Мор - ученик смерти

           Deathallowedhisfixedgrintowidenalittle.

           IHAVEANAPPOINTMENTWITHITSRIDERTOMORROWINANKH,saidDeath.YOUSEE,HEALLOWEDTHEDUKETOPROVIDEHIMWITHAPACKEDLUNCH.

           Theking,whoseeminentsuitabilityforhisjobmeantthathewasnotautomaticallyquickontheuptake,consideredthisforamomentandthengaveashortlaugh.HenoticedMortforthefirsttime.

           ’Who’sthis?’hesaid,’Hedeadtoo?’

           MYAPPRENTICE,saidDeath.WHOWILLBEGETTINGAGOODTALKING-TOBEFOREHE’SMUCHOLDER,THESCALLYWAG.

           ’Mort,’saidMortautomatically.Thesoundoftheirtalkingwashedaroundhim,buthecouldn’ttakehiseyesoffthescenearoundthem.Hefeltreal.Deathlookedsolid.Thekinglookedsurprisinglyfitandwellforsomeonewhowasdead.Buttherestoftheworldwasamassofslidingshadows.Figureswerebentovertheslumpedbody,movingthroughMortasiftheywerenomoresubstantialthanamist.

           Thegirlwaskneelingdown,weeping.

           ’That’smydaughter,’saidtheking.’Ioughttofeelsad.Whydon’tI?’

           EMOTIONSGETLEFTBEHIND.IT’SALLAMATTEROFGLANDS.

           ’Ah.Thatwouldbeit,Isuppose.Shecan’tseeus,canshe?’

           NO.