"That's funny," I observed dryly. "The magicians I've seen so far were usually at each other's throats. I got the definite impression they'd like nothing better than to see competing magicians, and us specifically, expire on the spot."
"There is that possibility," Aahz admitted, "but look at it this way. If he won't help us, then he'll probably be our major opponent and we'll want to get a fix on what he can and can't do before we make our plans. Either way, we want to see him as soon as possible."
You may have noticed Aahz's appraisals of a situation are usually far from reassuring. Some day I might get used to that, but in the meantime I'm learning to operate in a constant state of blind panic.
For a moment, our path was blocked by a crowd listening to a young rabble-rouser who spoke to them from atop a jury-rigged platform. As near as I could make out, they were protesting the war.
"I tell you, the council is withholding information from us!"
A growl arose from the assemblage.
"As citizens of Ta-hoe, we have the right to know the facts about this war!"
The response was louder and more fevered.
"How are we supposed to set the odds for this war, much less bet intelligently, if we don't know the facts?"
The crowd was nearing frenzied hysterics as we finally edged past.
"Who are these people?" I asked.
"Bookies," Griffin shrugged. "The councii'd better watch its step. They're one of the strongest lobbies in Ta-hoe."
"I tell you, it's awe-inspiring," Aahz murmured dreamily.
"We've got to stand up for our rights! Demand the facts!" the rabble-rouser was screaming. "We've got to know the lineups, the battle plans, the..."
"They're barking up the wrong tree," Griffin commented. "They haven't gotten the information because the military hasn't devised a plan yet."
"Why don't you tell them?" I suggested.
Our guide cocked an eyebrow at me. "I thought you were in a hurry to see the magician," he countered.
"Oh, that's right," I returned, a little embarrassed by the oversight.
"Say, Griffin," Aahz called. "I've been meaning to ask. What started the war, anyway?"
For the first time since we'd met him, our youthful guide showed an emotion other than boredom or fear.
"Those bastards from Veygus stole our Trophy," he snarled angrily. "Now we're going to get it back or know the reason why."
For a change, I didn't need an elbow in the ribs from Aahz to remember to keep quiet. I got one anyway.
"Stole your Trophy, eh?" my mentor commented innocently. "Know how they did it?"
"A pack of 'em pulled a hit-and-run raid the day after the Big Game," Griffin proclaimed bitterly. "They struck just after sundown and got away before the guardsmen could respond to the alarm."
The memory of the group entering and leaving the Trophy Building while Tananda and I waited flashed across my mind. That explained a couple questions that had been bothering me, like "where did the statue go?" and "how did the guards arrive so fast?" We hadn't triggered any alarms! The group from Veygus had--inadvertently setting us up for the guards!
"I'd think you'd take better care of the Trophy, if it means so much to you," Aahz suggested.
Griffin spun on him, and I thought for a minute he was actually going to throw a punch. Then, at the last moment, he remembered that Aahz was a magician and dropped his arms to his side. I heaved a quiet sigh of relief. I mean, Aahz is strong! I was impressed with his strength in my own dimension of Klah, and here on Jahk, I looked strong compared to the natives. If Griffin had thrown a punch, Aahz would have ripped him apart...literally!
"Our security precautions on the Trophy were more than adequate," our guide announced levelly, "under normal circumstances. The thieves had magikal assistance."
"Magikal assistance?" I said, finally drawn from my silence.
"That's right." Griffin nodded vigorously. "How else could they have moved such a heavy statue before the guards arrived?"
"They could have done it without magik," Aahz offered. "Say, if they had a lot of strong men on the job."
"Normally, I'd agree with you," our guide admitted, "but in this case, we actually captured the demon that helped them."
For a long moment there was silence. Neither Aahz nor I wanted to ask the next question. We were afraid of what the answer might be. Finally, Aahz spoke. "A demon, you say?" he asked, smiling his broadest. "What happened to it?"
His tone was light and casual, but there was a glint in his eye I didn't like. I found myself in the unique position of worrying about the fate of an entire dimension.
"The demon?" Griffin frowned. "Oh, the magician's holding it captive. Maybe he'll let you see it when you meet him."
"The magician? The one we're going to see?" Aahz pressed. "He's got the demon?"
"That's right," our guide answered. "Why do you ask?"
"Is she still unconscious?" I blurted.
The elbow from Aahz almost doubled me over this time, but it was too late. Griffin had stopped in his tracks and was studying me with a new intensity.
"How did you know it was unconscious?" he asked suspiciously. "And why do you refer to it as 'she'?"
"I don't know," I covered smoothly. "Must have been something you said."
"I said we'd captured a demon," he argued, "not how, and as far as its sex goes..."
"Look," Aahz interrupted harshly, "are we going to stand around arguing all day, or are you going to take us to the magician?"
Griffin stared at us hard for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders.
"We're here," he announced, pointing at a door in the wall. "The magician lives there."
"Well, don't just stand there, son," Aahz barked. "Knock on the door and announce us."
Our guide heaved a sigh of disgust, but obediently walked over and hammered on the indicated door.
"Aahz!" I hissed. "What are we going to say?"
"Leave it to me, kid," he murmured back. "I'll try to feel him out a little, then we'll play it by ear from there."
"What are we supposed to do with our ears?" I frowned.
Aahz rolled his eyes. "Kid..." he began.
Just then, the door opened, exposing a wizened old man who blinked at the sunlight.
"Griffin!" he exclaimed. "What brings you here?"
"Well, sir," our guide stammered, "I--that is, there are two gentlemen who want to speak with you. They say...Well, they're magicians."
The old man started at this and shot a sharp glance in our direction before he covered his reaction with a friendly smile.
"Magicians, you say! Well, come right in, gentlemen. Lad, I think you'd better wait outside here. Professional secrets and all that, you know."
"Urn...actually, I thought I'd be on my way now," Griffin murmured uneasily.
"Wait here." There was steel in the old man's voice now.
"Yes, sir," our guide gulped, licking his lips.
I tried to hide my nervousness as we followed the magician into his abode. I mean, aside from the fact that we didn't have the vaguest idea of this man's power, and that we had no guarantee we'd ever get out of this place alive, I had nothing to worry about. Right?
"Aahz," I whispered. "Have you got a fix on this guy yet?"
"It's a little early to say," my mentor replied sarcastically. "In the meantime, I've got a little assignment for you."
"Like what?" I asked.
"Like, check his aura. Now."
One of the first things I had learned from Aahz was how to check auras, the field of magik around people or things. It seemed a strange thing to do just now, but I complied, viewing our host with unfocused eyes.
"Aahz," I gasped. "He's got an aura! The man's actually radiating magik. I can't do anything against someone that powerful."
"It's possible there is another explanation, kid," Aahz murmured. "He could be wearing a disguise spell like we are."
"Do you think so?" I asked hopefully.
"Well," my mentor drawled, "he's wearing a translator pendant, the same as we are. That makes it a good bet that he's not from this dimension. Besides, there's something familiar about his voice."
Our conversation ground to a halt as we reached our destination, a small room sparsely furnished with a large table surrounded by several chairs.
"If you'll be seated, gentlemen," our host said, gesturing to the chairs, "perhaps you'll be good enough to tell me what it is you wish to speak to me about."
"Not so fast," Aahz challenged, holding up a hand. "We're used to knowing who we're dealing with. Could you do us the courtesy of removing your disguise before we start?"
The magician averted his eyes and began to fidget nervously. "You spotted it, eh?" he grumbled. "It figures. As you've probably guessed already, I'm relatively new to this profession. Not in your class at all, if you know what I mean."
An immense wave of relief washed over me, but Aahz remained skeptical.
"Just take off the disguise, huh?" he insisted. "Oh, very well," our host sighed and began fumbling in his pocket.
We waited patiently until he found what he was looking for. Then the lines of his features began to waver...his body grew taller and fuller...until at last we saw...
"I thought so!" Aahz crowed triumphantly.
"Quigley!" I gasped.
"This is embarrassing," the demon hunter grumbled, slouching down into his chair.
Chapter Ten
"Old heroes never die; they reappear in sequels"
-M. Moorcock
PHYSICALLY, Quigley was unchanged from when we first met him. Tall, long-boned and muscular, he still looked as if he'd be more at home in armor swinging a sword than sitting around in magician robes sipping wine with us. However, here we were, gathered in a conference which bore little resemblance to the formal interview I had originally anticipated.
"I was afraid you two would be along when I realized it was Tanda the guards captured," the ex-demon hunter grumbled.
"Afraid?" I frowned, genuinely puzzled. "Why should you be afraid of us?"
"Oh, come now, lad," Quigley smiled bitterly. "I appreciate your efforts to spare my feelings, but the truth of the matter is plain. My magikal powers don't hold a candle next to yours. I know full well that now that you're here you'll be able to take my job away from me without much difficulty. Either that, or make me look silly in front of my employers so that they'll fire me outright."
"That's ridiculous," I cried, more than slightly offended. "Look Quigley, I promise you we'll neither steal your job nor make you look silly while we're here."
"Really?" Quigley asked, brightening noticeably.
"You're being a little hasty with your promises, aren't you, kid?" Aahz interrupted in a warning tone.
"C'mon, Aahz," I grimaced. "You know that isn't why we're here."
"But, kid..."
I ignored him, turning back to Quigley.
"I promise you, Quigley. No job stealing, and nothing that will endanger your position. The truth is, I've already got a magician's job of my own. I'm surprised Tanda hasn't told you."
Strangely enough, instead of relaxing, Quigley seemed even more ill at ease and avoided my gaze.
"Well, actually, lad," he murmured uncomfortably, "Tanda hasn't said anything since she was turned over to my custody."
"She hasn't?" I asked, surprised. "That's funny. Usually the trouble is getting her to stop talking."
"Quite right," Quigley laughed uneasily. "Except this time--well--she hasn't regained consciousness yet."
"You mean she's still out cold?" Aahz exclaimed, surging to his feet. "Why didn't you say so? Come on, Quigley, wheel her out here. This might be serious."
"No, no. You misunderstand," Quigley waved. "She hasn't regained consciousness because I've kept a sleep spell on her."
"A sleep spell?" I frowned.
"That's right," Quigley nodded. "Tanda taught it to me herself. It's the first spell I learned, actually. Really very simple. As I understand it, all members of the Assassins Guild are required to learn it."
"Why?" Aahz interrupted.
"I never really gave it much thought," Quigley blinked. "I suppose it would help them in their work. You know, if you came on a sleeping victim, the spell would keep him from waking up until after you'd finished the job. Something like that."
"Not that!" Aahz moaned. "I know how assassins operate better than you do. I meant, why are you using a sleep spell on Tanda?"
"Why, to keep her from waking up, of course," Quigley shrugged.
"Brilliant," I muttered. "Why didn't we think of that?"
"Shut up, kid," my mentor snarled. "Okay, Quigley, let's try this one more time. Why don't you want to wake her up? I thought you two got along pretty well last time I saw you."
"We did," Quigley admitted, blushing. "But I'm a working magician now. If I let her wake up...well, I don't flatter myself about my powers. There would be nothing I could do to keep her from escaping."
"You don't want her to escape?" I blinked.
"Of course not. It would mean my job," Quigley smiled. "That's why I'm so glad you promised not to do anything that would jeopardize my position."
My stomach sank.
"Smooth move, kid," Aahz commented dryly. "Maybe next time you'll listen when I try to advise you."
I tried to say something in my own defense, but nothing came to mind, so I shut my mouth and used the time to feel miserable.
"Well, gentlemen," Quigley beamed, rubbing his hands together. "Now that that's settled, I suppose you'll be wanting to get on your way to wherever you're going."
"Not so fast, Quigley," Aahz declared, sinking back into his chair and propping his feet up on the table. "If nothing else, I think you owe us an explanation. The last time we saw you, you were a demon hunter, heading off through the dimensions with Tanda to learn more about magik. Now, I was under the distinct impression you intended to use that knowledge to further your old career. What brought you over to our side of the fence?"
Quigley thought for a moment, then shrugged and settled back in his own chair.
"Very well," he said. "I suppose I can do that, seeing as how we were comrades-in-arms at one point."
He paused to take a sip of wine before continuing.
"Tanda and I parted company with the others shortly after we discovered your little joke. We thought it was quite amusing, particularly Tanda, but the others seemed quite upset, especially Isstvan, so we left them and headed off on our own."
The demon hunter's eyes went slightly out of focus as he sank back into his memories. "We traveled the dimensions for some time. Quite a pleasant time, I might add. I learned a lot about demons and a little about magik, and it set me to thinking about my chosen line of work as a demon hunter. I mean, demons aren't such a bad lot once you get to know them, and magik pays considerably better than swinging a sword."
"I hope you're paying attention, kid," Aahz grinned, prodding my shoulder.
I nodded, but kept my attention on Quigley.
"Then," the demon hunter continued, "circumstances arose that prompted Tanda to abandon me without money or a way back to my own dimension."
"Wait a minute," Aahz interrupted. "That doesn't sound like Tanda. What were these 'circumstances' you're referring to?"
"It was a misunderstanding, really," Quigley explained, flushing slightly. "Without going into lurid details, the end result involved my spending a night with a female other than Tanda."
"I can see why she'd move on without you," Aahz frowned, "but not why she'd take your money."
"Well, actually, it was the young lady I was with at the time who relieved me of my coinage," the demon hunter admitted, blushing a deeper shade of red.
"Got it," Aahz nodded. "Sounds like along with magik and demons, there are a few things you have to learn about women."
I wouldn't have minded a few lessons in that department myself, but I didn't think this was the time to bring it up.
"Anyway," Quigley continued hastily, "there I was, stranded and penniless. It seemed the only thing for me to do was to go to a placement service."
"A placement service?" Aahz blinked. "Just where was this that you were stranded?"
"Why, the Bazaar at Deva, of course," the demon hunter replied. "Didn't I mention that?"
"The Bazaar at Deva," my mentor sighed. "I should have known. Oh, well, keep going."
"There's really not that much more to tell." Quigley shrugged. "There were no openings for a demon hunter, but they managed to find me this position here in Jahk by lying about how much magik I knew. Since then, things have been pretty quiet--or they were before the guards appeared at my door carrying Tanda."
I was starting to wonder if any court magician was really qualified for his position.
"And you aren't about to let Tanda go. Right?" Aahz finished.
"Don't misunderstand," Quigley insisted, gnawing his lip. "I'd like to let her go. If nothing else it would do a lot for patching up the misunderstanding between Tanda and myself. Unfortunately, I just don't see any way I could let her escape without losing my job on grounds of incompetence."
"Say, maybe we could get you a job in Possiltum!" I suggested brightly.
"Kid," Aahz smiled, "are you going to stop that tongue of yours all by yourself, or do I have to tear it out by the roots?"
I took the hint and shut up.
"Thank you, lad," Quigley said, "but I couldn't do that. Unlike yourself, I'm still trying to build a reputation as a magician. How would it look if I left my first job in defeat with my tail between my legs?"
"You haven't got a tail," Aahz pointed out.
"Figure of speech," Quigley shrugged.
"Oh," my mentor nodded. "Well, if you think a hasty retreat from one's first job is unusual, my friend, you still have a lot to learn about the magik profession."
"Haven't I been saying that?" Quigley frowned.
I listened to their banter with only half an ear. The rest of me was floating on Quigley's implied compliment. I'm getting quite good at hearing indirect compliments. The direct ones are few and far between.
Come to think of it, I was getting a reputation as a magician. No one could deny we beat Isstvan at his own game--and I had actually recruited and commanded the team that stopped Big Julie's army. Why, in certain circles, my name must be...
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