's body: at first
flatwise an then with my edge; but the soft and sensitive skin remained
intact. For it is unreasonable to spoil the other's Carrier because it's
very difficult to train them decently for serving us, the Brilliants.
However the self-confident Kharzean could have chosen a better Carrier
for himself... I was already leaving the lane when I remembered with
regret that I had to present myself to the Brilliant of Kharza after our
Debate. One must always be polite be you busy or irritated. I'm the
Straight Sword of the family of Maylanese Brilliants. My name is Dan
Ghien and I'm also called the Unicorn. My Carrier is Chan Unkor. But it
is not so important.

2.

Having returned home I went to the upper hall, caught the wall hook
with one of my scabbard rings and leaned against my favourite Mekhlian
carpet. I forgot to change my dress. My thoughts were focused at the
strange meeting near the Al-Coutuna Tower. I dismissed my Carrier with a
gentle mental push and he left the hall checking on his way the grid
hanging over the fireplace.
I had to stay alone for a while.
I haven't left Kabir for a very long time, and I was rather well-
known here; there was no need to make any tests and nobody would dare to
draw the Unicorn into a crazy Debate in such an off-hand, casual way.
Such things bring fun when you're young, when your body is quivering with