Читать книгу Sinbad: Rogue of Mars - John Garavaglia - Страница 21

beast was abused as much as possible. So it would be in the right mood for the games.

Azrak watched the rampage from his cell. His eyes widened in terror as he gripped the bars tightly.

“Run, Sinbad. Run!” he yelled at the top of his lungs.

The moktar raised its head in attention. Its wrinkled trunk waved hysterically on picking up Sinbad’s scent. The moktar’s head jerked swiftly and its black beady eyes caught the small man brandishing his sword.

The gargantuan quadruped dug its feet to the ground, like a bull ready to charge. Sinbad took a defensive stance with his sword in the air. With a loud, spit-spraying snort the moktar drove angrily towards the human gladiator on a gaudy snarl.

Various alien life forms from all over Mars and neighboring planets cheered chaotically for the well-awaited battle. Countless wagers were in favor of the monster. Some said Sinbad would fall as soon as the fight would start. But others were wary when they heard about the Earthman’s extensive reputation.

There was something in the red murky eyes, its clumsy posture, and its whole appearance that set apart from the truly animal. That monstrous body housed a brain and soul that were just budding awfully into something vaguely human.

Sinbad stood his ground as the moktar boomed across the arena. He remained still as a statue. Just waiting to find his window of opportunity on when he should strike. He could hear the viewers’ vicious barbs against him. How he had cheated death for the final time, and he had outlived their amusement. He seldom heard the very faint cheers from his very few admirers. He wasn’t there for their entertainment. He was there to complete a task to save his friend Azrak’s life.

JOHN GARAVAGLIA

21