Мор - ученик смерти

           ’Yes,no-onediesinDeath’sownkingdom.Andyou’repleasedwiththat?’saidMort.

           ’I’mmorethantwothousandyearsold,Iam.I’velivedlongerthananyoneintheworld.’

           Mortshookhishead.

           ’Youhaven’t,youknow,’hesaid.’You’vejuststretchedthingsoutmore.No-onereallyliveshere.Thetimeinthisplaceisjustasham.It’snotreal.Nothingchanges.I’dratherdieandseewhathappensnextthanspendeternityhere.’

           Albertpinchedhisnosereflectively.’Yes,well,youmight,’heconceded,’butIwasawizard,youknow.Iwasprettygoodatit.Theyputupastatuetome,youknow.Butyoudon’tlivealonglifeasawizardwithoutmakingafewenemies,see,oneswho’ll...waitontheOtherSide.’

           Hesniffed.Theyain’tallgottwolegs,either.Someofthemain’tgotlegsatall.Orfaces.Deathdon’tfrightenme.It’swhatcomesafter.’

           ’Helpme,then.’

           ’Whatgoodwillthatdome?’

           ’OnedayyoumightneedsomefriendsontheOtherSide,’saidMort.Hethoughtforafewsecondsandadded,’IfIwereyou,itwouldn’tdoanyharmtogivemysoulabitofalast-minutepolish.Someofthosewaitingforyoumightnotlikethetasteofthat.’

           Albertshudderedandshuthiseyes.

           ’Youdon’tknowaboutthatwhatyoutalkabout,’headded,withmorefeelingthangrammar,’elseyouwouldn’tsaythat.Whatdoyouwantfromme?’

           Morttoldhim.

           Albertcackled.

           ’Justthat?JustchangeReality?Youcan’t.Thereisn’tanymagicstrongenoughanymore.