Chapter One

"Life is a series of rude awakenings."

-R. V. WINKLE
Of all the various unpleasant was to !e aroused fro" a sound sleep# one of the worst is the noise of a dragon and a uni$orn
plaing tag.
I pried one ee open and !learil tried to fo$us on the roo". % $hair toppled noisil to the floor# $onvin$ing "e the !lurred
i"ages " "ind was re$eiving were due at least in part to the irregular vi!rations $o"ing fro" the floor and walls. One without
" vast storehouse of knowledge &hard won and painfull endured' "ight !e in$lined to !la"e the pande"oniu" on an
earth(uake) I didn*t. +he logi$ !ehind this $on$lusion was si"ple. Earth(uakes were e,tre"el un$o""on in this area. % dragon
and a uni$orn plaing tag wasn*t.
It was starting out as an ordinar da . . . that is# ordinar if ou*re a -unior "agi$ian apprenti$ed to a de"on.
If I had !een a!le to predi$t the future with an degree of a$$ura$ and thus foresee the events to $o"e# I pro!a!l would have
staed in !ed. I "ean# fighting has never !een " forte# and the idea of taking on a whole ar" . . . !ut I*" getting ahead of "self.
+he thud that aroused "e shook the !uilding# a$$o"panied ! the $rash of various dirt dishes shattering on the floor. +he
se$ond thud was even "ore spe$ta$ular.
I $onsidered doing so"ething. I $onsidered going !a$k to sleep. +hen I re"e"!ered " "entor*s $ondition when he had gone to
!ed the night !efore.
+hat woke "e up fast. +he onl thing nastier than a de"on fro" .erv is a de"on fro" .erv with a hangover.
I was on " feet and headed for the door in a flash. &/ agilit was a tri!ute "ore to " fear rather than to an in!orn talent.'
Wren$hing the door open# I thrust " head outside and surveed the terrain. +he grounds outside the inn see"ed nor"al. +he
weeds were totall out of hand# "ore than $hest high in pla$es. 0o"ething would have to !e done a!out the" so"eda# !ut "
"entor didn*t see" to "ind their riotous growth# and sin$e I was the logi$al $andidate to $ut the" if I raised the point# I de$ided
on$e again to keep silent on the su!-e$t.
Instead# I studied the various flattened pat$hes and newl torn paths in the overgrowth# tring to deter"ine the lo$ation or at least
the dire$tion of " (uarries* "ove"ent. I had al"ost $onvin$ed "self that the silen$e was at least se"iper"anent and it would !e
all right to go !a$k to sleep# when the ground !egan to tre"!le again. I sighed and shakil drew "self up to " full height# what
there was of it# and prepared to "eet the onslaught.
+he uni$orn was the first to $o"e into view# great $lu"ps of dirt fling fro" !eneath his hooves as he du$ked around the $orner
of the inn on " right.
"1utter$up2" I shouted in " "ost authoritative tone.
% split se$ond later I had to -u"p !a$k into the shelter of the doorwa to avoid !eing tra"pled ! the speeding !east. +hough a
!it "iffed at his diso!edien$e# I didn*t reall !la"e hi". 3e had a dragon $hasing hi"# and dragons are not notoriousl agile when
it $o"es to (ui$k stops.
%s if a$ting on a $ue fro" " thoughts# the dragon !urst into view. +o !e a$$urate# he didn*t reall !urst# he thudded# shaking the
inn as he re!ounded off the $orner. %s I said# dragons are not notoriousl agile.
"4leep2" I shouted. "0top it this instant2"
3e responded ! taking an affe$tionate swipe at "e with his tail as he !ounded past. 5ortunatel for "e# the gesture went wide
of its "ark# hitting the inn with another -arring thud instead.
0o "u$h for " "ost authoritative tone. If our two faithful $harges were an "ore o!edient# I*d !e lu$k to es$ape with " life.
0till I had to stop the". Whoever $a"e up with the i""ortal (uote a!out waking sleeping dragons had o!viousl never had to
$ontend with a sleeping de"on.
I studied the two of the" $hasing ea$h other through the weeds for a few "o"ents# then de$ided to handle this the eas wa.
6losing " ees# I envisioned !oth of the"# the dragon and the uni$orn. +hen I superi"posed the i"age of the dragon over that of
the uni$orn# fleshed it out with a few strokes of " "ental paint!rush# then opened " ees.
+o " ees# the s$ene was the sa"e# a dragon and a uni$orn $onfronting ea$h other in a field of weeds. 1ut# of $ourse# I had $ast
the spell# so naturall I wouldn*t !e taken in. Its true effe$t $ould !e read in 4leep*s rea$tion.
3e $o$ked his head and peered at 1utter$up# first fro" this angle# then that# stret$hing his long serpentine ne$k to its li"its. +hen
he swiveled his head until he was looking !a$kward and repeated the pro$ess# s$anning the surrounding weeds. +hen he looked at
1utter$up again.
+o his ees# his pla"ate had suddenl disappeared# to !e repla$ed ! another dragon. It was all ver $onfusing# and he wanted
his pla"ate !a$k.
In " pet*s defense# when I -speak of his la$k of agilit# !oth phsi$all and "entall# I don*t "ean to i"pl he is either $lu"s
or stupid. 3e*s oung# whi$h also a$$ounts for his "ere ten-foot length and half-for"ed wings. I full e,pe$t that when he "atures-
in another four or five hundred ears-he will !e ver deft and wise# whi$h is "ore than I $an sa for "self. In the unlikel event I
should live that long# all I*ll !e is old.
"4leep7"
+he dragon was looking at "e now. 3aving stret$hed his li"ited "ental a!ilities to their ut"ost# he turned to "e to $orre$t the
situation or at least provide an e,planation. %s the perpetrator of the situation $ausing his distress# I felt horri!l guilt. 5or a
"o"ent# I wavered on the !rink of restoring 1utter$up*s nor"al appearan$e.
8
"If ou*re (uite sure ou*re "aking enough noise . . . ."
I win$ed at the deep# sar$asti$ tones !oo"ing $lose !ehind "e. %ll " efforts were for naught. %ah9 was awake.
I assu"ed " !est hangdog attitude and turned to fa$e hi".
Needless to sa# he looked terri!le.
If# per$han$e# ou think a de"on $overed with green s$ales alread looks terri!le# ou*ve never en$ountered one with a
hangover. +he nor"al gold fle$ks in his ellow ees were now $opper# a$$ented ! a thro!!ing network of orange veins. 3is lips
were drawn !a$k in a painful gri"a$e whi$h e,posed even "ore of his pointed teeth than his frightening# reassuring s"ile.
Loo"ing there# his fists $len$hed on his hips# he presented a pi$ture terrifing enough to "ake a spider-!ear faint.
I wasn*t frightened# however. I had !een with %ah9 for over a ear now# and knew his !ark was worse than his !ite. +hen again#
he had never !itten "e.
"4ee# %ah9#" I said# digging a s"all hole with " toe. ":ou*re alwas telling "e if I $an*t sleep through anthing# I*" not reall
tired."
3e ignored the !ar!# as he so fre(uentl does when I $at$h hi" on his own (uotes. Instead he s(uinted over " shoulder at the
s$ene outside.
"Kid#" he said. "+ell "e ou*re pra$ti$ing. +ell "e ou haven*t reall s$rounged up another stupid dragon to "ake our lives
"isera!le."
"I*" pra$ti$ing2" I hastened to reassure hi".
+o prove the point# I (ui$kl restored 1utter$up*s nor"al appearan$e.
"4leep2" said 4leep happil# and the two of the" were off again.
"Reall# %ah9#" I said inno$entl to head off his ne,t $austi$ re"ark. "Where would I find another dragon in this di"ension7"
"If there was one to !e found here on Klah# ou*d find it#" he snarled. "%s I re$all# ou didn*t have that "u$h trou!le finding this
one the first ti"e I turned " !a$k on ou# %pprenti$es2 "
3e turned and retreated out of the sunlight into the di" interior of the inn.
"If I re$all#" I $o""ented# following hi"# "that was at the 1a9aar on ;eva. I $ouldn*t get another dragon there !e$ause ou won*t
tea$h "e how to travel through the di"ensions."
"4et off " $ase# kid2" he "oaned. "We*ve !een over it a thousand ti"es. ;i"ension traveling is dangerous. Look at "e2
0tranded without " powers in a !a$k-assward di"ension like Klah# where the lifestle is !ar!ari$ and the food is disgusting."
":ou lost our powers !e$ause 4arkin la$ed his spe$ial effe$ts $auldron with that -oke powder and then got killed !efore he
$ould give ou the antidote#" I pointed out.
"Wat$h out how ou talk a!out our old tea$her#" %ah9 warned. "+he old sli"e-"onger was in$lined to get $arried awa with
pra$ti$al -okes on$e in a while# true. 1ut he was a "aster "agi$ian . . . and a friend of "ine. If he wasn*t# I wouldn*t have saddled
"self with his "outh apprenti$e#" he finished# giving "e a "eaningful look.
"I*" sorr# %ah9#" I apologi9ed. "It*s -ust that I-"
"Look# kid#" he interrupted wearil# "if I had " powers-whi$h I don*t-and if ou were read to learn di"ension hopping-whi$h
ou aren*t-we $ould give it a tr. +hen# if ou "is$al$ulated and du"ped us into the wrong di"ension# I $ould get our tails out
!efore anthing !ad happened. %s things stand# tring to tea$h ou di"ension hopping would !e "ore dangerous than plaing
Russian roulette."
"What*s Russian7" I asked.
+he inn shook as 4leep "issed the $orner turn again.
"When are ou going to tea$h our stupid dragon to pla on the other side of the road7" %ah9 snarled# $raning his ne$k to glare
out a window.
"I*" working on it# %ah9#" I insisted soothingl. "Re"e"!er# it took "e al"ost a whole ear to house!reak hi"."
";on*t re"ind "e#" %ah9 gru"!led. "If I had " wa# we*d. . ."
3e !roke off suddenl and $o$ked his head to one side.
":ou*d !etter disguise that dragon# kid#" he announ$ed suddenl. "%nd get read to do our <du!ious $hara$ter* !it. We*re a!out
to have a visitor."
I didn*t $ontest the infor"ation. We had esta!lished long ago that %ah9*s hearing was "u$h "ore a$ute than "ine.
"Right# %ah9#" I a$knowledged and hurried a!out " task.
+he trou!le with using an inn for a !ase of operations# however a!andoned or weather-!eaten it "ight !e# was that o$$asionall
people would stop here seeking food and lodging. /agik was still outlawed in these lands# and the last thing we wanted was
witnesses.
Chapter Two
"5irst i"pressions# !eing the longest lasting# are of ut"ost i"portan$e."
-=. 6%R+ER
%ah9 and I had a$(uired the inn under rather du!ious $ir$u"stan$es. 0pe$ifi$all# we $lai"ed it as our rightful spoils of war
after the two of us &with the assistan$e of a $ouple of allies# now a!sent' had routed Isstvan# a "ania$ "agi$ian# and sent hi"
pa$king into far di"ensions along with all his surviving a$$o"pli$es. +he inn had !een Isstvan*s !ase of operations. 1ut now it was
ours. Who Isstvan had gotten it fro" and how# I didn*t want to know. ;espite %ah9*s $onstant assuran$es# I lived in dread of
>
en$ountering the inn*s rightful owner.
I $ouldn*t help re"e"!ering all this as I waited outside the inn for our visitor. %s I said# %ah9 has ver good hearing. When he
tells "e he hears so"ething "$lose !#" he fre(uentl forgets to "ention that "$lose !" "a !e over a "ile awa.
I have also noted# over the $ourse of our friendship# that his hearing is $uriousl errati$. 3e $an hear a li9ard-!ird s$rat$hing
itself half a "ile awa# !ut o$$asionall see"s una!le to hear the politest of re(uests no "atter how loudl I shout the" at hi".
+here was still no sign of our ru"ored visitor. I $onsidered "oving !a$k inside the inn out of the late "orning sun# !ut de$ided
against it. I had $arefull arranged the s$ene for our guest*s arrival# and I hated to disrupt it for su$h a "inor thing as personal
$o"fort.
I had used the disguise spell li!erall on 1utter$up# 4leep# and "self. 4leep now looked like a uni$orn# a $hange that did not
see" to !other 1utter$up in the slightest. %pparentl uni$orns are less dis$ri"inating a!out their pla"ates than are dragons. I had
"ade the" !oth $onsidera!l "ore disheveled and unke"pt-looking than the a$tuall were. +his was ne$essar to "aintain the
i"age set forth ! " own appearan$e.
%ah9 and I had de$ided earl in our sta that the !est wa to handle unwanted guests was not to threaten the" or frighten the"
awa# !ut rather to !e so repulsive that the left of their own a$$ord. +o this end# I had slowl devised a disguise designed to
$onvin$e strangers the did not want to !e in the sa"e inn with "e# no "atter how large the inn was or how "an other people
were there. In this disguise# I would greet waward travelers as the proprietor of the inn.
/odestl# I will ad"it the disguise was a s$rea"ing su$$ess. In fa$t# that was the spe$ifi$ rea$tion "an visitors had to it. 0o"e
s$rea"ed# so"e looked ill# others sket$hed various religious s"!ols in the *air !etween the"selves and "e. None of the" ele$ted
to spend the night.
When I e,peri"ented with various phsi$al defe$ts# %ah9 $orre$tl pointed out that "an people did not find an single defe$t
revolting. In fa$t# in a di"ension su$h as Klah# "ost would $onsider it nor"al. +o guarantee the desired effe$t# I adopted "an of
the".
When disguised# I walked with a painful li"p# had a hu"p-!a$k# and a defor"ed hand whi$h was noti$ea!l diseased. What
teeth re"ained were twisted and stained# and the fo$us of one of " ees had a tenden$ to wander a!out independentl of the
other. / nose-in fa$t# " entire fa$e-was not s""etri$al# and as a "asterstroke of " disguise a!ilities# there appeared to !e
vi$ious-looking !ugs $rawling a!out " "ang hair and tattered $lothes.
+he overall effe$t was horrifing. Even %ah9 ad"itted he found it dis(uieting# whi$h# $onsidering the things he*s seen in his
travels through the di"ensions# was high praise indeed.
/ thoughts were interrupted as our visitor $a"e into view. 3e sat ra"rod-straight astride a huge# flightless riding !ird. 3e
$arried no visi!le weapons and wore no unifor"# !ut his !earing "arked hi" as a soldier "u$h "ore than an outer trappings
$ould have. 3is ees were war# $onstantl darting suspi$iousl a!out as he walked his !ird up to the inn in slow# deli!erate steps.
0urprisingl enough# his ga9e passed over "e several ti"es without registering " presen$e. .erhaps he didn*t reali9e I was alive.
I didn*t like this. +he "an see"ed "ore the hunter than the $asual traveler. 0till# he was here and had to !e dealt with. I went into
" a$t.
";oes the no!le sahr re(uire a roo"7"
%s I spoke I "oved forward in " pra$ti$al# rolling gait. In $ase the su!tlet of " disguise es$aped hi"# I allowed a large go!
of spittle to oo9e fro" the $orner of " "outh where it rolled unhindered down to " $hin.
5or a "o"ent the "an*s attention was o$$upied $ontrolling his "ount. 5lightless or not# the !ird was tring to take to the air.
%pparentl " disguise had tou$hed a pri"al $hord in the !ird*s "ind that went !a$k prior to its flightless an$estr.
I waited# head $o$ked $uriousl# while the "an fought the !ird to a fidget standstill. 5inall# he turned his attention to "e for a
"o"ent. +hen he averted his ees and stared $arefull at the sk.
"I $o"e seeking the one known as 0keeve the "agi$ian#" he told "e.
Now it was " turn to -u"p. +o the !est of " knowledge# no one knew who I was and what I was# "u$h less where I was#
e,$ept for %ah9 and "e.
"+hat*s "e2" I !lurted out# forgetting "self and using " real voi$e.
+he "an turned horrified ees on "e# and I re"e"!ered " appearan$e.
"+hat*s "e "aster2" I a"ended hastil. ":ou wait . . . I fet$h."
I turned and s$uttled hastil into the inn. %ah9 was waiting inside.
"What is it7" he de"anded.
"3e*s . . . he wants to talk to 0keeve . . . to "e2" I !a!!led nervousl.
"0o7" he asked pointedl. "What are ou doing in here7 4o outside and talk to the "an."
"Looking like this7"
%ah9 rolled his ees at the $eiling in e,asperation.
"Who $ares what ou look like7" he !arked. "6*"on# kid. +he "an*s a total stranger2"
"I $are2" I de$lared# drawing "self up haughtil.
"+he "an asked for 0keeve the "agi$ian# and I think-"
"3e what7" %ah9 interrupted.
"3e asked for 0keeve the "agi$ian#" I repeated# $overtl studing the figure waiting outside.
"3e looks like a soldier to "e#" I supplied.
"3e looks s$ared to "e#" %ah9 retorted. "/a!e ou should tone down our disguise a !it ne,t ti"e."
?
";o ou think he*s a de"on-hunter7" I asked nervousl.
Instead of answering " (uestion# %ah9 turned a!ruptl fro" the window.
"If he wants a "agi$ian# we*ll give hi" a "agi$ian#" he "ur"ured. "@ui$k# kid# slap the 4arkin disguise on "e."
%s I noted earlier# 4arkin was " first "agik instru$tor. %n i"posing figure with a salt-and-pepper !eard# he was one of our
favorite and "ost oft-used disguises. I $ould do 4arkin in " sleep.
"4ood enough# kid#" %ah9 $o""ented# surveing the results of " work. "Now follow $lose and let "e do the talking."
"Like this7" I e,$lai"ed.
"Rela,# kid#" he reassured "e. "5or this $onversation I*" ou. Anderstand7"
%ah9 was alread heading out through the door without waiting for " repl# leaving "e little $hoi$e other than to follow along
!ehind hi".
"Who seeks an audien$e with the great 0keeve7" %ah9 !ellowed in a resonant !ass voi$e.
+he "an shot another nervous glan$e at "e# then drew hi"self up in stiff for"alit.
"I $o"e as an e"issar fro" his "ost no!le /a-est# Rodri$k the 5ifth# King of .ossiltu"# who-"
"Where*s .ossiltu"7" %ah9 interrupted.
"I !eg our pardon7" the "an !linked.
".ossiltu"#" %ah9 repeated. "Where is it7"
"Oh2" the "an said with sudden understanding. "It*s the kingdo" -ust east of here . . . other side of the E"!er River . . . ou $an*t
"iss it."
"Oka#" %ah9 nodded. "4o on."
+he "an took a deep !reath# then hesitated# frowning.
"King of .ossiltu"#" I pro"pted.
"Oh es2 +hanks." +he "an shot a (ui$k s"ile# then another (ui$k stare# then $ontinued# "King of .ossiltu"# who sends his
respe$ts and greetings to the one known as 0keeve the "agi$ian . . ."
3e paused and looked at %ah9 e,pe$tantl. 3e was rewarded with a polite nod of the head. 0atisfied# the "an $ontinued.
"3is /a-est e,tends an invitation to 0keeve the "agi$ian to appear !efore the $ourt of .ossiltu" that he "ight !e reviewed for
his suita!ilit for the position of $ourt "agi$ian."
"I don*t reall feel (ualified to pass -udg"ent on the king*s suita!ilit as a $ourt "agi$ian#" %ah9 said "odestl# eeing the "an
$arefull. "Isn*t he $ontent -ust to !e king7"
"No# no2" the "an $orre$ted hastil. "+he king wants to review our suita!ilit."
"Oh2" %ah9 said with the appearan$e of sudden understanding. "+hat*s a different "atter entirel. Well# well. %n invitation
fro" . . . who was it again7"
"Rodri$k the 5ifth#" the "an announ$ed# lifting his head haughtil.
"Well#" %ah9 said# grinning !roadl. "I*ve never !een one to refuse a fifth2"
+he "an !linked and frowned# then glan$ed at "e (ui99i$all. I shrugged# not understanding the -oke "self.
":ou "a tell 3is /a-est#" %ah9 $ontinued# unaware of our $onfusion. "I shall !e happ to a$$ept his kind invitation. I shall
arrive at his $ourt at " earliest $onvenien$e."
+he "an frowned.
"I !elieve 3is /a-est re(uires our i""ediate presen$e#" he $o""ented darkl.
"Of $ourse#" %ah9 answered s"oothl. "3ow sill of "e. If ou will a$$ept our hospitalit for the night# I and " assistant here
will !e "ost pleased to a$$o"pan ou in the "orning."
I knew a $ue when I heard one. I drooled and !ared " teeth at the "essenger.
+he "an shot a horrified look in " dire$tion.
"%$tuall#" he said hastil# "I reall "ust !e going. I*ll tell 3is /a-est ou*ll !e following $lose !ehind."
":ou*re sure ou wouldn*t like to sta7" %ah9 asked hopefull.
".ositive2" +he "an nearl shouted his repl as he !egan !a$king the !ird awa fro" us.
"Oh# well#" %ah9 said. ".erhaps we*ll $at$h up with ou on the road."
"In that $ase#" the "an said# turning his !ird# "I*ll want a head . . . that is# I*d !est !e on " wa to announ$e our $o"ing."
I raised " hand to wave good-!e# !ut he was alread "oving at a rapid pa$e# urging his "ount to still greater speeds and
ignoring "e $o"pletel.
"E,$ellent2" %ah9 e,$lai"ed# ru!!ing his hands together gleefull. "% $ourt "agi$ian2 What a soft -o!2 %nd the da started out
so "isera!l."
"If I $an interrupt#" I interrupted. "+here*s one "inor flaw in our plan."
"3""7 What*s that7"
"I don*t want to !e a $ourt "agi$ian2"
%s usual# " protest didn*t da"pen his enthusias" at all.
":ou didn*t want to !e a "agi$ian# either#" he re"inded "e !luntl. ":ou wanted to !e a thief. Well# here*s a good $o"pro"ise
for ou. %s a $ourt "agi$ian# ou*ll !e a $ivil servant . . . and $ivil servants are thieves on a grander s$ale than ou ever drea"ed
possi!le2"
B
Chapter Three
"Ninet per$ent of an !usiness transa$tion is selling ourself to the $lient."
-C. 3OLL%N;ER
"Now let "e see if I*ve got this right#" I said $arefull. ":ou*re saing the pro!a!l won*t hire "e on the !asis of " a!ilities7"
I $ouldn*t !elieve I*d interpreted %ah9*s le$ture $orre$tl# !ut he !ea"ed enthusiasti$all.
"+hat*s right# kid#" he approved. "Now ou*ve got it."
"No# I don*t#" I insisted. "+hat*s the $ra9iest thing I*ve ever heard2"
%ah9 groaned and hid his fa$e in his hand.
It had !een like this ever sin$e we left the inn# and three das of a de"on*s groaning is a !it "u$h for anone to take.
"I*" sorr# %ah9#" I said testil# "!ut I don*t !elieve it. I*ve taken a lot of things ou*ve told "e on faith# !ut this . . . this goes
against $o""on sense."
"What does $o""on sense have to do with it7" he e,ploded. "We*re talking a!out a -o! interview2"
%t this out!urst# 1utter$up snorted and tossed his head# "aking it ne$essar for us to du$k out of range of his horn.
"0tead# 1utter$up2" I ad"onished soothingl.
+hough he still rolled his ees# the uni$orn resu"ed his stoi$ plodding# the travois loaded with our e(uip"ent dragging along
!ehind hi" still inta$t. ;espite in$idents su$h as had o$$urred !a$k at the inn# 1utter$up and I got along fairl well# and he usuall
o!eed "e. In $ontrast# he and %ah9 never reall hit it off# espe$iall when the latter $hose to raise his voi$e angril.
"%ll it takes is a little gentleness#" I infor"ed %ah9 s"ugl. ":ou should tr it so"eti"e."
"While ou*re showing off our du!ious rapport with ani"als#" %ah9 retorted# "ou "ight $all our dragon !a$k. %ll we need is
to have hi" stirring up the $ountrside."
I $ast a (ui$k glan$e a!out. 3e was right. 4leep had disappeared . . . again.
"4leep2" I $alled. "6o"e here# fella2"
"4leep2" $a"e an answering $r.
+he !ushes off to our left parted# and the dragon*s head e"erged.
"4leep7" he said# $o$king his head.
"6o"e here2" I repeated.
/ pet needed no "ore en$ourage"ent. 3e !ounded into the open and trotted to " side.
"I still sa we should have left that stupid dragon !a$k at the inn#" %ah9 gru"!led.
I ignored hi"# $he$king to !e sure that the gear hung saddle!ag fashion over the dragon*s !a$k was still se$ure. .ersonall# I felt
we were $arring far too "u$h in the wa of personal !elongings# !ut %ah9 had insisted. 4leep tried to nu99le "e affe$tionatel
with his head# and I $aught a whiff of his !reath. 5or a "o"ent# I wondered if %ah9 had !een right a!out leaving the dragon
!ehind.
"What were ou saing a!out -o! interviews7" I asked# !oth to $hange the su!-e$t and to hide the fa$t I was gagging.
"I know it sounds ridi$ulous# kid#" %ah9# !egan with sudden sin$erit# "and it is# !ut a lot of things are ridi$ulous# parti$ularl in
this di"ension. +hat doesn*t "ean we don*t have to deal with the"."
+hat gave "e pause to think. +o a lot of people# having a de"on and a dragon for traveling $o"panions would see" ridi$ulous.
%s a "atter of fa$t# if I took ti"e to think it through# it see"ed prett ridi$ulous to "e2
"Oka# %ah9#" I said finall# "I $an a$$ept the e,isten$e of ridi$ulousness as realit. Now tr e,plaining the $ourt "agi$ian thing
to "e again."
We resu"ed walking as %ah9 organi9ed his thoughts. 5or a $hange# 4leep trailed pla$idl along !eside 1utter$up instead of
taking off on another of his e,plorator side trips.
"0ee if this "akes an sense#" %ah9 said finall. "6ourt "agi$ians don*t do "u$h . . . "agi$all at least. +he*re pri"aril kept
around for show# as a status s"!ol to de"onstrate a $ourt is advan$ed enough to rate a "agi$ian. It*s a rare o$$asion when the*re
$alled upon to do anthing. If ou were a -ester# the*d work our tail off# !ut not as a "agi$ian. Re"e"!er# "ost people are
skittish a!out "agik# and use it as seldo" as possi!le."
"If that*s the $ase#" I said $onfidentl# "I*" (ualified. I*ll "at$h " a!ilit to do nothing against an "agi$ian on Klah."
"No argu"ent there#" %ah9 o!served drl. "1ut it*s not (uite that eas. +o hold the -o! takes ne,t to no effort at all. 4etting the
-o! $an !e an uphill struggle."
"Oh2" h said# "ollified.
"Now to get the -o!# ou*ll have to i"press the king and pro!a!l his advisors#" %ah9 $ontinued. ":ou*ll have to i"press the"
with ou# not with our a!ilities."
"3ow*s that again7" I frowned.
"Look# kid. Like I said# a $ourt "agi$ian is window dressing# a showpie$e. +he*ll !e looking for so"eone the want to have
hanging around their $ourt# so"eone who is i"pressive whether or not he ever does anthing. :ou*ll have to e,ude $onfiden$e.
/ost i"portant# ou*ll have to look like a "agi$ian . . . or at least# what the think a "agi$ian looks like. If ou $an dress like a
"agi$ian# talk like a "agi$ian# and a$t like a "agi$ian# "a!e no one will noti$e ou don*t have the a!ilities of a "agi$ian."
"+hanks# %ah9#" I gri"a$ed. ":ou*re reall doing wonders towards !uilding " $onfiden$e."
"Now don*t sulk#" %ah9 ad"onished. ":ou know how to levitate reasona!l large o!-e$ts# ou $an fl after a fashion# and ou*ve
got the disguise spell down pat. :ou*re doing prett well for a rank novi$e# !ut don*t kid ourself into !elieving ou*re anwhere
D
near full "agi$ian*s status)"
3e was right# of $ourse# !ut I was loath to ad"it it.
"If I*" su$h a !u"!ling in$o"petent#" I said stiffl# "wh are we on our wa to esta!lish "e as a $ourt "agi$ian7"
%ah9 !ared his teeth at "e in irritation.
":ou aren*t listening# kidE" he snarled. "3olding the -o! on$e ou*ve got it will !e a !ree9e. :ou $an handle that now. +he tri$k
part will !e getting ou hired. 5ortunatel# with a few "inor "odifi$ations and a little $oa$hing# I think we $an get ou read for
polite so$iet."
"/odifi$ations su$h as what7" I asked# $urious despite "self.
%ah9 "ade a !ig show of surveing "e fro" head to foot.
"5or a start#" he said# "there*s the wa ou dress."
"What*s wrong with the wa I dress7" I $ountered defensivel.
"Nothing at all#" he replied inno$entl. "+hat is# if ou want people to see ou as a !u"pkin peasant with dung on his !oots. Of
$ourse# if ou want to !e a $ourt "agi$ian# well# that*s another stor. No respe$ta!le "agi$ian would !e $aught dead in an outfit
like that."
"1ut I a" a respe$ta!le "agi$ian2" I argued.
"Reall7 Respe$ted ! who7"
3e had "e there# so I lapsed into silen$e.
"+hat*s spe$ifi$all the reason I had the foresight to !ring along a few ite"s fro" the inn#" %ah9 $ontinued# indi$ating
1utter$up*s !urdens with a grand sweep of his hand.
"%nd here I thought ou were -ust looting the pla$eE" I said drl.
"Wat$h our "outh# kid#" he warned. "+his is all for our !enefit."
"Reall7 :ou aren*t e,pe$ting anthing at all out of this deal7"
/ sar$as"# as usual# was lost on hi".
"Oh# I*ll !e around#" he a$knowledged. ";on*t worr a!out that. .u!li$l# I*ll !e our apprenti$e."
"/ apprenti$e7"
+his -o! was suddenl sounding "u$h !etter.
".u!li$l2" %ah9 repeated hastil. ".rivatel# ou*ll $ontinue our lessons as nor"al. Re"e"!er that !efore ou start getting
frisk with our <apprenti$e.* "
"Of $ourse# %ah9#" I assured hi". "Now# what was it ou we*re saing a!out $hanging the wa I dress7"
3e shot "e a sidelong glan$e# apparentl suspi$ious of " sudden enthusias".
"Not that there*s anthing wrong with "e the wa I a"#" I added with a theatri$al s$owl.
+hat see"ed to ease his dou!ts.
"Everthing*s wrong with the wa ou dress#" he growled. "We*re lu$k those two I"ps left "ost of their wardro!e !ehind when
we sent *e" pa$king along with Isstvan."
"3iggens and 1ro$khurst7"
":eah# those two#" %ah9 grinned evill at the "e"or. "I*ll sa one thing for I"ps. +he "a !e inferior to ;eveels as
"er$hants# !ut the are snapp dressers."
"I find it hard to !elieve that all that stuff ou !undled along is wardro!e#" I o!served skepti$all.
"Of $ourse it isn*t#" " "entor "oaned. "It*s spe$ial effe$ts gear."
"0pe$ial effe$ts7"
";on*t ou re"e"!er anthing# kid7" %ah9 s$owled. "I told ou all this when we first "et. 3owever eas "agik is# ou $an*t let
it look eas. :ou need a few hand props# a line of patter . . . ou know# like 4arkin had."
4arkin*s hut# where I had first !een introdu$ed to "agik# had !een full of $andles# vials of strange powders# dust !ooks . . . now
there was a "agi$ian*s lair2 Of $ourse# I had sin$e dis$overed "ost of what he had was unne$essar for the a$tual working of
"agik itself.
I was !eginning to see what %ah9 "eant when he said I*d have to learn to put on a show)
"We*ve got a lot of stuff we $an work into our presentation#" %ah9 $ontinued. "Isstvan left a lot of his -unk !ehind when he left.
Oh# and ou "ight find so"e fa"iliar ite"s when we unload. I think the I"ps helped the"selves to so"e of 4arkin*s e(uip"ent
and !rought it !a$k to the inn with the"."
"Reall7" I saidE genuinel interested. ";id the get 4arkin*s !ra9ier7"
"1ra9ier7" / "entor frowned.
":ou re"e"!er#" I pro"pted. ":ou used it to drink wine out of when ou first arrived."
"+hat*s right2 :eah# I think I saw it in there. Wh7"
"No spe$ial reason#" I replied inno$entl. "It was alwas a favorite of "ine# that*s all."
5ro" wat$hing 4arkin !a$k in " earl apprenti$e das# I knew there were se$rets to that !ra9ier I was ding to learn. I also
knew that# if possi!le# I wanted to save it as a surprise for %ah9.
"We*re going to have to do so"ething a!out our phsi$al appearan$e# too#" %ah9 $ontinued thoughtfull.
"What*s-"
":ou*re too oung2" he answered# anti$ipating " (uestion. "No!od hires a oung "agi$ian. +he want one who*s !een around
for a while. If we-"
F
3e !roke off suddenl and $raned his ne$k to look around.
"Kid#" he said $arefull# studing the sk. ":our dragon*s gone again."
I did a fast s$an. 3e was right.
"4leep2" I $alled. "3ere# fella2 "
+he dragon*s head appeared fro" the depths of a !ush !ehind us. +here was so"ething sli" with legs dangling fro" his "outh#
!ut !efore I $ould "anage an e,a$t identifi$ation# " pet swallowed and the what9it disappeared.
"4leep2" he said proudl# li$king his lips with his long forked tongue.
"0tupid dragon#" %ah9 "uttered darkl.
"3e*s $heap to feed#" I $ountered# plaing on what I knew to !e %ah9*s tight-fisted nature.
%s we waited for the dragon to $at$h up# I had ti"e to refle$t that for on$e I felt no "oral or ethi$al (ual"s a!out taking part in
one of %ah9*s s$he"es. If the unsuspe$ting Rodri$k the 5ifth was taken in ! our $harade and hired us# I was $onfident the king
would !e getting "ore than he !argained for.
Chapter Four
"If the proper preparations have !een "ade and the ne$essar pre$autions taken# an staged event is guaranteed su$$ess."
E+3ELRE; +3E ANRE%;:
+he $andle lit at the !arest fli$k fro" " "ind.
;elighted# I snuffed it and tried again.
% sidelong glan$e# a fleeting $on$entration of " will# and the s"oldering wi$k !urst into fla"e again.
I snuffed the fla"e and sat s"iling at the fa"iliar $andle.
+his was the first real proof I*d had as to how far " "agi$al powers had developed in the past ear. I knew this $andle fro" "
ears as 4arkin*s apprenti$e. In those das# it was " ar$h ne"esis. Even fo$using all " energies failed to light it then. 1ut now...
I glan$ed at the wi$k again# and again it rewarded "e with a !urst of fla"e.
I snuffed it and repeated the e,er$ise# " $onfiden$e growing as I reali9ed how easil I $ould now do so"ething I on$e thought
i"possi!le.
"Will ou kno$k it off with the $andle2"
I -u"ped at the sound of %ah9*s out!urst# nearl upsetting the $andle and setting the !lanket afire.
"I*" sorr# %ah9#" I said# hastil snuffing the $andle for the last ti"e. "I -ust-"
":ou*re here to audition for $ourt "agi$ian#" he interrupted. "Not for town 6hrist"as tree2"
I $onsidered asking what a 6hrist"as tree was# !ut de$ided against it. %ah9 see"ed un$o""onl irrita!le and nervous# and I
was prett sure# however I $hose to phrase " (uestion# that the answer would !e !oth sar$asti$ and unprodu$tive.
"0tupid $andle !linking on and off#" %ah9 gru"!led half to hi"self. "%ttra$t the attention of ever guard in the $astle."
"I thought we were tring to attra$t their attention#" I pointed out# !ut %ah9 ignored "e# peering at the $astle through the earl-
"orning light.
3e didn*t have to peer far# as we were $a"ped in the "iddle of the road -ust short of the $astle*s "ain gates.
%s I said# I was under the i"pression our position was spe$ifi$all $hosen to attra$t attention to ourselves.
We had $rept into position in the dead of night# $lu"sil pi$king our wa through the sleeping !uildings $lustered a!out the "ain
gate. Not wishing to show a light# unpa$king had !een "ini"al# !ut even in the dark# I had re$ogni9ed 4arkin*s $andle.
%ll of this had to do with so"ething %ah9 $alled a "dra"ati$ entran$e." %s near as I $ould tell# all this "eant was we $ouldn*t do
anthing the eas wa.
Our appearan$e was also $arefull designed for effe$t# with the aid of the I"ps* a!andoned wardro!e and " disguise spells.
%ah9 was outfitted in " now traditional "du!ious $hara$ter" disguise. 4leep was standing pla$idl !eside 1utter$up disguised
as a uni$orn# giving us a "at$hed pair. It was " own appearan$e# however# whi$h had !een the "ain fo$us of our attentions.
1oth %ah9 and I had agreed that the 4arkin disguise would !e unsuita!le for this effort. While " own natural appearan$e was
too oung# 4arkin*s would !e too old. 0in$e we $ould prett "u$h $hoose the i"age we wanted# we de$ided to field a "agi$ian in
his "id to late thirtiesE oung without !eing outhful# e,perien$ed without !eing old# and powerful !ut still learning.
+o a$hieve this disguise involved a !it "ore work than nor"al# as I did not have an i"age in "ind to superi"pose over " own.
Instead# I $losed " ees and envisioned "self as I appeared nor"all# then slowl erased the features until I had a !lank fa$e to
!egin on. +hen I set to work with %ah9 wat$hing $arefull and offering suggestions and "odifi$ations.
+he first thing I $hanged was " height# ad-usting the i"age until the new figure stood a head and a half taller than " a$tual
di"inutive stature. / hair was ne,t and I $hanged " straw!err-!lond that$h to a "ore sinister !la$k# at the sa"e ti"e
darkening " $o"ple,ion several shades.
+he fa$e gave us the "ost trou!le.
"Elongate the $hin a little "ore#" %ah9 instru$ted. ".ut on a !eard . . . not that "u$h# stupid2 =ust a little goatee2 . . . +hat*s !etter2
. . . Now lower the side!urns . . . oka# !uild up the nose . . . narrow it . . . "ake the ee!rows !ushier . . . no# $hange *e" !a$k and
sink the ees a little instead . . . for $ring out loud $hange the ee $olor2 /ake *e" !rown . . . oka# now a $ouple of frown
wrinkles in the "iddle of the forehead . . . 4ood. +hat should do it."
I stared at the figure in " "ind# !urning the i"age into " "e"or. It was effe$tive# "a!e a !it "ore sinister than I would
have designed if left to " own devi$es# !ut %ah9 was the e,pert and I had to trust his -udg"ent. I opened " ees.
G
"+errifi$# kid2" %ah9 !ea"ed. "Now put on that !la$k ro!e with the gold and red tri" the I"ps left# and ou*ll $ut a figure fit to
gra$e an $ourt."
"/ove along there2 :ou*re !lo$king the road2"
+he rude order wren$hed " thoughts !a$k to the present.
% soldier# resplendent in leather ar"or and !randishing an evil-looking pike# was angril approa$hing our $rude en$a"p"ent.
1ehind hi" the gates stood slightl a-ar# and I $ould see the heads of several other soldiers wat$hing us $uriousl.
Now that the light was i"proving# I $ould see the wall !etter. It wasn*t "u$h of a wall# !arel ten feet high. +hat figured. 5ro"
what we had seen sin$e we $rossed the !order# it wasn*t "u$h of a kingdo"# either.
":ou deaf or so"ething7" the soldier !arked drawing $lose. "I said "ove along2"
%ah9 s$uttled forward and planted hi"self in the soldier*s path.
"0keeve the /agnifi$ent has arrived#" he announ$ed. "%nd he-"
"I don*t $are who ou are2" the soldier snarled# wasting no ti"e pla$ing his pike !etween hi"self and the figure addressing hi".
":ou $an*t-"
3e !roke off a!ruptl as his pike leaped fro" his grasp and floated hori9ontall in "id-air until it was for"ing a !arri$ade
!etween hi" and %ah9.
+he o$$urren$e was " doing# a si"ple feat of levitation. Regardless of our planned ga"!it# I felt I should take a dire$t hand in
the pro$eedings !efore things got $o"pletel out of hand.
"I a" 0keeve2" I !oo"ed# for$ing " voi$e into a resonant !ass. "%nd that is " assistant ou are atte"pting to threaten with
our fee!le weapon. We have $o"e in response to an invitation fro" Rodri$k the 5ifth# King of .ossiltu"2"
"+hat*s right# 1os$o2" %ah9 leered at the soldier. "Now -ust run along like a good fellow and pass the word we*re here . . . eh7"
%s I noted earlier# all this was designed to i"press the hell out of the general popula$e. %pparentl the guard hadn*t read the
s$ript. 3e did not $ower in terror or $ringe with fear. If anthing# our little a$t see"ed to have the e,a$t opposite effe$t on hi".
"% "agi$ian# eh7" he said with a "o$king sneer. "5or that I*ve got standing orders. 4o around to the !a$k where the others are."
+his took us a!a$k. Well# at least it took "e a!a$k. %$$ording to our plan# we would end up arguing whether we entered the
pala$e to perfor" in the king*s $ourt# or if the king had to !ring his $ourt outside to where we were. 1eing sent to the !a$k door
was not an option we had $onsidered.
"+o the !a$k7" %ah9 glowered. ":ou dare to suggest a "agi$ian of " "aster*s stature go to the !a$k door like a $o""on
servant7"
+he soldier didn*t !udge an in$h.
"If it were up to "e# I*d <dare to suggest* a far less pleasant a$tivit for ou. %s it is# I have " orders. :ou*re to go around to the
!a$k like all the others."
"Others7" I asked $arefull.
"+hat*s right#" the guard sneered. "+he king is holding an open air $ourt to deal with all ou <"ira$le workers.* Ever ha$k
$har"-peddler for eight kingdo"s is in town. 0o"e of *e" have !een in line sin$e noon esterda. Now get around to the !a$k and
(uit !lo$king the road2"
With that he turned on his heel and "ar$hed !a$k to the gate# leaving his pike hanging in "id-air.
5or on$e# %ah9 was as spee$hless as I was. %pparentl I wasn*t the onl one the king had invited to drop !. %pparentl we were
in !ig trou!le.
Chapter Five
". . . Eve of newt# toe of frog. . . "-1elieved to !e the first re$ipe for an e,plosive "i,ture . . .
+he forerunner of gunpowder.
"What are we going to do# %ah97"
With the guard out of earshot# I $ould revert to " nor"al voi$e and spee$h patterns# though it was still ne$essar to keep "
phsi$al disguise inta$t.
"+hat*s eas#" he responded. "We pa$k up our things and go around the !a$k. Weren*t ou listening# kid7"
"1ut what are we going to do a!out . . ."
1ut %ah9 was alread at work# re!inding the few ite"s we had unpa$ked.
";on*t do anthing# kid#" he warned over his shoulder. "We $an*t let anone see ou doing "enial work. It*s !ad for the i"age."
"3e said there were other "agi$ians here2" I !lurted at last.
":eah. 0o7"
"Well# what are we going to do7"
%ah9 s$owled. "I told ou on$e. We*re going to pa$k our things and-"
"What are we going to do a!out the other "agi$ians7"
";o7 We aren*t going to do anthing. :ou aren*t up to dueling# ou know."
3e had finished pa$king and stepped !a$k to surve his handiwork. Nodding in satisfa$tion# he turned and shot a glan$e over "
shoulder.
";o so"ething a!out the pike# will a# kid7"
I followed his ga9e. +he guard*s pike was still hanging suspended in "id-air. Even though I hadn*t !een thinking a!out it# part of
H
" "ind had !een keeping it afloat until I de$ided what to do with it. +he (uestion was# what should I do with it7
"0a# %ah9 . . ." I !egan# !ut %ah9 had alread started walking along the wall.
5or a "o"ent I was i""o!ili9ed with inde$ision. +he guard had gone so I $ouldn*t return his weapon to hi". 0till# si"pl letting
it drop to the ground see"ed so"ehow anti$li"a$ti$.
Ana!le to think of anthing to do that would have the proper dra"ati$ flair# I de$ided to postpone the de$ision. 5or the ti"e
!eing# I let the pike float along !ehind "e as I hurried after %ah9# first giving it additional elevation so it would not !e a danger to
4leep and 1utter$up.
"Were ou e,pe$ting other "agi$ians to !e here7" I asked# drawing a!reast of " "entor.
"Not reall#" %ah9 ad"itted. "It was a possi!ilit# of $ourse# !ut I didn*t give it a ver high pro!a!ilit rating. 0till# it*s not all that
surprising. % -o! like this is !ound to draw $o"petition out of the woodwork."
3e didn*t see" parti$ularl upset# so I tried to take this new develop"ent in stride.
"Oka#" I said $al"l. "3ow does this $hange our plans7"
"It doesn*t. =ust do our thing like I showed ou and everthing should $o"e out fine."
"1ut if the other "agi$ians-"
%ah9 stopped short and turned to fa$e "e.
"Look# kid#" he said seriousl# "-ust !e$ause I keep telling ou ou*ve got a long wa to go !efore ou*re a "aster "agi$ian
doesn*t "ean ou*re a ha$k2 I wouldn*t have en$ouraged ou to show up for this interview if I didn*t think ou were good enough to
land the -o!."
"Reall# %ah97"
3e turned and started walking again.
"=ust re"e"!er# as di"ensions go# Klah isn*t noted for its "agi$ians. :ou*re no "aster# !ut "asters are few and far !etween. I*"
!etting that $o"pared to the $o"petition# ou*ll look like a real e,pert. "
+hat "ade sense. %ah9 was (uite outspoken in his low opinion of Klah and the Klahds that inha!ited it# in$luding "e. +hat last
thought "ade "e fish for a !it "ore reassuran$e.
"%ah97"
":eah# kid7"
"What*s our honest appraisal of " $han$es7"
+here was a "o"ent of silen$e !efore he answered.
"Kid# ou know how ou*re alwas $o"plaining that I keep tearing down our $onfiden$e7"
":eah7"
"Well# for !oth our sakes# don*t push too hard for " honest appraisal."
I didn*t.
4etting through the !a$k gate proved to !e no pro!le" . . . "ostl !e$ause there wasn*t a !a$k gate. +o " surprise and %ah9*s
disgust# the wall did not e,tend $o"pletel around the pala$e. %s near as I $ould see# onl the front wall was $o"plete. +he two
side walls were under $onstru$tion# and the !a$k wall was none,istent. I should $larif that. / state"ent that the side walls were
under $onstru$tion was an assu"ption !ased on the presen$e of s$affolding at the end of the wall rather than ! the o!servation of
an a$tivit going on. If there was an work !eing perfor"ed# it was !eing done $arefull enough not to distur! the weeds whi$h
a!ounded throughout the s$affolding.
I was !eginning to have grave dou!ts a!out the kingdo" I was a!out to all "self with.
It was diffi$ult to tell if the $ourt was !eing $onvened in a garden# or if this was a $ourtard losing its fight with the weeds and
under!rush whi$h $rowded in through the opening where the !a$k wall should have !een. &3aving grown up on a far"# " !asi$
edu$ation in plants was that if it wasn*t edi!le and growing in neat rows# it was a weed.'
%s if in answer to " thoughts# 1utter$up took a large "outhful of the nearest $lu"p of growth and !egan $hewing
enthusiasti$all. 4leep sniffed the sa"e !ush and turned up his nose at it.
%ll this I noted onl as an aside. / "ain attention was fo$used on the $ourt itself.
+here was a s"all open-sided pavilion set against the wall of the pala$e sheltering a seated figure# presu"a!l the king. 0tanding
$lose !eside hi" on either side were two other "en. +he $rowd# su$h as it was# was split into two groups. +he first was standing in
a so"ewhat orderl line along one side of the garden. I assu"ed this was the waiting line . . . or rather I hoped it was as that was
the group we -oined. +he se$ond group was standing in a disorgani9ed "o! on the far side of the garden wat$hing the pro$eedings.
Whether these were re-e$ted appli$ants or "erel interested hangers-on# I didn*t know.
0uddenl# a oung $ouple in the wat$hing group $aught " ee. I hadn*t e,pe$ted to en$ounter an fa"iliar fa$es here# !ut these
two I had seen !efore. Not onl had I seen the"# %ah9 and I had i"personated the" at one point# a $harade whi$h had resulted in
our !eing hanged.
"%ah92" I whispered urgentl. ";o ou see those two over there7"
"No#" %ah9 said !luntl# not even turning his head to look.
"1ut the*re the-"
"5orget *e"#" he insisted. "Wat$h the -udges. +he*re the ones we have to i"press."
I had to ad"it that "ade a $ertain a"ount of sense. 4rudgingl# I turned " attention to the figures in the pavilion.
+he king was surprisingl oung# perhaps in his "id-twenties. 3is hair was a tu"!le of shoulderlength $urls# whi$h $o"!ined
with his slight !uild al"ost "ade hi" look effe"inate. =udging fro" his posture# either the interviews had !een going on for so"e
I
ti"e# or he had "astered the art of looking totall !ored.
+he "an on his left !ent and urgentl whispered so"ething in the king*s ear and was answered ! a vague nod.
+his "an# onl slightl older than the king !ut !alding noti$ea!l# was dressed in a tuni$ and $loak of dra! $olor and
$onservative $ut. +hough rela,ed in posture and (uiet in !earing# there was a wat$hful !rightness to his ees that re"inded "e of a
feverish weasel.
+here was a stirring of the figure on the king*s right# whi$h drew " attention in that dire$tion. I had a flash i"pression of a
"assive furr lu"p# then I reali9ed with a start that it was a "an. 3e was tall and !road# his head $rowned with thi$k# !la$k#
unke"pt $urls# his fa$e nearl o!s$ured ! a full !eard and "usta$he. +his# $o"!ined with his heav fur $loak# gave hi" an
ani"al-like appearan$e whi$h had do"inated " first i"pression. 3e spoke !riefl to the king# then re$rossed his ar"s in a gesture
of finalit and glared at the other advisor. 3is $loak opened !riefl during his oration# giving "e a gli"pse of a glittering shirt of
"ail and a "assive dou!le-headed hand-a,e hung on a !elt at his waist. 6learl this was not a "an to $ross. +he !alding figure
see"ed uni"pressed# "at$hing his rival*s glare with one of his own.
+here was a sharp nudge in " ri!s.
";id ou see that7" %ah9 whispered urgentl.
"0ee what7" I asked.
"+he king*s advisors. % general and a $han$ellor unless I "iss " guess. ;id ou see the gold "edallion on the general7"
"I saw his a,e2" I whispered !a$k.
+he light in the $ourtard suddenl di""ed.
Looking up# I saw a "ass of $louds for"ing overhead# !lotting out the sun.
"Weather $ontrol#" %ah9 "ur"ured half to hi"self. "Not !ad."
0ure enough# the old "an in the red $loak $urrentl !efore the throne gestured wildl and tossed a $loud of purple powder into
the air# and a light dri99le !egan to fall.
/ spirits fell along with the rain. Even with %ah9*s $oa$hing on presentation# " "agik was not this powerful or i"pressive.
"%ah9 . . ." I whispered urgentl.
Instead of responding# he waved "e to silen$e# his ees riveted on the pavilion.
5ollowing his ga9e# I saw the general speaking urgentl with the king. +he king listened for a "o"ent# then shrugged and said
so"ething to the "agi$ian.
Whatever he said# the "agi$ian didn*t like it. ;rawing hi"self up haughtil# he turned to leave# onl to !e $alled !a$k ! the
king. .ointing to the $louds# the king said a few "ore words and leaned !a$k. +he "agi$ian hesitated# then shrugged# and !egan
gesturing and $hanting on$e "ore.
"+urned hi" down#" %ah9 said s"ugl.
"+hen what*s he doing now7"
"6learing up the rain !efore the ne,t a$t goes on#" %ah9 infor"ed "e.
0ure enough# the dri99le was slowing and the $louds !egan to s$atter# "u$h to the relief of the audien$e who# unlike the king#
had no pavilion to prote$t the" fro" the stor". +his further displa of the "agi$ian*s power# however# did little to !olster "
sagging $onfiden$e.
"%ah92" I whispered. "3e*s a !etter "agi$ian than I a"."
":eah#" %ah9 responded. "0o7"
"0o if the turned hi" down# I haven*t got a $han$e2"
"/a!e es# "a!e no#" $a"e the thoughtful repl. "%s near as I $an tell# the*re looking for so"ething spe$ifi$. Who knows7
/a!e ou*re it. Re"e"!er what I told ou# $ush -o!s don*t alwas go to the "ost skillful. In fa$t# it usuall goes the other wa."
":eah#" I said# tring to sound opti"isti$. "/a!e I*ll get lu$k."
"It*s going to take "ore than lu$k#" %ah9 $orre$ted "e sternl. "Now# what have ou learned wat$hing the king*s advisors7"
"+he don*t like ea$h other#" I o!served i""ediatel.
"Right2" %ah9 sounded surprised and pleased. "Now that "eans ou pro!a!l won*t !e a!le to please the" !oth. :ou*ll have to
pla up to one of the" . . . or !etter still insult one. +hat*ll get the other one on our side faster than anthing. Now# whi$h one do
ou want on our side7"
+hat was easier than his first (uestion.
"+he general#" I said fir"l.
"Wrong2 :ou want the $han$ellor."
"+he $han$ellor2" I e,$lai"ed# !lurting the words out louder than I had intended. ";id ou see the si9e of that a,e the general*s
$arring7"
"Ah-huh#" %ah9 replied. ";id ou hear what happened to the gu who interviewed !efore old Red 6loak here got his turn7"
I $losed " ees and $ontrolled " first sharp re"ark.
"%ah9#" I said $arefull# "re"e"!er "e7 I*" 0keeve. I*" the one who $an*t hear whispers a "ile awa."
%s usual %ah9 ignored " sar$as".
"+he last gu didn*t even get a $han$e to show his stuff#" he infor"ed "e. "+he $han$ellor took one look at the $rowd he !rought
with hi" and asked how "an were in his retinue. <Eight#* the "an said. <+oo "an2* sas the $han$ellor and the poor fool was
dis"issed i""ediatel."
"0o7" I asked !luntl.
8J
"0o the $han$ellor is the one wat$hing the purse strings#" $on$luded %ah9. "What*s "ore# he has "ore influen$e than the general.
Look at these sill walls. ;o ou think a "ilitar "an would leave walls half-finished if he had the final sa7 0o"e!od de$ided
too "u$h "one was !eing spent $onstru$ting the" and the pro-e$t was $an$eled or delaed. I*" !etting that so"e!od was the
$han$ellor."
"/a!e the ran out of stones#" I suggested.
"6*"on# kid. 5ro" what we*ve seen sin$e we $rossed the !order this kingdo"*s prin$ipal $rop is stones."
"1ut the general . . ."
%s I spoke# I glan$ed in the general*s dire$tion again. +o " surprise and dis$o"fort# he was staring dire$tl at "e. It wasn*t a
friendl stare.
I hesitated for a "o"ent# hoping I was wrong. I wasn*t. +he general*s ga9e didn*t waver# nor did his e,pression soften. If
anthing# it got uglier.
"%ah9#" I hissed desperatel# una!le to tear " ees fro" the general.
Now the king and the $han$ellor were staring in " dire$tion too# their attention drawn ! the general*s ga9e.
"Kid2" %ah9 "oaned !eside "e. "I thought I told ou to do so"ething a!out that pike2"
+he pike2 I had $o"pletel forgotten a!out it2
I pulled " ees fro" the general*s glare and glan$ed !ehind "e as $asuall as I $ould.
1utter$up and 4leep were still standing patientl to our rear# and floating serenel a!ove the" was the guard*s pike. I guess it
was kind of noti$ea!le.
":ou2"
I turned toward the pavilion and the sound of the !ellow. +he general had stepped forward and was pointing a "assive finger at
"e.
":es# ou2" he roared as our ees "et on$e "ore. "Where did ou get that pike7 It !elongs to the pala$e guards."
"I think ou*re a!out to have our interview# kid#" %ah9 "ur"ured. "4ive it our !est and kno$k *e" stiff."
"1ut-" I protested.
"It !eats standing in line2"
With that# %ah9 took a long leisurel step !a$kward. +he effe$t was the sa"e as if I had stepped forward# whi$h I definitel
hadn*t. With the attention of the entire $ourtard now $entered on "e# however# I had no $hoi$e !ut to take the plunge.
Chapter Six
"+hat*s entertain"ent2"
-VL%; +3E I/.%LER
6rossing " ar"s# I "oved toward the pavilion# keeping " pa$e slow and "easured.
%ah9 had insisted I pra$ti$e this walk. 3e said it would "ake "e look $onfident and self-possessed. Now that I was a$tuall
appearing !efore a king# I found I was using the walk# not as a show of arrogan$e# !ut to hide the weakness in " legs.
"Well7" the general ru"!led# loo"ing !efore "e. "I asked ou a (uestion2 Where did ou get that pike7 :ou*d !est answer
!efore I grow angr2"
0o"ething in "e snapped. %n fear I felt of the general and his a,e evaporated# repla$ed ! a head glow of strength.
I had dis$overed on " first visit to the 1a9aar at ;eva that I didn*t like to !e pushed ! !ig# loud ;eveels. I dis$overed now that
I also didn*t like it an !etter when the arrogan$e $a"e fro" a !ig# loud fellow Klahd.
0o the !ig "an wanted to throw his weight around# did he7
With a twit$h of " "ind# I su""oned the pike. Without turning to look# I !rought it arrowing over " shoulder in a $ourse
destined to e"!ed it in the general*s $hest.
+he general saw it $o"ing and paled. 3e took an awkward step !a$kward# reali9ed it was too late for flight# and groped "adl
for his a,e.
I stopped the pike three feet fro" his $hest# floating it in front of hi" with its point leveled at his heart.
"+his pike7" I asked $asuall.
"%hh . . ." the general responded# his ees never leaving the weapon.
"I took this pike fro" an overl rude soldier. 3e said he was following orders. Would those orders $o"e fro" ou# ! an
$han$e7"
"I . . . u" . . . ." +he general li$ked his lips. "I issued orders that " "en deal with strangers in an e,pedient fashion. I said
nothing a!out their !eing less then polite."
"In that $ase . . ."
I "oved the pike ninet degrees so that it no longer threatened the general.
". . . I return the pike to ou so that ou "ight give it !a$k to the guard along with a $larifi$ation of our orders . . . ."
+he general hesitated# s$owling# then e,tended his hand to grasp the floating pike. =ust !efore he rea$hed it# I let it fall to the
ground where it $lattered noisil.
". . . and hopefull additional instru$tions as to how to handle their weapons#" I $on$luded.
+he general flushed and started to pi$k up the pike. +hen the $han$ellor sni$kered# and the general spun around to glare at hi".
+he $han$ellor s"irked openl and whispered so"ething to the king# who tried to suppress a s"ile at his words.
88
+he general turned to "e again# ignoring the pike# and glared down fro" his full height.
"Who are ou7" he asked in a tone whi$h i"plied " na"e would !e i""ediatel "oved to the head of the list for pu!li$
e,e$ution.
"Who*s asking7" I glared !a$k# still not $o"pletel over " anger.
"+he "an ou are addressing#" the king inter$eded# "is 3ugh 1ada,e# 6o""ander of the Roal %r"ies of .ossiltu"."
"%nd I a" =. R. 4ri"!le#" the $han$ellor added hastil# afraid of !eing left out. "5irst %dvisor to 3is /a-est."
+he general shot another !la$k look at 4ri"!le. I de$ided it was ti"e to get down to !usiness.
"I a" the "agi$ian known as 0keeve#" I !egan grandl. "I have $o"e in response to a gra$ious invitation fro" 3is /ost No!le
/a-est# Rodri$k the 5ifth."
I paused and in$lined " head slightl to the king who s"iled and nodded in return.
"I have $o"e to deter"ine for "self if I should $onsider a$$epting a position at the $ourt of .ossiltu"."
+he phrasing of that last part had !een $hosen ver $arefull ! %ah9. It was designed to displa " $onfiden$e ! i"pling the
$hoi$e was "ine rather than theirs.
+he su!tlet was not lost on the $han$ellor# who raised a $riti$al ee!row at " $hoi$e of words.
"Now# su$h a position re(uires $onfiden$e on !oth sides#" I $ontinued. "I "ust feel that I will !e a"pl rewarded for "
servi$es# and 3is /a-est "ust !e satisfied that " skills are worth of his sponsorship."
I turned slightl and raised " voi$e to address the entire $ourt.
"+he generosit of the $rown of .ossiltu" is known to all#" I de$lared. "%nd I have ever $onfiden$e 3is /a-est will reward
his retainers in proportion to their servi$e to hi"."
+here was a strangled sound !ehind "e# fro" the general# I think. I ignored it.
"+herefore# all that is re(uired is that I satisf 3is /a-est . . . and his advisors . . . that " hu"!le skills will indeed suffi$e his
needs."
I turned to the throne on$e "ore# letting the king see " se$ret s"ile whi$h !elied the hu"ilit of " words.
":our /a-est# " powers are "an and varied. 3owever# the essen$e of power is $ontrol. +herefore reali9ing ou are a !us
"an# rather than waste ti"e with "ere $o""er$ial tri$keries and "inor de"onstrations su$h as we have alread seen# I shall
weave !ut three spells and trust in our wisdo" to per$eive the depths !ehind the"."
I turned and stret$hed forth a finger to point at 1utter$up and 4leep.
":onder are " pri9e pair of "at$hed uni$orns#" I said dra"ati$all. "Would :our /a-est !e so kind as to $hoose one of
the"7"
+he king !linked in surprise at !eing invited to parti$ipate in " de"onstration. 5or a "o"ent he hesitated.
"A"" . . . I $hoose the one on the left#" he said# finall indi$ating 1utter$up.
I !owed slightl.
"Ver well# :our /a-est. 1 our word shall that $reature !e spared. O!serve the other $losel."
%$tuall# that was another little stunt %ah9 had taught "e. It*s $alled a ""agi$ian*s for$e#" and allows a perfor"er to offer his
audien$e a $hoi$e without reall giving the" a $hoi$e. 3ad the king $hosen 4leep# I would have si"pl pro$eeded to work on "the
$reature he had doo"ed with a word."
0lowl# I pointed a finger at 4leep and lowered " head slightl.
"Walla walla Washington2" I said so"!erl.
I don*t know what the words "eant# !ut %ah9 assured "e the had histori$ pre$eden$e and would $onvin$e people I was a$tuall
doing so"ething $o"ple,.
"%lla ka9a" sha9a"#" I $ontinued# raising " other ar". "1i!!it !o!!it . . ."
I "entall re"oved 4leep*s disguise.
+he $rowd rea$ted with a gasp# drowning out " final "goo-gleep."
/ dragon heard his na"e# though# and rea$ted i""ediatel. 3is head $a"e up and he lu"!ered forward to stand do$ilel at "
side. %s planned# %ah9 i""ediatel sha"!led forward to a position near 4leep*s head and stood wat$hful and read.
+his was "eant to i"pl that we were prepared to handle an diffi$ult whi$h "ight arise with the dragon. +he $rowd*s rea$tion
to hi"# however# overshadowed their horror at seeing a uni$orn transfor"ed to a dragon. I had forgotten how effe$tive the
"disreputa!le $hara$ter" disguise was. %fraid of losing the "o"entu" of " perfor"an$e# I hurried on.
"+his "isshapen wret$h is " apprenti$e %ah9#" I announ$ed. ":ou "a wonder if it is within his power to stop the dragon
should the !east grow angr. I tell ou now . . . it is not2"
+he $rowd edged !a$k nervousl. 5ro" the $orner of " ee# I saw the general*s hand slide to the handle of his a,e.
"1ut it is within " power2 Now ou know that the for$es of darkness are no strangers to 0keeve2"
I spun and sta!!ed a finger at %ah9.
"1o!!elt gook# $ru"!s and "artrs2"
I re"oved %ah9*s disguise.
+here was a "o"ent of stunned silen$e# then %ah9 s"iled. %ah9*s s"ile has !een known to "ake strong "en weak# and there
were not "an strong "en in the $rowd.
+he audien$e half tra"pled ea$h other in their haste to !a$kpedal fro" the de"on# and the sound of s$ree$hes was inter"i,ed
with hastil $hanted prote$tion spells.
I turned to the throne on$e "ore. +he king and the $han$ellor see"ed to !e taking it well. +he were $o"posed# though a !it
8>
pale. +he general was s$owling thoughtfull at %ah9.
"%s a de"on# " apprenti$e $an suppress the dragon if need !e . . . na# ten dragons. 0u$h is " power. :et power "ust !e
te"pered with gentleness . . . gentilit if ou will."
I allowed " e,pression to grow thoughtful.
"+o $onfuse one*s ene"ies and re$eive one*s allies# ou need no open show of power or "ena$e. 5or o$$asions su$h as those#
one*s powers $an !e "asked until one is no "ore $onspi$uous than . . . than a stripling."
%s I spoke the final words# I stripped awa " own disguise and stood in " outhful unsplendor. I pro!a!l should have used
so"e fake "agik words# !ut I had alread used up all the ones %ah9 had taught "e and was afraid of e,peri"enting with new ones.
+he king and the $han$ellor were staring at "e intentl as if tring to penetrate " "agi$al disguise with willpower alone. +he
general was perfor"ing a si"ilar e,er$ise staring at %ah9# who folded his ar"s and !ared his teeth in a $onfident s"ile.
5or a $hange# I shared his $onfiden$e. Let the" stare. It was too late to penetrate " "agik !e$ause I wasn*t working an "ore.
+hough the roal troupe and the entire audien$e was $onvin$ed the were witnessing a powerful spell# in a$tualit all I had done
was re"ove the spells whi$h had !een distorting their vision. %t the "o"ent# all of us# %ah9# 1utter$up# 4leep# and "self# were
our nor"al selves# however a!nor"al we appeared. Even the "ost adept "agi$al vision $ould not penetrate a none,istent spell.
"%s ou see# :our /a-est#" I $on$luded. "/ powers are far fro" ordinar. +he $an "ake the gentle fearso"e# or the "ight
har"less. +he $an destro our ene"ies or a"use our $ourt# depending upon our whi". 0a the word# speak our approval#
and the powers of 0keeve are ours to $o""and."
I drew "self up and !owed " head respe$tfull# and re"ained in that position awaiting -udg"ent fro" the throne.
0everal "o"ents passed without a word. 5inall# I risked a peek at the pavilion.
+he $han$ellor and the general were e,$hanging heated whispers over the head of the king# who in$lined his head this wa and
that as he listened. Reali9ing this $ould take a while# I (uietl eased " head to an upright position as I waited.
"0keeve2" the king $alled suddenl# interrupting his advisor*s argu"ents. "+hat thing ou did with the pike. 6an ou alwas
$ontrol weapons so easil7"
"6hild*s pla# :our /a-est#" I said "odestl. "I hesitate to even a$knowledge it as a power."
+he king nodded and spoke !riefl to his advisors in undertones. When he had finished# the general flushed and# turning on his
heel# strode off into the pala$e. +he $han$ellor looked s"ug.
I risked a glan$e at %ah9# who winked at "e. Even though he was further awa# apparentl his a$ute hearing had given hi"
advan$e noti$e of the king*s de$ision.
"Let all here asse"!led !ear witness2" the $han$ellor*s ringing voi$e announ$ed. "Rodri$k the 5ifth# King of .ossiltu"# does
here! $o""end the "agi$al skill and knowledge of one 0keeve and does for"all na"e hi" /agi$ian to the 6ourt of .ossiltu".
Let all applaud the appoint"ent of this "aster "agi$ian . . . and then disperse2"
+here was a s"attering of halfhearted applause fro" " van(uished rivals# and "ore than a few glares. I a$knowledged neither
as I tried to $o"prehend the $han$ellor*s words.
I did it2 6ourt /agi$ian2 Of the entire sele$tion of "agi$ians fro" five kingdo"s# I had !een $hosen2 /e2 0keeve2
I was suddenl aware of the $han$ellor !e$koning "e forward. +ring to !e non$halant# I approa$hed the throne.
"Lord /agi$ian#" the $han$ellor said with a s"ile. "If ou will# "ight we dis$uss the "atter of our wages7"
"/ apprenti$e handles su$h "atters#" I infor"ed hi" loftil. "I prefer not to distra$t "self with su$h "undane "atters."
%gain# we had agreed that %ah9 would handle the wage negotiations# his knowledge of "agik !eing surpassed onl ! his skill
at haggling. I turned and !e$koned to hi". 3e responded ! hurring forward# his eavesdropping having forewarned hi" of the
situation.
"+hat $an wait# 4ri"!le#" the king interrupted. "+here are "ore pressing "atters whi$h $o""and our "agi$ian*s attention."
":ou need onl $o""and# :our /a-est#" I said# !owing grandl.
"5ine#" the king !ea"ed. "+hen report to 4eneral 1ada,e i""ediatel for our !riefing."
"1riefing a!out what7" I asked# genuinel pu99led.
"Wh# our !riefing a!out the invading ar"# of $ourse#" the king replied.
%n alar" gong went off in the !a$k of " "ind.
"Invading ar"7" I !lurted# forgetting " rehearsed po"pous tones. "What invading ar"7"
"+he one whi$h even now approa$hes our !orders#" the $han$ellor supplied. "Wh else would we suddenl need a "agi$ian7"
Chapter Seven
"Nu"eri$al superiorit is of no $onse(uen$e. In !attle# vi$tor will go to the !est ta$ti$ian."
-4. %. 6A0+ER
"6ush -o!# he said2 6han$e to pra$ti$e# he said2 .ie$e of $ake# he said2"
"0i""er down# kid2" %ah9 growled.
"0i""er down7 %ah9# weren*t ou listening7 I*" supposed to stop an ar"2 /e2"
"It $ould !e worse#" %ah9 insisted.
"3ow7" I asked !luntl.
":ou $ould !e doing it without "e#" he replied. "+hink a!out it."
I did# and $ooled down i""ediatel. Even though " asso$iation with %ah9 see"ed to land "e in an inordinate a"ount of
8?
trou!le# he had also !een unfailing in his a!ilit to get "e out . . . so far. +he last thing I wanted to do was drive hi" awa -ust
when I needed hi" the "ost.
"What a" I going to do# %ah97" I "oaned.
"0in$e ou ask"-%ah9 s"iled-"" -advi$e would !e to not pani$ until we get the whole stor.
Re"e"!er# there are ar"ies and there are ar"ies. 5or all we know# this one "ight !e weak enough for us to !eat fair and
s(uare."
"%nd if it isn*t7" I asked skepti$all.
"We*ll !urn that !ridge when we $o"e to it#" %ah9 sighed. "5irst# let*s hear what old 1ada,e has to sa."
Not !eing a!le to think of anthing to sa in repl to that# I didn*t. Instead# I kept pa$e with " "entor in gloo" silen$e as we
followed the $han$ellor*s dire$tions through the $orridors of the pala$e.
It would have !een easier to a$$ept the offered guide to lead us to our destination# !ut I had !een "ore than a little eager to speak
with %ah9 privatel. 6onse(uentl# we had left 1utter$up and 4leep in the $ourtard with our e(uip"ent and were seeking out the
general*s $ha"!ers on our own.
+he pala$e was hone$o"!ed with $orridors to the point where I wondered if there weren*t "ore $orridors than roo"s. Our trek
was "ade even "ore diffi$ult ! the light# or la$k thereof. +hough there were nu"erous "ountings for tor$hes set in the walls# it
see"ed onl a!out one out of ever four was !eing used# and the light shed ! those tor$hes was less than ade(uate for a$$urate
navigation of the la!rinth.
I $o""ented on this to %ah9 as further proof of the tightfisted nature of the kingdo". 3is $urt response was that the "ore "one
the saved on overhead and "aintenan$e# the "ore the would have to splurge on lu,uries . . . like us.
3e was doggedl tring to e,plain the $on$ept of an "energ $risis" to "e# when we rounded a $orner and sighted the general*s
(uarters.
+he were fairl eas to distinguish# sin$e this was the onl door we had en$ountered whi$h was !ra$keted ! a pair of
snat$hing honor guards. +heir polished ar"or glea"ed fro" !road shoulders as the o!served our approa$h through narrowed
ees.
"%re these the (uarters of 4eneral 1ada,e7" I in(uired politel.
"%re ou the "agi$ian $alled 0keeve7" the guard $hallenged !a$k.
"+he kid asked ou a (uestion# soldier2" %ah9 inter$eded. "Now are ou going to answer or are ou so du"! ou don*t know
what*s on the other side of the door ou*re guarding7"
+he guard flushed !right red# and I noti$ed his partner*s knu$kles whitening on the pike he was gripping. It o$$urred to "e that
now that I had landed the "agi$ian*s -o!# it "ight not !e the wisest $ourse to $ontinue antagoni9ing the "ilitar.
"A"# %ah9 . . ." I "ur"ured.
":es2 +hese are the (uarters of 4eneral 1ada,e . . . sir2" the guard !arked suddenl.
%pparentl the "ention of " $olleague*s na"e had $onfir"ed " identit# though I wondered how "an strangers $ould !e
wandering the halls a$$o"panied ! large s$al de"ons. +he final# painful# "sir" was a tri!ute to " perfor"an$e in the $ourtard.
%pparentl the guards had !een instru$ted to !e polite# at least to "e# no "atter how "u$h it hurt . . . whi$h it o!viousl did.
"+hank ou# guard#" I said loftil# and ha""ered on the door with " fist.
"5urther#" the guard o!served# "the general left word that ou were to go right in."
+he fa$t that he had withheld that !it of infor"ation until after I had kno$ked indi$ated that the guards hadn*t $o"pletel
a!andoned their low regard for "agi$ians. +he were si"pl finding "ore su!tle was of !eing annoing.
I reali9ed %ah9 was getting read to start a new round with the guard# so I hastil opened the door and entered# for$ing hi" to
follow.
+he general was standing at the window# silhouetted ! the light strea"ing in fro" outside. %s we entered he turned to fa$e us.
"%h2 6o"e in# gentle"en#" he !oo"ed in a "ellow tone. "I*ve !een e,pe$ting ou. ;o "ake ourselves $o"forta!le. 3elp
ourselves to the wine if ou wish."
I found his sudden displa of friendliness even "ore dis(uieting than his earlier show of hostilit. %ah9# however# took it all in
stride# i""ediatel taking up the indi$ated -ug of wine. 5or a "o"ent I thought he was going to pour a !it of it into one of the
go!lets whi$h shared the tra with the -ug and pass it to "e. Instead# he took a deep drink dire$tl fro" the -ug and kept it# li$king
his lips in appre$iation. In the "idst of the $haos " life had suddenl !e$o"e# it was ni$e to know so"e things re"ained $onstant.
+he general frowned at the displa for a "o"ent# then for$ed his features !a$k into the -ovial e,pression he had first greeted us
with.
"1efore we !egin the !riefing#" he s"iled# "I "ust apologi9e for " rude !ehavior during the interview. 4ri"!le and I have . . .
differed in our opinions on the e,isting situation# and I*" afraid I took it out on ou. 5or that I e,tend " regrets. Ordinaril# I
would have nothing against "agi$ians as a group# or ou spe$ifi$all. "
"Whoa2 1a$k up a "inute# 4eneral#" %ah9 interrupted. "3ow does our feud with the $han$ellor involve us7"
+he general*s ees glittered with a fier$eness that !elied the gentilit of his oration.
"It*s an e,tension of our old argu"ent $on$erning allo$ation of funds#" he said. "When news rea$hed us of the approa$hing for$e#
" advi$e to the king was to i""ediatel strengthen our own ar" that we "ight ade(uatel perfor" our sworn dut of defending
the real"."
"0ounds like good advi$e to "e#" I inter-e$ted# hoping to i"prove " status with the general ! agreeing with hi".
1ada,e responded ! fi,ing "e with a hard glare.
8B
"0trange that ou should sa that# "agi$ian#" he o!served stonil. "4ri"!le*s advi$e was to invest the "one elsewhere than in
the ar"# spe$ifi$all in a "agi$ian."
It suddenl !e$a"e $lear wh we had !een re$eived ! the guards and the general with so"ething less than open-ar"ed
$a"araderie. Not onl were the getting us instead of reinfor$e"ents# our presen$e was a slap at their a!ilities.
"Oka# 4eneral#" %ah9 a$knowledged. "%ll that*s water under the draw!ridge. What are we up against7"
+he general glan$ed !a$k and forth !etween "e and %ah9# apparentl surprised that I was allowing " apprenti$e to take the
lead in the !riefing. When I failed to re!uke %ah9 for his forwardness# the general shrugged and "oved to a pie$e of par$h"ent
hanging on the wall.
"I !elieve the situation is shown $learl ! this-" he !egan.
"What*s that7" %ah9 interrupted.
+he general started to respond sharpl# then $aught hi"self. "+his#" he said evenl# "is a "ap of the kingdo" ou are supposed
to defend. It*s $alled .ossiltu"."
":es# of $ourse#" I nodded. "6ontinue."
"+his line here to the north of our !order represents the advan$ing ar" ou are to deal with."
"+oo !ad ou $ouldn*t get it to s$ale#" %ah9 $o""ented. "+he wa ou have it there# the ene"*s front is longer than our
!order."
+he general !ared his teeth.
"+he drawing is to s$ale#" he said pointedl. ".erhaps now ou will reali9e the "agnitude of the task !efore ou."
/ "ind !alked at a$$epting his state"ent.
"Reall# 4eneral#" I $hided. "0urel ou*re overstating the $ase. +here aren*t enough fighting "en in an kingdo" to for" a front
that long."
"/agi$ian#" the general*s voi$e was "ena$ing# "I did not rea$h " $urrent rank ! overstating "ilitar situations. +he ar" ou
are fa$ing is one of the "ightiest for$es the world has ever seen. It is the striking ar" of a rapidl growing e"pire situated far to
the north. +he have !een advan$ing for three ears now# a!sor!ing s"aller kingdo"s and $rushing an resistan$e offered. %ll
a!le-!odied "en of $on(uered lands are $ons$ripted for "ilitar servi$e# swelling their ranks to the si9e ou see indi$ated on the
"ap. +he onl reason the are not advan$ing faster is that in addition to li"itless nu"!ers of "en# the possess "assive war
"a$hines whi$h# though effe$tive# are slow to transport."
"Now tell us the !ad news#" %ah9 $o""ented drl.
+he general took hi" seriousl.
"+he !ad news#" he growled# "is that their leader is a strategist without peer. 3e rose to power troun$ing for$es triple the si9e of
his own nu"!ers# and now that he has a "assive ar" at his $o""and# he is virtuall un!eata!le."
"I*" !eginning to see wh the king put his "one into a "agi$ian#" " "entor o!served. "It doesn*t look like ou $ould have
asse"!led a for$e large enough to stop the"."
"+hat wasn*t " plan2" the general !ristled. "While we "a not have !een a!le to $rush the ene"# we $ould have "ade the"
pa dearl enough for $rossing our !order that the "ight have turned aside for weaker lands easier to $on(uer."
":ou know# 1ada,e#" %ah9 said thoughtfull# "that*s not a !ad plan. Working together we "ight still pull it off. 3ow "an "en
$an ou give us for support7"
"None#" the general said fir"l.
8 !linked.
"E,$use "e# 4eneral#" I pressed. "5or a "o"ent there# I thought ou said-"
"None#" he repeated. "I will not assign a single soldier of "ine to support our $a"paign."
"+hat*s insane2" %ah9 e,ploded. "3ow do ou e,pe$t us to stop an ar" like that with -ust "agik7"
"I don*t#" the general s"iled.
"1ut if we fail#" I pointed out# ".ossiltu" falls."
"+hat is $orre$t#" 1ada,e replied $al"l.
"1ut-"
"%llow "e to $larif " position#" he interrupted. "In " esti"ation# there is "ore at stake here than one kingdo". If ou
su$$eed in our "ission# it will esta!lish that "agik is "ore effe$tive than "ilitar for$e in defending a kingdo". Eventuall# that
$ould lead to all ar"ies !eing dis!anded in preferen$e to hiring "agi$ians. I will have no part in esta!lishing a pre$edent su$h as
that. If ou want to show that "agi$ians are superior to ar"ies# ou will have to do it with "agik alone. +he "ilitar will not lift a
finger to assist ou."
%s he spoke# he took the -ug of wine fro" %ah9*s unresisting fingers# a sign in itself that %ah9 was as stunned ! the general*s
words as I was.
"/ feelings on this su!-e$t are ver strong# gentle"en#" 1ada,e $ontinued# pouring hi"self so"e wine. "0o strong# in fa$t# I a"
willing to sa$rifi$e "self and " kingdo" to prove the point. What is "ore# I would strongl suggest that ou do the sa"e."
3e paused# regarding us with those glittering ees.
"1e$ause I tell ou here and now# should ou e"erge vi$torious fro" the i"pending !attle# ou will not live to $olle$t our
reward. +he king "a rule the $ourt# !ut word of what happens in the kingdo" $o"es to hi" through " soldiers# and those
soldiers will !e posted along our return path to the pala$e# with orders to !ring !a$k word of our a$$idental de"ise# even if the
have to arrange it. ;o I "ake "self $lear7"
8D
Chapter Eight
"%nthing worth doing# is worth doing for a profit."
-+ERE0I%0
With a "assive effort of self-$ontrol# I $ontained "self not onl after we had left the general*s (uarters# !ut until we were out of
earshot of the honor guard. When I finall spoke# I "anaged to keep the telltale note of hsteria out of " voi$e# whi$h would have
!etraed " true feelings.
"Like ou said# %ah9#" I $o""ented $asuall# "there are ar"ies and there are ar"ies. Right7"
%ah9 wasn*t fooled for a "inute.
"3steri$s won*t get us anwhere# kid#" he o!served. "What we need is sound thinking."
"E,$use "e#" I said pointedl# "!ut isn*t <sound thinking* what got us into the "ess in the first pla$e7"
"Oka# oka2" %ah9 gri"a$ed. "I*ll ad"it I "ade a few oversights when I originall appraised the situation."
"% few oversights7" I e$hoed in$redulousl. "%ah9# this <$ush -o!* ou set "e up for doesn*t !ear even the vaguest rese"!lan$e
to what ou des$ri!ed when ou sold "e on the idea."
"I know# kid#" %ah9 sighed. "I definitel owe ou an apolog. +his sounds like it*s a$tuall going to !e work."
"Work2" I shrieked# losing $ontrol slightl. "It*s going to !e sui$ide."
%ah9 shook his head sadl.
"+here ou go overrea$ting again. It doesn*t have to !e sui$ide. We*ve got a $hoi$e# ou know."
"0ure#" I retorted sar$asti$all. "We $an get killed ! the invaders or we $an get killed ! 1ada,e*s !os. 3ow sill of "e not to
have reali9ed it. 5or a "o"ent there I was getting worried."
"Our $hoi$e#" %ah9 $orre$ted sternl# "is to go through with this la"e-!rained "ission# or to take the "one and run."
% ra of hope !roke through the dis"al gloo" that had !urdened " "ind.
"%ah9#" I said in genuine awe# "ou*re a genius. 6*"on# let*s get going."
"4et going where7" %ah9 asked.
"1a$k to the inn# of $ourse#" I replied. "+he sooner the !etter."
"+hat wasn*t one of our options#" " "entor sneered.
"1ut ou said-"
"I said <take the "one and run* not -ust <run#* ** he $orre$ted. "We aren*t going anwhere until we*ve seen 4ri"!le."
"1ut %ah9-"
" <1ut %ah9* nothing#" he interrupted fier$el. "+his little -aunt has $ost us a !undle. We*re going to at least "ake it !reak even# if
not show a s"all profit."
"It hasn*t $ost us anthing#" I said !luntl.
"It $ost us travel ti"e and ti"e awa fro" our studies#" %ah9 $ountered. "+hat*s worth so"ething."
"1ut-"
"1esides#" he $ontinued loftil# "there are "ore i"portant issues at stake here."
"Like what7" I pressed.
"Well . . . like# u" . . ."
"+here ou are# gentle"en2"
We turned to find 4ri"!le approa$hing us rapidl fro" !ehind.
"I was hoping to $at$h ou after the !riefing#" the $han$ellor $ontinued# -oining us. ";o ou "ind if I wat$h with ou7 *8 know
ou*ll !e eager to start off on our $a"paign# !ut there are $ertain "atters we "ust dis$uss !efore ou leave."
"Like our wages#" %ah9 supplied fir"l.
4ri"!le*s s"ile fro9e.
"Oh2 :es# of $ourse. 5irst# however# there are other things to deal with. I trust the general supplied ou with the ne$essar
infor"ation for our "ission."
";own to the last grueso"e detail#" I $onfir"ed.
"4ood# good#" the $han$ellor $hortled# his enthusias" undi""ed ! " sar$as". "I have ever $onfiden$e ou*ll !e a!le to deal
with the riffraff fro" the North. I*ll have ou know ou were " personal $hoi$e even !efore the interviews. In fa$t# I was the one
responsi!le for sending ou the invitation in the first pla$e."
"We*ll re"e"!er that#" %ah9 s"iled# his ees -narrowing *dangerousl.
% thought o$$urred to "e.
"0a . . . u"# Lord 6han$ellor#" I *said $asuall# "how did ou happen to hear of us in the first pla$e7"
"Wh do ou ask7" 4ri"!le $ountered.
"No spe$ial reason#" I assured hi". "1ut as the interview proved so fruitful# I would like to send a token of " gratitude to that
person who spoke so highl of "e to ou."
It was a prett fli"s stor# !ut the $han$ellor see"ed to a$$ept it.
"Well . . . u"# a$tuall it was a wen$h#" he ad"itted. "Rather $o"el# !ut I don*t re$all her na"e -ust offhand. 0he "a have
ded her hair sin$e ou "et her. It was green at the ti"e we . . . er . . . "et. ;o ou know her7"
Indeed I did. +here was onl one wo"an who knew of %ah9 and "e# "u$h less our wherea!outs. +hen again# there was onl one
8F
wo"an I knew who fit the des$ription of !eing voluptuous with green hair. +anda2
I opened " "outh to a$knowledge " re$ognition# when %ah9 dug a warning el!ow into " ri!.
"4lah2" I said intelligentl.
"3ow*s that again7" 4ri"!le in(uired.
"I . . . u"# I $an*t pla$e the person# -ust offhand#" I lied. "1ut ou know how a!sent"inded we "agi$ians are."
"Of $ourse#" the $han$ellor s"iled# for so"e reason relieved.
"Now that that*s settled#" %ah9 interrupted# "I !elieve ou "entioned so"ething a!out our wages."
4ri"!le s$owled for a "o"ent# then !roke into a good-natured grin.
"I $an see wh /aster 0keeve leaves his !usiness dealings to ou# %ah9#" he $on$eded.
"5latter*s ni$e#" %ah9 o!served# "!ut ou $an*t spend it. +he su!-e$t was our wages."
":ou "ust reali9e we are a hu"!le kingdo"#" 4ri"!le sighed# "though we tr to reward our retainers as !est we $an. +here have
!een (uarters set aside for the $ourt "agi$ian# whi$h should !e spa$ious enough to a$$o""odate !oth of ou. :our "eals will !e
provided . . . that is# of $ourse# assu"ing ou are on ti"e when the are served. %lso# there is a possi!ilit . . . no# I*d go so far as to
sa it is a $ertaint that 3is /a-est*s generosit will !e e,tended to in$lude free sta!le spa$e and food for our uni$orns. 3ow
does that sound7"
"0o far# prett $heap#" %ah9 o!served !luntl.
"What do ou "ean# <$heap7* " the $han$ellor snarled# losing his $o"posure for a "o"ent.
"What ou*ve offered so far#" %ah9 sneered# "is a roo" we won*t !e sleeping in# "eals we won*t !e eating# and sta!le spa$e we
won*t !e using !e$ause we*ll !e in the field fighting our war for ou. In e,$hange# ou want 0keeve here to use his skills to save
our kingdo". 1 " $al$ulations# that*s $heap2"
":es# I see our point#" 4ri"!le $on$eded. "Well# there will# of $ourse# !e a s"all wage paid."
"3ow s"all7" %ah9 pressed-)
"0uffi$ient to $over our e,penses#" the $han$ellor s"iled. "0hall we sa fift gold pie$es a "onth7"
"Let*s sa two hundred#" %ah9 s"iled !a$k.
".erhaps we $ould go as high as sevent-five#" 4ri"!le $ountered.
"%nd we*ll $o"e down to two-twent-five#" %ah9 offered.
"6onsidering his skills# we $ould pa . . . e,$use "e#" the $han$ellor !linked. ";id ou sa two-twent-five7"
"%$tuall#" %ah9 $on$eded# "I "isspoke."
"I thought so." 4ri"!le s"iled.
"I "eant two-fift."
"Now see here-"the $han$ellor !egan.
"Look# 4ri"!le#" %ah9 "et hi" halfwa# "ou had three $hoi$es. :ou $ould dou!le the si9e of our ar"# hire a "agi$ian# or
lose the kingdo". Even at three hundred a "onth# 0keeve here is our !est deal. ;on*t look at what ou*re spending# look at what
ou*re saving."
4ri"!le thought a!out it for a few "o"ents.
"Ver well#" he said# gri"a$ing. "+wo-fift it is."
"I !elieve the figure under dis$ussion was three hundred#" I o!served pointedl.
+hat earned "e a !la$k look# !ut I stood " ground and returned his stare levell.
"+hree hundred#" he said# for$ing the words out through gritted teeth.
".aa!le in advan$e#" %ah9 added.
".aa!le at the end of the pa period#" 4ri"!le $orre$ted.
"6*"on# 4ri"!le#" %ah9 !egan# !ut the $han$ellor interrupted hi"# holding up his hand.
"No2 On that point I "ust re"ain infle,i!le#" he insisted. "Everone in the Roal Retinue is paid at the sa"e ti"e# when the
vaults are opened at the end of the pa period. If we !reak that rule and start allowing e,$eptions# there will !e no end to it."
"6an ou at least give us a partial advan$e7" %ah9 pressed. "0o"ething to $over e,penses on the up$o"ing $a"paign7"
";efinitel not2" 4ri"!le retorted. "If I paid out "onies for servi$es not et rendered# $ertain people# spe$ifi$all 3ugh 1ada,e#
would suspe$t ou intended to take the "one and flee without entering !attle at all2"
+hat hit un$o"forta!l $lose to ho"e# and I found "self averting " ees for fear of !etraing " guilt. %ah9# however# never
even !linked.
"What a!out !ri!es7" he asked.
4ri"!le s$owled.
"It is unthinka!le that one of the king*s retainers would a$$ept a !ri!e# "u$h less $ount on it as part of his in$o"e. %n atte"pt
to !ri!e ou should !e reported i""ediatel to 3is /a-est2"
"Not taking !ri!es# 4ri"!le#" %ah9 snarled. "4iving the". When we give "one out to the ene"# does that $o"e out of our
wages# or does the kingdo" pa for it7"
"I seriousl dou!t ou $ould !u off the ar" fa$ing ou#" the $han$ellor o!served skepti$all. "1esides# ou*re supposed to
$arr the da with "agik. +hat*s what we*re paing ou for."
"Even "agik is aided ! a$$urate infor"ation#" %ah9 replied pointedl. "6*"on 4ri"!le# ou know $ourt intrigue. % little
advan$e warning $an go a long wa in an !attle."
"+rue enough#" the $han$ellor ad"itted. "Ver well# I guess we $an give ou an allowan$e for !ri!es# assu"ing it will !e kept
8G
within reason."
"3ow "u$h in reason7" %ah9 in(uired.
"0a . . . five gold pie$es."
"+went-five would-"
"5ive2" 4ri"!le said fir"l.
%ah9 studied his adversar for a "o"ent# then sighed.
"5ive#" he said# e,tending his pal".
+he $han$ellor grudgingl dug into his purse and $ounted out five gold pie$es. In fa$t# he $ounted the" twi$e !efore passing
the" to %ah9.
":ou reali9e# of $ourse#" he warned# "I will re(uire an a$$ounting of those funds after our vi$tor."
"Of $ourse#" %ah9 s"iled# fondling the $oins.
":ou see" ver $onfident of our vi$tor# Lord 6han$ellor#" I o!served.
4ri"!le regarded "e with $o$ked ee!row for a "o"ent.
"Of $ourse I a" $onfident# Lord /agi$ian#" he said at last. "0o $onfident# I have staked " kingdo"# and "ore i"portantl# "
reputation# on our su$$ess. :ou will note I rate " reputation a!ove the kingdo". +hat is no a$$ident. Kingdo"s rise and fall# !ut
a $han$ellor $an alwas find e"plo"ent. +hat is# of $ourse# providing it was not his advi$e whi$h !rought the kingdo" to ruin.
0hould ou fail in our $a"paign to save .ossiltu"# " $areer is finished. If that should happen# gentle"en# our $areers fall with
"ine."
"+hat has the sound of a threat to it# 4ri"!le#" %ah9 o!served drl.
";oes it7" the $han$ellor responded with "o$k inno$en$e. "+hat was not " intent. I a" not threatening# I a" stating a fa$t. I
"aintain ver $lose $onta$t with the $han$ellors of all of the surrounding kingdo"sE in fa$t I a" related to several. +he are all
aware of " position in this "agik versus the "ilitar issue. 0hould I prove wrong in " -udg"ent# should ou fail in our defense
of .ossiltu"# the will note it. +hereafter# an "agi$ian-and ou spe$ifi$all# 0keeve-will !e denoun$ed as a fraud and a $harlatan
should ou seek further e"plo"ent. In fa$t# as the $han$ellors fre(uentl $ontrol the $ourts# I would not !e surprised if the found
an e,$use or a tru"ped-up $harge whi$h would allow the" to have ou put to death as a favor to "e. +he "ethod of death varies
fro" kingdo" to kingdo"# !ut the end result is the sa"e. I trust ou will keep that in "ind as ou plan our $a"paign."
With that# he turned on his heel and strode awa# leaving us standing in silen$e.
"Well# %ah9#" I said finall# "do ou have an sound advi$e on our situation now7"
"Of $ourse#" he retorted.
"What7" I asked.
"Now that we*ve got the whole stor#" he said sole"nl# "now ou $an pani$."
Chapter Nine
"+here is "ore at stake here than our lives."
-6OL. +R%VI0
%la"o .ep +alk
On the third night after leaving .ossiltu"*s $apital# we $a"ped on a s"all knoll overlooking the kingdo"*s "ain north-south
trail.
%$tuall# I use the phase "north-south" rather loosel in this instan$e. In three das* travel# our progress was the onl northward
"ove"ent we had o!served on this parti$ular strip of !eaten dirt. +he dearth of north!ound traffi$ was e"phasi9ed ! the high
volu"e of people !ound in the opposite dire$tion.
%s we traveled we were $onstantl en$ountering s"all groups and fa"ilies pi$king their wa steadil toward the $apital in that
unhurried et groundeating pa$e that tpifies people a$$usto"ed to traveling without "eans of transport other than their feet. +he
did not see" parti$ularl frightened or pani$k# !ut two $o""on $hara$teristi$s "arked the" all as !eing "ore than $asual
travelers.
5irst# the great a"ount of personal effe$ts the $arried was far in e,$ess of that re(uired for a si"ple pilgri"age. Whether !ound
in $u"!erso"e !a$kpa$ks or heaped in s"all# hand-pushed $arts# it was o!vious the south!ound travelers were !ringing with the"
as "u$h of their worldl possessions as the $ould $arr or drag.
0e$ond# no one paid us an heed other than a passing glan$e. +his was even "ore noteworth than the prior o!servation.
6urrentl# our part $onsisted of three) "self# %ah9# and 4leep. We had left 1utter$up at the pala$e# "u$h to %ah9*s disgust. 3e
would have preferred to leave 4leep and !ring 1utter$up# !ut the roal orders had !een fir" on this point. +he dragon was not to
re"ain at the pala$e unless one or !oth of us also staed !ehind to handle hi". %s a result# we traveled as a trio-a outh# a dragon#
and a gru"!ling de"on-not e,a$tl a $o""on sight in these or an other parts. +he peasants flowing south# however# !arel
noti$ed us other than to give us $lear road spa$e when we passed.
%ah9 "aintained that this was !e$ause whatever the were running fro" inspired su$h fear that the !arel noted anthing or
an!od in their path. 3e further sur"ised that the "otivating for$e for this e,odus $ould onl !e the ver ar" we were on our
wa to oppose.
+o prove his point# we atte"pted to (uestion several of the groups when we en$ountered the". We stopped doing this after the
first da due to the si"ilarities of the replies we re$eived. 0a"ple)
8H
%ah9) 3old# stranger2 Where are ou going7 %nswer) +o the $apital2
%ah9) Wh7
%nswer) +o !e as near as possi!le to the king when he "akes his defense against the invaders fro" the North. 3e*ll have to tr to
save hi"self even if he won*t defend the outlands.
%ah9) 6iti9en ou need flee no "ore. :ou have underesti"ated our king*s $on$ern for our safet. :ou see !efore ou the new
$ourt "agi$ian# retained ! 3is /a-est spe$ifi$all for the purpose of defending .ossiltu" fro" the invading ar". What sa ou
to that7
%nswer) One "agi$ian7
%ah9) With " own a!le assistan$e# of $ourse.
%nswer) I*d sa ou were $ra9.
%ah9) Now look-
%nswer) No# ou look# whoever or whatever ou are. /eaning no disrespe$t to this or an other "agi$ian# ou*re fools to oppose
that ar". /agik "a !e well and good against an ordinar for$e# !ut ou aren*t going to stop that ar" with one "agi$ian . . . or
twent "agi$ians for that "atter.
%ah9) We have ever $onfiden$e-
%nswer) 5ine# then ou go north. /e# I*" heading for the $apital2
+hough this e,$hange had eventuall (uelled our efforts to reassure the popula$e# it had given rise to an argu"ent whi$h was
still unresolved as we prepared to sleep on the third night.
"What happened to our plan to take the "one and run7" I gru"!led.
"1ig deal#" %ah9 shot !a$k. "5ive whole gold pie$es."
":ou said ou wanted a profit#" I pressed. "Oka2 We*ve got one. 0o it*s s"all . . . !ut so was the effort we put into it.
6onsidering we didn*t spend anthing-"
"What a!out the uni$orn7" %ah9 $ountered. "While the*re still holding the uni$orn# we*ve lost "one on the deal."
"%ah9#" I re"inded hi". "1utter$up didn*t $ost us anthing# re"e"!er7 3e was a gift fro" @uigle."
"It would $ost "one to repla$e hi"#" %ah9 insisted. "+hat "eans that we lost "one on the deal unless we get hi" !a$k. I*ve
told ou# I want a profit . . . and definitel refuse to a$$ept a loss."
"4leep7"
%ah9*s heated words had awakened " dragon# who raised his head in sleep in(uir.
"4o !a$k to sleep# 4leep2" I said soothingl. "Everthing*s all right."
Reassured# he rolled onto his !a$k and laid !a$k his head.
Ridi$ulous as he looked# ling there with his four legs sti$king up in the air# he had re"inded "e of so"ething.
I pondered the "e"or for a "o"ent# then de$ided to $hange " ta$ti$s.
"%ah9#" I said thoughtfull# "what*s the real reason for our wanting to go through with this7"
"Weren*t ou listening# kid7 I 0aid-"
"I know# I know#" I interrupted. ":ou said it was# for the profit. +he onl thing-wrong with that is ou tried to leave 4leep
!ehind# who $ost us "one# instead of 1utter$up# who didn*t $ost us anthing2 +hat doesn*t ring true if ou*re tring to show a
profit with the least possi!le effort."
"A"# ou know how I feel a!out that stupid dragon-" %ah9 !egan.
"%nd ou know how I feel a!out hi"#" I interrupted# "%s su$h# ou also know I*d never a!andon hi" to save " own skin# "u$h
less for "one. 5or so"e reason# ou wanted to !e sure I*d see this thing through . . . and that reason has nothing at all to do with
"one. Now# what is it7"
It was %ah9*s turn to lapse into thoughtful silen$e.
":ou*re getting !etter at figuring things out# kid#" he said finall.
Nor"all# I would have !een happ to a$$ept the $o"pli"ent. +his ti"e# however# I saw it as what it was) an atte"pt to distra$t
"e.
"+he reason# %ah9#" I said fir"l.
"+here are several reasons# kid#" he said with un$hara$teristi$ sole"nit. "+he "ain one is that ou*re not a "aster "agi$ian
et."
"If ou don*t "ind " saing so#" I $o""ented drl# "that doesn*t "ake a whole lot of sense. If I*" short on a!ilit# wh are
ou so eager to shove "e into this "ission7"
"3ear "e out# kid#" %ah9 said# raising a restraining hand. "I "ade a "istake# and that "istake has du"ped us into a situation that
needs a "aster "agi$ian. /ore than a "aster "agi$ian*s a!ilities# we need a "aster "agi$ian*s $ons$ien$e. ;o ou follow "e7"
"No#" I ad"itted.
"Not surprising#" %ah9 sighed. "+hat*s wh I tried to tri$k ou into $o"pleting this "ission instead of e,plaining it. 0o far# all
our training has !een on phsi$al a!ilities without developing our professional $ons$ien$e."
":ou*ve taught "e to keep one ee on the profits#" I pointed out defensivel.
"+hat*s not what I "ean# kid. Look# for a "inute forget a!out profits."
"%re ou feeling oka# %ah97" I asked with genuine $on$ern. ":ou don*t sound like ourself at all."
"Will ou get off " !a$k# kid#" he snarled. "I*" tring to e,plain so"ething i"portant2"
I sank into a $owed silen$e. 0till I was reassured. %ah9 was definitel %ah9.
8I
"When ou were apprenti$ed to 4arkin#" %ah9 !egan# "and even when ou first "et "e# ou didn*t want to !e a "agi$ian. :ou
wanted to !e a thief. +o fo$us our energies !ehind our lessons# I had to stress how "u$h !enefit ou $ould reap fro" learning
"agik."
3e paused. I didn*t sa anthing. +here was nothing to sa. 3e was right# !oth in his re$olle$tions and his interpretation of the".
"Well#" he sighed# "there*s another side to "agik. +here*s a responsi!ilit . . . a responsi!ilit to our fellow pra$titioners# and#
"ore i"portantl# to "agik itself. Even though we have rivals and will pro!a!l a$(uire "ore if we live that long# and even though
we "a fight with the" or !eat the" out for a -o!# we are all !ound ! a $o""on $ause. Ever "agi$ian has a dut to pro"ote
"agik# to see that its use is respe$ted and reputa!le. +he greater the "agi$ian# the greater his sense of dut."
"What*s that got to do with our $urrent situation7" I pro"pted.
"+here*s an issue at stake here# kid#" he answered $arefull. ":ou heard it fro" 1ada,e and 4ri"!le !oth. /ore i"portantl# ou
heard it fro" the popula$e when we talked to the peasants. Rodri$k is ga"!ling his entire kingdo" on the a!ilit of "agik to do a
-o!. Now# no one !ut a "agi$ian $an tell how reasona!le or unreasona!le a task that "ight !e. If we fail# all the la"en will see is
that "agik failed# and the*ll never trust it again. +hat*s wh we $an*t walk awa fro" this "ission. We*re here representing "agik .
. . and we*ve got to give it our !est shot."
I thought a!out that for a few "o"ents.
"1ut what $an we do against a whole ar"7" I asked finall.
"+o !e honest with ou#" %ah9 sighed# "I reall don*t know. I*" hoping we $an $o"e up with an idea after we*ve seen e,a$tl
what it is we*re up against."
We sat silentl together for a long ti"e after that# ea$h lost in his own thoughts of the "ission and what was at stake.
Chapter Ten
"One need not fear superior nu"!ers if the opposing for$e has !een properl s$outed and appraised."
-0. 1ALL
/ last vestige of hope was s(uashed when we finall sighted the ar". Reports of its "assive si9e had not !een overstatedE if
anthing# the had failed to e,press the full i"pa$t of the for$e*s "ight.
Our s$outing "ission had taken us a$ross .ossiltu"*s northern !order and several das* -ourne into its neigh!or*s interior. +he
na"e of this kingdo" was in$onse(uential. If it was not alread $onsidered part of the new e"pire# it would !e as soon as the news
spread.
We weren*t sure if we had -ust "issed the last !attle# or if the kingdo" had si"pl surrendered. Whi$hever the $ase# there were
no defending troops in eviden$e# -ust large en$a"p"ents of the E"pire*s for$es spread out in a rough line whi$h disappeared over
the hori9on in either dire$tion.
5ortunatel# the ar" was not $urrentl on the "ove# whi$h "ade our s$outing $onsidera!l easier.
+here were sentries posted at regular intervals all along the front line# !ut as the were not "ore than a given distan$e fro" the
en$a"p"ents# we si"pl traversed the line without approa$hing the" too $losel# and thus es$aped dete$tion.
.eriodi$all# we would $reep $loser to an en$a"p"ent or $li"! a tree to i"prove our view. %ah9 see"ed ver a!sor!ed in his
own thoughts# !oth when we were a$tuall viewing the troops and as we were traveling to new lo$ations. 0in$e I $ouldn*t get "ore
than an o$$asional grunt or "onoslla!le out of hi"# I o$$upied "self "aking " own o!servations.
+he soldiers were $lothed roughl the sa"e. 0tandard e(uip"ent see"ed to in$lude a leather hel"et and !reastplate# a rough
knee-length $loth tuni$# sandals# sword# two -avelins# and a large re$tangular shield. %pparentl the were not planning to "ove
i""ediatel# for the had pit$hed their tents and spent "ost of their ti"e sharpening weapons# repairing ar"or# eating# or si"pl
lolling a!out. O$$asionall# a "etal-en$rusted soldier# presu"a!l# an offi$er# would appear and shout at the others# whereupon
the would listlessl for" ranks and drill. +heir pra$ti$e would usuall grind to a halt as soon as the offi$er passed fro" view.
+here were o$$asional pie$es of siege e(uip"ent designed to throw large ro$ks or spears long distan$es# though we never saw
the" in operation. +he onl pie$es of e(uip"ent that see"ed to !e used with an regularit were the signal towers. Ea$h
en$a"p"ent had one of these# a ri$ket affair of lashed together poles stret$hing roughl twent feet in the air and sur"ounted !
a s"all# s(uare platfor". 0everal ti"es a da# one soldier in ea$h en$a"p"ent would "ount one of these stru$tures# and the
would signal to ea$h other with pennants or standards. +he towers also did dut as $lotheslines# and were periodi$all draped with
dring tuni$s.
%ll in all# it looked like an in$redi!l !oring e,isten$e. In fa$t# fro" " appraisal# the onl thing duller than !eing a soldier of
the E"pire was spending das on end wat$hing soldiers of the E"pire2
I $o""ented on this to %ah9 as we la !ell-down on a grass knoll# surveing et another en$a"p"ent.
":ou*re right# kid#" he ad"itted a!sentl. "1eing a soldier is prett dull work."
"3ow a!out us7" I pro!ed# eager to keep hi" talking. "What we*re doing isn*t e,a$tl e,$iting# ou know2"
":ou want e,$ite"ent7" he asked# fo$using on "e for the first ti"e in das. "+ell ou what. Wh don*t ou -ust stroll down there
and ask the Offi$er of the ;a for a (ui$k rundown on how their ar" operates7 I !et that*ll liven things up for ou."
"I*" not that !ored2" I a"ended hastil.
"+hen what sa ou -ust keep (uiet and let "e do this " wa." %ah9 s"iled and resu"ed his studies.
";o what our wa7" I persisted. "E,a$tl what is it we*re tring to a$$o"plish anwa7"
%ah9 sighed.
>J
"We*re s$outing the ene"#" he e,plained patientl. "We*ve got enough going against us on this $a"paign without rushing in
uninfor"ed."
"3ow "u$h infor"ation do we need7" I gru"!led. "+his en$a"p"ent doesn*t look an different fro" the last five we looked at."
"+hat*s !e$ause ou don*t know what ou*re looking for#" %ah9 s$offed. "What have ou learned so far a!out the opposition7"
I wasn*t read for the (uestion !ut I ga"el rose to the $hallenge.
"A" . . . there are a lot of the" . . . the*re well ar"ed... u" . . . and the have $atapults . . ."
"+hat*s all7" %ah9 sneered. "1rilliant2 :ou and 1ada,e "ake a great tea" of ta$ti$ians."
"Oka# so tea$h "e2" I shot !a$k. "What have ou learned7"
":ou $an spend ears tring to learn "ilitar theor without s$rat$hing the surfa$e#" " "entor replied sternl. "1ut I*ll tr to
give ou the i"portant parts in a nutshell. +o appraise a for$e# su$h as we*re doing now# re"e"!er two words) <0a"* and *;o$.*
" <0a"* and *;o$#* " I repeated dutifull)
"0o"e folks prefer to re"e"!er <0alute* !ut I like <0a"* and *;o$# * " %ah9 added as an aside.
"+errifi$#" I said# gri"a$ing. "Now tell "e what it "eans."
"+he*re to help ou re"e"!er an infor"ation $he$klist#" %ah9 $onfided. " <0alute*s stands for 0i9e# %$tivit# Lo$ation# Anit#
+i"e# and E(uip"ent. +hat*s fine as far as it goes# !ut it assu"es no -udg"ental a!ilit on the part of the s$out. I prefer <0a"* and
*;o$.* +hat stands for 0trength# %r"a"ent# /ove"ent# and ;eplo"ent# Organi9ation# and 6o""uni$ations."
"Oh#" I said# hoping he wasn*t e,pe$ting "e to re"e"!er all this.
"Now# using that fra"ework#" %ah9 $ontinued# "let*s su""ari9e what we*ve seen so far. 0i9e) there are lots of the"# enough so
it*s kind of pointless to tr for an e,a$t $ount. /ove"ent) $urrentl# the*re -ust sitting there."
"I got that far all ! "self#" I pointed out sar$asti$all.
"+he !ig ke# however#" %ah9 $ontinued# ignoring "e# "is in their %r"a"ent and E(uip"ent. When ou look at this# $onsider
!oth what is there and what isn*t."
"3ow*s that again7" I asked.
"What there is# is a lot of foot-s$hloggers# infantr# a little artiller in the for" of $atapults and ar$hers# !ut nothing even vaguel
rese"!ling $avalr. +hat "eans the*re going to go slow when the "ove# parti$ularl in !attle. We don*t have to worr a!out an
fast# flanking "ovesE it*ll !e a toe-to-toe slugfest."
"1ut# %ah9-" I !egan.
"%s to the ;eplo"ent and Organi9ation#" he pushed on undaunted# "the*re strung out all over the pla$e# pro!a!l !e$ause it*s
easier to forage for food that wa. +hen again# it displas a $ertain $onfiden$e on their part that the don*t feel it*s ne$essar to
"ass their for$es. I think we*re looking at their Organi9ation# a $olle$tion of $o"panies or !attalions ea$h under the leadership of
two or three offi$ers# all under the guidan$e of a super-leader or general."
"%ah9-" I tried again.
"6o""uni$ations see"s to !e their "ost vulnera!le point#" %ah9 pushed on doggedl. "If an ar" this si9e doesn*t $oordinate
its "ove"ents# it*s in !ig trou!le. If the*re reall using signal towers and runners to pass "essages# we "ight !e a!le to -in, the
works for the"."
"%ll of whi$h "eans what7" I interrupted finall.
"3""7 Oh# that*s a $apsule su""ar of what we*re up against#" %ah9 replied inno$entl.
"I know. I know#" I sighed. "1ut for das ou*ve !een saing ou*ll for"ulate a plan after ou*ve seen what we*re up against.
Well# ou*ve seen it. What*s the plan7 3ow $an we !eat *e"7"
"+here*s no wa# kid#" %ah9 ad"itted heavil. "If I had seen one# I would have told ou# !ut I haven*t# and that*s wh I keep
looking."
"/a!e there isn*t one#" I suggested $autiousl.
%ah9 sighed.
"I*" starting to think ou*re right. If so# that "eans we*ll have to do so"ething I reall don*t want to do."
":ou "ean give up7" I said# genuinel startled. "%fter that !ig spee$h ou gave "e a!out responsi!ilit and-"
"Whoa#" %ah9 interrupted. "I didn*t sa anthing a!out giving up. What we*re going to do is-"
"4leep2 "
+he un"istaka!le sound $a"e to us fro" !ehind# rolling up the hill fro" the !rush-filled gull where we*d left " pet.
"Kid#" %ah9 "oaned# "will ou keep that stupid dragon (uiet7 %ll we need now is to have hi" pull the ar" down our ne$ks."
"Right# %ah92" I agreed# wor"ing awa !a$kward as fast as I $ould.
%s soon as I was $lear of the $rest of the hill# I rose to a low $rou$h and s$uttled down the slope in that position. 6rawling is
neither a fast nor $o"forta!le "eans of travel for "e.
%s per our now nor"al pro$edure# we had tethered 4leep to a tree . . . a large tree after he had su$$essfull uprooted several
s"all ones. Needless to sa# he wasn*t wild a!out the idea# !ut it was ne$essar $onsidering the deli$ate nature of our $urrent work.
"4leep2"
I $ould see hi" now# eagerl straining at the end of his rope. 0urprisingl# however# for a $hange he wasn*t tring to get to "e. In
fa$t# he was tring his !est to get at a large !ush whi$h stood so"e distan$e fro" his tree . . . or at so"ething hidden in the !ush2
6old sweat suddenl popped out on " !row. It o$$urred to "e that 4leep "ight have !een dis$overed -! one of the ene"
ar" s$outs. +hat would !e !ad enough# !ut even worse was the possi!ilit said s$out "ight still !e around.
I hurriedl stepped sidewas into the shadow of a tree and reviewed the situation-. I hadn*t a$tuall seen a s$out. In fa$t# there
>8
was no "ove"ent at all in the indi$ated !ush. I $ould sneak !a$k and get %ah9# !ut if I were wrong he wouldn*t !e ver happ over
!eing $alled to handle a false alar". I $ould set 4leep loose and let hi" find the intruder# !ut that would "ean e,posing "self.
%s I stood de!ating " ne,t $ourse of a$tion# so"eone slipped up !ehind "e and put hands over " ees.
"0urprise2" $a"e a soft voi$e in " ear.
Chapter Eleven
"0hould old a$(uaintan$e !e forgot . . ."
-6OAN+ O5 /ON+E 6RI0+O
I -u"ped2
.erhaps I should $larif. When I sa "I -u"ped#" I "ean I reall -u"ped. Over a ear ago# %ah9 had taught "e to fl# whi$h is
a$tuall $ontrolled hovering $aused ! reverse levitation.
Whatever it was# I did it. I went straight up in the air a!out ten feet and staed there. I didn*t know what had snu$k up !ehind "e#
and didn*t want to know. I wanted help2 I wanted %ah92
I drew a "ight !reath to e,press this desire.
"Kinda -u"p# aren*t ou# handso"e7"
+hat penetrated " pani$.
0tifling " shout !efore it trul !egan# I looked down on " atta$ker. 5ro" " vantage point# I was treated to a view of a
gorgeous golden-olive $o"ple,ioned fa$e# a$$ented ! al"ond-shaped $at*s ees# fra"ed ! a "agnifi$ent tu"!le of light green
hair. I $ould also see a generous e,panse of $leavage.
"+anda2" I $rowed with delight# for$ing " ees !a$k to her fa$e.
";o ou "ind $o"ing down7" she $alled. "I $an*t $o"e up."
I $onsidered swooping down on her -dra"ati$all# !ut de$ided against it. I*" still not all that good at fling# and the effe$t would
!e lost $o"pletel if I $rashed into her.
Instead# I settled for lowering "self gentl to the ground a few pa$es fro" her.
"4ee# +anda# I . . . gla$k2"
+he last was s(uee9ed for$efull fro" "e as she swept "e into a !one-$rushing e"!ra$e.
"4ee# it*s good to see ou# handso"e#" she "ur"ured happil. "3ow have ou !een7"
"I was fine#" I noted# untangling "self !riefl. "What are ou doing here7"
+he last ti"e I had seen her# +anda was part of the ill-fated group %ah9 and I had seen off to di"ensions unknown. Of the whole
$rowd# she had !een the onl one I was sorr to see go.
"I*" waiting for ou# sill#" she teased# slipping an affe$tionate ar" around " waist. "Where*s %ah97"
"3e*s-" I started to point up the hill when a thought o$$urred to "e. "0a . . . how did ou know I had %ah9 with "e7"
"Oh2 ;on*t get "ad#" she s$olded# giving "e a plaful shake. "It stands to reason. Even %ah9 wouldn*t let ou fa$e that ar"
alone."
"1ut how did ou-"
"4leep2"
/ dragon had dis$overed his (uarr was no longer hiding !ehind the !ush. %s a result# he was now straining at the end of his
rope tring to rea$h us. +he tree he was tethered to was swaing dangerousl.
"4leep2" +anda $alled in a delighted voi$e. "3ow are a# fella7"
+he tree dipped to new lows as " dragon (uivered with glee at having !een re$ogni9ed. I was (uivering a little "self. +anda
had that affe$t on "ales.
3eedless of her own safet# +anda !ounded forward to kneel !efore the dragon# pulling his whiskers and s$rat$hing his nose
affe$tionatel.
4leep loved it. I loved it# too. In addition to her usual soft# $alf-high !oots# +anda was wearing a short green tuni$# whi$h hugged
her generous $urves and showed off her legs -ust swell. What*s "ore# when she knelt down like that# the he" rode up until....
"What*s wrong with that dragon7" %ah9 !oo"ed# !ursting out of the !rush !ehind "e.
+his ti"e I didn*t -u"p . . . "u$h.
"4ee# %ah9#" I !egan. "It*s . . ."
I needn*t have !othered tring to e,plain.
+anda un$oiled and $a"e past "e in a !ound.
"%ah92" she e,$lai"ed# flinging herself into his ar"s.
5or a $hange# " "entor was $aught as flat-footed as I had !een. 5or a "o"ent# the tangle of ar"s teetered on the !rink of
$ollapse# then down it went.
+he landed with a resounding thu"p# %ah9 on the !otto" and therefore soaking up "ost of the i"pa$t.
"0till i"pulsive# aren*t ou7" +anda leered.
"Whoosh.... hah . . . ah . . ." %ah9 responded ur!anel.
+anda rolled to her feet and !egan rearranging her tuni$.
"%t least I don*t have to ask if ou*re glad to see "e#" she o!served.
"+anda2" %ah9 gasped at last.
>>
":ou re"e"!ered7" +anda !ea"ed.
"0he*s !een waiting for us# %ah9#" I supplied !rightl.
"+hat*s right2" %ah9 s$owled. "4ri"!le said ou set us up for this -o!."
+anda win$ed.
"I $an e,plain that#" she said apologeti$all.
"I $an hardl wait#" %ah9 intoned.
"I*" kind of $urious a!out that "self#" I added.
"A" . . . this $ould take a while# gus#" she said thoughtfull. "4ot anthing around to drink7"
+hat was easil the "ost reasona!le (uestion asked so far toda. We !roke out the wine# and in no ti"e were sitting around in a
s"all $ir$le (uen$hing our thirst. /u$h to %ah9*s disgust# I insisted we sit $lose enough to 4leep that he not !e left out. +his
"eant# of $ourse# his rather aro"ati$ !reath flavored our dis$ussion# !ut as I pointed out it was the onl wa to keep hi" (uiet
while we talked.
"What happened after ou left7" I prodded. "Where are Isstvan and 1ro$khurst and 3iggins7 What happened to @uigle7 ;id
the ever !ring 5ru"ple !a$k to life# or is he still a statue7"
"Later# kid#" %ah9 interrupted. "5irst things first. :ou were a!out to e,plain a!out 4ri"!le."
"4ri"!le#" +anda responded# wrinkling her nose. ";id ou ever noti$e the <$rookeder* a person is# the "ore possessive he is7
3e*s the "ain reason I didn*t wait for ou at .ossiltu"."
"5ro" the !eginning#" %ah9 instru$ted.
"5ro" the !eginning." +anda pursed her lips thoughtfull. "Well# I pi$ked hi" up in a singles !ar . . . he*s "arried# !ut I didn*t
know that till later."
"What*s a singles !ar7" I interrupted.
"0hut up# kid#" %ah9 snarled.
"Well# it wasn*t a$tuall a singles !ar#" +anda $orre$ted. "It was "ore of K tavern. I should have known he was "arried. I "ean#
no!od that oung is that !ald unless he*s got a wife at ho"e."
"0kip the philosoph#" %ah9 "oaned. "=ust tell us the stor# huh7"
+anda $o$ked an ee!row at hi".
":ou know# %ah9#" she a$$used# "for so"eone as long-winded as ou are when it $o"es to telling stories# ou*re awfull
i"patient when it $o"es to listening to so"eone else."
"0he*s right# ou know#" I $o""ented.
"Enough2" %ah9 !ellowed. "+he stor2"
"Well# one of the things 4ri"!le "entioned while he was tring to i"press "e with how i"portant his -o! was# was that he was
tring to find a $ourt "agi$ian. 3e said he had $onvin$ed the king to hire one# !ut now he $ouldn*t find one and was going to end
up looking like an idiot."
"%nd when he "entioned idiots#" I supplied# "naturall ou thought of us."
"Now# don*t !e that wa#" +anda s$olded. "I thought it was a good wa to help out a $ouple of friends. I knew ou two were
hanging out in this ne$k of the woods . . . and ever!od knows what a $ush -o! !eing a $ourt "agi$ian is."
"What did I tell ou# kid#" %ah9 $o""ented.
"We "ust !e talking a!out different -o!s#" I retorted.
"3e#" +anda interrupted# laing a soft hand on " ar". "When I gave hi" our na"es# I didn*t know a!out the invading ar".
3onest2"
/ anger "elted awa at her tou$h. Right then# she $ould have told "e she had sold " head as a $enterpie$e and I would have
forgiven her.
"Well . . ." I !egan# !ut she persisted# whi$h was fine ! "e.
"%s soon as I found out what the real stor was# I knew I had gotten ou into a tight spot#" she said with soft sin$erit. "Like I
said# I would have waited at .ossiltu"# !ut I was afraid what with our disguises and all# that ou*d re$ogni9e "e !efore I spotted
ou. If ou gave "e the kind of greeting I*ve grown to e,pe$t# it $ould have reall (ueered the deal. 4ri"!le*s a -ealous twit# and if
he thought we were "ore than nodding a$(uaintan$es# he would have held !a$k whatever support he "ight nor"all give."
"1ig deal#" %ah9 gru"!led. "5ive whole gold pie$es."
"+hat "u$h7" +anda sounded honestl surprised. "Whi$h ar" did ou !reak7"
"%ah9 alwas gets us the !est possi!le deal#" I said proudl. "%t least# "onetaril."
"Well#" +anda $on$luded# "at least I won*t dig into our war funds. When I found out the "ess I had gotten ou into# I de$ided
I*d work this one for free. 0in$e I got ou into it# the least I $an do is help get ou out."
"+hat*s terrifi$#" I e,$lai"ed.
"It sure is2" %ah9 agreed.
0o"ething in his voi$e annoed "e.
"I "eant that she was helping us#" I snarled. "Not that she was doing it for free."
"+hat*s what I "eant# too# apprenti$e#" %ah9 glowered !a$k. "1ut unlike so"e# I know what I*" talking a!out2"
"1os# !os#" +anda said# separating us with her hands. "We*re on the sa"e side. Re"e"!er7"
"4leep2" said the dragon# siding with +anda.
%s I have said# 4leep*s !reath is powerful enough to stop an $onversation# and it was several "inutes !efore the air $leared
>?
enough for us to $ontinue.
"1efore we were so rudel interrupted#" +anda gasped at last# "ou were starting to sa so"ething# %ah9. 3ave ou got a plan7"
"Now I do#" %ah9 s"iled# $hu$king her under the $hin. "%nd !elieve "e# doing it without ou would have !een rough."
+hat had an an,ious sound to it) +anda*s "ain $alling# at least the onl one "entiona!le in polite $o"pan# was %ssassin.
"6*"on# %ah9#" I $hided. "+anda*s good# !ut she*s not good enough to take on a whole ar"."
";on*t !et on it# handso"e#" she $orre$ted# winking at "e.
I !lushed !ut $ontinued with " argu"ent.
"I still sa the -o!*s too !ig for one person# or three people for that "atter#" I insisted.
":ou*re right# kid#" %ah9 said sole"nl.
"We -ust $an*t . . . what did ou sa# %ah97"
"I said ou were right#" %ah9 repeated.
"I thought so#" I "arveled. "I -ust wanted to hear it again."
":ou*d hear it "ore often if ou were right "ore often#" %ah9 pointed out.
"6*"on# %ah9#" +anda interrupted. "What*s the plan7"
"Like the kid sas#" %ah9 said loftil# "we need "ore help. We need an ar" of our own."
"1ut %ah9#" I re"inded hi"# "1ada,e said-"
"Who said anthing a!out 1ada,e7" %ah9 replied inno$entl. "We*re supposed to win this war with "agik# aren*t we7 Well# fine.
With +anda on our tea"# we*ve got a $ouple of e,tra skills to draw on. Re"e"!er7"
I re"e"!ered. I re"e"!ered %ah9 saing he wasn*t worried a!out +anda leaving with Isstvan !e$ause she $ould travel the
di"ensions ! herself if things got rough. +he light !egan to dawn.
":ou "ean. . ."
"+hat*s right# kid#" %ah9 s"iled. "We*re going !a$k to ;eva. We*re going to re$ruit a little invasionar for$e of our own2"
Chapter Twelve
"+his is no ga"e for old "en2 0end in the !os
-W. 3%:0
I don*t know how +anda transported us fro" Klah to ;eva. If I did# we wouldn*t have needed her. %ll I know is that at the
appropriate ti"e she $o""en$ed to $hant and shift her shoulders &a fas$inating pro$ess in itself'# and we were there.
"+here#" in this $ase# was at the 1a9aar at ;eva. +hat phrase alone# however# does not !egin to des$ri!e our new surroundings as
the $a"e into fo$us.
% long ti"e ago# the di"ension of ;eva had undergone an e$ono"i$ $ollapse. +o survive# the ;eveels &who I on$e knew as
devils' used their a!ilit to travel the di"ensions and !e$o"e "er$hants. +hrough the pro$ess of natural sele$tion# the "ost
su$$essful ;eveels were not the !est fighters# !ut the !est traders. Now# after $ountless generations of this pro$essE the ;eveels
were a$knowledged as the !est "er$hants in all the di"ensions. +he were also a$knowledged as !eing the shrewdest# $oldest#
"ost profit-hungr $heats ever to $o"e down the pike.
+he 1a9aar at ;eva was their show$ase. It was an all-da# all-night# ear-round fair where the ;eveels "et to haggle with ea$h
other over the wares fet$hed !a$k fro" the various di"ensions. +hough it was originall esta!lished and "aintained ! ;eveels# it
was not unusual to find travelers fro" "an di"ensions shopping the endless rows of displas and !ooths. +he rule of thu"! was#
"If it*s to !e found anwhere# ou*ll find it at the 1a9aar at ;eva."
I had !een here on$e !efore with %ah9. %t the ti"e# we were sear$hing for a surprise weapon to use against Isstvan. What we
ended up with was 4leep and +anda2 . . . ;istra$tions a!ound at the 1a9aar.
I "ention this in part to e,plain wh# as unusual as our fourso"e "ust have appeared# no one paid us the slightest attention as we
stood wat$hing the kaleidos$ope of a$tivit whirling a!out us.
4leep pressed against "e for reassuran$e# "o"entaril taken a!a$k at the sudden $hange of surroundings. I ignored hi". /
first visit to this pla$e had !een far too !rief for " satisfa$tion. %s su$h# I was ru!!erne$king "adl# tring to see as "u$h as
possi!le as fast as possi!le.
+anda was "ore !usinesslike.
"Now that we*re here# %ah9#" she drawled# "do ou know where we*re going7"
"No#" %ah9 ad"itted. "1ut I*ll find out right now."
Without further warning# he $asuall rea$hed out and gra!!ed the ar" of the nearest passer!# a short# ugl fellow with tusks.
0pinning his $hosen vi$ti" around# %ah9 !ent to s$owl in his fa$e.
":ou2" he snarled. ";o ou like to fight7"
5or a "o"ent " heart stopped. %ll we needed now was to get into a !rawl.
5ortunatel# instead of produ$ing a weapon# the tusker gave ground a step and eed our part suspi$iousl.
"Not with a .ervert !a$ked ! a dragon# I don*t#" he retorted $autiousl.
"4ood2" %ah9 s"iled. "+hen if ou wanted to hire so"eone to do our fighting for ou# where would ou go7"
"+o the 1a9aar at ;eva#" the tusker shrugged.
"I know that2" %ah9 snarled. "1ut where at the 1a9aar7"
"Oh#" the tusker e,$lai"ed with sudden understanding. "%!out twent rows in that dire$tion# then turn right for another thirt or
>B
so. +hat*s where the "er$enaries hang out."
"+went# then up thirt#" %ah9 repeated $arefull. "+hanks."
"% finder*s fee would !e appre$iated "ore than an thanks#" the tusker s"iled# e,tending a pal".
":ou*re right2" %ah9 agreed# and turned his !a$k on our !enefa$tor.
+he tusker hesitated for a "o"ent# then shrugged and $ontinued on his wa. I $ould have told hi" that .erverts in general and
%ah9 spe$ifi$all are not noted for their generosit. "We go twent rows that wa# then up thirt#" %ah9 infor"ed us.
":eah# we heard#" +anda gri"a$ed. "Wh didn*t ou -ust ask hi" flat out7"
"/ wa is (ui$ker#" %ah9 replied s"ugl.
"Is it7" I asked skepti$all.
"Look kid#" %ah9 s$owled. ";o ou want to lead us through this 9oo7"
"Well. . ." I hesitated.
"+hen shut up and let "e do it# oka7"
%$tuall# I was "ore than willing to let %ah9 lead the wa to wherever it was we were going. 5or one thing# it kept hi" !us
navigating a path through the $rowd. 5or another# it left "e with ne,t to nothing to do e,$ept "arvel at the sights of the 1a9aar as I
followed along in his wake.
+r as I "ight# though# there was -ust too "u$h for one set of ees to see.
In one !ooth# two ;eveels argued with an elephant-headed !eing over a skullE at least# I think it was a skull. In another# a ;eveel
was putting on a de"onstration for a "i,ed group of shoppers# su""oning $louds of floating green !u!!les fro" a tin wooden
!o,.
%t one point# our path was all !ut !lo$ked ! a !ooth selling rings whi$h shot !olts of lightning. 1etween the sales"an*s
de"onstrations and the $usto"ers tring out their pur$hases# the wa was virtuall i"passa!le.
%ah9 and +anda never !roke stride# however# $onfidentl "aintaining their pa$e as the walked through the thi$k of the !olts.
/ira$ulousl# the passed through uns$athed.
4ritting " teeth# I sei9ed one of 4leep*s ears and followed in their footsteps. %gain# the !olts of energ failed to find us.
%pparentl no ;eveel would !ring in-ur or allow anone in his shop to !ring in-ur to a potential $usto"er. It was a hand fa$t to
know.
+he lightning rings !rought so"ething else to "ind# however. +he last ti"e we parted $o"pan with +anda# %ah9 had given her
a ring that shot a heat ra $apa!le of fring a "an-si9ed target on the spot. +hat*s right . . . I said he gave it to her. :ou "ight think
this was proof of the depth of his feelings for her. It*s " theor he was si$k. %nwa# I was re"inded of the ring and $urious as to
what had !e$o"e of it.
In$reasing " pa$e slightl# I $losed the distan$e !etween "self and the pair in the lead# onl to find the were alread deepl
engrossed in $onversation. +he din that prevails at the 1a9aar st"ies an atte"pt at serious eavesdroppingE !ut I "anaged to $at$h
o$$asional !its and pie$es of the $onversation as we walked.
". . . heard . . . awfull e,pensive# aren*t the7" +anda was saing.
". . . li$k their weight in . . ." %ah9 replied s"ugl.
I "oved in a little $loser# tring to hear !etter.
". . . "akes ou think the*ve got anone here7" +anda asked.
"With the nu"!er of !ars here7" %ah9 retorted. "+he wa I hear it# this is one of their "ain. . ."
I lost the rest of that argu"ent. % knee-high# tenta$led "ass suddenl s$uttled a$ross " !oots and du$ked through a tent flap#
$losel pursued ! two ver frustrated-looking ;eveels.
I ignored the $hase and the following s$rea"s# hurring to $at$h up with %ah9 and +anda again. %pparentl the were dis$ussing
"er$enaries# and I wanted to hear as "u$h as possi!le# !oth to further " edu$ation# and !e$ause I "ight have to lead the" into
!attle eventuall.
". . . find the"7" +anda was asking. "%ll we have is a general area."
". . . eas#" %ah9 replied $onfidentl. "=ust listen for the singing."
"0inging7" +anda was skepti$al.
"It*s their trade"ark#" %ah9 pronoun$ed. "It also lands the" in "ost of their. . ."
% ;eveel stepped in front of "e# proudl displaing a handful of seeds. 3e threw the" on the ground with a flourish# and a
dense !la$k thorn!ush sprang up to !lo$k " path. +errifi$. Nor"all# I would have !een fas$inated# !ut at the "o"ent I was in a
hurr.
Without even pausing to up!raid the ;eveel# I took to the air# desperation giving wings to " feet . . . desperation assisted ! a
little levitation. I $leared the thorn!ush easil# tou$hed down lightl on the far side# and was pra$ti$all tra"pled ! 4leep as he
!urst through the !arrier.
"4leep7" he said# $o$king his head at "e $uriousl.
I pi$ked "self up fro" the dust where I had !een kno$ked ! his enthusias" and $uffed hi".
"Wat$h where ou*re going ne,t ti"e#" I ordered angril.
3e responded ! snaking out his long tongue and li$king " fa$e. 3is !reath was devastating and his tongue left a trail of sli"e.
O!viousl " ad"onish"ent had terrified hi".
3eaving a deep sigh# I sprinted off after %ah9 with 4leep lu"!ering along in hot pursuit.
I was -ust overtaking the" when %ah9 stopped suddenl in his tra$ks and started to turn. Ana!le to halt " headlong sprint# I
>D
plowed into hi"# kno$king hi" sprawling.
"In a hurr# handso"e7" +anda asked# eeing "e sll.
"4ee# %ah9#" I sta""ered# !ending over hi"# "I didn*t "ean to-"
5ro" a half sitting position# his hand lashed out in a $uff that spun "e halfwa around.
"Wat$h where ou*re going ne,t ti"e#" he growled.
"4leep2" said the dragon and li$ked " fa$e.
Either " head was spinning "ore than I thought# or I had !een through this s$ene !efore.
"Now (uit $lowning around and listen# kid."
%ah9 was on his feet again# and all !usiness.
"3ere*s where we part $o"pan for a while. :ou wait here while I go haggle with the "er$enaries."
"4ee# %ah9#" I whined. "6an*t I-"
"No# ou $an*t2" he said fir"l. "+he $rew I*" going after is sharp. %ll we need is one of our du"! (uestions in the "iddle of
negotiations and the*ll triple their pri$es."
"1ut-" I !egan.
":ou will wait here#" %ah9 ordered. "I repeat# wait. No fights# no window shopping for dragons# -ust wait2"
"I*ll sta here with hi"# %ah9#" +anda volunteered.
"4ood#" %ah9 nodded. "%nd tr to keep hi" out of trou!le# oka7"
With that# he turned and disappeared into the $rowd. %$tuall# I wasn*t too disappointed. I "ean# I would have liked to have gone
with hi"# !ut I liked having so"e ti"e alone with +anda even "ore . . . that is# if ou $an $onsider standing in the "iddle of the
1a9aar at ;eva !eing alone with so"eone.
"Well# +anda#" I said# flashing " !rightest s"ile.
"Later# handso"e#" she replied !riskl. "Right now I*ve got so"e errands to run."
"Errands7" I !linked.
":eah. %ah9 is !ig on "anpower# !ut I*d -ust as soon have a few e,tra tri$ks up " sleeve in $ase the going gets rough#" she
e,plained. "I*" going to du$k over to the spe$ial effe$ts se$tion and see what the have in sto$k."
"Oka#" I agreed. "Let*s go."
"No# ou don*t#" she said# shaking her head. "I think I*d !etter go this one alone. +he kind of pla$es I have in "ind aren*t fit for
$ivili9ed $usto"ers. :ou and the dragon wait here."
"1ut ou*re supposed to !e keeping "e out of trou!le2" I argued.
"%nd that*s wh I*" not taking ou along#" she said# s"iling. "Now# what do ou have along in the wa of weaponr7"
"Well . . ." I said hesitantl# "there*s a sort of a sword in one of 4leep*s pa$ks."
"5ine2" she said. "4et it out and wear it. It*ll keep the riffraff at a distan$e. +hen . . . u" . . . wait for "e in there2"
0he pointed at a strange-looking stone stru$ture with a peeling sign on its front.
"What is it7" I asked# peering at it suspi$iousl.
"It*s a <:ellow 6res$ent Inn#* " she e,plained. "It*s sort of a restaurant. 4et ourself so"ething to eat. +he food*s unappeti9ing#
!ut vaguel digesti!le."
I studied the pla$e for a "o"ent.
"%$tuall#" I de$ided finall# "I think I*d rather . . ."
Right a!out there I dis$overed I was talking to "self. +anda had disappeared without a tra$e.
5or the se$ond ti"e in " life I was alone in the 1a9aar at ;eva.
Chapter Thirteen
"3old the pi$kles# hold the lettu$e."
-3ENR: VIII
5as$inating as the 1a9aar is# fa$ing it alone $an !e rather frightening.
1eing parti$ularl sus$epti!le to fear# I de$ided to follow +anda*s advi$e and entered the inn.
5irst# however# I took the pre$aution of tethering 4leep to the inn*s hit$hing post and unpa$king the sword. We had one de$ent
sword. Anfortunatel# %ah9 was $urrentl wearing it. +hat left "e with 4arkin*s old sword# a weapon whi$h has !een sneered at !
de"on and de"on-hunter alike. 0till# its weight was reassuring on " hip# though it "ight have !een "ore reassuring if I had
known anthing a!out how to handle it. Anfortunatel# " lessons with %ah9 to date had not in$luded swords"anship. I $ould
onl hope it would not !e apparent to the $asual o!server that this was " first ti"e to wear a sword.
.ausing in the door# I surveed the inn*s interior. Ana$$usto"ed as I was to gra$ious dining# I reali9ed in a flash that this wasn*t
it.
One of the few pie$es of advi$e " far"er father had given "e !efore I ran awa fro" ho"e was not to trust an inn or
restaurant that appeared overl $lean. 3e "aintained the $leaner a pla$e was# the "ore du!ious the (ualit and origin of their food
would !e. If he were even vaguel right# this inn "ust !e the !otto" of the !arrel. It was not onl $lean# it glea"ed.
I do not "ean that figurativel. 3arsh overhead lights glinted off a hapha9ard arrange"ent of tin ta!les and un$o"forta!le-
looking $hairs $onstru$ted of shin "etal and a hard white su!stan$e I didn*t re$ogni9e. %t the far end of the inn was a $ounter
!ehind whi$h stood a large stone gargole# the onl de$orative feature in the pla$e. 1ehind the gargole was a door# presu"a!l
>F
leading into the kit$hen. +here was a s"all window in the door through whi$h I $aught gli"pses of the food !eing prepared.
.reparation $onsisted of passing patties of "eat over a stove# $ra""ing the" into a split roll# slopping a variet of $olored pastes
on top of the "eat# and wrapping the whole "ess in a pie$e of paper.
Wat$hing this pro$ess $onfir"ed " earlier fears. I do all the $ooking for %ah9 and "self# as I did !efore that for 4arkin and
"self# and !efore that -ust for "self. While I have no delusions as to the high (ualit of " $ooking# I do know that what the
were doing to that "eat $ould onl ield a "eal the $onsisten$ and flavor of $harred glove leather.
;espite the o!vious low (ualit of the food# the inn see"ed nearl full of $usto"ers. I noti$ed this out of the $orner of " ee. I
also noti$ed that a high per$entage of the" were staring at "e. It o$$urred to "e that this was pro!a!l !e$ause I had !een standing
in the door for so"e ti"e without entering while working up " $ourage to go in.
5eeling slightl e"!arrassed# I stepped inside and let the door swing shut !ehind "e. With fiendish a$$ura$# the door $losed on
" sword# pinning it "o"entaril and for$ing "e to !reak stride $lu"sil as I started forward. 0o "u$h for " i"age as a
swords"an.
3u"iliated# I avoided looking at the other $usto"ers and "ade- " wa hurriedl to the inn*s $ounter. I wasn*t sure what I was
going to do on$e I got there# sin$e I didn*t trust the food# !ut hopefull people would stop staring at "e if I went through the
"otions of ordering.
0till tring to avoid ee $onta$t with anone# I "ade a !ig show of studing the gargole. +here was a grinding noise# and the
statue turned its head to return " stare. If wasn*t a statue2 +he reall had a gargole tending the $ounter2
+he gargole see"ed to !e "ade of $oarse gra stone# and when he fle,ed his wings# s"all pie$es of $rushed ro$k and dust
showered silentl to the floor. 3is hands were taloned# and there were $urved spikes growing out of his el!ows. +he onl
redee"ing feature I $ould see was his s"ile# whi$h in itself was a !it unnerving. ;o"inating his wrinkled fa$e# the s"ile see"ed
per"anentl et$hed in pla$e# stret$hing well past his ears and displaing a set of pointed teeth even longer than %ah9*s.
"+ake our order7" the gargole asked politel# the s"ile never twit$hing.
"A" . . ." I said taking a step !a$k. "I*ll have to think a!out it. +here*s so "u$h to $hoose fro""
In a$tualit I $ouldn*t read the "enu . . . if that*s what it was. +here was so"ething et$hed in the wall !ehind the gargole in a
language I $ouldn*t de$ipher. I assu"e it was a "enu !e$ause the pri$es weren*t et$hed in the wall# !ut written in $halk over "an
erasures.
+he gargole shrugged.
"0uit ourself#" he said indifferentl. "When ou "ake up our "ind# -ust holler. +he na"e*s 4us."
"I*ll do that . . . 4us#" I s"iled# !a$king slowl toward the door.
+hough it was " intent to e,it (uietl and wait outside with 4leep# things didn*t work out that wa. 1efore I had taken four
steps# a hand fell on " shoulder.
"0keeve# isn*t it7" a voi$e pro$lai"ed.
I spun around# or started to. I was !rought up short when " sword !anged into a ta!le leg. / head kept "oving# however# and
I found "self fa$e to fa$e with an I"p.
"1ro$khurst2" I e,$lai"ed# re$ogni9ing hi" i""ediatel.
"I thought I re$ogni9ed ou when ou . . . he2" +he I"p took a step !a$kward and raised his hands defensivel. "+ake it eas2
I*" not looking for an trou!le."
/ hand had gone to " sword hilt in an involuntar effort to free it fro" the ta!le leg. %pparentl 1ro$khurst had interpreted
the gesture as an effort to draw " weapon.
+hat was fine ! "e. 1ro$khurst had !een one of Isstvan*s lieutenants# and we hadn*t parted on the !est of ter"s. 3aving hi" a
little afraid of " "read sword" was pro!a!l a good thing.
"I don*t hold an grudges#" 1ro$khurst $ontinued insistentl. "+hat was -ust a -o!2 Right now I*" !etween -o!s . . . per"anentl2"
+hat last was added with a note of !itterness whi$h pi(ued " $uriosit.
"+hings haven*t !een going well7" I asked $autiousl.
+he I"p gri"a$ed.
"+hat*s an understate"ent. 6o"e on# sit down. I*ll !u ou a "ilkshake and tell ou all a!out it."
I wasn*t $ertain what a "ilkshake was# !ut I was sure I didn*t want one if the were sold here.
"A" . . . thanks anwa# 1ro$khurst#" I said# for$ing a s"ile# "!ut I think I*ll pass."
+he I"p ar$hed an ee!row at "e.
"0till a little suspi$ious# eh7" he "ur"ured. "Well# $an*t sa as I !la"e ou. +ell ou what we*ll do."
1efore I $ould stop hi"# he strolled to the $ounter.
"3e# 4us2" he $alled. "/ind if I take an e,tra $up7"
"%$tuall . . ." the gargole !egan.
"+hanks2"
1ro$khurst was alread on his wa !a$k# !earing his pri9e with hi"# so"e kind of a thin-sided# fli"s $annister. .lopping down
at a near! ta!le# he !e$koned to "e# indi$ating the seat opposite hi" with a wave of his hand.
+here was no gra$ious $ourse for "e to follow other than to -oin hi"# though it would later o$$ur to "e I had no real o!ligation
to !e gra$ious. /oving $arefull to avoid kno$king anthing over with " sword# I "aneuvered " wa to the indi$ated seat.
%pparentl# 1ro$khurst had !een sitting here !efore# as there was alread a $annister on the ta!le identi$al to the one he had
fet$hed fro" the $ounter. +he onl differen$e was that the one on the ta!le was three-(uarters full of a $urious pink li(uid.
>G
With great $ere"on# the I"p pi$ked up the $annister fro" the ta!le and poured half its $ontents into the new vessel. +he li(uid
poured with the $onsisten$ of swa"p "u$k.
"3ere2" he said# pushing one of the $annisters a$ross the ta!le to "e. "Now ou don*t have to worr a!out an funn !usiness
with the drinks. We*re !oth drinking the sa"e thing."
With that# he raised his vessel in a "o$k toast and took a health swallow fro" it. %pparentl he e,pe$ted "e to do the sa"e. I
would have rather su$ked !lood.
"A" . . . it*s hard to !elieve things aren*t going well for ou#" I stalled. ":ou look well enough."
5or a $hange# I was a$tuall sin$ere. 1ro$khurst looked good . . . even for an I"p. %s %ah9 had said# I"ps are snapp dressers#
and 1ro$khurst was no e,$eption. 3e was outfitted in a rust-$olored velvet -erkin tri""ed in gold# whi$h set off his pink
$o"ple,ion and sleek !la$k hair super!l. If he were starving# ou $ouldn*t tell it fro" looking at hi". +hough still fairl slender#
he was as well "us$led and adroit as when I had first "et hi".
";on*t let appearan$es fool ou#" 1ro$khurst insisted# shaking his head. ":ou see !efore ou an I"p pushed to the wall. I*ve had
to sell everthing-" $ross!ow# " pou$h of "agi$ tri$ks-I $ouldn*t even raise enough "one to pa " dues to the %ssassins
4uild."
"It*s that hard to find work7" I s"pathi9ed.
"I*ll tell ou# 0keeve#" he whispered $onfidentiall# "I haven*t worked sin$e that fias$o with Isstvan."
+he sound of that na"e still sent $hills down " !a$k.
"Where is Isstvan# anwa7" I asked $asuall.
";on*t worr a!out hi"#" 1ro$hkurst said gri"l. "We left hi" working $on$ession stands on the Isle of 6one# a $ouple of
di"ensions fro" here."
"What happened to the others7"
I was genuinel $urious. I hadn*t had "u$h of a $han$e to talk with +anda sin$e our reunion.
"We left 5ru"ple under a $loud of !irds in so"e park or other . . . figured he looked !etter as a statue than he did alive. +he
de"on hunter and the girl took off for parts unknown one night while we were asleep. / partner# 3iggens# headed !a$k to I"per.
3e figured his $areer was over and that he "ight as well settle down. /e# I*ve !een looking for work# ever sin$e# and I*" starting to
think 3iggens was right."
"6o"e on# 1ro$khurst#" I $hided. "+here "ust !e so"ething ou $an do. I "ean# this is the 1a9aar."
+he I"p heaved a sigh and took another sip of his drink.
"It*s ni$e of ou to sa that# 0keeve#" he s"iled. "1ut I*ve got to fa$e the fa$ts. +here*s not a !ig de"and for I"ps anwa# and
none at all for an I"p with no powers."
I knew what he "eant. %ll the di"ension travelers I had "et so far-%ah9# Isstvan# +anda# and even the ;eveel 5ru"ple-see"ed
to regard I"ps as inferior !eings. +he ni$est thing I had heard said a!out the" was that the were stleless i"itators of the
;eveels.
I felt sorr for hi". ;espite the fa$t we had first "et as ene"ies# it wasn*t that long ago I had !een a loser no!od wanted.
":ou*ve got to keep tring#" I en$ouraged.
"0o"ewhere# there*s so"eone who wants to hire ou."
"Not ver likel#" the I"p gri"a$ed. "+he wa I a" now# l wouldn*t hire "e. Would ou7"
"0ure I would#" I insisted. "In a "inute."
"Oh# well#" he sighed. "I shouldn*t dwell on "self. 3ow have things !een with ou7 What !rings ou to the 1a9aar7"
Now it was " turn to gri"a$e.
"%ah9 and I are in a !ad spot#" I e,plained. "We*re here tring to re$ruit a for$e to help us out."
":ou*re hiring people7" 1ro$khurst was suddenl intense.
":eah. Wh7" I replied.
+oo late# I reali9ed what I was saing.
"+hen ou weren*t kidding a!out hiring "e2" 1ro$khurst was !eside hi"self with glee.
"A" . . ." I said.
"+his is great#" the I"p $hortled# ru!!ing his hands together. "1elieve "e# 0keeve# ou won*t regret this."
I was regretting it alread.
"Wait a "inute# 1ro$khurst#" I interrupted desperatel. "+here are a few things ou should know a!out the -o!."
"Like what7"
"Well . . . for one thing# the odds are !ad#" I said -udi$iousl. "We*re up against an ar". +hat*s prett rough fare $onsidering
how low the pa is."
I thought I would tou$h a nerve with that re"ark a!out the pa. I was right.
"3ow low is the pa7" the I"p asked !luntl.
Now I was stu$k. I didn*t have the vaguest idea how "u$h "er$enaries were nor"all paid.
"We . . . u" . . . we $ouldn*t offer ou "ore than one gold pie$e for the whole -o!#" I shrugged.
";one2" 1ro$khurst pro$lai"ed. "With the $urrent state of " finan$es# I $an*t turn down an offer like that no "atter how
dangerous it is."
It o$$urred to "e that so"eti"e I should have %ah9 give "e a (ui$k $ourse in rates of e,$hange.
"A" . . . there*s one other pro!le"#" I "ur"ured thoughtfull.
>H
"What*s that7"
"Well# " partner# ou re"e"!er %ah97"
+he I"p nodded.
"Well# he*s out right now tring to hire a for$e# and he*s got the "one#" I $ontinued. "+here*s a good $han$e that if he*s
su$$essful# and he usuall is# there won*t !e enough "one left to hire ou."
1ro$khurst pursed his lips for a "o"ent# then shrugged.
"Well#" he said# "I*ll take the $han$e. I wasn*t going anwhere anwa. %s I said# the haven*t e,a$tl !een !eating " door
down with -o! offers."
I had run out of e,$uses.
"Well"-I s"iled la"el-"as long as ou*re aware-"
"3eads up# !oss#" the I"p*s "ur"ur interrupted "e. "We*ve got $o"pan."
I*" not sure whi$h worried "e "ore# 1ro$khurst $alling "e "!oss" or the spe$terlike $hara$ter who had -ust stepped up to our
ta!le.
Chapter Fourteen
"We*re looking for a few good "en."
-1. 6%00I;:
5or a "o"ent I thought we were !eing $onfronted ! a skeleton. +hen I looked $loser and reali9ed there reall was skin
stret$hed over the !ones# though its dust-white $olor "ade it see" ver dead indeed.
+he figure*s paleness was "ade even "ore $orpselike ! the !lue-!la$k hooded ro!e that enshrouded it. It wasn*t until I noted the
wrinkled fa$e with a short# !ristl white !eard that I reali9ed our visitor was a$tuall a ver old "an . . . ver old.
3e looked weak to the point of near $ollapse# desperatel $lut$hing a twisted !la$k walking staff whi$h see"ed to !e the onl
thing keeping hi" ere$t. 0till# his ees were !right and his s"ile $onfident as-he stood regarding us.
";id I hear ou !os right7" he asked in a $ra$kling voi$e.
"I !eg our pardon7" 1ro$khurst s$owled at hi".
+he an$ient figure sneered and raised his voi$e.
"I said# <;id I hear ou !os right7*2" he !arked.
"What*s the "atter7 %re ou deaf7"
"A" . . . e,$use "e#" I interrupted hastil. "1efore we $an answer ou# we have to know what ou thought we said."
+he old "an thought for a "inute# then !o!!ed his head in a sudden nod.
":ou know# er right2" he $a$kled. ".rett s"art# oung fella."
3e !egan to list# !ut $aught hi"self !efore he fell.
"+hought I heard ou tell .inko here ou were looking for a for$e to take on an ar"#" he pronoun$ed# -erking a thu"! at
1ro$khurst.
"+he na"e*s 1ro$khurst# not .inko2" the I"p snarled.
"%ll right# 1ratwurst#" the old "an nodded. "No need to get our dander up."
"+hat*s 1ro$khurst2"
":ou heard right#" I interrupted again# hoping the old "an would go awa as soon as his $uriosit was satisfied.
"4ood2" the "an de$lared. "6ount "e in2 /e and 1la$kie haven*t !een in a good fight for a long ti"e."
"3ow long is that in $enturies7" 1ro$khurst sneered.
"Wat$h our "outh# 1ratwurst2" the old "an warned. "We "a !e old# !ut we $an still tea$h ou a thing or two a!out winnin*
wars."
"Who*s 1la$kie7" I asked# $utting off 1ro$khurst*s repl.
In repl# the old "an drew hi"self ere$t . . . well# nearl ere$t# and patted his walking staff.
"+his is 1la$kie2" he announ$ed proudl. "+he finest !ow ever to $o"e fro" %r$hiah# and that takes in a lot of fine !ows2"
I reali9ed with a start that the walking staff was a !ow# unstrung# with its !owstring wrapped around it. It was unlike an !ow I
had ever seen# lu"p and uneven# !ut polished to a sheen that see"ed to gli""er with a life all its own.
"Wait a "inute2" 1ro$khurst was suddenl attentive. ";id ou sa ou $o"e fro" %r$hiah7"
"+hat I did#" the old "an grinned. "%-a,*s the na"e# fighting*s " ga"e. %in*t seen a war et that $ould la old %-a, low# and
I*ve seen a lot of *e"."
"A" . . . $ould ou e,$use us for -ust a "inute# sir7" 1ro$khurst s"iled apologeti$all.
"0ure# son#" %-a, nodded. "+ake our ti"e."
I $ouldn*t understand the I"p*s sudden $hange in attitude# !ut he see"ed (uite intense as he -erked his head at "e# so I leaned
$lose to hear what he had to sa.
"3ire hi"# !oss2" he hissed in " ear.
"What7" I gasped# not !elieving I had heard hi" right.
"I said hire hi"2" the I"p repeated. "I "a not have "u$h to offer ou# !ut I $an give ou advi$e. Right now# " advi$e is to
hire hi"."
"1ut he*s-"
>I
"3e*s fro" %r$hiah2" 1ro$khurst interrupted. "1oss# that di"ension invented ar$her. :ou don*t find "an genuine %r$hers of
an age for hire. If ou*ve reall got a war on our hands# hire hi". 3e $ould tip the !alan$e for us."
"If he*s that good#" I whispered !a$k# "$an we afford hi"7"
"One gold pie$e will !e ade(uate#" %-a, s"iled toothil# adding his head to our $onferen$e. "I a$$ept our offer."
"E,$ellent2" 1ro$khurst !ea"ed.
"Wait a "inute#" I shrieked desperatel# "I have a partner that-"
"I know# I know#" %-a, sighed# holding up a restraining hand. "I heard when ou told 1ratwurst here."
"+hat*s 1ro$khurst#" the I"p growled# !ut he did it s"iling.
"If our partner $an*t find help# then we*re hired2" the old "an laughed# shaking his head. "It*s a "ite strange# !ut these are
strange ti"es."
":ou $an sa that again#" I "uttered.
I was !eginning to think I had spoken too loud in " $onversation with 1ro$khurst.
"One thing ou should know# though# oungster#" %-a, "ur"ured $onfidentiall. "I*" !ein* followed."
"1 who7" I asked.
";on*t rightl know#" he ad"itted. "3aven*t figured it out et. It*s the little !lue fella in the $orner !ehind "e."
I $raned " ne$k to look at the indi$ated $orner. It was e"pt.
"What fella7 I "ean# fellow#" I $orre$ted "self.
%-a, whipped his head around with a speed that !elied his frail appearan$e.
";ang it#" he $ursed. "3e did it again. I*" telling ou# oungster# that*s wh I $an*t figure what he*s after2"
"%h . . . sure# %-a,#" I said soothingl. ":ou*ll $at$h hi" ne,t ti"e."
+errifi$. %n I"p with no powers# and now an old %r$her who sees things.
/ thoughts were interrupted ! a gentle tap on " shoulder. I turned to find the gargole loo"ing over "e.
":our order*s read# sir#" he said through his per"a-s"ile.
"/ order7"
":es# if ou*ll step this wa."
"+here "ust !e so"e "istake#" I !egan# "I didn*t. . ."
+he gargole was alread gone# lu"!ering !a$k to his $ounter. I $onsidered ignoring hi". +hen I $onsidered his si9e and
$ountenan$e# and de$ided I should straighten out this "isunderstanding in a polite fashion.
"E,$use "e#" I told " $harges. "I*ll !e right !a$k."
";on*t worr a!out us# !oss#" 1ro$khurst waved.
I wasn*t reassured.
I "anaged to "ake " wa to the $ounter without !anging " sword against anthing or anone# a feat that raised " spirits for
the first ti"e that afternoon. +hus !olstered# I approa$hed the gargole.
"I . . . u" . . . I don*t re$all ordering anthing#" I stated politel.
";on*t !la"e ou# either#" the gargole growled through his s"ile. "1eats "e how anone or anthing $an eat the slop the serve
here."
"1ut-"
"+hat was -ust to get ou awa fro" those two#" the gargole shrugged. ":ou see# I*" sh."
"0h a!out what7"
"%!out asking ou for a -o!# of $ourse2"
I de$ided I would definitel have to keep " voi$e down in the future. / (uiet $onversation with 1ro$khurst see"ed to have
attra$ted the attention of half the 1a9aar.
"Look . . . u". . ."
"4us2" the gargole supplied.
":es# well# ah# 4us# I*" reall not hiring-"
"I know. :our partner is#" 4us interrupted. "1ut ou*re here and he isn*t# so I figured I*d "ake our pit$h to ou !efore the se$ond
tea" roster is $o"pletel filled."
"Oh2" I said# not knowing what else to sa.
"+he wa I see it#" the gargole $ontinued# "we $ould do ou a lot of good. :ou*re a Klahd# aren*t ou7"
"I*" fro" Klah#" I a$knowledged stiffl.
"Well# if " "e"or serves "e $orre$tl# warfare in that di"ension isn*t too far advan$ed te$hnologi$all."
"We have $ross!ows and $atapults#" I infor"ed hi". "%t least the other side does."
"+hat*s what I said#" 4us agreed. ".ri"itive. +o stop that for$e# all ou need is air support and a little firepower. We $an suppl
!oth# and we*ll work $heap# !oth of us for one gold pie$e."
Now I was sure I had underesti"ated the "arket value of gold pie$es. 0till# the pri$e was te"pting.
"I dunno# 4us#" I said $agil. "%-a, there is supposed to !e a prett good %r$her."
"%r$hers#" the gargole snorted. <-<I*" talking a!out real firepower. +he kind " partner $an give ou."
"Who is our partner7" I asked. "3e isn*t short and !lue ! an $han$e# is he7"
"Naw#" 4us replied# pointing to the far $orner. "+hat*s the 4re"lin. 3e $a"e in with the %r$her."
"% 4re"lin7" I said# following his finger.
?J
0ure enough# per$hed on a $hair in the $orner was a s"all# elfish $hara$ter. /is$hievous ees dan$ed in his soft !lue fa$e as he
nodded to "e in silent re$ognition. Refle,ivel# I s"iled and nodded !a$k. %pparentl I owed %-a, an apolog.
"I thought 4re"lins didn*t e,ist#" I $o""ented $asuall to 4us.
"% lot of folks think that#" the gargole agreed. "1ut ou $an see for ourself# the*re real."
I wasn*t sure. In the split se$ond I had taken " ees off the 4re"lin to speak with 4us# he had vanished without a tra$e. I was
te"pted to go looking for hi"# !ut 4us was talking again.
"=ust a se$ond and I*ll introdu$e ou to " partner#" he was saing. "3e*s here so"ewhere."
%s he spoke# the gargole !egan ru""aging a!out his own !od# feeling his ar"pits and peering into the wrinkles on his skin.
I wat$hed $uriousl# until " attention was arrested ! a s"all li9ard that had $rawled out of one of the gargole*s wing folds
and was now regarding "e fi,edl fro" 4us*s right shoulder. It was onl a!out three in$hes long# !ut glowed with a !rilliant
orange hue. +here were !lot$h red patterns whi$h see"ed to $rawl a!out the li9ard*s skin with a life of their own. +he overall
effe$t was startlingl !eautiful.
"Is that our li9ard7" I asked.
"+here he is2" 4us $rowed triu"phantl# snat$hing the reptile fro" his shoulder and $upping it in his hands. "/eet 1erfert. 3e*s
the partner I was telling ou a!out."
"3ello# 1erfert#" I s"iled# e,tending a finger to stroke hi".
+he gargole rea$ted violentl# -erking the li9ard !a$k out of " rea$h.
"6areful# there#" he warned. "+hat*s a good wa to lose a finger."
"I wasn*t going to hurt hi"#" I e,plained.
"No# he was a!out to hurt ou2" 4us $ountered. "1erfert*s a sala"ander# a walking fire!o"!. We get along !e$ause I*" one of
the few !eings around that won*t !urn to a $risp when I tou$h hi"."
"Oh#" I said with sudden understanding. "0o when ou said <firepower*-"
"I "eant firepower#" 4us finished. "1erfert $leans *e" out on the ground# and I work *e" over fro" the air. Well# what do ou
sa7 3ave we got a deal7"
"I*ll . . . u" . . . have to talk it over with " partner#" I $ountered.
"5ine#" 4us !ea"ed. "I*ll start pa$king."
3e was gone !efore I $ould stop hi".
I sagged against the $ounter# wishing ferventl for %ah9*s return. %s if in answer to " thoughts# " "entor !urst through the
door# following $losel ! +anda.
/ greeting died in " throat when I saw his s$owl. %ah9 was not in a good "ood.
"I thought I told ou to wait outside#" he !ellowed at "e.
"6al" down# %ah9#" +anda soothed. "I thought he*d !e "ore $o"forta!le waiting in here. 1esides# there*s no reason to get upset.
We*re here and he*s here. Nothing has gone wrong."
":ou haven*t !een dealing with an ;eveels7" %ah9 asked suspi$iousl.
"I haven*t even talked with an#" I protested.
"4ood2" he retorted# slightl "ollified. "+here*s hope for ou et# kid."
"I told ou he $ould sta out of trou!le#" +anda s"iled triu"phantl. "Isn*t that right# handso"e7"
+r as I "ight# I $ouldn*t !ring "self to answer her.
Chapter Fifteen
"I*ll worr a!out it to"orrow."
-0. O*3%R%
"A" . . . are the "er$enaries waiting outside7" I asked finall.
":ou didn*t answer her (uestion# kid#" %ah9 o!served# peering at "e with renewed suspi$ion.
";on*t strain our ne$k looking for our troops# handso"e#" +anda advised "e. "+here weren*t an. It see"s our "ight
negotiator has "et his "at$h."
"+hose !andits2" %ah9 e,ploded. ";o ou have an idea what it would $ost us if I had agreed to pa their !ar !ill as part of the
$ontra$t7 If that*s a nonprofit group# I want to audit their !ooks."
/ hopes for salvation sank like a ro$k.
":ou didn*t hire the"7" I asked.
"No# I didn*t#" %ah9 s$owled. "%nd that "oves us !a$k to s(uare one. Now we*ve got to re$ruit a for$e one at a ti"e."
";id ou tr-" I !egan.
"Look# kid#" %ah9 interrupted with a snarl# "I did the !est I $ould# and I got nowhere. I*d like to see ou do !etter."
"3e alread has2" 1ro$khurst announ$ed# rising fro" his seat. "While ou were wasting ti"e# 0keeve here has hired hi"self a
fighting tea"."
"3e what7" %ah9 !ellowed# turning on his $riti$. "1ro$khurst2 What are ou doing here7"
"Waiting for orders in our up$o"ing $a"paign#" the I"p replied inno$entl.
"What $a"paign7" %ah9 glowered.
"+he one on Klah# of $ourse#" 1ro$khurst !linked. "3aven*t ou told hi" et# !oss7"
?8
"1oss7" %ah9 roared. "1oss7"
"No need to shout#" %-a, gru"!led# turning to fa$e the asse"!lage. "We hear a plain enough."
"%-a,2" +anda e,$lai"ed gleefull.
"+anda2" the old "an elped !a$k.
0he was at hi" in a !ound# !ut he s"oothl interposed his !ow !etween the".
"Eas# girl#" he laughed. "None of our athleti$ greetings. I*" not as oung as I used to !e# a know."
":ou old fraud2" +anda teased. ":ou*ll outlive us all."
%-a, shrugged dra"ati$all. "+hat kinda depends on how good a general the oungster there is#" he $o""ented.
"Kid#" %ah9 growled through gritted teeth# "I want to talk to ou2 Now2"
"I know that te"per2" 4us announ$ed# e"erging fro" the !a$k roo".
"4us2" %ah9 e,$lai"ed.
"In the stone2" the gargole $onfir"ed. "%re ou in on this e,pedition7 +he !oss didn*t sa anthing a!out working with
.erverts."
Instead of repling# %ah9 sank heavil into a $hair and hid his fa$e in his hands.
"+anda2" he "oaned. "+ell "e again a!out how this kid $an sta out of trou!le."
"A" . . . %ah9#" I said $autiousl# "$ould I talk to ou for a "inute . . . privatel7"
"Wh# I think that*s an e,$ellent idea . . . !oss#" he said.
+he s"ile he gave "e wasn*t pleasant.
"Kid2" %ah9 "oaned after I had finished " tale. "3ow "an ti"es do I have to tell ou7 +his is the 1a9aar a> ;eva2 :ou*ve
got to !e $areful what ou sa and to who"# espe$iall when there*s "one involved."
"1ut I told the" nothing was definite until we found out if ou had hired so"eone else#" I protested.
"1ut I didn*t hire anone else# so now the deal is final#" %ah9 sighed.
"6an*t we get out of it7" I asked hopefull.
"1a$k out of K deal on ;eva7" %ah9 shook his head. "+hat would get us !arred fro" the 1a9aar so fast it would "ake our head
spin. Re"e"!er# the /er$hants %sso$iation runs this di"ension."
"Well# ou said ou wanted outside help#" I pointed out.
"I didn*t e,pe$t to go that far outside#" he gri"a$ed. "%n I"p# a senile %r$her# and a gargole."
"%nd a sala"ander#" I added.
"4us is still !u""ing around with 1erfert7" %ah9 asked# !rightening slightl. "+hat*s a plus."
"+he onl reall un$ertain fa$tor#" I said thoughtfull# "is the 4re"lin."
"3ow do ou figure that7" %ah9 awned.
"Well# he*s !een following %-a,. +he (uestion is# wh7 %nd will he follow us to Klah7"
"Kid#" %ah9 said sole"nl# "I*ve told ou !efore. +here are no su$h things as 4re"lins."
"1ut %ah9# I saw hi"."
";on*t let it !other ou# kid#" %ah9 s"pathi9ed. "%fter a da like ou*ve !een through# I wouldn*t !e surprised if ou saw a
=a!!erwo$k."
"What*s a-"
"Is everthing set7" +anda asked# -oining our $onversation.
"%!out as set as we*ll ever !e#" %ah9 sighed. "+hough if ou want " honest opinion# with a $rew like this# we*re set "ore for a
9oo than a war."
"%ah9 is a !it $riti$al of " $hoi$e in re$ruits#" I $onfided.
"What*s our gripe# %ah97" she asked# $o$king her head. "I thought ou and 4us were old fo,hole !uddies."
"I*" not worried a!out 4us#" %ah9 put in hastil. "Or 1erfert either. +hat little li9ard*s terrifi$ under fire."
"Well# I $an vou$h for %-a,#" +anda infor"ed hi". ";on*t let his age fool ou. I*d rather have hi" !a$king " "ove than a
whole $o"pan of-$ounterfeit ar$hers."
"Is he reall fro" %r$hiah7" %ah9 asked skepti$all.
"+hat*s what *he*s said as long as I*ve known hi"#" +anda shrugged. "%nd after seeing hi" shoot# I*ve got no reason to dou!t it.
Wh7"
"I*ve never "et a genuine %r$her !efore#" %ah9 said. "5or a while I was willing to !elieve the whole di"ension was a legend.
Well# if he $an shoot half as well as %r$hers are supposed to# I*ve got no gripes having hi" on the tea"."
I started to feel a little !etter. Anfortunatel# %ah9 noti$ed " s"ile.
"+he I"p is another stor#" he said gri"l. "I*" not wild a!out working with an I"p# !ut to hire one without powers is a waste
of good "one."
";on*t forget he*s an %ssassin#" +anda pointed out. ".owers or no powers# I*ll !et we find a use for hi". When we were talking
with the 4re"lin -ust now-"
"Now don*t ou start on that2" %ah9 snarled.
"0tart on what7" +anda !linked.
"+he 4re"lin !it#" %ah9 s$owled. "%n half-wit knows there are no su$h things as 4re"lins."
";o ou want to tell hi" that7" +anda s"iled. "I*ll $all hi" over here and . . . oh# rats2 3e*s gone again."
"If ou*re (uite through#" %ah9 gru"!led# rising fro" his $hair# "we*d !est get "oving. +here*s a war waiting for us# ou know."
?>
"Oops2 +hat re"inds "e2" +anda e,$lai"ed# fishing inside her tuni$.
"I know I shouldn*t ask#" %ah9 signed# "!ut what-"
"3ere2" +anda announ$ed# flipping hi" a fa"iliar o!-e$t.
It was a "etal rod a!out eight in$hes long and two in$hes in dia"eter with a !utton on one end of it.
"% ;-3opper2" I $ried# re$ogni9ing the devi$e instantl.
"It*s the sa"e one ou gave Isstvan#" +anda s"iled proudl. "I lifted it fro" hi" when we parted $o"pan. :ou*ll pro!a!l want
to undo whatever ou did to the $ontrols !efore ou use it# though."
"If I $an re"e"!er for sure#" %ah9 s$owled# staring at the devi$e.
"I thought it "ight $o"e in hand in $ase we get separated on this -o! and ou need a fast e,it#" +anda shrugged.
"+he thought*s appre$iated#" %ah9 s"iled# putting an ar" around her.
";oes this "ean ou*ll !e a!le to tea$h "e how to travel the di"ensions7" I asked hopefull.
"Not now I won*t#" %ah9 gri"a$ed. "We*ve got a war to fight# re"e"!er7"
"Oh2 :es# of $ourse."
"Well# get our troops together and let*s go#" %ah9 ordered.
"Oka#" I agreed# rising fro" " $hair. "I*ll get 4leep and . . . wait a "inute2 ;id ou sa " troops7"
":ou hired *e"# ou lead *e"#" " "entor s"iled.
"1ut ou*re-"
"I*ll !e our "ilitar advisor# of $ourse#" %ah9 $ontinued $asuall. "1ut the -o! of 5earless Leader is all ours. :ou*re the $ourt
"agi$ian# re"e"!er7"
I swallowed hard. 0o"ehow this had never entered into " thinking.
"1ut what do I do7" I asked desperatel.
"Well#" %ah9 drawled. "5irst# I*d advise ou to "ove *e" outside so we $an all head for Klah together . . . that is# unless ou*re
willing to leave our dragon !ehind."
+hat didn*t even deserve an answer. I turned to fa$e the troops# sweeping the" with what I hoped was a "asterful ga9e whi$h
would i""ediatel $o""and their attention.
No one noti$ed. +he were all involved in a -ovial $onversation.
I $leared " throat noisil.
Nothing.
I $onsidered going over to their ta!le.
"Listen up2" %ah9 !arked suddenl# s$aring "e half to death.
+he $onversation stopped a!ruptl and all heads swiveled " wa.
"%ah . . ." I !egan $onfidentl. "We*re read to go now. Ever!od outside. Wait for "e ! the dragon."
"Right# !oss2" 1ro$khurst $alled# starting for the door.
"I*ll !e a "inute# oungster#" %-a, whee9ed# struggling to rise.
"3ere# 4ra"ps#" 4us said. "Let "e give ou a hand."
"Na"e*s not 4ra"ps# it*s %-a,2" the %r$her s$owled.
"=ust tring to !e helpful#" the gargole apologi9ed.
"I kin* stand up ! "self#" %-a, insisted. "=ust *$ause I*" old don*t "ean I*" helpless."
I glan$ed to %ah9 for help# !ut he and +anda were alread headed out.
%s I turned !a$k to %-a,# I thought I $aught a gli"pse of a s"all# !lue figure slipping out through the door ahead of us. If it was
the 4re"lin# he was nowhere in sight when I finall rea$hed the street.
Chapter Sixteen
"/th-$on$eptions are the "a-or $ause of wars2"
-%. 3I+LER
5ortunatel# the ar" had not "oved fro" the position it held when we left for ;eva. I sa fortunatel !e$ause %ah9 pointed out
the "ight well have renewed their advan$e in our a!sen$e. If that had happened# we would have returned to find ourselves !ehind
the ene" lines# if not a$tuall in the "iddle of one of their en$a"p"ents.
Of $ourse# he pointed this out to "e after we had arrived !a$k on Klah. %ah9 is full of helpful little tid!its of infor"ation# !ut his
ti"ing leaves a lot to !e desired.
%-a, lost no ti"e upon our arrival. /oving with a !riskness that !elied his ears# he strung his !ow and stood s(uinting at the
distant en$a"p"ents.
"Well# oungster#" he asked# never taking his ees fro" the ene"*s for"ations# "what*s " first !at$h of targets7"
3is eagerness took "e a!a$k a !it# !ut %ah9 $overed for "e neatl.
"5irst#" he said loftil# "we*ll have to hold a final planning session."
"We didn*t e,pe$t to have ou along# %-a,#" +anda added. "3aving a genuine %r$her on our side naturall $alls for so"e drasti$
revisions of our !attle plans. "
";on*t !other "e none." %-a, shrugged. "=ust wanted to let ou know I was read to earn " keep. +ake er ti"e. 0een too
"an wars "essed up *$ause no!od !othered to do an plannin*2 If a don*t "ind# though# think I*ll take "e a little nap. =es* holler
??
when a want so"e shootin* done."
"%lt . . . go ahead# %-a,#" I agreed.
Without further $onversation# %-a, plopped down and pulled his $loak a !it $loser a!out hi". Within a few "inutes# he was
snoring lightl# !ut I noti$ed his !ow was still in his grip.
"Now there*s a seasoned soldier#" %ah9 o!served. "4ets his sleep when and where he $an."
":ou want "e to do a little s$outing# !oss7" 4us asked.
"A" . . ." I hesitated# glan$ing (ui$kl at %ah9.
%ah9 $aught " look and gave a s"all nod.
"0ure# 4us#" I finished. "We*ll wait for ou here."
"I*ll s$out in the other dire$tion#" 1ro$khurst volunteered.
"Oka#" I nodded. "%ah9# $an ou give *e" a (ui$k !riefing7"
I was tring to drop the load in %ah9*s lap# !ut he -oined the $onversation as s"oothl as if we had rehearsed it this wa.
"+here are a $ouple of things we need spe$ifi$ infor"ation on#" he said sole"nl. "5irst# we need a !attlefield# s"all with
s$attered $over. 4us# ou $he$k that out. :ou know what we*re going to need. 1ro$khurst# see what details ou $an !ring !a$k on
the three nearest en$a"p"ents."
1oth s$outs nodded !riskl.
"%nd !oth of ou# sta out of sight#" %ah9 warned. "+he infor"ation*s no good to us if ou don*t $o"e !a$k."
"6*"on# %ah9#" 4us ad"onished. "What have the got that $an put a dent in the old ro$k7"
3e de"onstrated ! s"ashing his forear" into a sapling. +he tree went down# apparentl without affe$ting the gargole*s ar" in
the slightest.
"I don*t know#" %ah9 ad"itted. "%nd I don*t want to know# et. :ou*re one of our surprise weapons. No point in giving the
ene" an advan$e warning. 4et " "eaning7"
"4ot it# %ah9#" 4us nodded# and lu"!ered off.
"1e !a$k in a !it#" 1ro$khurst said with a wave of his hand# heading off in the opposite dire$tion.
"Now that we*ve got a "inute#" I "ur"ured to %ah9 as I returned 1ro$khurst*s wave# "would ou "ind telling "e what our final
plan is7 I don*t even know what the preli"inar plans were."
"+hat*s eas#" %ah9 replied. "We don*t have one . . . et."
"Well# when are we going to for" one7" I asked with for$ed patien$e.
".ro!a!l on the !attlefield#" %ah9 awned. "Antil then it*s pointless. +here*re too "an varia!les until then."
"Wouldn*t it !e a good idea to have at least a general idea as to what we*re going to do !efore we wander out on the !attlefield7"
I insisted. "It would do a lot for " pea$e of "ind."
"Oh# I*ve alread got a general idea as to what we*ll !e doing#" %ah9 ad"itted.
"Isn*t he sweet7" +anda gri"a$ed. "Would ou "ind sharing it with us# %ah97 We*ve got a stake in this# too."
"Well#" he !egan la9il# "the na"e of the ga"e is dela and de"orali9e. +he wa I figure it# we aren*t going to overpower the".
We haven*t got enough going for us to even tr that."
I !it !a$k a sar$asti$ o!servation and let hi" $ontinue.
";ela and de"orali9e we should !e a!le to do# though#" %ah9 s"iled. "Right off the !at# we*ve got two !ig weapons going for
us in that kind of a fight."
"%-a, and 4us#" I supplied helpfull.
"5ear and !ureau$ra$#" %ah9 $orre$ted.
"3ow*s that again7" +anda frowned.
"+anda# " girl#" %ah9 s"iled# "ou*ve !een spoiled ! our sklarking through the di"ensions. :ou*ve forgotten how the "an
on the street thinks. +he average person in an di"ension doesn*t know the first thing a!out "agik# parti$ularl a!out its
li"itations. If the kid here tells *e" he $an "ake the sun stop or trees grow upside down# the*ll !elieve hi". .arti$ularl if he*s got
a few strange $hara$ters parading around as proof of his power# and I think ou*ll have to ad"it# the $rew he*s got !a$king hi" this
ti"e around is prett strange."
"What*s !ureau$ra$7" I asked# finall getting a word in edgewise.
"Red tape . . . the sste"#" %ah9 infor"ed "e.
"+he organi9ation to get things done that keeps things fro" getting done. In this $ase# it*s $alled the $hain-of-$o""and. %n ar"
the si9e of the one we*re fa$ing has to fun$tion like a well-oiled "a$hine or it starts tripping over its own feet. I*" !etting if we toss
a $ouple of handfuls of sand into its gears# the*ll spend "ore ti"e fighting ea$h other than $hasing us."
+his was one of the first ti"es %ah9 had a$tuall $larified so"ething he said. I wished he hadn*t. I was "ore $onfused than I had
!een !efore.
"A" . . . how are we going to do all this7" I asked.
"We*ll !e a!le to tell !etter after ou*ve had our first war $oun$il#" %ah9 shrugged.
"%ren*t we having it now7"
"I "eant with the ene"#" %ah9 s$owled. "0o"eti"e in the near future# ou*re going to have to sit down with one of their
offi$ers and de$ide how this war*s going to !e fought."
"/e7" I !linked.
":ou are the leader of the defenses# re"e"!er7" %ah9 grinned at "e.
?B
"It*s part of the -o!# handso"e#" +anda $onfir"ed.
"Wait a "inute#" I interrupted. "It -ust $a"e to "e. I think I have a !etter idea."
"+his I*ve got to hear#" %ah9 grinned.
"0hut up# %ah9#" +anda ordered# poking hi" in the ri!s. "What$ha got# handso"e7"
"We*ve got a $ouple of trained %ssassins on our side# don*t we7" I o!served. "Wh don*t we -ust put *e" to work7 If enough
offi$ers suddenl turn up dead# odds are the ar" will fall apart. Right7"
"It won*t work# kid#" %ah9 announ$ed !luntl.
"Wh not7"
"We $an !end the rules# !ut we $an*t !reak *e"#" %ah9 e,plained. "Wars are fought !etween the troops. Killing off the offi$ers
without engaging their troops goes against tradition. I dou!t if our own for$e would stand still for it. Old- troopers like %-a,
would have no part of a s$he"e like that."
"3e*s right#" +anda $onfir"ed. "%ssassins take $ontra$ts on individuals in personal feuds# !ut not against the general staff of an
ar"."
"1ut it would !e so eas#" I insisted.
"Look at it this wa# kid#" %ah9 put in. "If ou $ould do it# the $ould do it. +he wa things are now# ou*re e,e"pt fro"
%ssassins. Would ou reall want to $hange that7"
"What do I sa in a war $oun$il7" I asked.
"I*ll !rief ou on that when the ti"e $o"es#" %ah9 reassured "e. "Right now we have other things to plan."
"0u$h as what7" +anda asked.
"0u$h as what to do a!out those signal towers#" %ah9 retortedE -erking his head at one of the distant stru$tures.
"We pro!a!l won*t have ti"e to !reak their $ode# so the ne,t !est thing is to disrupt their signals so"ehow. Now# ou said ou
pi$ked up so"e spe$ial effe$ts ite"s !a$k at the 1a9aar. 3ave ou got anthing we $ould use on the signal towers7"
"I*" not sure#" +anda frowned thoughtfull. "I wish ou had said so"ething a!out that !efore I went shopping."
"What a!out %-a,7" I suggested.
"What a!out hi"7" %ah9 $ountered.
"3ow $lose would he have to !e to the towers to disrupt things with his ar$her7"
"I don*t know#" %ah9 shrugged. "Wh don*t ou ask hi"."
Eager to follow up on " own suggestion# I s(uatted down ne,t to the do9ing !ow"an.
"Arn . . . %-a,#" I $alled softl.
"What$ha need# oungster7" the old "an asked# $o"ing instantl awake.
";o ou see those signal towers7" I asked# pointing at the distant stru$tures.
%-a, rose to his feet and s(uinted in the indi$ated dire$tion. "0ure $an#" he nodded.
"We . . . u" . . . I was wondering#" I e,plained# "$an ou use our !ow to disrupt their signals7"
In response# %-a, drew an arrow fro" !eneath his $loak# $o$ked it# and let fl !efore I $ould stop hi".
+he shaft disappeared in the dire$tion of the nearest tower. With sinking heart# I strained " ees tring to tra$k its flight.
+here was a "an standing on the tower*s platfor"# his standard leaning against the railing !eside hi". 0uddenl# his standard
toppled over# apparentl !reaking off a handspan fro" its $rosspie$e. +he "an !ent and retrieved the !otto" portion of the pole#
staring with apparent $onfusion at the !roken end.
"%n other targets7" %-a, asked.
3e was leaning $asuall on his !ow# his !a$k to the tower. 3e hadn*t even !othered wat$hing to see if his "issile stru$k its "ark.
"A" . . . not -ust now# %-a,#" I assured hi". "4o !a$k to sleep."
"5ine ! "e# sonn#" %-a, s"iled# resettling hi"self. "+here*ll !e plent of targets to"orrow."
"3ow do ou figure that7" I asked.
"%$$ording to that signal I -ust $ut down#" he grinned# "the ar"*s fi,in* to "ove out to"orrow."
":ou $an read the signals7" I !linked.
"0ure#" %-a, nodded. "+here*re onl a!out eight different $odes ar"ies use# and I know *e" all. It*s part of " trade."
"%nd the*re "oving out to"orrow7" I pressed.
"+hat*s what I said." +he !ow"an s$owled. "What*s the "atter# are ou deaf7"
"No#" I assured hi" hastil. "It -ust $hanges our plans is all. 4o !a$k to sleep."
Returning to our little $onferen$e# I found %ah9 and +anda engrossed in a $onversation with 1ro$khurst.
"1ad news# kid#" %ah9 infor"ed "e. "1ro$khurst here sas the ar"*s going to "ove out to"orrow."
"I know#" I said. "I -ust found out fro" %-a,. 6an ou read the signal flags too# 1ro$khurst7"
"Naw#" the I"p ad"itted. "1ut the 4re"lin $an."
"What 4re"lin7" %ah9 !ared his teeth.
"3e was here a "inute ago#" 1ro$khurst s$owled# looking around.
"Well# handso"e#" +anda sighed# eeing "e# "I think we -ust ran out of planning ti"e. 1etter $all our dragon. I think we*re
going to need all the help we $an get to"orrow."
4leep had wandered off shortl after our arrival# though we $ould still hear hi" o$$asionall as he poked a!out in the
under!rush.
":ou go get the dragon# +anda#" %ah9 ordered.
?D
"+hough it es$apes "e how he*s supposed to !e an help. +he <!oss* here and I have to dis$uss his war $oun$il to"orrow."
%n $onfiden$e I "ight have !uilt up listening to %ah9*s grand plan earlier fled "e. +anda was right. We had run out of ti"e.
Chapter Seventeen
";iplo"a$ is the deli$ate weapon of the $ivili9ed warrior."
-3AN# %.+.
We waited patientl for our war $oun$il. +he two of us# %ah9 and "e. %gainst an ar".
+his was# of $ourse# %ah9*s idea. Left to " own devi$es# I wouldn*t !e $aught dead in this position.
+ring to ignore that unfortunate $hoi$e of words# I $leared " throat and spoke to %ah9 out of the $orner of " "outh.
"%ah97"
":eah# kid7"
"3ow long are we going to stand here7"
"Antil the noti$e us and do so"ething a!out it."
+errifi$. Either we*d rot where we stood# or so"eone would shoot us full of arrows.
We were standing a!out twent ards fro" one of the en$a"p"ents# with nothing !etween us and the" !ut "eadow. We $ould
see $learl the !ustle of a$tivit within the en$a"p"ent and# in theor# there was nothing keeping the" fro" seeing us. +his is wh
we were standing where we were# to draw attention to ourselves. Anfortunatel# so far no one had noti$ed.
It had !een de$ided that %ah9 and I would work alone on this first sortie to hide the true strength of our for$e. It o$$urred to "e
that it also hid the true weakness of our for$e# !ut I felt it would !e ta$tless to point this out.
%t first# 1ro$khurst had argued in favor of his $o"ing along with "e instead of %ah9# $lai"ing that as an I"p he had "u$h "ore
e,perien$e at !argaining than a de"on. It was pointed out to hi" rather for$efull ! %ah9 that in this instan$e we weren*t
!argaining for glass !eads or whoopie $ushions# !ut for a war . . . and if the I"p wanted to prove to %ah9 that he knew "ore a!out
fighting ....
Needless to sa# 1ro$khurst !a$ked down at that point. +his was good# as it saved "e fro" having to openl re-e$t his offer. I
"ean# I "a not !e the fastest learner around# !ut I $ould still distin$tl re"e"!er %ah9 getting the !est of 1ro$khurst the last
ti"e# the two of the" had s(uared off for a !argaining session.
1esides# if this "eeting went awr# I wanted " "entor $lose at hand to share the $onse(uen$es with "e.
0o here we stood# !latantl e,posed to the ene" without even a sword for our defense. +hat was another of %ah9*s !rainstor"s.
3e argued that our !eing unar"ed a$$o"plished three things. 5irst# it showed that we were here to talk# not to fight. 0e$ond# it
de"onstrated our faith in " "agi$al a!ilities to defend us. +hird# it en$ouraged our ene" to "eet us si"ilarl unar"ed.
3e also pointed out that %-a, would !e hiding in the tree line !ehind us with strung !ow and $o$ked arrow# and would pro!a!l
!e !etter at defending us if anthing went wrong than a $ouple of swords would.
3e was right# of $ourse# !ut it did nothing to settle " nerves as we waited.
"3eads up# kid#" %ah9 "ur"ured. "We*ve got $o"pan."
0ure enough# a rather sto$k individual was striding !riskl a$ross the "eadow in our dire$tion.
"Kid2" %ah9 hissed suddenl. ":our disguise2"
"What a!out it7" I whispered !a$k.
"It isn*t2" $a"e the repl.
3e was right2 I had $arefull restored his "du!ious $hara$ter" appearan$e# !ut had forgotten $o"pletel a!out $hanging " own.
3aving our "otle $rew a$$ept " leadership in " nor"al for" had $aused "e to overlook the fa$t that Klahds are harder to
i"press than de"ons.
"0hould I-" I !egan.
"+oo late2" %ah9 growled. "5ake it."
+he soldier was al"ost upon us now# $lose enough for "e to noti$e when he a!andoned his !ored e,pression and for$ed a s"ile.
"I*" sorr# folks#" he $alled with pra$ti$ed authorit. ":ou*ll have to $lear the area. We*ll !e "oving soon and ou*re !lo$king
the path."
"6all our dut offi$er2" %ah9 !oo"ed !a$k at hi".
"/ who7" the soldier s$owled.
";ut offi$er# offi$er of the da# $o""ander# whatever ou $all whoever*s $urrentl in $harge of our for"ation#" %ah9
$larified. "0o"e!od*s got to !e running things# and if ou*re offi$er "aterial# I*" the @ueen of the /a."
Whether or not the soldier understood %ah9*s allusion &I didn*t'# he $aught the general i"pli$ation.
":eah# there*s so"eone in $harge#" he snarled# his $o"ple,ion darkening slightl. "3e*s a ver !us "an right now# too !us to
stand around talking to $ivilians. We*re getting read to "ove our troops# "ister# so take our son and get out of the wa. If ou
want to wat$h the soldiers# ou*ll have to follow along and wat$h us when we $a"p tonight."
FF;J ou have an idea who ou*re talking to7" I said in a surprisingl soft voi$e.
"I don*t $are who our father is# sonn#" the soldier retorted. "We*re tring to-"
"+he na"e*s not <sonn#* it*s 0keeve2" I hissed# drawing "self up. "6ourt "agi$ian to the kingdo" of .ossiltu"# pledged to that
kingdo"*s defense. Now I advise ou to $all our offi$er . . . or do ou want to wake up to"orrow "orning on a lil pad7"
+he soldier re$oiled a step and stood regarding "e suspi$iousl.
?F
"Is he for real7" he asked %ah9 skepti$all.
"3ow*s our taste for flies7" %ah9 s"iled.
":ou "ean he $an reall-"
"Look#" interrupted %ah9# "I*" not plaing servant to the kid !e$ause of his terrifi$ personalit# if ou know what I "ean."
"I see . . . u". . . ." +he soldier was $autiousl !a$king toward the en$a"p"ent. "I*ll . . . u" . . . I*ll !ring " $o""anding
offi$er."
"We*ll !e here#" %ah9 assured hi".
+he soldier nodded and retreated with noti$ea!l greater speed than he had displaed approa$hing us.
"0o far# so good#" " "entor said with a grin.
"What*s wrong with " personalit7" I asked !luntl.
%ah9 sighed. "Later# kid. 5or the ti"e !eing# $on$entrate on looking aloof and dignified# oka7"
Oka or not# there wasn*t "u$h else to do while we waited for the offi$er to put in his appearan$e.
%pparentl# news of our presen$e spread through the en$a"p"ent in re$ord ti"e# for a $rowd of soldiers gathered at the edge of
the $a"p long !efore we saw an sign of the offi$er. It see"ed all preparations to "ove were suspended at least te"poraril while
the soldiers lined up and $raned their ne$ks to gawk at us.
It was kind of a ni$e feeling to have $aused su$h a sensation# until I noti$ed several soldiers were taking ti"e to strap on
weapons and ar"or !efore -oining the $rowd.
"%ah92" I whispered.
":eah# kid7"
"I thought this was supposed to !e a pea$eful "eeting."
"It is#" he assured "e.
"1ut the*re ar"ing2" I pointed out.
"Rela,# kid#" he whispered !a$k. "Re"e"!er# %-a, is $overing us."
I tried to fo$us on that thought. +hen I saw what was apparentl the offi$er approa$hing us flanked ! two soldiers# and I
fo$used on the swords the were all wearing.
"%ah92" I hissed.
"Rela,# kid#" %ah9 advised "e. "Re"e"!er %-a,."
I re"e"!ered. I also re"e"!ered we were vastl outnu"!ered.
"I understand ou gentle"en are e"issaries of .ossiltu"7" the offi$er asked# $o"ing to a halt in front of us.
I nodded stiffl hoping the a!ruptness of " "otion would !e interpreted as annoan$e rather than fear.
"5ine#" the offi$er s"irked. "+hen as the first representative of the E"pire to $onta$t a representative of .ossiltu"# I have the
pleasure of for"all de$laring war on our kingdo"."
"What is our na"e7" %ah9 asked $asuall.
*6laude#" the offi$er responded. "Wh do ou ask7"
"+he historians like details#" %ah9 shrugged. "Well# 6laude# as the first representative of .ossiltu" to "eet with a representative
of our E"pire in ti"es of war# it is our pleasure to de"and our un$onditional surrender."
+hat got a s"ile out of the offi$er.
"0urrender7" he $hortled. "+o a $ripple and a $hild7 :ou "ust !e "ad. Even if I had the authorit to do su$h a thing# I wouldn*t."
"+hat*s right." %ah9 shook his head in "o$k selfad"onish"ent. "We should have reali9ed. 0o"eone in $harge of a suppl
$o"pan wouldn*t swing "u$h weight in an ar" like this# would he7"
We had $hosen this parti$ular group of soldiers to approa$h spe$ifi$all !e$ause the were a suppl unit. +hat "eant the were
lightl ar"ed and hopefull not an elite fighting group.
%ah9*s !ar! stru$k ho"e# however. +he offi$er stopped s"iling and dropped his hand to his sword hilt. I found "self thinking
again of %-a,*s prote$tion.
"I have "ore than enough authorit to deal with ou two#" he hissed.
"%uthorit# "a!e#" I awned. "1ut I frankl dou!t ou have the power to stand against us."
%s I "entioned# I did not feel as $onfident as I sounded. +he offi$er*s honor guard had "i"i$ked his a$tion# so that now all three
of our adversaries were standing read to draw their swords.
"Ver well#" 6laude snarled. ":ou*ve !een warned. Now we*re going to !ring our wagons a$ross this spot# and if ou*re on it
when we get here ou*ve no one to !la"e !ut ourselves."
"%$$epted2" %ah9 leered. "0hall we sa noon to"orrow7"
"+o"orrow7" the offi$er s$owled. "What*s wrong with right now7"
"6o"e# $o"e# 6laude#" %ah9 ad"onished. "We*re talking a!out the first engage"ent of a new $a"paign. 0urel ou want so"e
ti"e to plan our ta$ti$s."
"+a$ti$s7" 6laude e$hoed thoughtfull.
". . . and to pass the word to our superiors that ou*re leading the opening ga"!it#" %ah9 $ontinued $asuall.
"3""#" the offi$er "ur"ured.
". . . and to su""on reinfor$e"ents#" I supplied. "Anless# of $ourse# ou want to keep all the glor for ourself."
"4lor2"
+hat did it. 6laude poun$ed on the word like a ;eveel on a gold pie$e. %ah9 had !een right in assu"ing suppl offi$ers don*t see
?G
$o"!at often.
"I . . . uh . . . I don*t !elieve we*ll re(uire reinfor$e"ents#" he "ur"ured $agil.
"%re ou sure7" %ah9 sneered. "+he odds are onl a!out a hundred to one in our favor."
"1ut he is a "agi$ian#" 6laude s"iled. "% good offi$er $an*t !e too $areful. 0till# it would !e pointless to involve too "an
offi$ers . . . er . . . I "ean# soldiers in a "inor skir"ish."
"6laude#" %ah9 said with grudging ad"iration# "I $an see ours is a "ilitar "ind without e(ual. Win or lose# I look forward to
having ou as an opponent."
"%nd ou# sir#" the offi$er returned with e(ual for"alit. "0hall we sa noon then7"
"We*ll !e here#" %ah9 nodded.
With that# the offi$er turned and strode !riskl !a$k to his en$a"p"ent# his !odguard trudging dutifull !eside hi".
Our $o"rades were !ristling with (uestions when we reentered the tree line.
"Is it set# !oss7" 1ro$khurst asked.
"%n trou!le7" +anda pressed.
".ie$e of $ake#" %ah9 !ragged. "Right# kid7"
"Well#" I !egan "odestl# "I was a little worried when the started to rea$h for their swords. I would have !een terrified if-I
didn*t know %-a, was . . . sa# where is %-a,7"
"3e*s up in that $lu"p of !ushes#" 4us infor"ed "e# -erking a "assive thu"! at a thi$ket of greener on the edge of the tree
line. "3e should !e !a$k ! now."
When we found %-a,# he was fast asleep $urled around his !ow. We had to shake hi" several ti"es to wake hi".
Chapter Eighteen
"=ust !efore the !attle# /other# I was thinking "ost of ou... "
-0ONN: 1%RKER
% long# sli" tongue assaulted "e fro" the darkness# a$$o"panied ! a !last of !ad !reath whi$h $ould have onl one sour$e.
"4leep2"
I started to auto"ati$all $uff the dragon awa# then had a sudden $hange of heart.
"3i# fella#" I s"iled# s$rat$hing his ear. "Lonel7"
In response# " pet flopped on his side with a thud that shook the ground. 3is serpentine ne$k was long enough that he "anaged
to perfor" this "aneuver without "oving his head fro" " grasp.
3is loal affe$tion !rought a s"ile to " fa$e for the first ti"e sin$e I had taken up " lonel vigil. It was -a wel$o"e antidote
to " nervous inso"nia.
I was leaning against a treeE wat$hing the pinpoints of light that "arked the ene"*s en$a"p"ent. Even though the da*s events
had left "e e,hausted# I found "self una!le to sleep# " "ind awash with fears and anti$ipation of to"orrow*s $lash. Not wishing
to draw attention to " dis$o"fort# I had $rept to this pla$e to !e alone.
%s stealth as I had atte"pted to !e# however# apparentl 4leep had noted " "ove"ent and $o"e to keep "e $o"pan.
"Oh# 4leep#" I whispered. "What are we going to do7"
5or his answer# he snuggled $loser against "e and laid his head in " lap for additional patting. 3e see"ed to have unshaka!le
faith in " a!ilit to handle an $risis as it arose. I wished with all " heart I shared his $onfiden$e.
"0keeve7" $a"e a soft voi$e fro" " right.
I turned " head and found +anda standing $lose !eside "e. +he dis(uieting thing a!out having an %ssassin for a friend is that
the "ove so silentl.
"6an I talk to ou for a "o"ent7"
"0ure# +anda#" I said# patting the ground ne,t to "e. "3ave a seat."
Instead of sitting at the indi$ated spot# she sank to the ground where she stood and $urled her legs up under her.
"It*s a!out %-a,#" she !egan hesitantl. "I hate to !other ou# !ut I*" worried a!out hi"."
"What*s wrong7" I asked.
"Well# the tea"*s !een riding hi" a!out falling asleep toda when he was supposed to !e $overing ou#" she e,plained. "3e*s
taking it prett hard."
"I wasn*t too wild a!out it "self#" I $o""ented !itterl. "It*s a !ad feeling to reali9e that we reall were alone out there. If
anthing had gone wrong# we would have !een $ut to shreds while pla$idl waiting for our e,pert !ow"an to inter$ede2"
"I know." +anda*s voi$e was al"ost too soft to !e heard. "%nd I don*t !la"e ou for feeling like that. In a wa# I !la"e "self."
":ourself7" I !linked. "Wh7"
"I vou$hed for hi"# 0keeve#" she whispered. ";on*t ou re"e"!er7"
"Well# sure#" I ad"itted. "1ut ou $ouldn*t have known-"
"1ut I should have#" she interrupted !itterl. "I should have reali9ed how old he is now. 3e shouldn*t !e here# 0keeve. +hat*s wh
I wanted to talk to ou a!out doing so"ething."
"/e7" I asked# genuinel startled. "What do ou want "e to do7"
"0end hi" !a$k#" +anda urged. "It isn*t fair to ou to endanger our "ission !e$ause of hi"# and it isn*t fair to %-a, to put hi" in
a spot like this."
?H
"+hat isn*t# what I "eant#" I "ur"ured# shaking " head. "I "eant wh are ou talking to "e7 %ah9 is the one-ou have to
$onvin$e."
"+hat*s where ou*re wrong# 0keeve#" she $orre$ted. "%ah9 isn*t leading this group# ou are."
"1e$ause of what he said !a$k on ;eva7" I s"iled. "6*"on# +anda. :ou know %ah9. 3e was -ust a little "iffed. :ou noti$ed
he*s $alled all the shots so far."
+he "oonlight glistened in +anda*s hair as she shook her head.
"I do know %ah9# 0keeve. 1etter than ou do#" she said. "3e*s a sti$kler for $hain of $o""and. If he sas ou*re the leader#
ou*re the leader."
"1ut-"
"1esides#" she $ontinued over " protest# "%ah9 is onl one "e"!er of the tea". What*s i"portant is all the others are $ounting
on ou# too. On ou# not on %ah9. :ou hired *e"# and as far as the*re $on$erned# ou*re the !oss."
+he frightening thing was she was right. I hadn*t reall stopped to think a!out it# !ut everthing she said was true. I had -ust !een
too !us with " own worries to refle$t on it. Now that I reali9ed the full e,tent of " responsi!ilities# a new wave of dou!ts
assaulted "e. I wasn*t even that sure of "self as a "agi$ian# and as a leader of "en ....
"I*ll have to think a!out it#" I stalled.
":ou don*t have "u$h ti"e#" she pointed out. ":ou*ve got a war s$heduled to start to"orrow."
+here was a $ra$kling in the !rush to our left# interrupting our $onversation.
"1oss7" $a"e 1ro$khurst*s soft hail. "%re ou !us7"
"0ort of#" I $alled !a$k.
"Well# this will onl take a "inute."
1efore I $ould repl# two shadows deta$hed the"selves fro" the !rush and drew $loser. One was 1ro$khurst# the other was 4us.
I should have known fro" the noise that the gargole was a$$o"paning 1ro$khurst. Like +anda# the I"p $ould "ove like a ghost.
"We were -ust talking a!out %-a,#" 1ro$khurst infor"ed "e# s(uatting down to -oin our $onferen$e.
+he gargole followed suit.
":eah#" 4us $onfir"ed. "+he three of us wanted to "ake a suggestion to ou."
"Right#" 1ro$khurst nodded. "4us and "e and the 4re"lin."
"+he 4re"lin7" I asked.
+he I"p $raned his ne$k to peer around hi".
"3e "ust have staed !a$k at $a"p#" he shrugged.
"%!out %-a,#" +anda pro"pted.
"We think ou should pull hi" fro" the tea"#" 4us announ$ed. "0end hi" !a$k to ;eva and out of the line of fire."
"It*s not for us#" 1ro$khurst hastened to $larif. "It*s for hi". 3e*s a ni$e old gu# and we*d hate to see anthing happen to hi"."
"3e is prett old#" I "ur"ured.
"Old2" 4us e,$lai"ed. "1oss# the 4re"lin sas he*s tailed hi" for over two hundred ears . . . two hundred2 %$$ording to hi"#
%-a, was old when their paths first $rossed. It won*t kill hi" to "iss this one war# !ut it "ight kill hi" to fight in it."
"Wh is the 4re"lin tailing hi"# anwa7" I asked.
"I*ve told ou !efore# kid#" a voi$e !oo"ed in " ear# "gre"lins don*t e,ist."
With that pronoun$e"ent# %ah9 sank down at " side# !etween "e and +anda. %s I atte"pted to restore " heart!eat to nor"al#
it o$$urred to "e I knew an awful lot of light-footed people.
"3i# %ah9#" I said# for$ing a s"ile. "We were -ust talking a!out-"
"I know# I heard#" %ah9 interrupted. "%nd for a $hange I agree."
":ou do7" I !linked.
"0ure#" he awned. "It*s a $lear-$ut !rea$h of $ontra$t. 3e hired out his servi$es as a !ow"an# and the first assign"ent ou give
hi"# he literall lies down on the -o!."
%$tuall# it had !een the se$ond assign"ent. I had a sudden flash re$olle$tion of %-a, drawing and firing in a s"ooth# fluid
"otion# $utting down a signal standard so distant it was !arel visi!le.
"/ advi$e would !e to send hi" !a$k#" %ah9 was saing. "If ou want to soothe our $ons$ien$e# give hi" partial pa"ent and
a good re$o""endation# !ut the wa he is# he*s no good to an!od."
.erhaps it was !e$ause of +anda*s le$ture# !ut I was suddenl aware that %ah9 had spe$ifi$all stated his suggestion as "advi$e#"
not an order.
"3eads up# !oss#" 1ro$khurst "ur"ured. "We*ve got $o"pan."
5ollowing his ga9e# I saw %-a, stu"!ling toward us# his ghostlike paleness fli$kering in the darkness like . . . well# like a ghost.
It o$$urred to "e that what had started out as a "o"ent of solitude was !e$o"ing awfull $rowded.
"Evenin*# oungster#" he saluted. ";idn*t "ean to interrupt nothin2 ;idn*t know ou folks was havin* a "eetin*."
"We . . . ah . . . we were -ust talking#" I e,plained# suddenl e"!arrassed.
"I kin guess a!out what# too#" %-a, sighed. "Well# I was goin* to do this private-like# !ut I suppose the rest o* ou "ight as well
hear it# too."
";o what# %-a,7" I asked.
"Resign#" he said. "0ee"s to "e to !e the onl de$ent thing to do after what happened toda."
"It $ould have happened to anone#" I shrugged.
?I
"Ni$e of ou to sa so# oungster#" %-a, s"iled# "!ut I kin see the handwriting on the wall. I*" -ust too old to !e an good to
an!od an"ore. *1out ti"e I ad"itted it to "self."
I found "self noti$ing the droop in his shoulders and a listlessness that hadn*t !een there when we first "et on ;eva.
";on*t fret a!out pain* "e#" %-a, $ontinued. "I didn*t do nothin*# so I figger ou don*t owe "e nothin*. If so"e!od*ll -ust !lip
"e !a$k to ;eva# I*ll get outta our wa and let ou fight our war the wa it should !e fought."
"Well# %-a,#" %ah9 sighed# rising to his feet and e,tending his hand. "We*re going to "iss ou."
"=ust a "inute2" I found "self saing in a $old voi$e. "%re ou tring to tell "e ou*re !reaking our $ontra$t7"
%-a,*s head $a"e up with a snap.
"I e,pe$ted !etter fro" a genuine %r$her#" I $on$luded.
"I wouldn*t $all it a !rea$h of $ontra$t# oungster#" the old !ow"an $orre$ted "e $arefull. "/ore like a ter"ination ! "utual
$onsent. I*" -es* too old-"
"Old7" I interrupted. "I knew ou were old when I hired ou. I knew ou were old when I planned " strateg for to"orrow*s
fight around that !ow of ours. I knew ou were old# %-a,# !ut I didn*t know ou were a $oward2"
+here was a sharp intake of !reath so"ewhere near!# !ut 8 didn*t see who it was. / attention was fo$used on %-a,. It was no
longer a defeated# drooping old "an# !ut a proud# angr warrior who loo"ed suddenl over "e.
"0onn#" he growled# "I know I*" old# *$ause in " ounger das I would have killed ou for sain* that. 8 never ran fro" a fight
in " life# and 8 never !roke a $ontra$t. If ou got so"e shootin* fer "e to do to"orrow# I*ll do it. +hen "a!e ou*ll see what
havin* a genuine %r$her on our side is all a!out2"
With that# he spun on his heel and stalked off into the darkness.
It had !een a $al$ulated risk# !ut I still found I was $overed with $old sweat fro" fa$ing the old "an*s anger. I also reali9ed the
rest of the group was staring at "e in silent e,pe$tation.
"I suppose ou*re all wondering wh I did that#" I said# s"iling.
I had hoped for a response# !ut the silen$e $ontinued.
"I appre$iate all our advi$e# and hope ou $ontinue to give it in the future. 1ut I*" leading this for$e# and the final de$isions
have to !e "ine."
Out of the $orner of " ee# I saw %ah9 $o$k his ee!row# !ut I ignored hi".
"Everone# in$luding %-a,# said if I let hi" go# if I sent hi" !a$k to ;eva# there would !e no har" done. I disagree. It would
have taken awa the one thing the ears have left untou$hed . . . his pride. It would have $onfir"ed to hi" his worst -fears# that
he*s !e$o"e a useless old "an."
I s$anned " audien$e. Not one of the" $ould "eet " ee.
"0o he "ight get killed. 0o what7 3e*s a$$epted that risk in ever war he*s fought in. I*d rather order hi" into a fight knowing for
$ertain he*d !e killed than $onde"n hi" to a living death as a washed-up has-!een. +his wa# he has a $han$e# and as his e"ploer#
I feel I owe hi" that $han$e."
I paused for !reath. +he were looking at "e again# hanging on " ne,t words.
"One "ore thing#" I snarled. "I don*t want to hear an "ore talk a!out hi" !eing useless. +hat old "an still handles a !ow !etter
than anone I*ve ever seen. If I $an*t find a wa to use hi" effe$tivel# then it*s " fault as a ta$ti$ian# not his2 I*ve got "
short$o"ings# !ut I*" not going to !la"e the" on %-a, an "ore than I*d !la"e the" on an of ou."
0ilen$e reigned again# !ut I didn*t $are. I had# spoken " pie$e# and felt no $o"pulsion to !lather on ai"lessl -ust to fill the
void.
"Well# !oss" -1ro$khurst $leared his throat getting to his feet-"I think I*ll turn in now."
"/e# too#" e$hoed 4us# also rising.
"=ust one thing." +he I"p paused and "et " ga9e s(uarel. "5or the re$ord# it*s a real pleasure working for ou."
+he gargole nodded his agree"ent# and the two of the" faded into the !rush.
+here was a soft kiss on " $heek# !ut ! the ti"e I turned " head# +anda had disappeared.
":ou know# kid#" %ah9 said# "ou*re going to "ake a prett good leader so"eda."
"+hanks# %ah9#" I !linked.
". . . if ou live that long#" " "entor $on$luded.
We sat side ! side in silen$e for a while longer. 4leep had apparentl do9ed off# for he was snoring softl as I $ontinued petting
hi".
"If it isn*t pring#" %ah9 asked finall# "what is this "aster plan ou have for to"orrow that*s !uilt around %-a,7"
I sighed and $losed " ees.
"I haven*t got one#" I ad"itted. "I was kind of hoping ou*d have a few ideas."
"I was afraid ou were going to sa that#" %ah9 gru"!led.
Chapter Nineteen
"What if the gave a war and onl one side $a"e-"
-LA6I5ER
"Wake up# kid2"
I returned to $ons$iousness as I was !eing for$efull propelled sidewas along the forest floor# presu"a!l assisted ! the read
BJ
toe of " "entor.
%fter I had slid to a stop# I e,erted "ost of " energ and raised " head.
"%ah9#" I announ$ed sole"nl# "as leader of this tea"# I have rea$hed another de$ision. In the future# I want +anda to wake "e
up."
"Not a $han$e#" %ah9 leered. "0he*s off s$outing our right flank. It*s "e or the dragon."
4reat $hoi$e. I suddenl reali9ed how !right it was.
"3e2" I !linked. "3ow late is it7"
"5igure we*ve got a!out a "inute !efore things start popping#" %ah9 said $asuall.
"3ow long7" I gasped.
%ah9*s !row furrowed for a "o"ent as he refle$ted on his words. Klahdish units of ti"e still gave hi" a !it of trou!le.
"%n hour2" he s"iled triu"phantl. "+hat*s it. %n hour."
"+hat*s !etter#" I sighed# sinking !a$k to a hori9ontal position.
"On our feet# kid2" %ah9 ordered. "We let ou sleep as late as we $ould# !ut now ou*re needed to review the troops."
"3ave ou !riefed ever!od7" I awned# sitting up. "Is the plan $lear7"
"%s $lear as it*s going to !e# all things $onsidered#" %ah9 shrugged.
"Oka#" I responded# rolling to " feet. "Let*s go. :ou $an fill "e in on an new develop"ents along the wa."
%ah9 and I had !een up "ost of the night for"ulating toda*s plan# and I found I was a$tuall eager to see it i"ple"ented.
":ou should !e thankful ou aren*t on the other side#" %ah9 $hortled as we "oved to -oin the others. "Old 6laude*s !een "aking
the "ost of the ti"e we gave hi"."
"Keeping the" !us# is he7" I s"iled.
"0in$e sunup#" %ah9 $onfir"ed s"ugl. ";rilling# sharpening swords# never a dull "o"ent in the E"pire*s ar"# that*s for sure."
I wasn*t sure I shared %ah9*s enthusias" for the ene"*s spending lots of ti"e sharpening their swords. 5ortunatel# I was spared
the dis$o"fort of repling as 4us lu"!ered up to us.
":ou -ust "issed 1ro$khurst*s report#" he infor"ed us. "0till nothing on the left flank."
"Wouldn*t we !e a!le to tell fro" their signals if the were "oving up additional support7" I asked.
"If ou !elieve their signals#" %ah9 $ountered. "It wouldn*t !e the first ti"e an ar" figured out the ene" had !roken their $ode
and started sending "isleading "essages."
"Oh#" I said wisel.
"0peaking of signals#" %ah9 said with a grin# "ou know the "essages the were sending esterda7 +he ones that went
<en$ountered "inor resistan$e*7"
"I re"e"!er#" I nodded.
"Well# it see"s 6laude has de$ided he needs to up the ante if he*s going to get a pro"otion out of this. Overnight we*ve !e$o"e
<ar"ed opposition . . . "ust !e su!dued for$efull2* Neat# huh7"
I swallowed hard.
";oes that "ean the*ll !e "oving in reinfor$e"ents7 *L*I asked# tring to sound $asual.
"Not a $han$e# kid." %ah9 winked. "6laude there has turned down ever offer of assistan$e that $a"e down the line. 3e keeps
insisting he $an handle it with the $o"pan he*s $o""anding."
"I*d sa he*s got his ne$k wa# wa out#" 4us $o""ented.
". . . and we*re -ust the ones to $hop it off for hi"#" %ah9 finished.
"Where*s %-a,7" I asked# $hanging the su!-e$t.
";own at the forest line pi$king out his firing point#" 4us replied. ";on*t worr# !oss. 3e*s awake."
%$tuall# that wasn*t " worr $on$erning %-a, at all. In " "ind*s ee# I $ould still see his angr stan$e when I $alled hi" a
$oward the night !efore.
"/ornin*# oungster#" the !ow"an hailed# e"erging fro" the !ush. "+hink I got us a pla$e all pi$ked out."
"3i# %-a,#" I replied. "0a . . . u" . . . when ou get a "inute# I*d like to talk to ou a!out last night."
"+hink nothin* of it#" %-a, assured "e with a grin. "I*ve plu" fergot a!out it alread."
+here was a glint in his ee that $ontradi$ted his words# !ut if he was willing to pretend nothing had happened# I*d go along with
it for now.
"I hate to interrupt#" %ah9 interrupted# "!ut I think friend 6laude*s -ust a!out read to "ake his "ove."
0ure enough# the distant en$a"p"ent was lining up in a "ar$hing for"ation. +he hand-drawn wagons were pa$ked and aligned#
with the es$ort troops arraed to the front and sides. +he signal tower# despite its appearan$e# was apparentl also porta!le and was
!eing pushed along at the rear of the for"ation ! several sweating soldiers.
"Late2" %-a, sneered. "I tell a# oungster# ar"ies are the sa"e in an di"ension."
"Oka# kid#" %ah9 said !riskl. ";o our stuff. It*s a!out ti"e we got into position."
I nodded and $losed " ees for $on$entration. With a few strokes of " "ental paint!rush# I altered 4us*s features until the
gargole was the "irror i"age of "self.
".rett good#" %-a, $o""ented $riti$all# looking fro" 4us to "e and !a$k again.
I repeated the pro$ess# returning %ah9 to his "du!ious $hara$ter" disguise.
"Well# we*re off#" %ah9 waved. "6onfusion to the ene"2"
+oda*s plan $alled for 4us su!stituting for "e. +he logi$ was that should anthing go wrong# his stone flesh would not onl
B8
keep hi" fro" har"# !ut also serve as a shield to defend %ah9.
0o"ehow it didn*t see" right to "e# to re"ain !ehind in relative safet while sending so"eone else to take " risks for "e. It
o$$urred to "e that perhaps I had $alled the wrong person "$oward" last night when speaking with %-a,.
+he !ow"an see"ed to a$$ept the arrange"ent without (uestion# however.
"5ollow "e# oungster#" he $a$kled. "I don*t want to "iss an of this2"
With that# he turned and plunged into the !rush# leaving "e little $hoi$e !ut to trail along !ehind.
5ortunatel# %-a,*s $hosen vantage point wasn*t far. Old or not# I found he set a wi$ked pa$e.
0tringing his !ow# he $rou$hed and waited# $hu$kling softl in anti$ipation.
0ettling in !eside hi"# I took a "o"ent to $he$k the energ lines# the invisi!le strea"s of energ "agi$ians draw their power
fro". +here were two strong lines near!# one air# one ground# whi$h was good. While %ah9 had taught "e how to store the
energies internall# with the a"ount of a$tion s$heduled for the da# I wanted all the power I $ould get.
We $ould see %ah9 and 4us striding with great dignit toward the sele$ted $o"!at point. +he opposing for$e wat$hed the" in
fro9en silen$e as the took their pla$es.
5or a "o"ent# everone stood in ta!leau.
+hen 6laude turned to his for$e and !arked out an order. I""ediatel a half do9en ar$hers !roke fro" the for"ation and fanned
out on either side of the wagons. /oving with slow deli!eration# the ea$h drew and $o$ked an arrow# then leveled the !ows at the
two figures !lo$king the $o"pan*s progress.
I $on$entrated " energies.
6laude shouted so"ething at our $o"rades. +he re"ained "otionless.
I $on$entrated.
+he !ow"en loosed their "issiles. 4us threw up one hand dra"ati$all.
+he arrows stopped in "id-air and fell to the ground.
+he !ow"en looked at ea$h other in a"a9e"ent. 6laude !arked another order at the". +he shakil drew and fired another
!arrage.
+his one was "ore ragged than the first# !ut I "anaged to stop it as well.
"Ni$e work# oungster#" %-a, e,$lai"ed gleefull. "+hat*s got *e" going."
0ure enough# the neat ranks of soldiers were rippling as the "en "uttered !a$k and forth a"ong the"selves. 6laude noted it#
too# and ordered his !ow"en !a$k into the ranks.
Round one to us2
/ elation was short-lived# though. +he soldiers were drawing their swords now. +he two groups assigned to guarding the sides
of the wagon pivoted forward# for"ing two wings read to engulf our tea""ates. %s further eviden$e of 6laude*s nervousness# he
even had the troops assigned to pulling the wagons leave their posts and "ove up to reinfor$e the $enter of his line.
+hat*s what we were waiting for.
"Now# %-a,2" I hissed. "%r$h *e" high."
"I re"e"!er# oungster#" the ar$her grinned. "I*" read when ou are."
I waited until he raised his !ow# then $on$entrated an intense !ea" of energ at a point a few in$hes in front of his !ow.
It was like the $andle-lighting e,er$ise# and it worked as well now as it had when we had tried it last night.
%s ea$h shaft sped fro" %-a,*s !ow# it !urst into fla"es and $ontinued on its flight.
%gain and again with in$redi!le speed the !ow"an sent his "issiles hissing through " ignition point. It re(uired all "
$on$entration to "aintain the ne$essar strea" of energ# "oving it o$$asionall as his point of ai" $hanged.
5inall# he dropped his !ow !a$k to his side.
"+hat oughta do it# oungster#" he grinned. "+ake a look."
I did. +here in the distan$e# !ehind the soldiers* lines# thin plu"es of s"oke were rising fro" the wagons. In a few "o"ents#
6laude*s suppl $o"pan would !e without supplies.
If we had a few "o"ents2 %s we wat$hed# the "en !egan to advan$e on %ah9 and 4us# their swords glea"ing in the sun.
"+hink we*d !etter do so"ething a!out that2" %-a, "uttered# raising his !ow again.
"Wait a se$ond# %-a,2" I ordered# s(uinting at the distant figures.
+here had !een a !rief $onsultation !etween %ah9 and 4us# then the gargole stepped !a$k and !egan gesturing wildl at his
$o"panion.
It took "e a "o"ent# !ut I finall got the "essage. With a s"ile# I $losed " ees and re"oved %ah9*s disguise.
.ande"oniu" reigned. +he soldiers in the front ranks took one look at the de"on opposing the" and sta"peded for the rear#
half tra"pling the "en !ehind the". %s word spread through the for"ation# it !e$a"e a rout# though I seriousl dou!t those in the
rear knew what the were running fro".
If anone noti$ed the !urning wagons# the didn*t slow on$e.
"Whooee2" %-a, e,$lai"ed# thu"ping "e on the !a$k. "+hat did it. Look at *e" run. :ou*d think those fellers never seed a
.ervert !efore."
"+he pro!a!l haven*t#" I $o""ented# tring to "assage so"e feeling !a$k into " shoulder.
":ou know#" the !ow"an drawled# s(uinting at the s$ene !elow# "I got "e an idea. +he" fellers ran off so fast the fergot to
signal to an!od. +hink we should do it for *e"7"
"3ow7" I asked.
B>
"Well#" he grinned. "I know the signals# and ou*re a "agi$ian. If I told ou what signal to run up# $ould ou do it7 Without
an!od holdin* it7"
"0ure $ould#" I agreed. "What*ll we need for the signal7"
"Le""e think#" he frowned. "We*ll have to get a skull# and a $ouple of pie$es of red $loth# and a !la$k !all# an-"
"Wait a "inute# %-a,#" I said# holding up a hand. "I think there*s an easier signal the*ll understand. Wat$h this."
I sent one "ore !last of energ out# and the tower platfor" !urst into fla"es.
"+hink the*ll get the "essage7" I s"iled.
%-a, stared at the !urning tower for a "o"ent.
":er prett good at that# oungster#" he "ur"ured finall. "+hrowin* fire that far."
"Well#" I !egan "odestl# "we "agi$ians $an-"
" *6ourse#" he $ontinued. "If ou $an do that# then ou didn*t reall need "e and 1la$kie to handle those wagons# did ou7"
+oo late I reali9ed " "istake.
"%-a,# I-"
"Kinda strange# ou goin* to all that trou!le -es* to $onvin$e "e I*" not useless."
":ou*re not useless#" I !arked. "=ust !e$ause so"eti"es ou*re not ne$essar doesn*t "ean ou*re useless. I "a !e oung# !ut
I*" old enough to know that."
%-a, regarded "e for a "o"ent# then he suddenl s"iled.
";anged if ou aren*t right# oungster . . . 0keeve#" he laughed. "4uess I knew it# !ut plu" fergot it there fer a while. Let*s go get
so"e wine fro" that $ask strapped to our dragon. I*d like to thank ou proper fer re"indin* "e."
We headed !a$k to $a"p together.
Chapter Twenty
"6hain of $o""and is the !a$k!one of "ilitar stru$ture and "ust !e stri$tl o!eed."
-5. 63RI0+I%N
+he "ood !a$k at the $a"p was understanda!l $ele!rator. If I had had an hopes for -oining in the festivities# however# the
were dashed when %ah9 hailed "e.
"Over here# kid2" he waved. "We*ve got so"e planning to do2"
"+hat*s the other side o* !ein* a general# oungster#" %-a, "ur"ured s"patheti$all. " *+*aint all spee$hes and glor. :ou go on
ahead. I*ll do " drinkin* with the !os."
With a -erk of his head# he indi$ated 4us and 1ro$khurst who were alread at the wine. +anda was waiting for "e with %ah9.
+hat "ade " $hoi$e a little easier.
"Oka# %-a,#" I s"iled. "I*ll $at$h up with ou in a little !it."
"6ongratulations# handso"e2" +anda winked as I -oined the". "+hat was as neat a !it of work as I*ve seen in a long ti"e."
"+hanks# +anda#" I !lushed.
"I see ou and %-a, are on speaking ter"s again#" %ah9 said# regarding "e with $o$ked ee!rows. "+hat*s not a !ad tri$k in
itself. 3ow did ou do it7"
"We . . . u" . . . we had a long talk#" I replied vaguel. ":ou said we had so"e planning to do7"
"/ore like a !riefing#" %ah9 ad"itted. "+anda here !rought along a few spe$ial effe$ts ite"s I think ou should know a!out."
I had $o"pletel forgotten a!out +anda*s errand whi$h had left "e alone at the 1a9aar. Now that I had !een re"inded# "
$uriosit soared.
"What$ha got# +anda7" I asked eagerl.
"Nothing spe$ta$ular#" she shrugged. "Knowing %ah9 was involved# I figured we*d !e on a tight !udget so I stu$k to the !asi$s."
"=ust show hi"# huh7" %ah9 growled. "0pare us the editorial $o""ents."
0he stu$k her tongue out at hi" !ut produ$ed a s"all $loth sa$k fro" her !elt.
"5irst off#" she !egan# "I thought we $ould use a little flash powder. It never fails to i"press the okels."
"5lash powder#" I said $arefull.
":ou set fire to it#" %ah9 supplied. "It !urns fast and gives ou a $loud of s"oke."
"I*ve got a!out a do9en s"all !ags of it here#" +anda $ontinued# showing "e the $ontents of her sa$k. "Various $olors and si9es."
"6an I tr one7" I asked. "I*ve never worked with this stuff !efore."
"0ure#" +anda said. 0he grinned# e,tending the sa$k. "+he*re ours to use as ou see fit. :ou "ight as well know what ou*ve
got."
I took the sa$k and $arefull sele$ted one of the s"all !ags fro" its interior.
"1etter toss it to the ground# kid#" %ah9 $autioned. "0o"e folks $an set it off in their hand# !ut that takes pra$ti$e. If ou tried it
that wa now# ou*d pro!a!l lose a few fingers."
I*d o!edientl tossed the !ag on the ground a few feet awa. Wat$hing it $uriousl# I fo$used a (ui$k !urst of energ on it.
+here was a !right flash of light a$$o"panied ! a soft pop. 1linking " ees# I looked at where the !ag had !een. % s"all
$loud of green s"oke hung in the air# slowl dissipating in the !ree9e.
"+hat*s neat2" I e,$lai"ed# rea$hing into the sa$k again.
"+ake it eas#" %ah9 warned. "We don*t have that "u$h of the stuff."
B?
"Oh2 Right# %ah9#" I replied# feeling a little sheepish. "What else do ou have# +anda7"
"Well#" she said# s"iling# "I guess this would !e a pie$e-de-resistan$e."
%s she spoke# she see"ed to draw so"ething fro" !ehind her !a$k. I sa "see"ed" !e$ause I $ouldn*t see anthing. 5ro" her
"ove"ents# she looked to !e holding a rod a!out three feet long# !ut there was nothing in her grasp.
"What is it7" I asked politel.
5or a response# she grinned and held whatever it was in front of her. +hen she opened her grip and disappeared into thin air.
"Invisi!ilit#" %ah9 e,$lai"ed. "% $loak of invisi!ilit2"
"6ouldn*t afford one#" $a"e +anda*s voi$e fro" so"ewhere in front of us. "I had to settle for one of these."
What "one of these" was# it turned out# was a sheet of invisi!ilit. It was a sheet of stiff "aterial a!out three feet ! seven feet.
+anda had !een $arring it rolled up in a tu!e# and her disappearan$e had !een $aused ! the sheet unrolling to its full si9e.
%s she and %ah9 $hatted e,$itedl a!out her new find# I had an opportunit to further " knowledge in the field of invisi!ilit.
Invisi!le sheets# it see"s# were "ade of roughl the sa"e "aterial as invisi!le $loaks. 0in$e the sheets were $arried# not worn#
the did not re(uire the fle,i!ilit and softness ne$essar for a $loak. 6onse(uentl# the were $onsidera!l $heaper than the
$loaks.
+he effe$t was sort of like one-wa glass. When ou were on the right side of an invisi!le sheet# ou $ould see through it
perfe$tl well to o!serve whatever or whoever was on the other side. +he# however# $ould not see ou.
We were still dis$ussing the potential uses of the new tool when 1ro$khurst hastened up to our group.
"3e# !oss2" he $alled. "We*ve got $o"pan2"
"Who7 Where7" I asked $al"l.
";own on the "eadow#" the I"p responded# pointing. "+he 4re"lin sas there*s so"e kind of group for"ing out there."
"What 4re"lin7" %ah9 snarled.
"6*"on# %ah9#" +anda $alled# starting off. "Let*s $he$k this out."
+here was indeed a group on the "eadow# E"pire soldiers all. +he pu99ling thing was their a$tivit# or spe$ifi$all their la$k of
it. +he see"ed to !e si"pl standing and waiting for so"ething.
"What are the doing# %ah97" I whispered as we studied the group for" the $on$eal"ent of the tree line.
"+he*re standing and waiting#" %ah9 supplied.
"I $an see that#" I said. "1ut what are the waiting for7"
".ro!a!l for us#" " "entor replied.
"5or us7" I !linked. "Wh7"
"5or a war $oun$il#" %ah9 grinned. "Look at it# kid.. %ren*t the doing the sa"e thing we did when we wanted to talk7 +he*re
even standing in the sa"e spot."
I restudied the group in this light. %ah9 was right2 +he ene" was $alling for a war $oun$il2
";o ou think we should go out there7" I asked nervousl.
"0ure#" %ah9 replied. "1ut not right awa. Let *e" sweat a little. +he kept us waiting the first ti"e# re"e"!er7"
It was nearl half an hour !efore we stepped fro" the tree line and advan$ed a$ross the "eadow to where the soldiers stood
waiting. I had taken the pre$aution of outfitting %ah9 in his "du!ious $hara$ter" disguise for the $onferen$e. /self# I was !earing
the invisi!ilit sheet !efore "e# so that though I was walking along !eside %ah9# to the soldiers it appeared he was alone.
+here were "ore soldiers at the "eeting point than there had !een at our first "eeting with 6laude. Even to " untrained ee# it
was apparent that there were "ore than half a do9en offi$ers present a"ong the honor guard.
":ou wish a "eeting7" %ah9 asked haughtil# drawing to a halt !efore the group.
+here was a ripple of (ui$k $onsultation a"ong the soldiers. 5inall one of the"# apparentl the leader# stepped forward.
"We wish to speak with our "aster2" he announ$ed for"all.
"3e*s kinda !us right now#" %ah9 awned. "%nthing I $an help ou with7"
+he leader reddened slightl.
"I a" the $o""ander of this se$tor2" he !arked. "I de"and to see 0keeve# $o""ander of the defense# not his la$k2"
I dropped one of the !ags of flash powder on the ground at " feet.
"If ou insist#" %ah9 growled# "I*ll get hi". 1ut he won*t !e happ."
"I*" not here to "ake hi" happ#" the leader shouted. "Now !e off with ou."
"+hat won*t !e ne$essar#" %ah9 leered. "3e*s a "agi$ian. 3e hears and sees what his servants hear and see. 3e*ll !e along."
+hat was " $ue. I let drop the sheet of invisi!ilit and si"ultaneousl ignited the !ag of flash powder.
+he results were spe$ta$ular.
+he soldiers# with the e,$eption of the leader# fell !a$k several steps. +o the"# it looked as if I had suddenl appeared fro" thin
air# "ateriali9ing in a $loud of red s"oke.
5or "e# the effe$t was less i"pressive) %s the !ag of flash powder went off# it was "ade apparent to "e that wat$hing a $loud of
s"oke fro" a distan$e was "arkedl different fro" standing at ground 9ero.
%s I was enveloped in the s$arlet !illows# " feeling was not of elated triu"ph !ut rather a nearl overwhel"ing desire to $ough
and snee9e.
/ efforts to suppress " rea$tions $aused "e to $ontort " features to the point where I "ust have !orne "ore than a faint
rese"!lan$e to 4us.
"0tead# /aster2" %ah9 $autioned.
BB
"%ah9. %h2" I gasped.
";o not let our anger over$o"e our reason#" " "entor $ontinued hastil. "+he don*t know the powers the trifle with."
"I . . . I did not wish to !e distur!ed#" I "anaged at last# regaining " !reath as the s"oke dissipated.
+he leader of the group had held his ground through the entire pro$eedings# though he looked a !it paler and less sure of hi"self
than when he had !een dealing with -ust %ah9.
"We . . . u" . . . apologi9e for !othering ou#" he !egan un$ertainl. "1ut there are $ertain "atters re(uiring our i""ediate
attention . . . spe$ifi$all the war we are $urrentl engaged in."
I eed hi" $arefull. 3e see"ed to !e of a different $ut than 6laude had !een.
"I*" afraid ou have "e at a disadvantage# sir#" I said $agil. ":ou see" to know "e# !ut I don*t re$all having "et ou !efore."
"We have not "et !efore#" the offi$er replied gri"l. "If we had# !e assured one of us would not !e here $urrentl. I know ou
! reputation# spe$ifi$all for our re$ent efforts to resist the advan$e of our ar". 5or "self# I a" %ntonio# $o""ander of the
right wing of the left flank of the E"pire*s ar". +hese are " offi$ers."
3e indi$ated the soldiers !ehind hi" with a vague wave of his hand. +he "en responded ! drawing the"selves "ore ere$t and
thrusting out their $hins arrogantl.
I a$knowledged the" with a slight nod.
"Where is 6laude7" I asked $asuall. "I was under the i"pression he was an offi$er of this se$tor."
":ou are $orre$t#" %ntonio s"irked. "3e was. 3e is $urrentl !eing detained until he $an !e properl $ourt-"artialed . . . for
in$o"peten$e2"
"In$o"peten$e7" I e$hoed. "6o"e now# sir. %ren*t ou !eing a little harsh7 While 6laude "a have overstepped his a!ilities a
!it# I wouldn*t sa he*s in$o"petent. I "ean# after all# he was dealing with supernatural powers# if ou know what I "ean."
%s I spoke# I wiggled " fingers dra"ati$all at %ah9 and re"oved his disguise.
+he -aws of the attending offi$ers dropped# ruining their arrogant -ut. +hen %ah9 grinned at the"# and their "ouths $li$ked shut
in unison as the swallowed hard.
%ntonio was uni"pressed.
":es# es#" he said !riskl# waving a hand as if at an annoing fl. "We have had reports# "an reports# as to our rapport with
de"ons. 6laude*s in$o"peten$e is in his disastrous underesti"ation of the for$es opposing hi". 1e assured# I will not !e guilt of
the sa"e error."
";on*t $ount on it# +on#" %ah9 leered. "We de"ons $an !e a prett tri$k lot.
+he offi$er ignored hi".
"3owever# we are not here for idle pleasantries#" he said# fi,ing "e with a stern ga9e. "I !elieve we have a dispute to settle
$on$erning right of passage
over this parti$ular pie$e of terrain."
"We have a dispute $on$erning our right of passage over the kingdo" of .ossiltu"#" I $orre$ted.
":es# es#" %ntonio awned. "Of $ourse# if ou want to stop us fro" gaining .ossiltu"# ou had !est stop us here."
"+hat*s a!out how we had it figured#" %ah9 agreed.
"Not to !ela!or the point# %ntonio#" I s"iled# "!ut I !elieve we do have ou stopped."
"+e"poraril#" the offi$er s"iled. "I e,pe$t that situation to $hange shortl . . . shall we sa# a few hours after dawn7
+o"orrow7"
"We*ll !e here#" %ah9 nodded.
"=ust a "o"ent#" I interrupted. "%ntonio# ou strike "e as !eing a sporting "an. Would ou like to "ake our en$ounter
to"orrow a little "ore interesting7 0a# with a little side wager7"
"0u$h as what7" the offi$er s$owled.
"If ou lose to"orrow#" I said $arefull# "will ou ad"it 6laude*s defeat had nothing to do with in$o"peten$e and drop the
$harges against hi"7"
%ntonio thought for a "o"ent# then nodded.
";one#" he said. "Nor"all I would fear what the rea$tion of " superiors would !e# !ut I a" $onfident of " vi$tor. +here are
things even a de"on $annot stand against."
"0u$h as7" %ah9 drawled.
":ou will see#" the offi$er s"iled. "+o"orrow."
With that## he spun on his heel and "ar$hed off# his offi$ers trailing !ehind hi".
"What do ou think# %ah97" I "ur"ured.
"+hink7" " "entor s$owled. "I think ou*re going soft# kid. 5irst 1ro$khurst# now 6laude. What is this <!e kind to ene"ies*
ki$k ou*re on7"
"I "eant a!out to"orrow#" I $larified (ui$kl.
"I dunno# kid#" %ah9 ad"itted. "3e sounded too $onfident for $o"fort. I wish I knew what he*s got up his sleeve that*s supposed
to stop de"ons."
"Well#" I sighed# "I guess we*ll see to"orrow."
Chapter Twenty-One
"It takes a giant to fight a giant."
BD
-3. .R:/
OAR pensiveness was still with us the ne,t da.
Our opponents were definitel up to so"ething# !ut we $ouldn*t tell e,a$tl what it was. +anda and 1ro$khurst had headed out
on a s$outing trip during the night and had !rought !a$k pu99ling news. +he E"pire*s soldiers had !rought up so"e kind of heav
e(uip"ent# !ut it was hidden fro" sight ! a huge !o,. %ll our s$outs $ould sa for sure was that whatever the se$ret weapon was#
it was !ig and it was heav.
4us offered to fl over the !o, to take a (ui$k peek inside# !ut we vetoed the idea. With the !o, $onstantl in the $enter of a
"ass of soldiers# there was no wa the gargole $ould $arr out his "ission uno!served. Even if he used the invisi!ilit sheet# the
ar" was so far flung that so"eone would see hi". 0o far we had kept the gargole*s presen$e on our tea" as a se$ret# and we
preferred to keep it that wa. Even if we disguised hi" as %ah9 or "self# it would !etra the fa$t that so"eone in our part was
a!le to fl. %s %ah9 pointed out# it looked as if this $a"paign would !e rough enough without giving the opposition advan$e
warning of the e,tent of our a!ilities.
+his was all ta$ti$all sound and irrefuta!l logi$al. Nonetheless# it did nothing to reassure "e as %ah9 and I stood waiting for
%ntonio to "ake his opening ga"!it.
"Rela,# kid#" %ah9 "ur"ured. ":ou look nervous."
"I a" nervous#" I snapped !a$k. "We*re standing out here waiting to fight# and we don*t know who or what we*re supposed to !e
fighting. :ou*ll forgive "e if that "akes "e a trifle edg."
I was aware I was !eing unne$essaril harsh on " "entor. %-a, and 4us were standing !# and 1ro$khurst and +anda were
wat$hing for an new develop"ents. +he onl tea" "e"!er una$$ounted for this "orning was the 4re"lin# !ut I thought it wisest
not to !ring this to %ah9*s attention. I assu"ed our elusive !lue friend was off so"ewhere with 4leep# as " pet was also "issing.
Everthing that $ould have !een done in preparation had !een done. 3owever# I still felt uneas.
"Look at it this wa# kid#" %ah9 tried again. "%t least we know what we aren*t up against."
What we weren*t dealing with was soldiers. +hough a large nu"!er of the" were gathered in the near vi$init# there see"ed to
!e no effort !eing "ade to organi9e or ar" the" for !attle. %s the appointed ti"e drew near# it !e$a"e "ore and "ore apparent
that the were to !e spe$tators onl in the up$o"ing fra.
"I think I*d rather deal with soldiers#" I said glu"l.
"3eads up# kid#" %ah9 retorted# nudging "e with his el!ow. "Whatever*s going to happen is a!out to.
I knew what he "eant# whi$h !othered "e. +here was no ti"e to ponder it# however. %ntonio had -ust put in his appearan$e.
3e strolled around one $orner of the "a""oth !o, deep in $onversation with a suspi$ious-looking $hara$ter in a hooded $loak.
3e shot a glan$e in our dire$tion# s"iled# and waved "erril.
We didn*t wave !a$k.
"I don*t like the looks of this# kid#" %ah9 growled.
I didn*t either# !ut there wasn*t "u$h we $ould do e,$ept wait. %ntonio finished his $onversation with the stranger and stepped
!a$k# folding his ar"s a$ross his $hest. +he stranger waved so"e of the onlooking soldiers aside# then stepped !a$k hi"self.
;rawing hi"self up# he !egan weaving his hands !a$k and forth in a pu99ling "anner. +hen the wind $arried the sound to "e and I
reali9ed he was $hanting.
"%ah92" I gasped. "+he*ve got their own "agi$ian."
"I know#" %ah9 grinned !a$k. "1ut fro" what I $an hear he*s !luffing the" the sa"e wa ou !luffed the $ourt !a$k at
.ossiltu". 3e pro!a!l doesn*t have an "ore powers than I do."
No sooner had " "entor "ade his o!servation than the side of the huge !o, whi$h was fa$ing us slowl lowered itself to the
ground. Revealed inside the "assive $ontainer was a dragon.
+he !o, had !een !ig# !etter than thirt feet long and twent feet high# !ut fro" the look of the dragon he "ust have !een
$ra"ped for spa$e inside.
3e was !ig2 I "ean# reall !ig2
Now I*ve never kidded "self a!out 4leep*s si9e. +hough his ten-foot length "ight look trig here on Klah# I had seen dragons on
;eva that "ade hi" look s"all. +he dragon $urrentl fa$ing us# however# dwarfed everthing I had seen !efore.
3e was an irides$ent !luish-green his entire length# whi$h was far "ore serpentine than I was a$$usto"ed to seeing in a dragon.
3e had "assive !at wings that he stret$hed and fle,ed as he $lawed his wa out of the $onfining !o,. +here was a silver glint fro"
his ee so$kets whi$h would have "ade hi" look "a$hinelike were it not for the fluid gra$e of his powerful li"!s.
5or a "o"ent# I was al"ost over$o"e ! the !eautiful spe$ta$le he presented# e"erging onto the !attlefield. +hen he threw his
head !a$k and roared# and " ad"iration turned i$ $old within "e.
+he great head turned until its ees were fo$used dire$tl on us. +hen he !egan to stalk forward.
"+i"e for the !etter part of valor# kid#" %ah9 whispered# tugging at " sleeve. "Let*s get out of here."
"Wait a "inute# %ah92" I shot !a$k. ";o ou see that7 What the keeper*s holding7"
% glint of gold in the sunlight had $aught " ee. +he dragon*s keeper had a gold pendant $lasped in his fist as he urged his
!east forward.
":eah2" %ah9 answered. "0o7"
"I*ve seen a pendant like that !efore2" I e,plained e,$itedl. "+hat*s how he*s $ontrolling the dragon2"
+he ;eveel who had !een running the ;ragon stall where I a$(uired 4leep had worn a pendant like that. +he pendant was used
BF
to $ontrol dragons . . . unatta$hed dragons# that is. %tta$hed dragons $an !e $ontrolled ! their owner without other assistan$e. %
dragon !e$o"es atta$hed to ou when ou feed it. +hat*s how I got 4leep. I fed hi"# sort of. %$tuall# he helped hi"self to a heft
!it of " sleeve.
"Well# don*t -ust stand there# kid#" %ah9 !arked# interrupting " reverie. "4et it2"
I rea$hed out with " "ind and took a gra! at the pendant. +he keeper felt it start to go and tightened his grip on it# fighting "e
for its possession.
"I . . . I $an*t get it# %ah9#" I $ried. "3e won*t let go.
"+hen hightail it outta hereE kid#" " "entor ordered. "+ell %-a, to !ag us that keeper. 1etter tell 4us to stand ! with 1erfert
-ust in $ase. I*ll tr to keep the dragon !us."
%n i"age flashed in " "ind. It was a view of "e# 0keeve# $ourt "agi$ian# !olting for safet while %ah9 fa$ed the dragon
alone. 0o"ething snapped in " "ind.
":ou go2" I snapped.
"Kid# are ou-"
"It*s " war and " -o!#" I shouted. "Now get going."
With that I turned to fa$e the on$o"ing dragon# not knowing or $aring if %ah9 followed " orders. I was 0keeve2
1ut it was an awfull !ig dragon2
I tried again for the pendant# nearl lifting the keeper fro" his feet with " effort# !ut the "an $lung fir"l to his possession#
s$rea"ing orders at the dragon as he did.
I shot a nervous glan$e at the gri" !ehe"oth !earing down on "e. If I tried to levitate out of the wa# he $ould -ust ....
"Look out# kid2" $a"e %ah9*s voi$e fro" !ehind "e.
I half turned# then so"ething !arreled past "e# positioning itself !etween "e and the on$o"ing "ena$e.
It was 4leep2
"4leep2" I shouted. "4et !a$k here2"
/ pet paid "e no "ind. 3is "aster was !eing threatened# and he "eant to have a hand in this no "atter what I said.
No longer a do$ile# plaful $o"panion# he planted hi"self !etween "e and the "onster# lowered his head to the ground# and
hissed savagel# a si,-foot tongue of fla"e leaping fro" his "outh as he did.
+he effe$t on the !ig dragon was astonishing. 3e lur$hed to a stop and sat !a$k on his haun$hes# $o$king his head $uriousl at
the "ini-dragon !lo$king his path.
4leep was not $ontent with stopping his opponent# however. 3eedless of the fa$t that the other dragon was over four ti"es his
si9e he !egan to advan$e stiffl# $hallenging his rival*s right to the field.
+he large dragon !linked# then shot a look !ehind hi". +hen he looked down on 4leep again# drawing his head !a$k until his
long ne$k for"ed a huge (uestion "ark.
4leep $ontinued to advan$e.
I $ouldn*t understand it. Even if the "onster $ouldn*t fla"e# Whi$h was dou!tful# it was o!vious he had the sheer phsi$al power
to $rush " pet with "ini"al effort. 0till he did nothing# looking desperatel a!out hi" al"ost as if he were e"!arrassed.
I wat$hed in spell!ound horror. It $ouldn*t last. If nothing else# 4leep was getting too $lose to the giant to !e ignored. %n
"inute now# the "onster would have to rea$t.
5inall# after a final glan$e at his franti$ keeper# the !ig dragon did rea$t. With a sigh# one of his taloned front paws lashed out
hori9ontall in a $uff that would have $aved in a !uilding. It stru$k 4leep on the side of his head and sent hi" sprawling.
/ pet was ga"e# though# and struggled painfull to his feet# shaking his head as if to $lear it.
1efore he $ould assu"e his aggressive stan$e# however# the !ig dragon stret$hed his ne$k down until their heads were side !
side# and he !egan to "utter and gru"!le in 4leep*s ear. / dragon $o$ked his head as if listening# then "whuffed" in response.
%s the stunned hu"ans and nonhu"ans wat$hed# the two dragons $onversed in the $enter of the !attlefield pun$tuating their
"utterings with o$$asional puffs of s"oke.
I tried to edge forward to get a !etter idea of e,a$tl what was going on# !ut the !ig dragon turned a !aleful ee on "e and let
loose a !last of fla"e whi$h kept "e at a respe$tful distan$e. Not that I was afraid# "ind ouE 4leep see"ed to have the situation
well in hand . . . or talon as the $ase "ight !e. Well# I had alwas told %ah9 that 4leep was a ver talon-ted dragon.
5inall# the !ig dragon drew hi"self up# turned# and "a-esti$all left the field without a !a$kward glan$e# his head i"pressivel
high. Ignoring the angr shouts of the soldiers# he returned to his !o, and dropped his haun$hes# sitting with his !a$k to the entire
pro$eeding.
3is keeper*s rage was surpassed onl ! %ntonio*s. 3e s$rea"ed at the keeper with purpled fa$e and franti$ gestures until the
keeper angril pulled the $ontrol pendant fro" around his ne$k# handed it to the offi$er# and stalked off. %ntonio !linked at the
pendant# then flung it to the ground and started off after the keeper.
+hat was all the opening I needed. Rea$hing out with " "ind# I !rought the pendant winging to " hand.
"%ah92" I !egan.
"I don*t !elieve it#" " "entor "u"!led to hi"self. "I saw it# !ut I still don*t !elieve it."
"4leep2"
/ pet $a"e ra$ing up to " side# understanda!l pleased with hi"self.
"3i# fella2" I $ried# ignoring his !reath and throwing " ar"s around his ne$k in a hug. "What happened out there# anwa7"
"4leep2" " pet said evasivel# $arefull studing a $loud.
BG
If I had e,pe$ted an answer# it was $lear I wasn*t going to get one.
"I still don*t !elieve it#" %ah9 repeated.
"Look# %ah9#" I said# holding the pendant aloft. "Now we don*t have to worr a!out that or an other dragon. We*ve shown a
profit2"
"0o we did#" %ah9 s$owled. "1ut do "e a favor# huh# kid7"
"What*s that# %ah97" I asked.
"If that dragon# or an dragon# wanders into our $a"p# don*t feed it2 We alread have one# and that*s a!out all " nerves $an
stand. Oka7"
"0ure# %ah9#" I s"iled.
"4leep2" said " pet# ru!!ing against "e for "ore petting# whi$h he got.
Chapter Twenty-Two
"3ell hath no fur like a de"on s$or$hed"
-6. /%+3ER
Our ne,t war $oun$il "ade the previous ones look s"all. +his was onl to !e e,pe$ted# as we were dealing with the $o""ander
of the entire left flank of the E"pire*s ar".
Our "eeting was taking pla$e in a pavilion $onstru$ted spe$ifi$all for that purpose# and the stru$ture was pa$ked with offi$ers#
in$luding 6laude. It see"ed %ntonio was true to his word# even though he hi"self was not $urrentl present.
In the fa$e of su$h a gathering# we had de$ided to show a !it "ore for$e ourselves. +o that end# +anda and 1ro$khurst were
a$$o"paning us# while 4leep snuffled around outside. 4us and %-a, we were still holding in reserve# while the 4re"lin had not
reappeared sin$e the $onfrontation of dragons.
I didn*t like the offi$er we were $urrentl dealing with. +here was so"ething a!out his eas# oil "anner that set "e on edge. I
strongl suspe$ted he had as$ended to his $urrent position ! poisoning his rivals.
"0o ou*d like us to surrender#" he was saing thoughtfull# dru""ing his fingers on the ta!le !efore hi".
". . . or withdraw# or turn aside#" I $orre$ted. "5rankl# we don*t $are what ou do# as long as ou leave .ossiltu" alone."
"We*ve a$tuall !een $onsidering doing -ust that#" the $o""ander said# leaning !a$k in his $hair to stud the pavilion*s $anop.
"Is that wh ou*ve !een "oving up additional troops all da long7" 1ro$khurst asked sar$asti$all.
"/erel an internal "atter# I assure ou#" the $o""ander purred. "%ll " offi$ers are asse"!led here# and the*re afraid their
troops will fall to "is$hief if left to their own devi$es."
"What " $olleague "eans#" %ah9 inter-e$ted# "is we find it hard to !elieve ou*re a$tuall planning to a$$ede to our de"ands."
"Wh not7" the $o""ander shrugged. "+hat is what ou*ve !een fighting for# isn*t it7 +here $o"es a point when a $o""ander
"ust ask hi"self if it won*t $ost hi" "ore dearl to fight a !attle than to pass it !. 0o far# our resistan$e utili9ing de"ons and
dragons has shown us this !attle $ould !e diffi$ult indeed."
"+here are "ore where the $o"e fro"#" I inter-e$ted# "should the need arise."
"0o ou*ve de"onstrated#" the $o""ander s"iled# waving a $asual hand at +anda and 1ro$khurst. "Wit$hes and devils "ade an
i"pressive addition to our for$e."
I dee"ed it unwise to point out to hi" that 1ro$khurst was an I"p# not a ;eveel.
"+hen ou agree to !pass .ossiltu"7" %ah9 asked !luntl.
"I agree to dis$uss it with " offi$ers#" the $o""ander $larified. "%ll I ask is that ou leave one of our . . . ah . . . assistants
!ehind."
"What for7" I asked. I didn*t like the wa he was eeing +anda.
"+o !ring ou word of our de$ision# of $ourse#" the $o""ander shrugged. "None of " "en would dare enter our $a"p# even
granted a "essenger*s i""unit."
+here was a "o$king tone to his voi$e I didn*t like.
"I*ll sta# 0keeve#" %ah9 volunteered.
I $onsidered it. %ah9 had de"onstrated his a!ilit to take $are of hi"self ti"e and ti"e again. 0till I didn*t trust the $o""ander.
"Onl if ou are willing to give us one of our offi$ers in return as a hostage#" I replied.
"I*ve alread said none of-" the $o""ander !egan.
"3e need not enter our $a"p#" I e,plained. "3e $an re"ain well outside our for$e# on the edge of the tree line in full view of
our for$e. I will personall guarantee his safet."
+he $o""ander $hewed his lip thoughtfull.
"Ver well#" he said. "0in$e ou have shown an interest in his $areer# I will give ou 6laude to hold as a hostage."
+he oung offi$er paled !ut re"ained silent.
"%greed#" I said. "We will await our de$ision."
I nodded to " $o"rades# and the o!edientl !egan filing out of the pavilion. 6laude hesitated# then -oined the pro$ession.
I wanted to tell %ah9 to !e $areful !ut de$ided against it. It wouldn*t do to ad"it " partner*s vulnera!ilit in front of the
$o""ander. Instead# I nodded $urtl to the offi$ers and followed " $o"rades.
+anda and 1ro$khurst were well on their wa !a$k to the treeline. 6laude# on the other hand# was waiting for "e as I e"erged
and fell in step !eside "e.
BH
"While we have a "o"ent#" he said stiffl# "I would like to thank ou for inter$eding in " !ehalf with " superiors."
";on*t "ention it#" I "u"!led a!sentl.
"No# reall#" he persisted. "6hivalr to an opponent is rarel seen these das. I think-"
"Look# 6laude#" I growled# "$redit it to " warped sense of -usti$e. I don*t like ou# and didn*t when we first "et# !ut that doesn*t
"ake ou in$o"petent. Anpleasant# perhaps# !ut not in$o"petent."
I was harsher with hi" than I had intended to !e# !ut I was worried a!out %ah9.
5inding hi"self thus re!uked# he sank into an un$o"forta!le silen$e whi$h lasted al"ost until we rea$hed the trees. +hen he
$leared his throat and tried again.
"A" . . . 0keeve7"
":eah7" I retorted $urtl.
"8 . . . u" . . . what I was tring to sa was that I a" grateful and would repa our favor ! an reasona!le "eans at "
disposal."
;espite " $on$ern# his offer penetrated " "ind as a potential opportunit.
"Would answering a few (uestions fall under the heading of <reasona!le*7" I asked $asuall.
";epending upon the (uestions#" he replied $arefull. "I a" still a soldier# and " $ode of $ondu$t $learl states-"
"+ell ou what#" I interrupted. "I*ll ask the (uestions# and ou de$ide whi$h ones are oka to answer. 5air enough7"
"0o it would see"#" he ad"itted.
"Oka#" I !egan. "5irst (uestion. ;o ou think the $o""ander will a$tuall !pass .ossiltu"7"
+he offi$er avoided " ees for a "o"ent# then shook his head !riskl.
"I should not answer that#" he said# "!ut I will. I do not feel the $o""ander is even $onsidering it as a serious possi!ilit# nor
does an offi$er in that tent. 3e is known as <the 1rute#* even a"ong his "ost loal and seasoned troops. /a I assure ou he did
not a$(uire that ni$kna"e ! surrendering or $apitulating while his for$e was still inta$t."
"+hen wh did he go through the "otions of the "eeting -ust now7" I (ueried.
"+o gain ti"e#" 6laude shrugged. "%s our assistants noted# he is using the dela to "ass his troops. +he onl $ode he adheres to
is <Vi$tor at all $osts.* In this $ase# it see"s it is $osting hi" his honor."
I thought a!out this for a "o"ent !efore asking " ne,t (uestion.
"6laude#" I said $arefull# "ou*ve fa$ed us in !attle# and ou know our own ar". If our predi$tion is $orre$t and the 1rute
atta$ks in for$e# in our opinion# what are our $han$es of vi$tor7"
"Nil#" the offi$er replied (uietl. "I know it "a sound like ene" propaganda# !ut I ask ou to !elieve " sin$erit. Even with
the additional for$es ou displaed this evening# if the 1rute sets the legions in "otion# the*ll roll right over ou. Were I in our
position# I would take advantage of the $over of night to slip awa# and not fear the stig"a of $owardi$e. :ou*re fa$ing the
"ightiest ar" ever asse"!led. %gainst su$h a for$e there is no $owardi$e# onl self-preservation."
I !elieved hi". +he onl (uestion was what should I do with the advi$e.
"I thank ou for our $ounsel#" I said for"all. "%nd will $onsider our words $arefull. 5or now# if ou will please re"ain here
in the open as pro"ised# I "ust $onsult with " troops."
"One "ore thing#" 6laude said# laing a restraining hand on " ar". "If an har" !efalls our assistant# the one ou left at the
"eeting# I would ask that ou re"e"!er I was here with ou and* had no part in it.
"I will re"e"!er#" I nodded# withdrawing " ar". "1ut if the 1rute tries to la a hand on %ah9# I*ll wager he*ll wish he hadn*t."
%s I turned to seek out " tea"# I wished I felt as $onfident as I sounded.
+anda $a"e to "e readil when I $aught her ee and !e$koned her awa fro" the others.
"What is it# 0keeve7" she asked as we "oved awa into the shadows. "%re ou worried a!out %ah97"
I was# though I didn*t want to ad"it it -ust et. +he night was al"ost gone with no signs of "ove"ent or a$tivit fro" the
pavilion. 0till# I $lung to " faith in %ah9. When that failed# I turned " "ind to other e,er$ises to distra$t it fro" fruitless worr.
"%ah9 $an take $are of hi"self#" I said gruffl.
"+here*s so"ething else I wanted our opinion on."
"What*s that7" she asked# $o$king her head.
"%s ou know#" I !egan po"pousl# "I a" una!le to see the disguise spells I $ast. +hough everone else is fooled# as the
originator of the spell# I still $ontinue to see things in their true for"."
"I didn*t know that#" she $o""ented. "1ut $ontinue."
"Well#" I e,plained# "I was thinking that if we a$tuall have to fight the ar"# we $ould use additional troops. I*ve got an idea#
!ut I need ou to tell "e if it a$tuall works."
"Oka#" she nodded. "What is it7"
I started to resu"e " oration# then reali9ed I was "erel stalling. Instead# I $losed " ees and fo$used " "ind on the s"all
grove of trees ahead.
"3e2" $ried +anda. "+hat*s terrifi$."
I opened " ees# !eing $areful to "aintain the spell.
"What do ou see7" I asked nervousl.
"% whole pa$k of de"ons . . . oops . . . I "ean .erverts#" she reported gail. "1ristling with swords and spears. +hat*s wild2"
It worked. I was $orre$t when I guessed that " disguise spell $ould work on an living thing# not -ust "en and !easts.
"I*ve never seen anthing like it#" +anda "arveled. "6an ou "ake the" "ove7"
BI
"I don*t know#" I ad"itted. "I -ust-"
"1oss2 3e# 1oss2" 1ro$khurst shouted# sprinting up to us. "6o"e (ui$k2 :ou*d !etter see this2"
"What is it7" I $alled# !ut the I"p had reversed his $ourse and was headed for the tree line.
% sudden fear $lut$hed at " heart.
"6*"on# +anda#" I growled and started off.
1 the ti"e we rea$hed the tree line the whole# tea" was asse"!led there# talking e,$itedl a"ong the"selves.
"What is it7" I !arked# -oining the".
+he group fell silent# avoiding " ees. 1ro$khurst lifted a hand and pointed a$ross the "eadow.
+here# silhouetted against a huge !onfire was %ah9# hanging ! his ne$k fro" a $rude gallows. 3is !od was li"p and lifeless as
he rotated slowl at the end of the rope. %t his feet# a group of soldiers were gathered to witness the spe$ta$le.
Relief flooded over "e# and I !egan to giggle hsteri$all. 3anging2 If onl the know2
%lar" showed in the fa$es of " tea" as the studied " rea$tion in sho$ked silen$e.
";on*t worr2" I gasped. "3e*s oka2"
Earl in " $areer with %ah9# I had learned that one doesn*t kill de"ons ! hanging the". +heir ne$k "us$les are too strong2
+he $an hang all da without !eing an the worse for wear. I had# of $ourse# learned this the hard wa one da when we ....
"%t least the have the de$en$ to !urn the !od#" 6laude "ur"ured fro" $lose !eside "e.
/ laughter died in " throat.
"What7" I $ried# spinning around.
0ure enough# the soldiers had $ut down %ah9*s "!od" and were $arring it toward the !onfire with the o!vious intention of
throwing it in.
5ire2 +hat was a different stor. 5ire was one of the things that $ould kill %ah9 deader than ....
"%-a,2" I $ried. "@ui$k2 0top the" fro"-"
It was too late.
With a heave fro" the soldiers# %ah9 ar$hed into the roaring fla"es. +here was a (ui$k !urst of light# then nothing.
4one2 %ah92
I stood staring at the !onfire in dis!elief. 0ho$k nu"!ed "e to everthing else as " "ind reeled at the i"pa$t of " loss.
"0keeve2" +anda said in " ear# laing a hand on " shoulder.
"Leave "e alone2" I $roaked.
"1ut the ar". . ."
0he let the word trail off# !ut it "ade its i"pa$t. 0lowl I !e$a"e $ons$ious of the world around "e.
+he legions# having given us our answer# were "assing for !attle. ;ru"s !oo"ed# heralding the rising sun as it refle$ted off the
polished weapons arraed to fa$e us.
+he ar". +he had done this2
With deli!erate slowness I turned to fa$e 6laude. 3e re$oiled in fear fro" " ga9e.
"Re"e"!er2" he $ried desperatel. "I had nothing to-"
"I re"e"!er#" I replied $oldl. "%nd for that reason onl I a" letting ou go. I would advise# however# that ou $hoose a path to
follow other than re-oining the ar". I have tried to !e gentle with the"# !ut if the insist on having war# as I a" 0keeve# we shall
give it to the"2"
Chapter Twenty-Three
"What is this# a 6hinese fire drill7"
-0AN +MA
I didn*t see where 6laude went after I finished speaking with hi"# nor did I $are. I was studing the opposing ar" with a new
ee. Ap to now I had !een thinking defensivel# planning for survival. Now I was thinking as the aggressor.
+he legions were in tight !lo$k for"ations# arraed so"e three or four !lo$ks deep and perhaps fifteen !lo$ks wide. +ogether
the presented an aweso"e i"pression of power# an irresisti!le for$e that would never retreat.
+hat suited "e fine. In fa$t# I wanted a little insuran$e that the would not retreat.
"%-a,2" I $alled without turning " head.
"3ere# oungster2" the !ow"an replied fro" $lose !eside "e.
"6an 1la$kie send our arrows out !eond those for"ations7"
"I re$kon so#" he drawled.
"Ver well#" I said gri"l. "+he sa"e drill as the first !attle# onl this ti"e don*t go for the wagons. I want a half $ir$le of fire
around their rear."
%s !efore# the !owstring set up a rhth"i$ "thung" as the !ow"an !egan to lose shaft after shaft. +his ti"e# however# it see"ed
the arrows !urst into fla"e "ore readil.
"Ease off# oungster#" %-a, $alled. ":er !urnin* e" up !efore the rea$h the ground."
3e was right. Either I was standing dire$tl on a for$e line# or " anger had intensified " energies. Whatever the reason# I
found "self with an in$redi!le a"ount of power at " disposal.
"0orr# %-a,#" I shouted# and diverted a portion of " "ind awa fro" the ignition point.
DJ
"+anda2" I $alled. "Run !a$k and get 4leep2"
"Right# 0keeve#" $a"e the repl.
I had a hun$h " pet "ight $o"e in hand !efore this !rawl was done.
+he front row of the ar"*s for"ation was !eginning to advan$e to the rhth"i$ pounding of dru"s. I ignored the".
"1ro$khurst2"
"3ere# !oss2" the I"p responded# stepping to " side.
"3ave ou spotted the $o""ander et7"
"Not et#" $a"e the !itter repl. "3e*s pro!a!l !uried !a$k in the "iddle of the for"ation so"ewhere."
"Well# $li"! a tree or so"ething and see if ou $an pinpoint hi"#" I ordered.
"Right# !oss2 When I see hi"# do ou want "e to go after hi"7"
"No2" I replied gri"l. "Report !a$k to "e. I want to handle hi" "self."
+he front line was still advan$ing. I de$ided I*d !etter do so"ething a!out it. With a sweep of " "ind# I set fire to the "eadow
in front of the line*s $enter. +he !lo$ks $onfronted ! this !arrier ground to a halt while the right and left wings $ontinued their
forward "ove"ent.
"4leep2" $a"e a fa"iliar voi$e a$$o"panied ! an even "ore fa"iliar !last of !ad !reath.
"We*re !a$k2" +anda announ$ed unne$essaril.
I ignored the" and studied the situation. .lu"es of white s"oke rising fro" !ehind the E"pire*s for"ation indi$ated that %-a,
was al"ost finished with his task. 0oon# the ar" would find itself $ut off fro" an retreat. It was ti"e to start thinking a!out our
atta$k. +he first thing I needed was "ore infor"ation.
"4us2" I said thoughtfull# "I want ou to take a (ui$k flight over their for"ations. 0ee if ou $an find a spot to drop 1erfert
where he $an do so"e proper da"age."
"Right# !oss#" the gargole grunted# lu"!ering forward.
"Wait a "inute#" I said# a thought o$$urring to "e. "+anda# have ou still got the invisi!ilit sheet with ou7"
"Right here2" she grinned.
"4ood#" I nodded. "4us# take the sheet with ou. Keep it in front of ou as long as ou $an while ou*re $he$king the" out.
+here*s no sense drawing fire until ou have to."
+he gargole a$$epted the sheet with a shrug.
"If ou sa so# !oss#" he "uttered. "1ut the $an*t do "u$h to "e."
"Ase it anwa#" I ordered. "Now get "oving."
+he gargole sprang heavil into the air and started a$ross the "eadow with slow sweeps of his "assive wings. I found it hard to
!elieve anthing that !ig and "ade of stone $ould fl# !ut I was seeing it. /a!e he used levitation.
"%ll set# oungster#" %-a, $hortled# interrupting " thoughts. "%nthing else I $an do for a7"
"Not -ust now# %-a,#" I replied. "1ut stand !."
I was glad that portion of " $on$entration was free now. +his ne,t stunt was going to take all the energ I $ould "uster.
I fo$used " "ind on the grass in front of the advan$ing left wing. %s testi"on to the effe$tiveness of " efforts# that portion
of the line ground to an i""ediate halt.
"0a2" +anda !reathed in genuine ad"iration. "+hat*s neat."
+he effe$t I was striving for was to have the grass for" itself into an ar" of I"ps# rising fro" the ground to $onfront the
E"pire*s troops. I $hose I"ps this ti"e instead of de"ons !e$ause I"ps are shorter# therefore re(uiring less energ to "aintain the
illusion.
Whatever " efforts a$tuall a$hieved# it was enough to have the soldiers rea$t. %fter several shouted orders fro" their offi$ers#
the troops let fl a ragged !arrage of -avelins at the grass in front of the". +he weapons# of $ourse# had no effe$t on their phanto"
foe.
"0a# oungster#" %-a, said# nudging "e lightl. ":ou want "e to do so"ething a!out those -okers shootin* at our gargole7"
I turned slightl to $he$k 4us*s progress. +he fling figure had passed over the $enter line troops# the ones " fire was holding
in $he$k. +he soldiers $ould now see the figure !ehind the invisi!le sheet# and were rea$ting with envia!le $o"peten$e.
+he ar$hers in their for"ation were !us loosing their shafts at this strange figure that had suddenl appeared overhead# while
their $o"rades did their !est to rea$h the gargole with hurled -avelins.
I saw all this at a glan$e. I also saw so"ething else.
"Wait a "inute# %-a,#" I ordered. "Look at that2"
+he various "issiles loosed ! the $enter line were falling to earth in the "assed for"ations of the troops still awaiting
$o""ands. Needless to sa# this was not well re$eived# parti$ularl as the were still una!le to see the a$tual target of their
advan$e for$e. +o the"# it "ust have appeared that ! so"e "agik or de"oni$ possession# their allies had suddenl turned and
fired on the".
Now a few !lo$ks !egan to return the fire# ordering their own ar$hers into a$tion. Others responded ! raising their shields and
starting forward with drawn swords.
+he result was utter $haos# as the $enter line troops tried to defend the"selves fro" the atta$ks of their own reinfor$e"ents.
/ind -ou# I hadn*t planned it this wa# !ut I was (ui$k to $apitali9e on the situation. If the presen$e of a gargole $ould $ause
this kind of tur"oil# I thought it would !e a good idea to up the ante a little.
With a (ui$k !rush of " "ind# I altered 4us*s appearan$e. Now the had a full-grown dragon hovering over their "idst. +he
D8
effe$t was spe$ta$ular.
8# however# did not allow "self the lu,ur of wat$hing. I had learned so"ething in this !rief e,$hange# and I wanted to tr it
out.
I dissolved " I"p ar"# then refor"ed the"# not in front of the troops# !ut in their "idst2
+his threw the for"ations into total disorder. %s the soldiers stru$k or threw at the phanto" figures# "ore often than not the
stru$k their $o"rades instead.
If this kept up# the would !e too !us fighting ea$h other to !other with us.
"1oss2" 1ro$khurst $alled# darting up to " side. "I*ve got the $o""ander spotted2"
"Where7" I asked gri"l# tring not to take " $on$entration fro" the !attle raging in the "eadow.
+he I"p pointed.
0ure enough2 +here was the 1rute# striding angril fro" for"ation to for"ation# tring to restore order to his for$e.
I heard the telltale whisper of an arrow !eing drawn.
"%-a,2" I !arked. "3old our fire. 3e*s "ine . . . all "ine2"
%s I said this# I dissolved all the I"ps in the 1rute*s vi$init# and instead $hanged the $o""ander*s features until he took on the
appearan$e of %ah9.
+he da9ed soldiers saw a de"on appear in their "idst !randishing a sword# a de"on of a tpe the knew $ould !e killed. +he
needed no further pro"pting.
I had one !rief gli"pse of the 1rute*s startled fa$e !efore his troops $losed on hi"# then a forest of unifor"s !lotted hi" fro" "
view.
"/ission a$$o"plished# !oss2" 4us announ$ed# appearing !eside "e. "What ne,t7"
"What . . . did ou . . ." I sta""ered.
I had forgotten that on his return trip# the invisi!ilit sheet would shield the gargole fro" our view. 3is sudden appearan$e had
startled "e.
"1erfert*ll !e along when he gets done with their siege e(uip"ent#" 4us $ontinued# waving toward the ene".
I looked a$ross the "eadow. 3e was right2 +he heav e(uip"ent whi$h had !een lined up !ehind the ar" was now in fla"es.
+hen I noti$ed so"ething else.
+he ar" wasn*t fighting ea$h other an"ore. I reali9ed with a start that !etween settling a$$ounts with the 1rute and 4us*s
reappearan$e# I had forgotten to "aintain the I"p ar"2
In the a!sen$e of an visi!le foe# the E"pire troops had apparentl $o"e to their senses and were now "illing a!out tring to
reesta!lish their for"ations.
0oon now# the would !e read to atta$k again.
"What do we do ne,t# !oss7" 1ro$khurst asked eagerl.
+hat was a good (uestion. I de$ided to stall while I tried to work out an answer.
"I*ll draw ou a diagra"#" I said $onfidentl. "0o"e!od give "e a sword."
"3ere# kid. Ase "ine#" %ah9 replied# passing "e the weapon.
"+hanksE" I said a!sentl. "Now# this line is their "ain for"ation. If we . . . %ah927"
"Read and a!le#" " "entor grinned. "0orr I*" late."
It was %ah92 3e was standing there $al"l with his ar"s folded as if he had !een part of our group all along. +he rea$tions of
the others# however# showed that the were as surprised as I was at his appearan$e.
"1ut ou . . ." I sta""ered. "+he fire. . ."
"Oh# that#" %ah9 shrugged. "%!out the ti"e I figured what the were doing# I used the ;-3opper to !link out to another
di"ension. +he onl trou!le was I hadn*t gotten around to rela!eling the $ontrols et# and I had a he$k of a ti"e finding " wa
!a$k to Klah."
Relief flooded over "e like a $ool wave. %ah9 was alive2 /ore i"portant# he was here2 +he prospe$ts for the !attle suddenl
looked "u$h !etter.
"What should we do ne,t# %ah97" I asked eagerl.
"I don*t know wh ou*re asking "e#" " "entor !linked inno$entl. "It looks like ou*ve !een doing a fine -o! so far all !
ourself."
+errifi$2 Now that I need advi$e# I get $o"pli"ents.
"Look# %ah9#" I !egan sternl. "We*ve got a !attle $o"ing up that-"
"1oss2" 1ro$khurst interrupted. "0o"ething*s going on out there2"
With a sinking heart# I turned and surveed the situation again.
% new figure had appeared on the s$ene# an offi$er fro" the look of hi". 3e was striding !riskl along the front of the for"ation
alternatel shouting and waving his hands. +railing along in his wake was a $luster of offi$ers# "u"!ling together and shaking
their hands.
"What in the world is that all a!out7" I "ur"ured half to "self.
"1ra$e ourself# kid#" %ah9 advised. "If I*" hearing $orre$tl# it*s !ad news."
"6*"on# %ah9#" I sighed. "3ow $ould things get worse than the alread are7"
"Eas#" %ah9 retorted. "+hat is the supre"e $o""ander of the E"pire*s ar". 3e*s here to find out what*s holding up his left
flank*s advan$e."
D>
Chapter Twenty-Four
" . . . and then 8 said to "self# <Wh should I split it two was-*"
4. /OA0ER
+he supre"e $o""ander*s na"e was 1ig =ulie# and he was $o"pletel different fro" what I had e,pe$ted.
5or one thing# when he $alled for a war $oun$il# he $a"e to us. 5lanked ! his entire entourage of offi$ers# he $a"e all the wa
a$ross the "eadow to stand -ust short of the tree line# and he $a"e unar"ed. What was "ore# all of his offi$ers were unar"ed#
presu"a!l at his insisten$e.
3e see"ed utterl la$king in the arrogan$e so prevalent in the other offi$ers we had dealt with# inviting us into the large tent he
had had ere$ted in the "eadow for the "eeting. Introdu$ing hi" to the "e"!ers of " for$e# I noti$ed he treated the" with great
respe$t and see"ed genuinel pleased to "eet ea$h of the"# even 4leep.
Our whole tea" was present for the "eeting. We figured that if there was ever a ti"e to displa our power# this was it.
In a surprising show of generosit# %ah9 !roke out the wine and served drinks to the asse"!lage. I was a little suspi$ious of this.
%ah9 isn*t a!ove do$toring drinks to win a fight# !ut when I $aught his ee and raised an ee!row# he responded with a s"all shake
of his head. %pparentl he was plaing this round straight.
+hen we got down to !usiness.
1ig =ulie heard us out# listening with rapt attention. When we finished# he sighed and shook his head.
"%h*" sorr#" he announ$ed. "1ut I $an*t do it. We*ve got to keep advan$ing# ou know7 +hat*s what ar"ies do2"
"6ouldn*t ou advan$e in another dire$tion for a while7" I suggested hopefull.
"%ie2" he e,$lai"ed# spreading his hands defensivel. "What do ou think I got here# geniuses7 +hese are soldiers. +he "ove in
straight lines# know what I "ean7"
";o the have to "ove so vigorousl7" %ah9 "uttered. "+he don*t leave "u$h !ehind."
"What $an I sa7" 1ig =ulie shrugged. "+he*re good !os. +he do their -o!. 0o"eti"es the get a little $arried awa . . . like
the 1rute."
I had hoped to avoid the su!-e$t of the 1rute# !ut sin$e it had $o"e up# I de$ided to fa$e it head on.
"0a . . . u" . . . =ulie#" I !egan.
"1ig =ulie2" one of the offi$ers growled out of the $orner of his "outh.
"1ig =ulie2" I a"ended hastil. "%!out the 1rute. A" . . . he was . . . well . . . I wanted. . ."
";on*t "ention it#" =ulie waved. ":ou want to know the truth7 :ou did "e a favor."
"I did7" I !linked.
"I was getting a little worried a!out the 1rute# ou know what I "ean7" the $o""ander raised his ee!rows. "3e was getting a
little too a"!itious."
"In that $ase . . . ." I s"iled.
"0till . . ." =ulie $ontinued# "that*s a !ad wa to go. 3a$ked apart ! our own "en. I wouldn*t want that to happen to "e."
":ou should have fed hi" to the dragons#" %ah9 said !luntl.
"+he 1rute7" =ulie frowned. "5ed to the dragons7 Wh7"
"1e$ause then he $ould have !een <et# too*2"
%pparentl this was supposed to !e funn# as %ah9 erupted into sudden laughter as he fre(uentl does at his own -okes. +anda
rolled her ees in e,asperation.
1ig =ulie looked vaguel pu99led. 3e glan$ed at "e# and I shrugged to show I didn*t know what was going on either.
"3e*s strange#" =ulie announ$ed# sta!!ing an a$$using finger at %ah9. "What*s a ni$e !o like ou doing hanging around with
strange people7 3e7"
"It*s the war#" I said apologeti$all. ":ou know what the sa a!out strange !edfellows."
":ou see" to !e doin* all right for ourself2" =ulie winked# then leered at +anda.
":ou want I should $lean up his a$t# 1oss7" 1ro$khurst asked gri"l# stepping forward.
"0ee2" =ulie e,ploded. "+hat*s what I "ean. +his is no wa to learn warfare. +ell ou what. Wh don*t ou let "e fi, ou up with
a -o!# he7 What do ou sa to that7"
"What pa s$ale7" %ah9 asked.
"%ah92" I s$owled# then turned !a$k to =ulie. "0orr# !ut we*ve alread got a -o! . . . defending .ossiltu". I appre$iate our offer#
!ut I don*t want to leave a -o! unfinished."
"What have I !een telling ou7" =ulie appealed to his offi$ers. "%ll the good "aterial has !een taken alread. Wh $an*t ou
!ring "e re$ruits like this# eh7"
+his was all ver flattering# !ut I $lung tena$iousl to the purpose of our "eeting.
"A" . . . =ul . . . I "ean# 1ig =ulie#" I $ontinued. "%!out defending .ossiltu". 6ouldn*t ou find another kingdo" so"ewhere to
atta$k7 We reall don*t want to have to fight ou."
":ou don*t want to fight7" =ulie erupted sar$asti$all. ":ou think 8 want to fight7 :ou think I like doing this for a living7 :ou
think " !os like killing and $on(uering all the ti"e7"
"Well . . ." I !egan ta$tfull.
1ig# =ulie wasn*t listening. 3e was out of his seat and pa$ing up and down# gesturing violentl to e"phasi9e his words.
D?
"What kind of ding-!at wants to fight7" he asked rhetori$all. ";o 8 look $ra97 ;o " !os look $ra97 Ever!od thinks we
got so"e kind of weird drive that keeps us going. +he think that all we want to do in the whole world is "ar$h around in sweat
ar"or and sharpen swords on other people*s hel"ets. +hat*s what ou think too# isn*t it7 Eh7 Isn*t it7"
+his last was shouted dire$tl at "e. 1 now I was prett fed up with !eing shouted at.
":es2" I roared angril. "+hat*s what I think2"
"Well#" =ulie s$owled. ":ou*re wrong !e$ause-"
"+hat*s what I think !e$ause if ou didn*t like doing it# ou wouldn*t do it2" I $ontinued# rising to " own feet.
"=ust like that2" =ulie shouted sar$asti$all. "=ust stop and walk awa."
3e turned and addressed his offi$ers.
"3e thinks it*s eas2 ;o ou hear that7 %n of ou who don*t like to fight# -ust stop. Eh7 =ust like that."
% low $horus of $hu$kles rose fro" his asse"!led "en. ;espite " earlier !urst of anger# I found "self starting to !elieve hi".
In$redi!le as it see"ed# =ulie and his "en didn*t like !eing soldiers2
":ou think we wouldn*t (uit if we $ould7" =ulie was saing to "e again. "I !et there isn*t a "an in " whole ar" who wouldn*t
take a walk if he thought he $ould get awa with it."
%gain there was a "ur"ur of assent fro" his offi$ers.
"I don*t understand#" I said# shaking " head. "If ou don*t want to fight# and we don*t want to fight# what are we doing here7"
";id ou ever hear of loan sharks7" =ulie asked. ":ou know a!out organi9ed $ri"e7"
"Organi9ed $ri"e7" I !linked.
"It*s like govern"ent# kid#" %ah9 supplied. "Onl "ore effe$tive."
":ou*d !etter !elieve <"ore effe$tive#* " =ulie nodded. "+hat*s what we*re doing here2 /e and the !os# we got a list of ga"!ling
de!ts like ou wouldn*t !elieve. We*re kinda working it off# paing *e" !a$k in land# ou know what I "ean7"
":ou haven*t answered " (uestion#" I pointed out. "Wh don*t ou -ust (uit7"
"@uit7" =ulie see"ed genuinel astonished. ":ou gotta !e kidding. If I (uit !efore I*" paid up# the !reak " leg. :ou know7"
3is wolfish grin left no dou!t the thugs in (uestion would do so"ething a great deal "ore fatal and painful than -ust !reaking a leg.
"It*s the sa"e with the !os here. Right# !os7" 3e indi$ated his offi$ers with a wave of his hand.
Vigorous nods answered his wave.
"%nd ou ought to see the $olle$tion agent the use. Kid# ou "ight !e a fair "agi$ian where ou $o"e fro". 1ut"-he
shuddered-"this# !elieve "e# ou don*t want to see."
Knowing how tough 1ig =ulie was# I !elieved hi".
4iving "e a war" s"ile# he draped his ar" around " shoulders.
"+hat*s wh it*s reall gonna !reak " heart to kill ou. :a know7"
"Well#" I !egan# "ou don*t have to . . . KILL /E7"
"+hat*s right#" he nodded vigorousl. "I knew ou*d understand. % -o!*s a -o!# even when ou hate it.
"Whoa2" %ah9 interrupted# holding one flattened hand a$ross the top of the other to for" a $rude +. "3old it2 %ren*t ou
overlooking so"ething# =ules7"
"+hat*s <1ig =ulie.* " one of the guards ad"onished.
"I don*t $are if he $alls hi"self the Easter 1unn2" " "entor snarled. "3e*s still overlooking so"ething. "
"What*s that7" =ulie asked.
"As." %ah9 s"iled# gesturing to the tea". "%side fro" the "inor detail that 0keeve here*s a "agi$ian and not that eas to kill#
he*s got friends. What do ou think we*ll !e doing while ou "ake a tr for our leader7"
+he whole tea" edged forward a little. None of the" were s"iling# not even 4us. Even though the were " friends who I knew
and loved# I had to ad"it the looked "ean. I was suddenl ver glad the were on " side.
1ig =ulie# on the other hand# see"ed uni"pressed.
"%s a "atter of fa$t#" he s"iled# "I e,pe$t ou to !e ding right along with our leader. +hat is# unless ou*re reall good at
running."
"Running fro" what7" 4us growled. "I still think ou*re overlooking so"ething. 1 " $ount# we*ve got ou outnu"!ered.
Even if ou were ar"ed-"
+he supre"e $o""ander $ut hi" short with a laugh. It was a rela,ed# $onfident laugh whi$h no one else -oined in on. +hen the
laugh disappeared# and he leaned forward with a fier$e s$owl.
"Now# I*" onl gonna sa this on$e# so alla ou listen $lose. 1ig =ulie didn*t get where he is toda ! overlooking nothin*. :ou
think I*" outnu"!ered7 Well# "a!e ou*d -ust !etter $ount again."
Without taking his ees fro" us# he waved his hand in a short# a!rupt "otion. %t the signal# one of his guards pulled a $ord and
the sides of the tent fell awa.
+here were soldiers outside. +he hadn*t !een there when we entered the tent# !ut the were there now. 3oo !o were the.
Ranks and ranks of the" $o"pletel surrounding the tent# the nearest !arel an ar"*s length awa. +he front three rows were
ar$hers# with arrows no$ked and drawn# leveled at our tea".
I reali9ed with a sudden $al" $larit that I was a!out to die. +he whole "eeting had-!een a trap# and it was a good one. 4ood
enough that we would all !e dead if we so "u$h as twit$hed. I $ouldn*t even kid "self that I $ould stop that "an arrows if the
were all loosed at on$e. 4us "ight survive the !arrage# and "a!e the others $ould !lip awa to another di"ension in ti"e to save
the"selves# !ut I was too far awa fro" %ah9 and the ;-3opper to es$ape.
DB
"I . . . u" . . . thought war $oun$ils were supposed to !e off li"its for $o"!at." I said $arefull.
"I also didn*t get where I a" toda ! plaing fair#" 1ig =ulie shrugged.
":ou know#" %ah9 drawled# "for a gu who doesn*t want to fight# ou run a prett nast war."
"What $an I sa7" the supre"e $o""ander asked# spreading his hands in helpless appeal. "It*s a -o!. 1elieve "e# if there was an
other wa# I*d take it. 1ut as it is . . ."
3is voi$e trailed off# and he !egan to raise his ar". I reali9ed with horror that when his hand $a"e down# so would the $urtain.
"3ow "u$h ti"e do we have to find another wa7" I asked desperatel.
":ou don*t#" 1ig =ulie sighed.
"%N; WE ;ON*+ NEE; %N:2" %ah9 roared with sudden glee.
%ll ees turned toward hi"# in$luding " own. 3e was grinning !roadl while listening to so"ething the 4re"lin was
whispering in his ear.
"What*s that supposed to "ean7" the supre"e $o""ander de"anded. "%nd where did this little !lue fella $o"e fro"7 Eh7"
3e glared at the en$ir$ling troops# who looked at ea$h other in e"!arrassed $onfusion.
"+his is a 4re"lin#" %ah9 infor"ed hi"# slipping a $o"radel ar" around the shoulders of his $onfidant# "%nd I think he*s got
the answer to our pro!le"s. %ll our pro!le"s. :ou know what I "ean7"
"What does he "ean7" =ulie s$owled at "e. ";o ou understand what he*s sain*7"
"+ell hi"# %ah9#" I ordered $onfidentl# wondering all the while what possi!le solution " "entor $ould have found to this
"ess.
"1ig =ulie#" %ah9 s"iled# "what $ould those loan sharks of ours do if ou and our ar" si"pl disappeared7"
%nd so# in$redi!l# it was ended.
Not with fireworks or an e,plosion or a !attle. 1ut like a lot of things in " life# in as $ra9 and off-hand a wa as it had started.
%nd when it had ended# I al"ost wished it hadn*t.
1e$ause then I had to sa good-!e to the tea".
0aing good-!e to the tea" was harder than I would have i"agined. 0o"ehow# in all " planning# I had never stopped to
$onsider the possi!ilit of e"erging vi$torious fro" the war.
;espite " original worries a!out the tea"# I found I had grown (uite $lose to ea$h of the". I would have liked to keep the"
around a little longer# !ut that would have !een i"possi!le. Our ne,t stop was the $apital# and the would !e a little too "u$h to
e,plain awa.
1esides# as %ah9 pointed out# it was !ad for "orale to let the troops find out how "u$h their $o""ander was !eing paid#
parti$ularl when it was e,tre"el disproportionate to their own wages.
5ollowing his advi$e# I paid ea$h of the" personall. When I was done# however# I found "self strangel at a loss for words.
On$e again# the tea" $a"e to " aid.
"Well# !oss#" 1ro$khurst sighed. "I guess this is it. +hanks for everthing."
"It*s !een a real pleasure working for ou#" 4us e$hoed. "+he "one*s ni$e# !ut the wa I figure it# 1erfert and I owe ou a little
e,tra for getting us out of that slop $hute. %nti"e ou need a favor# look us up."
":oungster#" %-a, said# $learing his throat# "I "ove around a lot# so I*" not that eas to tra$k. If ou ever find ourself in a spot
where ou think I $an lend a hand# -es* send a "essage to the 1a9aar and I*ll !e along shortl."
"I didn*t think ou visited the 1a9aar that often#" I asked# surprised.
"Nor"all I don*t#" the !ow"an ad"itted. "1ut I will now . . . -est in $ase."
+anda was tossing her $oin in the air and $at$hing it with pra$ti$ed ease.
"I shouldn*t take this#" she sighed. "1ut a girl*s gotta eat."
":ou earned it#" I insisted.
":ea# well# I guess we*ll !e going#" she said# !e$koning to the others. "+ake $are of ourself# handso"e."
":ou will !e $o"ing !a$k7" I asked hurriedl.
0he "ade a fa$e.
"I don*t think so#" she said wrl# "If 4ri"!le saw us together . . ."
"I "eant# ever#" I $larified.
0he !rightened i""ediatel.
"0ure#" she winked. ":ou won*t get rid of "e that easil. 0a good-!e to %ah9 for "e."
"0a good-!e to hi" ourself#" %ah9 growled# stepping out of the shadows.
"+here ou are2" +anda grinned. "Where*s the 4re"lin7 I thought ou two were talking."
"We were#" %ah9 $onfir"ed# looking around hi". "I don*t understand. 3e was here a "inute ago."
"It*s as if he didn*t e,ist# isn*t it# %ah97" I suggested inno$entl.
"Now look# kid2" " "entor !egan angril.
% $horus of laughter erupted fro" the tea". 3e spun in that dire$tion to deliver a s$athing repl# !ut there was a !lip of light and
the were gone.
We stood silentl together for several "o"ents staring at the va$ant spa$e. +hen %ah9 slipped an ar" around " shoulder.
"+he were a good- tea"# kid#" he sighed. "Now pull ourself together. +riu"phant generals don*t have slow leaks in the vi$init
of their ees. It*s !ad for the i"age."
DD
Chapter Twenty-Five
"Is ever!od happ7"
-/%63I%VELLI
%ah9 and I entered the $apital at the head of a -u!ilant "o! of .ossiltu" $iti9ens.
We were pra$ti$all herded to the front of the pala$e ! the $rowd pressing us forward. +he $heering was in$redi!le. 5lowers
and other less identifia!le o!-e$ts were thrown at us or strewn in our path# "aking the footing un$ertain enough that "ore than
on$e I was afraid of falling and !eing tra"pled. +he people# at least# see"ed thoroughl delighted to see us. %ll in all# though# our
triu"phal pro$ession was al"ost as potentiall in-urious to our life and li"! as the war had !een.
I was loving it.
I had never had a large $rowd "ake a fuss over "e !efore. It was ni$e.
"3eads up# kid#" %ah9 "ur"ured# nudging "e in the ri!s. "3ere $o"es the re$eption $o""ittee."
0ure enough# there was another pro$ession e"erging fro" the "ain gates of the pala$e. It was s"aller than ours# !ut "ade up for
what it la$ked in nu"!ers with the prestige of its "e"!ers.
+he king was front and $enter# flanked $losel ! 4ri"!le and 1ada,e. +he $han$ellor was !ea"ing with undisguised delight.
+he general# on the other hand# looked positivel gri".
0weeping the $rowd with his ees# 1ada,e spotted several of his soldiers in our entourage. 3is dark e,pression grew even
darker# !oding ill for those "en. I guessed he -was $urious as to wh the had failed to $arr out his orders to stop our return.
Whatever he had in "ind# it would have to wait. +he king was raising his ar"s# and the asse"!lage o!edientl fell silent to hear
what he had to sa.
"Lord /agi$ian#" he !egan# "know that the $heers of the grateful $iti9ens of .ossiltu" onl e$ho " feelings for this servi$e ou
have done us."
% fresh wave of applause answered hi".
"News of our vi$tor has spread !efore ou#" he $ontinued. "%nd alread our historians are re$ording the details of our
triu"ph . . . as "u$h as is known# that is."
%n appre$iative ripple of laughter surged through the $rowd.
"While we do not pretend to $o"prehend the workings of our powers#" the king announ$ed# "the results speak for the"selves.
% "ight ar" of invin$i!le warriors vanished into thin air# weapons and all. Onl their ar"or and siege "a$hines littering the
e"pt !attlefield "ark their passing. +he war is won2 +he threat to .ossiltu" is ended forever2"
%t this# the $rowd e,ploded. +he air again filled with flowers and shouting shook the ver walls of the pala$e.
+he king tried to shout so"ething "ore# !ut it was lost in the -u!ilant noise. 5inall he shrugged and reentered the pala$e#
pausing onl for a final wave at the $rowd.
I thought it was a rather $heap plo# allowing hi" to $ash in on our applause as if it were intended for hi"# !ut I let it go. Right
now we had !igger fish to fr.
6at$hing the ees of 4ri"!le and 1ada,e# I !e$koned the" forward.
"I*ve got to talk to ou two#" I shouted over the din.
"0houldn*t we go inside where it*s (uieter7" 4ri"!le shouted !a$k.
"We*ll talk here2" I insisted.
"1ut the $rowd . . ." the $han$ellor gestured.
I turned and nodded to a figure in the front row of the "o!. 3e responded ! raising his right ar" in a signal. In response# the
"en in the forefront of the $rowd lo$ked ar"s and for"ed a $ir$le around us# "oving with near "ilitar pre$ision. In a twinkling#
there was a spa$e $leared in the tee"ing popula$e# with the advisors# %ah9# 4leep# "self# and the "an who had given the signal
standing alone at its $enter.
"=ust a "o"ent#" 1ada,e ru"!led# peering suspi$iousl at the $ir$le. "What*s going on-"
"4eneral2" I !ea"ed# flashing " !iggest s"ile. "I*d like ou to "eet the newest $iti9en of .ossiltu"."
3olding " s"ile# I !e$koned the "o! leader forward.
"4eneral 1ada,e#" I announ$ed for"all# ""eet 1ig =ulie. 1ig =ulie# 3ugh 1ada,e2"
"Ni$e to "eet ou2" =ulie s"iled. "+he !o here# he*s !een tellin* "e all a!out ou2"
+he general !lan$hed as he re$ogni9ed the E"pire*s top $o""ander.
":ou2" he sta""ered. "1ut ou . . . ou*re-"
"I hope ou don*t "ind# 4eneral#" I said s"oothl. "1ut I*ve taken the li!ert of offering 1ig =ulie a -o! . . . as our "ilitar
$onsultant."
"/ilitar $onsultant7" 1ada,e e$hoed suspi$iousl.
"What*s the "atter#" =ulie s$owled. ";on*t ou think I $an do it7"
"It*s not that#" the general $larified hastil. "It*s -ust that . . . well-"
"One thing we negle$ted to "ention# 4eneral#" %ah9 interrupted. "1ig =ulie here is retiring fro" a$tive dut. 3e*s "ore than
willing to leave the running of .ossiltu"*s ar" to ou# and agrees to give advi$e onl when asked."
"+hat*s right2" =ulie !ea"ed. "I -ust wanna sit in the sun# drink a little wine# "a!e pat a few !otto"s# ou know what I "ean7"
"1ut the king. . ." 1ada,e sta""ered.
". . . . doesn*t have to !e !othered with it at all#" %ah9 purred. "Anless# of $ourse# ou dee" it ne$essar to tell hi" where our
DF
new !attle plans are $o"ing fro"."
"3""#" the general said thoughtfull. ":ou sure ou*d !e happ with things that wa# =ulie7"
".ositive2" =ulie nodded fir"l. "I don*t want an glor# no responsi!ilit# and no $redit. I had too "u$h of that when I was
workin* for the E"pire# ou know what I "ean7 /e and the !os talked it over# and we de$ided-"
"+he !os7" 1ada,e interrupted# frowning.
"A" . . . that*s another thing we forgot to "ention# 4eneral#" I s"iled. "1ig =ulie isn*t the onl new addition to .ossiltu"*s
$iti9enr."
I -erked " head at the $ir$le of "en holding !a$k the $rowd.
+he general !linked at the "en# then swiveled his head around noting how "an "ore like the" were s$attered through the
$rowd. 3e !lan$hed as it !e$a"e $lear to hi" !oth where the E"pire*s ar" had disappeared to# and wh his "en had !een
unsu$$essful in stopping our return to the $apital.
":ou "ean to tell "e ou-" 1ada,e !egan.
"3app .ossiltu" $iti9ens all# 4eneral2" %ah9 pro$lai"ed# then dropped his voi$e to a "ore $onfidential level. "I think ou*ll
find that if ou should ever have to draft an ar"# these new $iti9ens will train a lot faster than our average plow pusher."
%pparentl the general did. 3is ees glittered at the thought of the new for$e we had pla$ed at his $o""and. I $ould see hi"
"entall li$king his $hops in anti$ipation of the ne,t war.
"1ig =ulie2" he de$lared with a !road s"ile. ":ou and our . . . er . . . !os are "ore than wel$o"e to settle here in .ossiltu".
Let "e !e one of the first to $ongratulate ou on our new $iti9enship."
3e e,tended his hand# !ut there was an o!stru$tion in his wa. +he o!stru$tion*s na"e was =.R. 4ri"!le.
"=ust a "o"ent2" the $han$ellor snarled. "+here*s one "inor flaw in our plans. It is " intention to advise the king to dis!and
.ossiltu"*s ar"."
"What7" roared 1ada,e.
"Let "e handle this# 4eneral#" %ah9 said soothingl. "4ri"!le# what would ou want to do a fool thing like that for7"
"Wh# !e$ause of the "agi$ian# of $ourse#" the $han$ellor !linked. ":ou*ve de"onstrated he is (uite $apa!le of defending the
kingdo" without the aid of an ar"# so I see no reason wh we should $ontinue to !ear the $ost of "aintaining one."
"Nonsense2" %ah9 s$olded. ";o ou think the great 0keeve has nothing to do with his ti"e !ut guard our !orders7 ;o ou want
to tie up our high-$ost "agi$ian doing the -o! a low-$ost soldier $ould do7"
"Well. . ." 4ri"!le s$owled.
"1esides#" %ah9 $ontinued. "0keeve will !e spending $onsidera!le ti"e on the road furthering his studies . . . whi$h will of
$ourse in$rease his value to .ossiltu". Who will guard our kingdo" while he*s awa# if not the ar"7"
"1ut the $ost is. . ." 4ri"!le whined.
"If anthing#" %ah9 $ontinued ignoring the $han$ellor*s protests. "I should think ou*d want to e,pand our ar" now that our
!orders have in$reased in si9e."
"What*s that7" 4ri"!le !linked# "What a!out our !orders7"
"I thought it was o!vious#" %ah9 said inno$entl. "%ll these new $iti9ens have to settle so"ewhere . . . and there is a lot of land
up for gra!s -ust north of here. %s I understand it# it*s $o"pletel unguarded at the "o"ent. .ossiltu" wouldn*t even have to fight
for it# -ust "ove in and settle. +hat is# of $ourse# provided ou have a strong ar" to hold it on$e ou*ve got it."
"3""#" the $han$ellor said thoughtfull# stroking his $hin with his hand.
"+hen again#" %ah9 "ur"ured (uietl# "there*s all the e,tra ta, "one the new $iti9ens and land will $ontri!ute to the kingdo"*s
$offers."
"1ig =ulie2" 4ri"!le !ea"ed. "I*d like to wel$o"e ou and our "en to .ossiltu"."
"I*" wel$o"ing hi" first2" 1ada,e growled. "3e*s " advisor."
%s he spoke# the general dropped his hand to the hilt of his a,e# a "ove whi$h was not lost on the $han$ellor.
"Of $ourse# 4eneral#" 4ri"!le a$knowledged# for$ing a grin. "I*ll -ust wait here until ou*re through. +here are a few things I
want to dis$uss with our new $iti9ens."
"While ou*re waiting# 4ri"!le#" %ah9 s"iled# "there are a few things we have to dis$uss with ou."
"0u$h as what7" the $han$ellor s$owled.
"0u$h as the 6ourt /agi$ian*s pa2" " "entor retorted.
"Of $ourse#" 4ri"!le laughed. "%s soon as we*re done here we*ll go inside and I*ll pa hi" his first "onth*s wages."
"%$tuall#" %ah9 drawled. "What we wanted to dis$uss was an in$rease."
+he $han$ellor stopped laughing.
":ou "ean a !onus# don*t ou7" he asked hopefull. "I*" sure we $an work so"ething out# $onsidering-"
"I "ean an in$rease2" %ah9 $orre$ted fir"l. "6*"on# 4ri"!le. +he kingdo"*s !igger now. +hat "eans the "agi$ian*s -o! is
!igger and deserves "ore pa."
"I*" not sure I $an approve that#" the $han$ellor responded $agil.
"With the in$rease of our ta, !ase#" %ah9 pressed# "I figure ou $an afford-"
"Now let*s !e $areful#" 4ri"!le $ountered. "Our overhead has gone up right along with that in$rease. In fa$t# I wouldn*t !e
surprised if . . ."
"6*"on# 4leep#" I "ur"ured to " pet. "Let*s go see 1utter$up."
I had a feeling the wage de!ate was going to last for a while.
DG
Chapter Twenty-Six
"%ll*s well that ends well."
-E. %. .OE
I was spending a leisurel afternoon killing ti"e in " i""ense roo" in the pala$e.
+he !argaining session !etween %ah9 and 4ri"!le had gone well for us. Not onl had I gotten a su!stantial wage in$rease# I was
also now housed in a roo" whi$h was onl a little s"aller than 4ri"!le*s# whi$h in turn was se$ond onl to the king*s in si9e. What
was "ore# the roo" had a large window# whi$h was ni$e even if it did look out over the sta!les. %ah9 had insisted on this# hinting
darkl that I "ight !e re$eiving winged visitors in the night. I think this s$ared "e "ore than it did 4ri"!le# !ut I got " window.
When I $hose# I $ould look down fro" " per$h and keep an ee on 4leep and 1utter$up in the sta!les. I $ould also wat$h the
hapless sta!le !o who had !een assigned to $atering to their ever need. +hat had !een part of the deal# too# though I had pushed
for it a lot harder than %ah9.
%ah9 was housed in the ad-oining roo"# whi$h was ni$e# though s"aller than "ine. +he roal ar$hite$ts were s$heduled to open
a door in our shared wall# and I had a hun$h that when the did# the roo" arrange"ent would $hange drasti$all. 5or the "o"ent#
at least# I had a !it of una$$usto"ed priva$.
+he roo" itself# however# was not what was $urrentl $o""anding " attention. / "ind was fo$used on 4arkin*s old !ra9ier.
I had !een tring all afternoon to unlo$k its se$rets# thus far without su$$ess. It stood fir"l in the $enter of the floor where I had
first pla$ed it# stu!!ornl resisting " efforts.
I per$hed on " windowsill and studied the o!-e$t glu"l. I $ould levitate it easil enough# !ut that wasn*t what I wanted. I
wanted it to $o"e alive and follow "e around the wa it used to follow 4arkin.
+hat triggered an idea in " "ind. It see"ed sill# !ut nothing else had worked.
;rawing " ee!rows together# I addressed the !ra9ier without fo$using " energies on it.
"6o"e here2" I thought.
+he !ra9ier see"ed to waiver for a "o"ent# then it trotted to " side# $la$king a$ross the floor on its spindl legs.
It worked2 Even though it was a sill little detail# the !ra9ier*s o!edien$e so"ehow "ade "e feel "ore like a "agi$ian.
"3e# kid2" %ah9 $alled# !arging through " door without kno$king. "3ave ou got a $orks$rew7"
"What*s a $orks$rew7" I asked refle,ivel.
"Never "ind#" " "entor sighed. "I*ll do it "self."
With that# he shifted the !ottle of wine he was holding to his left hand# and inserted the $law on his right forefinger into the $ork.
+he $ork "ade a soft pop as he gentl eased it fro" the ne$k of the !ottle# whereupon the $ork was $asuall tossed into a $orner as
%ah9 drank deepl of the wine.
"%hh2" he gasped# $o"ing up for air. "+errifi$ !ou(uet2"
"Arn . . . %ah97" I said shl# leaving " window per$h and "oving to the ta!le. "I have so"ething to show ou."
"5irst# $ould ou answer a (uestion7" %ah9 asked.
"What7" I frowned.
"Wh is that !ra9ier following ou around the roo"7"
I looked# and was startled to find he was right2 +he !ra9ier had s$uttled fro" the window to the ta!le to re"ain ! " side. +he
strange part was that I hadn*t su""oned it.
"A" . . . that*s what I was going to show ou#" I ad"itted. "I*ve figured out how to get the !ra9ier to $o"e to "e all ! itself . . .
no levitation or anthing."
"0well#" %ah9 grunted. "Now# $an ou "ake it stop7"
"A" . . . I don*t know#" I said# sitting down (ui$kl in one of the $hairs.
I didn*t want to ad"it it# !ut while we were talking I had tried several "ental $o""ands to get the !ra9ier to go awa# all without
noti$ea!le effe$t. I*d have to work this out on " own on$e %ah9 had left.
"0a# %ah9#" I said $asuall# propping " feet on the ta!le. "6ould ou pour "e so"e of that wine7"
%ah9 $o$ked an ee!row at "e# then $rossed the roo" slowl to stand ! " side.
"Kid#" he said gentl# "I want ou to look around real $arefull. ;o ou see an!od here e,$ept ou and "e7"
"No#" I ad"itted.
"+hen we*re in private# not in pu!li$ . . . right7" he s"iled.
"+hat*s right#" I agreed.
"+hen get our own wine# apprenti$e2" he roared# ki$king " $hair out fro" under "e.
%$tuall# it wasn*t as !ad as it sounds. I e,erted " "ind !efore I hit the floor and hovered safel in thin air. 5ro" that position#
I rea$hed out with " "ind and lifted the !ottle fro" %ah9*s hand# transferring it to " own.
"If ou insist#" I said $asuall# taking a long pull on the !ottle.
"+hink ou*re prett s"art# don*t ou2" %ah9 snarled# then he grinned. "Well# I guess ou are at that. :ou*ve done prett well . . .
for an a"ateur."
"% professional#" I $orre$ted with a grin. "% salaried professional."
"I know." %ah9 grinned !a$k. "5or an a"ateur# ou*re prett s"art. 5or a professional ou*ve got a lot to learn."
"6*"on# %ah92" I protested.
DH
"1ut that $an wait for another da#" %ah9 $on$eded. ":ou "ight as well rela, for a while and en-o ourself . . . while ou $an."
"What*s that supposed to "ean7" I frowned.
"Nothing2" %ah9 shrugged inno$entl. "Nothing at all."
"Wait a "inute# %ah9#" I said sharpl# regaining " feet. "I*" 6ourt /agi$ian now# right7"
"+hat*s right# 0keeve#" " "entor nodded.
"6ourt /agi$ian is the -o! ou pushed "e into !e$ause it*s so eas# right7" I pressed.
"Right again# kid." 3e s"iled# -his nodding !e$o"ing even "ore vigorous.
"+hen nothing $an go wrong7 Nothing serious7" I asked an,iousl.
%ah9 retrieved his wine !ottle and took a long swallow !efore answering.
"=ust keep thinking that# kid." 3e grinned. "It*ll help ou sleep nights."
"6*"on# %ah92" I whined. ":ou*re supposed to !e " tea$her. If there*s so"ething I*" "issing# ou*ve got to tell "e. Otherwise I
won*t learn."
"Ver well# apprenti$e." %ah9 s"iled# evill e"phasi9ing the word. "+here are a few things ou*ve overlooked."
"0u$h as7" I asked# writhing under his s"ile.
"0u$h as 4us# %-a,# and 1ro$khurst# who ou -ust sent !a$k to ;eva without instru$tions."
"Instru$tions7" I !linked.
"+anda we don*t have to worr a!out# !ut the other three-"
"Wait a "inute# %ah9#" I interrupted !efore he got too far fro" the su!-e$t. "What instru$tions7"
"Instru$tions not to talk a!out our little skir"ish here#" %ah9 $larified a!sentl. "+anda will know enough to keep her "outh
shut# !ut the others won*t."
":ou think the*ll talk7"
"Is a frog*s !ehind watertight7" %ah9 retorted.
"What*s a frog7" I $ountered.
"/one in their po$kets# fresh fro" a su$$essful $a"paign against overwhel"ing odds . . . of $ourse the*ll talk2" %ah9
thundered. "+he*ll talk their fool heads off to anone who*ll listen. What*s "ore# the*ll e"!ellish it a little "ore with ea$h telling
until it sounds like the*re the greatest fighters ever to spit teeth and ou*re the greatest ta$ti$ian sin$e 4ronk2"
"What*s wrong with that7" I in(uired# se$retl pleased. I didn*t know who 4ronk was# !ut what %ah9 was saing had a ni$e ring
to it.
"Nothing at all." %ah9 responded inno$entl. "E,$ept now the word will !e out as to who ou are# where ou are# and what ou
are . . . also that ou*re for hire and that ou su!$ontra$t. If there*s an pla$e in all the di"ensions that folks will take note of
infor"ation like that# it*s the 1a9aar."
Regardless of what " "entor "a think*# I*" not slow. I reali9ed in a flash the i"pli$ations of what he was saing . . . reali9ed
the" and for"ulated an answer.
"0o we suddenl get a lot of strange people dropping in on us to offer -o!s# or looking for work#" I a$knowledged. "0o what7 %ll
that "eans is I get a lot of pra$ti$e saing <No.* Who knows# it "ight i"prove " status around here a little if it*s known that I
regularl $onsult with strange !eings fro" other worlds."
"Of $ourse#" %ah9 $o""ented darkl# "there*s alwas the $han$e that so"eone at the 1a9aar will hear that the other side is
thinking of hiring ou and de$ide to for$i!l re"ove ou fro" the roster. Either that# or so"e oung hotshot will want to "ake a
na"e for hi"self ! taking on this un!eata!le "agi$ian everone*s talking a!out."
I tried not to show how "u$h his gri" prophe$ had unnerved "e. +hen I reali9ed he would pro!a!l keep heaping it on until he
saw "e sweat. 6onse(uentl# I sweated . . . visi!l.
"I hadn*t thought of that# %ah9#" I ad"itted. "I guess I did overlook so"ething there."
"+hen again there*s 4ri"!le and 1ada,e#" %ah9 $ontinued as if he hadn*t heard "e.
"What a!out 4ri"!le and 1ada,e7" I asked nervousl.
"In " esti"ation#" %ah9 awned# "the onl wa those two would ever work together would !e against a $o""on foe. In "
further esti"ation# the !est $andidate for that <$o""on foe* position is ou2"
"/e7" I asked in a ver s"all voi$e.
":ou work it out# kid#" " "entor shrugged. "Antil ou hit the s$ene there was a two-wa power struggle going as to who had
the king*s ear. +hen ou $a"e along and not onl saved the kingdo"# ou in$reased the population# e,panded the !orders# and
added to the ta, !ase. +hat "akes ou the "ost popular and therefore the "ost influential person in the king*s $ourt. /a!e I*"
wrong# !ut I don*t think 4ri"!le and 1ada,e are going to -ust sigh and a$$ept that. It*s " guess the*ll <dou!le tea"* ou and
atta$k anthing ou sa or do "ilitaril and "onetaril# and that*s a tough one-two pun$h to $ounter."
"Oka. Oka. 0o there were two things I overlooked#" I said. "E,$ept for that-"
"%nd of $ourse there*s the people 1ig =ulie and his "en owe "one to#" %ah9 $o""ented thoughtfull. "I wonder how long it
will !e !efore the start nosing around looking for an e,planation as to what happened to an entire ar"7 /ore i"portant# I
wonder who the*ll !e looking .for ! na"e to provide the" with that e,planation7"
"%ah97"
":eah# kid7"
";o ou "ind if I have a little "ore of that wine7"
"3elp ourself# kid. +here*s lots."
DI
I had a hun$h that was going to !e the !est news I would hear for a long ti"e.
FJ