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landing's on the starboard side of the river, about five miles past the ruins of a burned-out
mill. Good landmark."
Wolfram sighed. "I had asked you to be discreet about the precise position of our
destination, Captain Huston. Telling Ryan and John Dix where we are going is not very
discreet. I fear that we might need to give you something of a spanking before leaving
your excellent floating gin palace."
Huston's face went several degrees paler. "I thought& thought that you said it& it
wouldn't matter after you'd lifted the others and got them safe. Thought that's what you
said& Sorry if& Real sorry."
The Magus clapped his hands. "Wasting time. Captain's right, Gert. Less they want their
friends tortured slowly to death, they'll do like we say."
"What is it you want?" Ryan asked.
Wolfram smiled at him. "Over some food, I think, my old comrade. Over some food."
RYAN'S ADVICE to the others still held good. There was no way of knowing how and
when they'd eat again. So he and the Armorer, despite their worry, anxiety and anger,
tucked into the luncheon in the private room of the stern-wheeler.
Wolfram sat at the head of the table in an ornately inlaid mahogany carver that looked as
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Axler, James - Deathlands 33 - Eclipse at Noon
if it had been built with someone of his bulk in mind. The Magus sat next to him, bolt
upright, picking at his food, limiting himself to vegetables: some creamed squash with
fresh peas, and a dish of baked eggplant with a layer of cheese on the top.
Ryan faced Wolfram, and J.B. was across from the Magus. The saloon had a beautiful
crystal chandelier that vibrated and tinkled in time with the movement of the boat. The
fog was clearing slowly, and they were moving upstream again, a little faster than
walking pace. There were lookouts in the bow and up on the wings of the bridge, as well
as a pair of lead men working in unison. "Mark twain& mark four and a half& Soft
mud."
The first course for everyone but the Magus was wafer-thin layers of smoked salmon
with lemon, and elegant slices of brown bread and butter, with the crusts cut off,
followed by a bowl of thick, rich soup, made from lentils and shredded carrots. Then
came the fish course: delicious fillets of fresh trout, covered in bread crumbs and baked
with sweet potatoes and lima beans, with a rich cream sauce that was flavored with
coriander and nutmeg.
Wolfram would have taken the edge away from the voracious Jak in a dining contest,
helping himself to two portions of the salmon, two of the soup and three of the fish.
The silent waiters next served a round of delicate fruit sorbets decorated with thin slices
of fresh strawberries and melon and guava.
The meal was proceeding in almost total silence.
The only sound was Wolfram's noisy eating, gulping and snuffling like a hog rooting for
truffles. Outside, Ryan was aware that Huston was speeding up a little, which presumably
meant that the fog was clearing more.
Now that they knew where their destination was, five miles past the burned-out mill,
Ryan considered whether they might try to break for it. But the sec men were armed and
watchful, while they had lost their blasters.
"You are thinking of going over the side if we give you the chance," the Magus said, his
harsh voice breaking the stillness of the private room.
Ryan didn't respond, though the man's perception had shaken him.
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Axler, James - Deathlands 33 - Eclipse at Noon
Wolfram laughed, beckoning with a snap of the fingers to the waiters to bring in the
main, meat course, which was a large turkey, stuffed with a chicken, stuffed with a quail,
with an array of mixed vegetables, including pumpkin and superb roasted potatoes,
golden brown, and a thick gravy.
"Surprised that we can keep on second-guessing you, Ryan? We been studying you for
long enough. Know the way you'll jump. But you mustn't bother about trying to escape.
No need."
He turned to his colleague on his right hand. "I believe that the time has come to explain
our plan, has it not, Magus? Serve yourself to your veggie meal, while we attack the
luncheon specialty of the Golden Eagle. Captain Huston has done us exceedingly proud
and has well earned his reward."
Between mouthfuls Wolfram explained to Ryan and J.B. just what they intended, while
the bleak-faced Magus interrupted now and again with extra details.
It took a long while.
RYAN DIDN'T specially favor very sweet food. Homemade ice cream could usually
tempt him, but cream gateaux and sugary cobblers weren't his special favorites. But he
was now stirring in the fifth spoon of part-refined brown sugar, whisking it slowly into
the creamy coffee in the large porcelain mug, knowing that he would be needing every
atom of energy over the next few days. To his left the Armorer was doing the same.
"Your comments, my dear fellow?" asked Wolfram, who was forking away at a third
slice of chocolate cake with almond butter and chopped pecans.
The Magus had passed on the desserts and was sipping at a small cup of black coffee,
toying with a single, wafer-thin peppermint cream.
Ryan tasted his own coffee, carefully placing the cup back in the saucer. "Let me see if
I've got this straight, Wolfram," he said.
"By all means. I shall be surprised if any detail has passed you by."
Ryan nodded. "You hold Krysty, Jak, Mildred and Doc, keeping them all snugly locked
up and well fed and unharmed."
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The Magus had taken out one of his metal contact lenses and was washing it carefully in [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]