Мор - ученик смерти

           Thetattooofherhammeringsuddenlyslowedasrealisationdawned.

           He’dseenher!He’dheardher!

           Shebeatonthedoorwithrenewedvigour,yellingwithallthepowerinherlungs.

           Avoicebyherearsaid,’Itwon’twork.He’eefveryfstubborn.’

           Shelookedaroundslowlyandmettheimpertinentgazeofthedoorknocker.Itwaggleditsmetaleyebrowsatherandspokeindistinctlythroughitswrought-ironring.

           ’IamPrincessKeli,heirtothethroneofStoLat,’shesaidhaughtily,holdingdownthelidonherterror.’AndIdon’ttalktodoorfurniture.’

           ’Fwell,I’mjustadoorknockerandIcantalktofwhoeverIplease,’saidthegargoylepleasantly.’AndIcanftellyouthefmasteriffhavingatryingdayanddufffnotfwanttobedisturbed.Butyoucouldftrytousethemagicword,’itadded.’Comingfromanattractifffwomanitworksninetimesoutofeight.’

           ’Magicword?What’sthemagicword?’

           Theknockerperceptiblysneered.’Haffyoubeentaughtnothing,miss?’

           Shedrewherselfuptoherfullheight,whichwasn’treallyworththeeffort.Shefeltshe’dhadatryingdaytoo.Herfatherhadpersonallyexecutedahundredenemiesinbattle.Sheshouldbeabletomanageadoorknocker.

           ’Ihavebeeneducated,’sheinformeditwithicyprecision,’bysomeofthefinestscholarsintheland.’