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.It was long and sinuous,and massive enough it could probably take down a horse just for fun.When it drew closer he could see that it's eyes werepale brown.Raz's eyes widened."What is that?"The cat reached the campsite and dropped the body he'd been dragging along - a bowman.Raz gaped."Is that-it can't be-"From the corner of his eye, he saw Vladimir move toward Pechal, but couldn't react in time - and then Vladimir fell, an arrowlodged in the corner of his forehead.Shio knelt and examined the fletching, then smiled."Another mercenary group in theforest."Raz relaxed."Ivan!" he bellowed, "Get out here right now." A moment later, he could see them coming out of the section offorest closest to the mill."Let me guess - you want the money that no doubt is on his head?"Ivan started to speak, but in a sudden blur of movement he was pinned to the ground by the enormous cat."Stop!" Raz said before Ivan's bowman could shoot."It's okay - I think.""You think?" Luka asked incredulously."Fire and ash, what is that?""Ailill," Pechal said eagerly."It's Ailill."file:///H|/NOVEL/New%20novel/2.htm[9/25/2009 10:21:36 AM]AmaSour Fiction"Get it off me!" Ivan roared, struggling futilely beneath the weight of the cat, unable to get so much as an arm free.He frozeas the cat licked his face once, twice, and his protests came out as little more than sputters.Raz started laughing, and after a moment everyone else began to join in.Making a sound that sounded like a cross between a growl and a purr, the giant cat continued to torment Ivan.Eventually itsettled down, and moved so that it rest with its head and front paws on Ivan's chest."I'm so glad everyone finds this amusing," Ivan said irritably."Will someone kindly tell me why I'm being harassed by a giantcat?" He craned his head up to eye the cat resting lazily on his chest."It's heavy, get it off."Raz snickered "It's Ailill, we think.He said he'd take care of their bowman for us.I wonder if he's what made that strangesound."Ivan sighed.Giving him one last sputter-inducing lick, the cat climbed off Ivan and let him stand."I think he likes you, boss." Isidor grinned when Ivan glared at him.Raz left the group to their laughter and looked over the dead bodies scattered across the campsite.He didn't look at the twohe'd killed, knowing he'd be sick if he did.He hated death, hated killing, but that wasn't what bothered him the most.What bothered him was that there should be something to say.Something to make everything easier to bear.Something toreassure the living& and the dead.But there wasn't.There wasn't a single thing he could think to say."Raz!" Pechal nudged him."It's okay.Don't look so gloomy." His friend smiled at him."Not our fault, yeah?""Yeah," Raz agreed, but didn't stop frowning."I guess we need a new spot.Certainly can't stomach staying here."Ivan stopped glaring at the cat, which was rooted to the spot next to him, and pointed a thumb behind him."We've got acamp a couple of miles east.We were on our way elsewhere when we caught signs of Vlad stomping around.Figuredtwelve against five wasn't terribly fair.Though next time I'll just let the cat handle things." He resumed glaring.Behind him, Luka chuckled."We'll clean up here, if you want.Bit more practice." He seemed to give Raz a sympathetic look."But you guys have to make dinner."Raz nodded."Thanks.We owe you.""Oh, definitely," Ivan said."The next time we need something stolen& ""Free of charge," Raz said."Unless you leave details out."Ivan grinned."No idea what you're talking about, Razrusheniye.""Shut up," Raz said.He motioned to his team."Let's get going." He looked at the cat."Coming?"For reply, the cat rubbed his head against Ivan's leg.Raz laughed."All right.We'll see you at camp."Chapter Eight"I'd say we're done here boss," Maksim said with a yawn."Can we go eat now?""Definitely," Ivan said.Evening was rapidly turning to full night, which meant traveling through the forest would becomedifficult if not outright impossible."Fire and ash, I can't wait until we're back to business as usual."Isidor grunted."Agreed [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]