MA02 Myth Conceptions

by Robert Asprin

  ‘‘Aahz!’’ I gasped. “They’ve got their own magician.”

  “I know,” Aahz grinned back. “But from what I can hear he’s bluffing them the same way you bluffed the court back at Possiltum. He probably doesn’t have any more powers than I do.”

  No sooner had my mentor made his observation than the side of the huge box which was facing us slowly lowered itself to the ground. Revealed inside the massive container was a dragon.

  The box had been big, better than thirty feet long and twenty feet high, but from the look of the dragon he must have been cramped for space inside.

  He was big! I mean, really big!

  Now I’ve never kidded myself about Gleep’s size. Though his ten-foot length might look big here on Klah, I had seen dragons on Deva that made him look small. The dragon currently facing us, however, dwarfed everything I had seen before.

  He was an iridescent bluish-green his entire length, which was far more serpentine than I was accustomed to seeing in a dragon. He had massive bat wings which he stretched and flexed as he clawed his way out of the confining box. There was a silver glint from his eye sockets which would have made him look machine-like, were it not for the fluid grace of his powerful limbs.

  For a moment, I was almost overcome by the beautiful spectacle he presented, emerging onto the battlefield. Then he threw his head back and roared and my admiration turned icy cold within me.

  The great head turned until its eyes were focused directly on us. Then he began to stalk forward.

  “Time for the better part of valor, kid,” Aahz whispered tugging at my sleeve. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Wait a minute, Aahz!” I shot back. “Do you see that? What the keeper’s holding?”

  A glint of gold in the sunlight had caught my eye. The dragon’s keeper had a gold pendant clasped in his fist as he urged his beast forward.

  “Yea!” Aahz answered. “So?”

  “I’ve seen a pendant like that before!” I explained excitedly. “That’s how he’s controlling the dragon!”

  The Deveel who had been running the Dragon stall where I acquired Gleep had worn a pendant like that. The pendant was used to control dragons ... unattached dragons, that is. Attached dragons can be controlled by their owner without other assistance. A dragon becomes attached to you when you feed it. That’s how I got Gleep. I fed him, sort of. Actually, he helped himself to a hefty bit of my sleeve.

  “Well don’t just stand there, kid,” Aahz barked, interrupting my reverie. “Get it!”

  I reached out with my mind and took a grab at the pendant. The keeper felt it start to go and tightened his grip on it, fighting me for its possession.

  “I ... I can’t get it Aahz,” I cried. “He won’t let go.”

  “Then hightail it outta here, kid,” my mentor ordered. “Tell Ajax to bag us that keeper. Better tell Gus to stand by with Berfert just in case. I’ll try to keep the dragon busy.”

  An image flashed in my mind. It was a view of me, Skeeve, court magician, bolting for safety while Aahz faced the dragon alone. Something snapped in my mind.

  “You go!” I snapped.

  “Kid, are you ...”

  “It’s my war and my job,” I shouted. “Now get going.”

  With that I turned to face the oncoming dragon not knowing or caring if Aahz followed my orders. I was Skeeve!

  ... But it was an awfully big dragon!

  I tried again for the pendant, nearly lifting the keeper [rom his feet with my effort, but the man clung firmly to his possession, screaming orders at the dragon as he did.

  I shot a nervous glance at the grim behemoth bearing down on me. If I tried to levitate out of the way, he could just ...

  “Look out, kid!” came Aahz’s voice from behind me.

  I half turned and then something barreled past me, interceding itself between me and the oncoming menace.

  It was Gleep!

  “Gleep!” I shouted. “Get back here!”

  My pet paid me no mind. His master was being threatened, and he meant to have a hand in this no matter what I said.

  No longer a docile, playful companion, he planted himself between me and the monster, lowered his head to the ground and hissed savagely, a six-foot tongue of flame leaping from his mouth as he did.

  The effect on the big dragon was astonishing. He lurched to a stop and sat back on his haunches, cocking his head curiously at the mini-dragon blocking his path.

  Gleep was not content with stopping his opponent, however. Heedless of the fact that the other dragon was over four times his size he began to advance stiffly, challenging his rival’s right to the field.

  The large dragon blinked, and then shot a look behind him. Then he looked down on Gleep again, drawing his head back until his long neck formed a huge question mark.

  Gleep continued to advance.

  I couldn’t understand it. Even if the monster couldn’t flame, which was doubtful, it was obvious he had the sheer physical power to crush my pet with minimal effort. Still he did nothing, looking desperately about him almost as if he were embarrassed.

  I watched in spell bound horror. It couldn’t last. If nothing else, Gleep was getting too close to the giant to be ignored. Any minute now, the monster would have to react.

  Finally, after a final glance at his frantic keeper, the big dragon did react. With a sigh, one of his taloned front paws lashed out horizontally in a cuff that would have caved in a building. It struck Gleep on the side of his head and sent him sprawling.

  My pet was game, though, and struggled painfully to his feet, shaking his head as if to clear it.

  Before he could assume his aggressive stance, however, the big dragon stretched his neck down until their heads were side by side and began to mutter and grumble in Gleep’s ear. My dragon cocked his head as if listening, then “whuffed” in response.

  As the stunned humans and non-humans watched, the two dragons conversed in the center of the battlefield punctuating their mutterings with occasional puffs of smoke.

  I tried to edge forward to get a better idea of exactly what was going on, but the big dragon turned a baleful eye on me and let loose a blast of flame which kept me at a respectful distance. Not that I was afraid, mind you; Gleep seemed to have the situation well in hand ... or talon as the case might be. Well, I had always told Aahz that Gleep was a very talon-ted dragon.

  Finally, the big dragon drew himself up, turned, and majestically left the field without a backward glance, his head impressively high. Ignoring the angry shouts of the soldiers, he returned to his box and dropped his haunches to a sit with his back to the entire proceedings.

  His keeper’s rage was surpassed only by Antonio’s. He screamed at the keeper with purpled face and frantic gestures until the keeper angrily pulled the control pendant from around his neck, handed it to the officer, and stalked off. Antonio blinked at the pendant, then flung it to the ground and started off after the keeper.

  That was all the opening I needed. Reaching out with my mind, I brought the pendant winging to my hand.

  ‘‘Aahz!’’ I began.

  “I don’t believe it,” my mentor mumbled to himself. “I saw it, but I still don’t believe it.”

  “Gleep!”

  My pet came racing up to my side, understandably pleased with himself.

  “Hi, fella!” I cried, ignoring his breath and throwing my arms around his neck in a hug. “What happened out there, anyway?”

  “Gleep!” my pet said evasively, carefully studying a cloud.

  If I had expected an answer, it was clear I wasn’t going to get one.

  “I still don’t believe it,” Aahz repeated.

  “Look, Aahz,” I remembered, holding the pendant aloft. “Now we don’t have to worry about that or any other dragon. We’ve shown a profit!”

  “So
we did,” Aahz scowled. “But do me a favor, huh kid?”

  “What’s that Aahz?” I asked.

  “If that dragon, or any dragon, wanders into our camp, don’t feed it! We already have one, and that’s about all my nerves can stand. Okay?”

  “Sure, Aahz,” I smiled.

  “Gleep!” said my pet, rubbing against me for more petting, which he got.

  OUR NEXT WAR council made the previous ones look small. This was only to be expected, as we were dealing with the commander of the entire left flank of the Empire’s army.

  Our meeting was taking place in a pavilion constructed specifically for that purpose, and the structure was packed with officers, including Claude. It seemed Antonio was true to his word, even though he himself was not currently present.

  In the face of such a gathering, we had decided to show a bit more force ourselves. To that end, Tanda and Brockhurst were accompanying us, while Gleep snuffled around outside. Gus and Ajax we were still held in reserve, while the Gremlin had not reappeared since the confrontation of dragons.

  I didn’t like the officer we were currently dealing with. There was something about his easy, oily manner that set me on edge. I strongly suspected he had ascended to his current position by poisoning his rivals.

  “ ... so, you’d like us to surrender,” he was saying thoughtfully, drumming his fingers on the table before him.

  “ ... or withdraw, or turn aside,” I corrected. “Frankly, we don’t care what you do, as long as you leave Possiltum alone.”

  “We’ve actually been considering doing just that,” the commander said, leaning back in his chair to study the pavilion’s canopy.

  “Is that why you’ve been moving up additional troops all day long?” Brockhurst asked sarcastically.

  “Merely an internal matter, I assure you,” the commander purred. ‘‘All my officers are assembled here, and they’re afraid their troops will fall to mischief if left to their own devices.”

  “What my colleague means,” Aahz interjected, “is we find it hard to believe you’re actually planning to accede to our demands.”

  “Why not?” the commander shrugged. “That is what you’ve been fighting for, isn’t it? There comes a point when a commander must ask himself if it won’t cost him more dearly to fight a battle than to pass it by. So far, your resistance utilizing demons and dragons has shown us this battle could be difficult indeed.”

  “There are more where they come from,” I interjected. “Should the need arise.”

  “So you’ve demonstrated,” the commander smiled waving a casual hand at Tanda and Brockhurst. “Witches and devils make an impressive addition to your force.”

  I deemed it unwise to point out to him that Brockhurst was an Imp, not a Deveel.

  “Then you agree to bypass Possiltum?” Aahz asked bluntly.

  “I agree to discuss it with my officers,” the commander clarified. “All I ask is that you leave one of your ... ah ... assistants behind.”

  “What for?” I asked.

  I didn’t like the way he was eyeing Tanda.

  “To bring you word of our decision, of course,” the commander shrugged. “None of my men would dare enter your camp, even granted a messenger’s immunity.”

  There was a mocking tone to his voice I didn’t like.

  “I’ll stay, Skeeve,” Aahz volunteered.

  I considered it. Aahz had demonstrated his ability to take care of himself time and time again. Still I didn’t trust the commander.

  “Only if you are willing to give us one of your officers in return as a hostage,” I replied.

  “I’ve already said none of ...”the commander began.

  “He need not enter our camp,” I explained. “He can remain well outside our force, on the edge of the tree line in full view of your force. I will personally guarantee his safety.”

  The commander chewed his lip thoughtfully.

  “Very well,” he said. “Since you have shown an interest in his career, I will give you Claude to hold as a hostage.”

  The young officer paled, but remained silent.

  “Agreed,’’ I said. “We will await your decision.”

  I nodded to my comrades, and they obediently began filing out of the pavilion. Claude hesitated, and then joined the procession.

  I wanted to tell Aahz to be careful, but decided against it. It wouldn’t do to admit my partner’s vulnerability in front of the commander. Instead, I nodded curtly to the officers and followed my comrades.

  Tanda and Brockhurst were well on their way back to the tree line. Claude, on the other hand, was waiting for me as I emerged and fell in step beside me.

  “While we have a moment,” he said stiffly. “I would like to thank you for interceding in my behalf with my superiors.”

  “Don’t mention it,” I mumbled absently.

  “No, really,” he persisted. “Chivalry to an opponent is rarely seen these days. I think ...”

  “Look, Claude,” I growled. “Credit it to my warped sense of justice. I don’t like you, and didn’t when we first met, but that doesn’t make you incompetent. Unpleasant, perhaps, but not incompetent.”

  I was harsher with him than I had intended, but I was worried about Aahz.

  Finding himself thus rebuked, he sank into an uncomfortable silence which lasted almost until we reached the trees. Then he cleared his throat and tried again.

  “Um ... Skeeve?”

  “Yeah?” I retorted curtly.

  “I ... um ... what I was trying to say was that I am grateful and would repay your favor by any reasonable means at my disposal.”

  Despite my concern, his offer penetrated my mind as a potential opportunity.

  “Would answering a few questions fall under the heading of ‘reasonable’?” I asked casually.

  “Depending upon the questions,” he replied carefully. “I am still a soldier, and my code of conduct clearly states ...”

  “Tell you what,” I interrupted. “I’ll ask the questions, and you decide which ones are okay to answer. Fair enough?”

  “So it would seem,” he admitted.

  “Okay,” I began. “First question. Do you think the commander will actually bypass Possiltum?”

  The officer avoided my eyes for a moment, and then shook his head briskly.

  “I should not answer that,” he grimaced. “But I will. I do not feel the commander is even considering it as a serious possibility, nor does any officer in that tent. He is known as ‘The Brute,” even among his most loyal and seasoned troops. May I assure you he did not acquire that nickname by surrendering or capitulating while his force was still intact?”

  “Then why did he go through the motions of the meeting just now?” I queried.

  “To gain time,” Claude shrugged. ‘‘As your assistants noted he is using the delay to mass his troops. The only code he adheres to is ‘Victory at all costs.” In this case, it seems it is costing him his honor.”

  I thought on this for a moment before asking my next question.

  “Claude,” I said carefully. “You’ve faced us in battle, and you know your own army. If your prediction is correct and the Brute attacks in force, in your opinion, what are our chances of victory?”

  “Nil,” the officer replied quietly. “I know it may sound like enemy propaganda, but I ask you to believe my sincerity. Even with the additional forces you displayed this evening, if the Brute sets the legions in motion they’ll roll right over you. Were I in your position, I would take advantage of the cover of night to slip away, and not fear the stigma of cowardice. You’re facing the mightiest army ever assembled. Against such a force there is no cowardice, only self-preservation.”

  I believed him. The only question was what should I do with the advice.

  “I thank you for your counsel,” I said formally. �
�And will consider your words carefully. For now, if you will please remain here in the open as promised, I must consult with my troops.”

  “One more thing,” Claude said, laying a restraining hand on my arm. “If any harm befalls your assistant, the one you left at the meeting, I would ask that you remember I was here with you and had no part in it.”

  “I will remember,” I nodded withdrawing my arm. “But if the Brute tries to lay a hand on Aahz, I’ll wager he’ll wish he hadn’t.”

  As I turned to seek out my team, I wished I felt as confident as I sounded.

  Tanda came to me readily when I caught her eye and beckoned her away from the others.

  “What is it, Skeeve?” she asked as we moved away into the shadows. ‘‘Are you worried about Aahz?”

  I was, though I didn’t want to admit it just yet. The night was almost gone, with no signs of movement or activity from the pavilion. Still, I clung to my faith in Aahz. When that failed, I turned my mind to other exercises to distract it from fruitless worry.

  ‘‘Aahz can take care of himself,” I said gruffly. “There’s something else I wanted your opinion on.”

  “What’s that?” she asked cocking her head.

  ‘‘As you know,” I began pompously. “I am unable to see the disguise spells I cast. Though everyone else is fooled, as the originator of the spell, I still continue to see things in their true form.”

  “I didn’t know that,” she commented. “But continue.”

  “Well,” I explained. “I was thinking that if we actually have to fight the army, we could use additional troops. I’ve got an idea, but I need you to tell me if it actually works.”

  “Okay,” she nodded. “What is it?”

  I started to resume my oration, and then realized I was merely stalling. Instead, I closed my eyes and focused my mind on the small grove of trees ahead.

  “Hey!” cried Tanda. “That’s terrific.”