Zelazny, Roger Roadmarks

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.""This hostel on the Byzantine cutoff How is it that you know of it?"Red chuckled.-'"I did quite a bit of trading along that route.Made out pretty well on it.But Well, I like it.Manuel I isemperor there.He's usually off fighting somewhere.but he found time to build a really lovely place, apalace called the Blachernae, on the seashore right out at the end of the Golden Horn.An amazing pieceof architecture, covered with gold and jewels, shining even at night.Does some fine entertaining there,and I got invited a few times as a high-class merchant.And Constantinople itself is really at its height.Literature and scholarship are flourishing.It's as if, for a little while, the Renaissance were trying to getstarted here.The climate is clement, the women lovely, the ""In other words, you're fond of the place?""I guess that's what I was trying to say.""Well, if you don't want to make pots with me, why not get yourself a villa there? You'd have yourvariety, in a place you're truly fond of."Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlRed was silent for a time.He searched out a match and relit his cigar.Then, "It's a nice dream," he said, "and I could do it for a few years.Then I'd get restless and I'd beback on the Road again.I know it.""Because of whatever it is you're looking for?" Flowers said."Yes.I suppose so.But I've thought about it a lot.Even if there were nothing special I were seeking,even then.I'd just get restless."He puffed on the cigar."Then I'd get back on the Road and my problem would still be there, waiting for me," he finished."That turnoff is coming up now.""Yeah, thanks, I see it"He cut down and across onto this tributary of the Road.He passed a variety of vehicles and was passedhimself as he sped along."That closes one option," Mondamay said."What?".,,.,,."You can't just quit and hide, because you can't stayhidden.The time interval spent off the Road even if it is a long one would mean nothing once youreturnto it.""So your retirement from the Road should only be for purposes of planning or arming.""Again, true.""Or you can return to the Road, go about your business, stay alert, and hope to win out in all the ensuingassaults ""I might just do that."" bearing in mind that every one of them is going to be managed by a professional in this line of work,and that your enemy can afford to hire uniquely talented individuals from virtually anywhere.""The thought had passed through my mind.Nevertheless.""Or you could choose your own battleground.Select some comfortable, well-fortified spot, let it beknown that you are there, and let them come after you.""There's the motel now," Red announced as a large stone structure several stories in height, topped withcupolas, glittering in the dayglow, came into view on the left.The sign in front said SPIRO'S.Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlHe passed the establishment.A little farther ahead, there was a cloverleaf.He spun about it, emerged onthe proper side of the road, headed back.The sky faded, brightened, faded, faded, as he slowed andturned off toward the building.It was a cool, dark night when he entered the lot and parked.Somewherea cricket was singing.He removed Flowers from her compartment and got out of the car.He fetched his backpack from therear.Mondamay climbed out and joined him."Red?" Mondamay said as they headed toward the front doors."Yes?" "Get two rooms, will you?" "Okay.How come?" "One for Flowers and myself.We just want tobealone together." "Oh.Sure.I'll take care of it."They entered the flagstoned lobby, where he leftFlowers with Mondamay and headed for the registra tion office.He was in it for several minutes."Sorrywe couldn't be on the same floor," he said asthey moved toward the stairs."You are below thethird balcony, though.I'm above it.Come on up to myroom for a while.I want to continue our discussion."This was our intention also." | They went round andround, the stairs creaking beneath Mondomay's tread.TwoDreaming roadmaps and gold, the great dragons of Bel'kwinith drift and twist on the breezes of morning,when they were not dreaming in their caves.Timeless collaborators with destiny, they move their willsacross the landscape of dream and desire."Patris," said the younger one, "you have said that if a certain event occurs, I may enter his cave toremove the hoard that awaits him there and add it to my own."The older one opened one eye.Minutes passed.Then, "I have said that," Patris acknowledged.More minutes passed.Finally, "You say nothing more, Chantris," the older one stated."Has it occurred?""No, not yet.""Then why do you trouble me?""Because I feel that it may soon come to pass."Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html"Feel?""It seems likely.""Likelies and their uns have seldom concerned us here.I know your desire, and I say that you may notyet have his hoard.""Yes," said Chantris, showing many of her teeth."Yes," Patris repeated in their sibilant tongue, and heopened his other eye."And you have just spoken one"word too many.You know my will and you seek to toy with it." He raised his head.The other drewback."Do you challenge me?""No," said Chantris.".And by that you say 'not yet.'""I would not be so foolish as to choose this time and this spot.""Good sense.Though I doubt it will save you in the end.Face the north wind and depart.""I was about to anyway, Lord Patris.And I bid you remember we need no Road.Farewell!""Hold, Chantris! If you go to damage these chains you have seen, if you go to harm this one in his otherform, then you may have chosen your time and your place!"But the other had already departed, to seek and stop one who would return to the wind but knew it notwholly, yet.Patris revolved his eyes.Times and places moved behind them.He found the channel of his desire andadjusted the fine tuning.OneRed sat on his bed, Mondamay on the floor.Flowers on the table between them.Cigar smoke twistedabout the room.Red raised an ornate goblet from the table and sipped a dark wine."All right Where were we?" he asked, unlacing his boots and dropping them beside the bed."You had said that you did not want to come home with me and make pots," Mondamay stated."That's true."".And you agreed that it would be difficult for you to leave the Road and stay in hiding indefinitely.""Yes.""You also conceded that remaining on the Road and going about your business could be hazardous."Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html"Right.""Then the only course of action I can see is for youto go on the offensive.Get Chadwick before he gets you.""Hmm." Red closed his eyes."That would be an interesting variation," he said."But he's pretty far fromhere, and it would certainly not be easy [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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