The Carpet People by Terry Pratchett

Author:Terry Pratchett [Pratchett, Terry]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Published: 2011-06-09T09:11:28+00:00

"Oh, dear.”

"Oh, no. That's good news. It means he's out there somewhere. If I had seen or heard anything, I'd know it wasn't Glurk. He's a hunter, you see.”

"Good point. Ow!" A whip stung Brocando's legs as the mouls led their nervous mounts on to the planks.

Page 90

When the last one was aboard one of the bronze guards took a trumpet from his belt and blew one note.

The chains around them shook and rattled as they took up the slack and then, with a creaking, the platform swung off the ground and up towards the Land.

Pismire had been forced up against one of the railings by the press of animals, and so it was that he saw a shadow detach itself from the dust bush by the base of the wal and dash for the rising platform, trying to find a handhold on the underside.

He saw it leap; but at that moment the platform swung, and he could not see the shadow again.

Up rose the entrance to the Land, through swirling fogs, and then he realized he was looking out over the Carpet. Beneath him the tips of the hairs gleamed in the mist. It made him dizzy, so he tried to take his mind off things by giving the others a short lecture.

"The Deftmenes say that this Land fel out of the above many years ago.

The Vortgorns were just another smal tribe that lived nearby. They climbed it, too, and hardly ever come down.”

"Then why are mouls in the Land?”

"I'd rather not think about it," said Pismire. "The Vortgorns may be a bit dul , but I've never understood them to be evil.”

The platform ground on up the wal until, suddenly, it stopped. Before them was a bronze gate, built on top of the wal . Just above it heavy gantries carried the pul eys that raised and lowered the platform. They were plated with bronze, and studded with spikes. The gateway was spiked, and the portcul is in it was tipped with more spikes. Beneath them, far beneath, lay the Carpet.

"They like their privacy, these people," remarked Bane.

Behind him Gormaleesh hissed. "Look your last at your precious Carpet.

You wil not see it again.”

Page 91

"Ah. Melodrama," said Pismire.

"So you think-" Gormaleesh began.

The last word ended on a yelp. Brocando had sunk his teeth into the moul's leg.

Whimpering with pain and rage Gormaleesh picked up the Deftmene king and rushed with him to the edge of the platform, raising him over his head.

Then he lowered his arms, and smiled. "No," he said slowly. "No. Why?

Soon you wil wish that I had thrown you over. Throwing you over now would be mercy. And I don't feel merciful ... "

He dropped the trembling Brocando by the others just as the portcul is rose.

"I wasn't shaking," said Brocando. "It's just a bit chil y up here.”

The mouls marched on to the High Gate Land. Pismire saw a broad metal plateau, with what looked like hil s in the distance. On either side as they marched were cages, with thick bars.

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