Мор - ученик смерти

           Death’sgardenwasbig,neatandwell-tended.Itwasalsovery,veryblack.Thegrasswasblack.Theflowerswereblack.Blackapplesgleamedamongtheblackleavesofablackappletree.Eventheairlookedinky.

           AlterawhileMortthoughthecouldsee–no,hecouldn’tpossiblyimaginehecouldsee...differentcoloursofblack.

           That’stosay,notsimplyverydarktonesofredandgreenandwhatever,butrealshadesofblack.Awholespectrumofcolours,alldifferentandall–well,black.Hetippedoutthelastload,putthebarrowaway,andwentbacktothehouse.

           ENTER.

           Deathwasstandingbehindalectern,poringoveramap.HelookedatMortasifhewasn’tentirelythere.

           YOUHAVEN’THEARDOFTHEBAYOFMANTE,HAVEYOU?hesaid.

           ’No,sir,’saidMort.FAMOUSSHIPWRECKTHERE.

           ’Wasthere?’

           THEREWILLBE,saidDeath,IFICANFINDTHEDAMNPLACE.

           Mortwalkedaroundthelecternandpeeredatthemap.

           ’You’regoingtosinktheship?’hesaid.

           Deathlookedhorrified.

           CERTAINLYNOT.THEREWILLBEACOMBINATIONOFBADSEAMANSHIP,SHALLOWWATERANDACONTRARYWIND.