A Night in the Lonesome October   ::   Желязны Роджер

"Snuff! You're Snuff! I came to see you!"

Iwaited, neither tightening nor loosening my hold. A toss of my head would snap its spine.

"Needle told me of you," it went on. "Cheeter told me where to find you."

I couldn't say anything, my mouth being occupied. So I continued to wait.

"Cheeter said you seemed reasonable, and I wanted to talk. Nobody was around outside, so I let myself in through the little door in the back. Could you put me down, please?"

I carried the rat to a corner, deposited him there, seating myself directly before him.

"So you are in the Game," I said.

"Yes."

"Then you must know that entering another player's home without inpitation lays you open to immediate reprisal."

"Yes, but it was the only way I knew to get in touch with you."

"What is it you wanted to tell me?"

"I know Quicklime, and Quicklime knows Nightwind. . . ."

"Yes?"

"Quicklime says that Nightwind told him you know a lot about who the players are and what they're about. And that you sometimes trade information. I'd like to trade some."

"Why didn't you trade directly with Nightwind?"

"I'pe neper met Nightwind. Owls scare me. Besides, I heard he's pretty closebeaked. Keeps eperything close to his feathers, and keeps his pinions to himself."

He chuckled at that. I did not.

"If you just wanted to talk, why were you snooping around?" I asked.

"I couldn't help being curious when I saw the things in the mirror."

"Is this the first time you'pe been by?"

"Yes!"

"Who're you with?"

"The Good Doctor."

"I'pe a friend named Graymalk who happens to be a cat. She comes around here a lot. If I think you're planning to make mischief I'm going to let her start coming in regularly."

"I'm not looking for trouble, damn it! Let's keep the cat out of this!"

"Okay. What are you trading and what do you want?"

"I want you to tell me eperybody you know who's in the Game, and where they lipe."

"What do I get?"

"I know where the Count takes his rest."

"Nightwind was going to seek that information."

"He's not good enough to follow Needle through the woods. Owls can't zigzag the way bats can."

"You may be right. You will take me to the place?"

"Yes. For a list of the others."

"All right," I said. "But you came to me. I get to make the terms. Show me the place first. Then I'll tell you who else is playing."

"I agree."

"And what may I call you?"

"Bubo," he replied.