Мор - ученик смерти

           Hestoodup,appearingtogrowlargerastheroomdarkened.

           DON’TBOTHERTOAPOLOGISE,headded.KeliburiedherheadinCutwell’samplechest.

           IAMBACK.ANDIAMANGRY.

           ’Master,I—’Mortbegan.

           SHUTUP,saidDeath.HebeckonedKeliwithacalcareousforefinger.Sheturnedtolookathim,herbodynotdaringtodisobey.

           Deathreachedoutandtouchedherchin.Mort’shandwenttohissword.

           ISTHISTHEFACETHATLAUNCHEDATHOUSANDSHIPS,ANDBURNEDTHETOPLESSTOWERSOFPSEUDO—

           POLIS?wonderedDeath.Kelistaredhypnotisedattheredpinpointsmilesdeepinthosedarksockets.

           ’Er,excuseme,’saidCutwell,holdinghishatrespectfully,Mexicanfashion.

           WELL?saidDeath,distracted.

           ’Itisn’t,sir.Youmustbethinkingaboutanotherface.’

           WHATisYOURNAME?

           ’Cutwell,sir.I’mawizard,sir.’

           I’MAWIZARD,SIR,Deathsneered.BESILENT,WIZARD.

           ’Sir.’Cutwellsteppedback.

           DeathturnedtoYsabell.

           DAUGHTER,EXPLAINYOURSELF.WHYDIDYOUAIDTHISFOOL?

           Ysabellcurtsiednervously.

           ’I–lovehim,father.Ithink.’

           ’Youdo?’saidMort,astonished.’Youneversaid!’

           Theredidn’tseemtobetime,’saidYsabell.’Father,hedidn’tmean—’

           BESILENT.

           Ysabelldroppedhergaze.’Yes,father.’

           DeathstalkedaroundthedeskuntilhewasstandingdirectlyinfrontofMort.Hestaredathimforalongtime.

           TheninoneblurredmovementhishandstruckMortacrosstheface,knockinghimoffhisfeet.