Темная башня: Стрелок

           "Doyousee?"

           Shenoddeddumblyandhelaughedaloud-afine,strong,untaintedlaughthatswungheadsaround.Hewhirledandfacedthem,suddenlymadethecenterofattentionbysomeunknownalchemy.AuntMillfalteredandsubsided,leavingacrackedhighnotebleedingontheair.Shebstruckadiscordandhalted.Theylookedatthestrangeruneasily.Sandrattledagainstthesidesofthebuilding.

           Thesilenceheld,spunitselfout.Herbreathhadcloggedinherthroatandshelookeddownandsawbothhandspressedtoherbellybeneaththebar.Theyalllookedathimandhelookedatthem.Thenthelaughburstforthagain,strong,rich,beyonddenial.Buttherewasnourgetolaughalongwithhim.

           "I’llshowyouawonder!"hecriedatthem.Buttheyonlywatchedhim,likeobedientchildrentakentoseeamagicianinwhomtheyhavegrowntoooldtobelieve.

           Themaninblacksprangforward,andAuntMilldrewawayfromhim.Hegrinnedfiercelyandslappedherbroadbelly.Ashort,unwittingcacklewasforcedoutofher,andthemaninblackthrewbackhishead.

           "It’sbetter,isn’tit?"

           AuntMillcackledagain,suddenlybrokeintosobs,andfledblindlythroughthedoors.Theotherswatchedhergosilently.Thestormwasbeginning;shadowsfollowedeachother,risingandfallingonthewhitecycloramaofthesky.Amannearthepianowithaforgottenbeerinonehandmadeagroaning,grinningsound.

           ThemaninblackstoodoverNort,grinningdownathim.Thewindhowledandshriekedandthrummed.Somethinglargestruckthesideofthebuildingandbouncedaway.