Мор - ученик смерти

           Deathgentlycaughttheglitteringthingandstoweditawaysomewhereunderhisrobe.

           ’What’shappenedtohim?’saidMort.

           ONLYHEKNOWS,saidDeath.COME.

           ’Mygrannysaysthatdyingislikegoingtosleep,’Mortadded,ashadehopefully.

           IWOULDN’TKNOW.IHAVEDONENEITHER.

           Morttookalastlookalongthecorridor.Thebigdoorshadbeenflungbackandthecourtwasspillingout.Twoolderwomenwereendeavouringtocomforttheprincess,butshewasstridingaheadofthemsothattheybouncedalongbehindherlikeacoupleoffussyballoons.Theydisappearedupanothercorridor.

           ALREADYAQUEEN,saidDeath,approvingly.Deathlikedstyle.

           Theywereontheroofbeforehespokeagain.

           YouTRIEDTOWARNHIM,hesaid,removingBinky’snosebag.

           ’Yes,sir.Sorry.’

           YOUCANNOTINTERFEREWITHFATE.WHOAREYOUTOJUDGEWHOSHOULDLIVEANDWHOSHOULDDIE?

           DeathwatchedMort’sexpressioncarefully.

           ONLYTHEGODSAREALLOWEDTODOTHAT,headded.ToTINKERWITHTHEFATEOFEVENONEINDIVIDUALCOULDDESTROYTHEWHOLEWORLD.DOYOUUNDERSTAND?