cacb.thefarkingdoms-第2部分

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e　copper　per　hundred　weight。〃
　He　lifted　a　hand。　〃However　。。。　mere's　still　only　my　Favorite　and　myself　to　perform　the　enchantment。　There's　a　great　deal　of　work　and　prep…〃
　I　slipped　the　purse　from　my　belt　and　gave　it　to　him。　The　Favorite　hooted　greedily　as　his　master　swiftly　tucked　it　away。
　〃I'll　have　it　done　in　no　time；〃　he　said；　briskly。　〃No　time　at　all。〃
　I　sent　a　slave　to　fetch　his　things　from　his　litter；　and　in　a　few　moments　he'd　set　up　a　tripod　with　a　brass　bowl　of　hot　coals　dangling　beneath　it；　and　was　tossing　pinches　of　various　dusts　and　molds　and　powders　into　the　bowl。　A　ghastly　smell　arose；　but　there　was　no　smoke。　His　Favorite　leaped　to　the　floor；　jumping　about　and　shrieking　protests　at　what　lay　ahead。　I'm　sure　it　would　have　fled　if　not　for　the　long；　slim　chain　Prevotant　clutched　in　his　fist。
　The　Evocator　had　chosen　a　narrow　aisle　between　crates　of　wooden　toys　to　place　the　tripod。　It　was　to　help　direct　the　force　of　the　enchantment；　he　said。　He　waddled　down　the　aisle　dragging　the　Favorite　behind。　It　fought　all　the　way；　squalling　like　a　child　and　choking　itself　on　the　chain。　〃Stop；〃　Prevotant　hissed。　〃You'll　only　make　it　worse。〃
　He　eased　himself　to　one　knee　and　scrawled　a　circle　on　the　floor；　then　a　square　enpassing　that。　He　shortened　his　grip　on　the　chain　and　pulled　the　Favorite　to　him。　Its　little　teeth　snapped　frantically　at　his　fingers；　but　he　finally　got　it　by　the　neck　and　hurled　it　into　the　circle。　The　creature　was　still　for　a　few　moments；　stunned　by　the　fall。　Prevotant　nodded。　〃Good。　And　if　you　give　me　any　more　trouble　I'll　have　you　skinned　for　shoes。〃　The　Evocator　puffed　back　to　his　feet　and　strode　to　the　tripod。　He　motioned　for　me　to　join　him；　and　I　plied。
　〃I　need　the　presence　of　an　owner；〃　he　explained；　〃or　the　purity　spell　will　not　be　lasting。〃
　He　dug　out　another　pouch　from　his　kit。　〃I　want　to　make　it　good　and　strong；〃　he　said。　〃I　like　to　see　a　satisfied　client。〃
　There　were　people　scattered　about　the　warehouse；　clerks　and　loaders　and　prospective　customers　getting　an　early　look　at　the　goods。　〃Shall　I　clear　the　place？〃　I　asked。
　〃No　need。　There's　little　danger。〃　He　dropped　a　fat　fistful　of　what　appeared　to　be　brown　shavings　into　the　bowl。　There　was　a　wet　hiss　as　they　fell　on　the　coals。　I　looked　closer　and　once　again　noted　there　was　no　smoke。
　He　began　abruptly。　〃Oh；　demons　who　dwell　in　darkness；〃　he　intoned。　〃Beware！　Be…ware！〃　There　was　a　hiss　as　he　shook　more　brown　stuff　on　the　coals。　And　I　saw　the　coals　begin　to　lose　their　glow；　as　if　the　heat　were　being　sucked　from　them。
　〃Fire　to　Cold。　Cold　to　Fire。　I　summon　flames　to　seek　you　out。　Beware；　demons！　Be…ware！〃
　He　emptied　the　rest　of　the　pouch　into　the　bowl。　There　was　a　flash；　and　the　pile　of　coals　collapsed　in　the　center；　gray　and　dead。　A　ghastly　howl　came　from　the　creature　in　the　chalk　prison。　The　circle　was　alive　with　leaping　flames。　The　Favorite　gibbered　in　pain；　dancing　and　jerking　about　as　the　fire　seared　it　through。　The　fire's　touch　left　no　mark　on　its　hide；　but　there　was　no　question　it　felt　the　heat。　Its　howls　of　anguish　were　very　real。　The　creature　suddenly　shrank　until　it　was　the　size　of　a　pebble；　even　though　its　screams　resounded　as　loudly　as　before。　I　jumped　back　as　the　pebble　became　dog　size；　then　bulked　until　the　Favorite　towered　out　of　the　circle　that　enclosed　it；　small　teeth　now　big；　glistening　fangs　gnashing　in　agony。　But　size　was　no　escape；　for　the　flames　leaped　even　higher；　enveloping　all　but　the　howl。　Prevotant　shouted；　〃Begone！〃
　The　Favorite　was　stricken　mute；　mouth　gaping　and　ghostly　through　the　flames。　Silence　settled。　But　I　soon　heard　a　ticking；　then　another。　Then　it　was　as　if　the　roof　had　opened　to　let　in　a　storm　of　insects。　Whole　clouds　fell　dead　from　the　rafters　and　walls：　winged　things；　boring　things；　crawling　things。　The　thick；　dry　rain　stung　my　flesh　as　they　fell。　I　heard　another　stirring；　which　became　a　scurry　and　a　scratch　that　doubled；　then　doubled　again；　and　the　floor　became　a　sea　of　fur　and　scales　as　rats　and　lizards　fled　the　warehouse。　There　were　cries　of　alarm　and　disgust　from　the　men　and　women　scattered　about　the　place。
　〃Nothing　to　fear；〃　the　Evocator　said　in　a　normal　voice。　〃The　spell　is　perhaps　a　bit　strong；　but　at　least　you'll　be　rid　of　vermin；　as　well。〃　Before　I　could　answer；　he　flung　up　his　hands；　shouting；　〃Finit！〃　A　woosh；　and　the　fire　vanished。　With　a　start；　I　saw　the　coals　in　the　tripod　glow　into　renewed　life。
　The　Evocator　hauled　on　the　chain；　dragging　his　Favorite　across　the　chalk　boundaries。　It　was　normal　size；　but　still　furious　from　its　treatment。　〃Now；　there's　a　good　job　done；〃　he　said　to　me；　jerking　viciously　on　the　chain。　〃I　only　need　to…〃　Both　of　us　jumped　as　the　Favorite　snarled　and　shot　up　to　half　man　size。　It　jerked　on　the　chain；　and　Prevotant　yelped　as　the　leash　slipped　from　his　grasp；　cutting　soft　flesh。
　〃Here　now；〃　he　thundered；　〃what's　this　all　about？　Stop　it　at　once。〃　He　waddled　forward；　fist　raised。　The　Favorite　snarled　again；　and　the　snarl　became　a　snap；　snap；　snapping　of　hysterical　teeth。　It　cowered　as　Prevotant　approached；　but　its　size　did　not　diminish　and　its　skin　flashed　with　angry　colors。　The　Evocator　gave　it　a　furious　kick。　The　beast　shrieked　and　leaped　over　its　master。　The　Evocator　whirled；　cursing　and　shouting　for　it　to　e　back。　The　Favorite　closed　its　ears　and　bounded　across　the　warehouse　like　a　dog　dosed　under　the　tail　with　pepper　oil。　A　richly　dressed　woman　screamed　and　leaped　back　into　the　pany　of　her　slave　retainers。　Her　scream　drew　attention；　and　the　Favorite　veered　and　shot　past　her；　scattering　the　woman's　slaves　and　leaving　a　bloody　bite　on　the　woman's　arm。
　Prevotant's　anger　turned　to　panic。　〃e　back　to　Daddy；〃　he　pleaded　in　high　soprano。　〃Daddy　has　some　tasty　treats　。。。　Please　e　back。〃　But　the　Favorite　ravaged　on；　shredding　bundled　goods　with　its　teeth；　ripping　crates　open　with　its　claws。　My　men　tried　to　pin　it　in　a　corner；　but　it　drove　them　back；　growing　even　larger　and　charging　forward。　Then　it　was　ravaging　through　the　cargo　again。　The　chaos　must　have　sharpened　my　wits；　for　I　saw　not　only　that　the　damage　was　minimal；　but　that　in　that　damage　was　my　own　escape　from　the　Evocator。
　〃Ah；　ha！〃　Prevotant　shouted；　as　the　Favorite　turned　and　raced　back　toward　us。　〃Now　you'll　listen　to　reason。〃　But　it　shrank　and　dodged　between　us。　I　saw　my　chance　and　quickly　tipped　the　tripod　over。　The　smoking　coals　tumbled　among　the　crates　of　wooden　toys。　Now　it　was　the　Evocator's　turn　for　hysteria。　He　rushed　over　and　began　beating　at　the　small　flames　with　the　hem　of　his　robe。　〃Help　me；〃　he　cried；　〃or　all　is　lost。〃　He　had　visions　of　this　warehouse…and　then　the　whole　riverfront…going　up　in　smoke。　I　strode　casually　up；　gentled　him　aside；　and　stamped　the　fire　out。
　I　left　him　mere；　mumbling　stunned　apologies；　while　I　fetched　the　warehouse　overseer；　got　a　net；　some　long　sticks；　and　a　few　husky　slaves。　It　wasn't　long　before　we　netted　the　Favorite；　who　was　now　tired　and　frightened；　and　brought　it　to　its　master。　Prevotant　looked　at　me　with　sheep's　eyes。　I　ignored　him；　gazing　coldly　about　at　the　ruin。
　〃Please　let　me　set　it　right；〃　he　said。
　I　held　out　my　hand。　〃You　can　start　with　my　father's　gold；〃　I　retorted。
　This　shocked　him。　〃So　much？〃　It　was　barely　a　whisper。　But　he　gave　me　back　the　pouch　just　the　same。
　〃And；　that's　just　to　start　with；〃　I　continued。　〃Once　I've　tallied　the　score　of　this　day's　work　。。。〃　I　shook　my　head。　〃I　doubt　you　have　the　means　for　repayment。　I'll　advise　my　father　to　seek　repense　from　the　Council。〃　I　only　meant　to　put　the　fear　of　the　gods　in　him。　I　really　didn't　expect　to　collect　more。　I　figured　the　debt　my　father's　bookkeepers　would　conjure　up　would　keep　him　humble　for　years　to　e。　I　was　about　to　go　into　my　own　dance　of　〃Buts〃　and　〃On　the　other　hands；〃　when　he　raised　a　finger　for　silence。　He　looked　about　to　see　if　anyone　was　watching。
　〃Perhaps　I　have　something　here　that　will　soothe　the　young　gentleman；〃　he　said；　all　oiled　charm。　He　dipped　into　his　robes　and　plucked　something　out。　He　gave　me　a　leer。　〃You　will　see　it's　very　special；〃　he　said。
　He　handed　me　a　card。　It　was　white　and　bordered　in　rich　red。　In　the　center　was　the　seal　of　the　hetaerae　guild：　the　blatantly　naked　form　of　Butala；　the　harvest　goddess；　with　exaggerated　breasts　and　pudenda。　Beneath　it；　in　gold　leaf：　Melina　will　dance　tonight　for　her　special　friends　and　benefactors。
　I　knew　who　she　was；　as　did　every　other　man　in　Orissa。　Melina　was　one　of　perhaps　no　more　than　a　dozen　beautiful　women　who　were　at　the　very　top　of　the　pleasure　trade。　They　were　all　well…spoken　and　educated　in　the　refinements　of　civilization。　Great　men；　rich　men；　handsome　men；　heroes；　wooed　them　as　much　for　the　pleasure　of　their　pany　as　for　the　pleasures　of　their　flesh。　And　in　that　final　hot；　rutting　goddess　of　a　skill　they　had　no　equal。　A　man　would　do　much　for　the　love　of　Melina。　Especially　a　very　young　man　with　little　to　offer　but　his　youth。
　I　gaped。　〃How　did　you　e　by　this？〃　It　was　not　possible　that　a　man　like　Prevotant　would　be　asked　to　join　such　exalted　pany；　even　if　he　were　an　Evocator。
　Prevotant　dismissed　my　implied　insult　with　another　leer。　〃Do　you　really　care？〃
　I　looked　at　the　card　again。　Butala　was　no　longer　alone。　Now　she　reigned　over　an　elaborate　orgy。　As　I　stared　the　naked　figures　began　to　move；　coupling　and　uncoupling　in　more　ways　that　I　had　ever　imagined。
　〃I　was　going　to　sell　it；〃　the　Evocator　whispered　in　my　ear。　〃It　would　bring　a　fancy　price；　no　doubt。〃
　I　looked　at　her　name　again；　heat　rising；　the　letters　growing　larger　until　they　filled　my　vision。　〃Melina；〃　came　the　harsh　whisper　of　the　Evocator。　〃For　you？〃
　I　took　the　card；　forcing　a　casual　air。　〃Oh；　I　suppose　it　might　be　of　interest。〃　I　put　it　in　my　jerkin。
　〃We　have　agreement；　then？〃　Prevotant　asked。
　I　hesitated　but　felt　the　card　burn　at　my　breast。　Already　I　was　in　her　spell。　I　had　to　see　this　woman　for　myself。　I　nodded。　Prevotant　chose　to　take　the　nod　as　a　formal　seal；　shook　my　hand；　and　with　much　babbling；　fled　the　warehouse　with　his　little　fiend　chattering　on　his　shoulder。　But　his　leer　stayed　in　my　mind　after　he　left；　and　I　felt　a　little　silly　for　accepting　the　card。　Instead　of　taking　the　recovered　gold　and　going　straight　home　to　triumph；　I　went　to　a　tavern　and　drank　and　gamed　with　my　friends　until　it　grew　late。　Brandy