Мор - ученик смерти

           Infactafterawhilehepushedhishoodbackandglancedupatthebarber’sapprentice,whotiedatowelaroundhisneckinthatunseeing,hypnotisedwaythatMortwascomingtorecognise,andsaid,ASPLASHOFTOILETWATERANDAPOLISH,MYGOODMAN.

           Anelderlywizardhavingabeard-trimontheothersidestiffenedwhenheheardthosesombre,leadentonesandswungaround.HeblanchedandmutteredafewprotectiveincantationsafterDeathturned,veryslowlyformaximumeffect,andtreatedhimtoagrin.

           Afewminuteslater,feelingratherself-consciousandchillyaroundtheears,MortwasheadingbacktowardsthestableswhereDeathhadlodgedhishorse.Hetriedanexperimentalswagger;hefelthisnewsuitandhaircutratherdemandedit.Itdidn’tquitework.

           Mortawoke.

           Helaylookingattheceilingwhilehismemorydidafast-rewindandtheeventsofthepreviousdaycrystallisedinhismindlikelittleicecubes.

           Hecouldn’thavemetDeath.Hecouldn’thaveeatenamealwithaskeletonwithglowingblueeyes.Ithadtobeaweirddream.Hecouldn’thaveriddenpilliononagreatwhitehorsethathadcanteredupintotheskyandthenwent...

           ...where?

           Theanswerflowedintohismindwithalltheinevitabilityofataxdemand.

           Here.