"Роджер Желязны. Lord of Light (Лорд Света, engl) " - читать интересную книгу автора

Sam did not reply immediately, but studied the other as though waiting
for him to say more.
Perhaps realizing this, the captain continued: "Olvagga, I know, was
numbered among the First, though he never spoke of it. Whether you are
yourself among the First, or are one of the Masters, you are aware of this.
So I do not betray him by so speaking. I do wish to know whether I speak to
a friend or an enemy, however."
Sam frowned. "Jan was never known for the making of enemies," he said.
"You speak as if he has them now, among those whom you call the Masters."
The seaman continued to stare at him. "You are not a Master," he
finally said, "and you come from afar."
"You are correct," said Sam, "but tell me how you know these things."
"First," said the other, "you are an old man. A Master, too, could
have
upon him an old body, but he would not-- any more than he would remain a dog
for very long. His fear of dying the real death, suddenly, in the manner of
the old, would be too great. So he would not remain so long as to leave the
marks of rings deeply imprinted upon the fingers. The wealthy are never
despoiled of their bodies. If they are refused rebirth, they live out the
full span of their days. The Masters would fear a rising up in arms among
the followers of such a one, were he to meet with other than a natural
passing. So a body such as yours could not be obtained in this manner. A
body from the life tanks would not have marked fingers either.
"Therefore," he concluded, "I take you to be a man of importance other
than a Master. If you knew Olvagga of old, then you are also one of the
Firstlings, such as he. Because of the sort of information which you seek, I
take you to be one from afar. Were you a man of Mahartha you would know of
the Masters, and knowing of the Masters you would know why Olvagga cannot
sail."
"Your knowledge of matters in Mahartha seems greater than my own - oh,
newly arrived sailor."
"I, too, come from a distant place," acknowledged the captain, smiling
faintly, "but in the space of a dozen months I may visit twice as many
ports. I hear news-- news and gossip and tales from all over-- from more
than a double dozen ports. I hear of the intrigues of the palace and the
affairs of the Temple. I hear the secrets whispered at night to the golden
girls beneath the sugar-cane bow of Kama. I hear of the campaigns of the
Khshatriya and the dealings of the great merchants in the futures of grains
and spices, jewels and silk. I drink with the bards and the astrologers,
with the actors and the servants, the coachmen and the tailors. Sometimes,
perhaps, I may strike the port where freebooters have haven and learn there
the faring of those they hold to ransom. So do not think it strange that I,
who come from afar, may know more of Mahartha than you, who may dwell
perhaps a week's faring hence. Occasionally, I may even hear of the doings
of the gods."
"Then you can tell me of the Masters, and why they are to be numbered
as enemies?" asked Sam.
"I can tell you something of them," replied the captain, "since you
should not go unwarned. The body merchants are now the Masters of Karma.
Their individual names are now kept secret, after the manner of the gods, so