"Eugeny L.Schwarz. Dragon (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

Lancelot. Thank you. (Takes out a pipe, starts filling it leisurely
with tobacco).
Dragon. Do you know on which day I was born?
Lancelot. Wretched?
Dragon. The day of a great battle. That day Attila himself was defeated
-- you understand, of course, how many warriors had to be slain for that to
happen? The ground was soaked with blood. The leaves on the trees turned
brown by midnight. By dawn the huge black mushrooms, which they call
Gravediggers, sprang up under the trees. And after them, I slithered out
from under the ground. I am the offspring of war. I am war. My veins flow
with the blood of the dead Huns. This is cold blood. When in battle, I am
cold, composed and precise.

At the word "precise" Dragon makes a slight movement with his hand. A
thread of flame shoots out of his index finger. It lights up the tobacco in
the pipe that Lancelot have filled.

Lancelot. Appreciate it. (Draws on the pipe with contentment.)
Dragon. You are against me, consequently, you are against war.
Lancelot. Not at all. I have been at war for most of my life.
Dragon. You are an outsider, and we have learned to understand each
other from ancient times here. The entire town shall look at you with dread
and rejoice at your downfall. It will be a demise without honor. Do you
understand?
Lancelot. No.
Dragon. I can see you are still resolute.
Lancelot. Even more so.
Dragon. You are a worthy opponent.
Lancelot. Thank you.
Dragon. I will fight you in earnest.
Lancelot. Excellent.
Dragon. This means I am going to kill you immediately. Here. Right now.
Lancelot. But I am unarmed!
Dragon. Would you have liked me to give you enough time to arm
yourself? No. I told you I was going to fight you in earnest. Elsa, please
fetch a broom!
Elsa. What for?
Dragon. I will presently incinerate this man, and you will sweep his
ashes out.
Lancelot. Are you scared of me?
Dragon. I am unfamiliar with fear.
Lancelot. Why are you in such a hurry then? Give me until tomorrow.
I'll pick weapons, and we will meet on the battlefield.
Dragon. Why would I want to do that?
Lancelot. So that people do not think you a coward.
Dragon. People will know nothing of this. These two will keep their
mouths shut. You are going to die now -- bravely, quietly and disgracefully.
(Raises his hand.)
Charlemagne. Hold it!
Dragon. What is it?