Мор - ученик смерти

           Gutwelldivedforwardandcaughtthetumblingglassinonedesperatelyoutstretchedhand,hitthefloorandslidalongonhisstomach....

           ...agnarledsycamoremysteriouslyloomedunderthescreamingherderandbrokehisfall,removinghismajorproblems–death,thejudgementofthegods,theuncertaintyofParadiseandsoon–andreplacingthemwiththecomparativelysimpleoneofclimbingbackupaboutonehundredfeetofsheer,icycliffinpitchdarkness.

           Therewasapauseasthecombatantsbackedawayfromeachotherandcircledagain,lookingforanopening.

           ’Surelythere’ssomethingwecando?’saidKeli.

           ’Mortwillloseeitherway,’saidYsabell,shakingherhead.Cutwellshookthesilvercandlestickoutofhisbaggysleeveandtosseditthoughtfullyfromhandtohand.

           Deathheftedthescythethreateningly,incidentallysmashinganhourglassbyhisshoulder....

           ...inBesPelargictheEmperor’schieftorturerslumpedbackwardsintohisownacidpit....

           ...andtookanotherswingwhichMortdodgedbysheerluck.Butonlyjust.Hecouldfeelthehotacheinhismusclesandthenumbinggreynessoffatiguepoisonsinhisbrain,twodisadvantagesthatDeathdidnothavetoconsider.

           Deathnoticed.

           YIELD,hesaid.IMAYBEMERCIFUL.

           ToillustratethepointhemadearoundarmslashthatMortcaught,clumsily,ontheedgeofhissword.Thescythebladebouncedup,splinteredaglassintoathousandshards....

           ...theDukeofStoHelitclutchedathisheart,felttheicystabofpain,screamedsoundlesslyandtumbledfromhishorse....