"That's wonderful!" exclaimed Quigley.
"No. That's terrible," corrected Aahz. "You see, in the process, your animal has formed a strong attachment for my squire ... stronger, I fear, than his attachment for you."
"Hah! Ridiculous," Quigley proclaimed. "But I do feel I owe you an additional debt of gratitude, lad. If there's ever anything I can ..."
He began to advance on me with his hand extended. In a flash, Gleep was between us, head down and hissing.
Quigley froze, his eyes bulging with surprise.
"Stop that!" I ordered, cuffing the dragon.
"Gleep!" said the dragon, slinking back to his place behind me.
"See what I mean?" Aahz said pointedly.
"Hmm... ." Quigley mumbled thoughtfully. "That's strange, he never defended me that way."
"I guess we'll just have to buy him from you," I said eagerly.
"Buy him?" Quigley turned his attention to me again.
Aahz tried to catch my eye, shaking his head emphatically, but I ignored him.
"That's right," I continued. "He's no good to you this way, and since we're sort of to blame for what happened to him. ..."
"Think nothing of it, lad." Quigley drew himself up proudly. "I give him to you as a gift. After all, if it weren't for you he'd be dead anyway, and so would I, for that matter."
"ButL..."
"No! I will hear nothing more." The demon hunter held up a restraining hand. "The matter is closed. Treat him well, lad. He's a good animal."
"Terrific," muttered Aahz.
"Gleep," said the dragon.
I felt miserable. It had occurred to me that our plans involved taking shameless advantage of Quigley's gullibility. As he was my only fellow Klahd in this adventure, I had wanted to force Aahz into giving him some money under the guise of buying the "war unicorn." It would have salved my conscience a bit, but Quigley's generosity and sense of fair play had ruined my plan. Now I felt worse than before.
"Actually, Quigley," Aahz smiled, "If there's anyone you should thank, it should be Tananda here. If it were not for her, we would be in dire straits indeed."
"It's about time," mumbled Tanda, obviously unimpressed with Aahz's rhetoric.
"Charmed, milady," Quigley smiled, taking her hand to kiss.
"She's a witch," added Aahz casually.
"A witch?" Quigley dropped her hand as if it had bitten him.
"That's right, sugar," Tanda smiled, batting her eyes at him.
"Perhaps I should explain," Aahz interrupted mercifully. "Tananda here has certain powers she has consented to use in support of our war on demons. You already noticed I have regained my normal appearance?"
Another blatant lie. Aahz was currently disguised as Garkin.
"Yes," the demon hunter admitted hesitantly.
"Tananda's work," Aahz confided. "Just as it was her powers that restored you after you had been turned to stone."
"Hmmm...." Quigley said, looking at Tanda again.
"Really, you must realize, Quigley, that when one fights demons, sometimes it is helpful to employ a demon's weapons," Aahz admonished gently. "Tananda here can be a powerful ally... and frankly, I find your attitude toward her deplorable and ungrateful."
"Forgive me, milady," Quigley sighed, stepping up to her again. "I did not mean to offend you. It's just that... well... I've had some bad experiences with those who associate with demons."
"Think nothing of it, sugar," said Tanda the demon, taking his hand, "And call me Tanda."
While they were occupied with each other, I seized the opportunity and snagged Aahz's arm.
"Hm? What is it, kid?"
"Give him back his sword!" I hissed.
"What? No way, kid. By my count he's still got five pieces of gold left. I'll sell it to him."
"But he gave us his unicorn."
"He gave us a dragon... your dragon! I fail to see anything benevolent in that."
"Look, Aahz. Either you give him that sword or you can work your own magik! Get me?"
"Talk about ingratitude! Look kid, if you...."
"Aahz!" Tanda's voice interrupted our dispute. "Come help me convince Quigley to join our mission."
"Would that I could, milady," Quigley sighed, "but I would be of little help. This late misfortune has left me afoot, weaponless, and penniless."
"Actually," Aahz chimed, "you still have five...."
I interrupted him with an elbow in his ribs.
"What was that, Aahz?" Quigley asked.
"Aah... my... um... squire and I were just discussing that and we have reached a decision. So ... um... so fine a warrior should not be left so destitute, so... um... we...."
"We've decided to give you back your sword," I announced proudly.
"Really?" Quigley's face lit up.
"I didn't know you had it in you, Aahz," Tanda smiled sweetly.
"I say, this is comradeship indeed." Quigley was obviously beside himself with joy. "How can I ever repay you?"
"By never mentioning this to anyone," Aahz growled.
"How's that again?"
"I said don't mention it," Aahz amended. "It's the least we can do."
"Believe him," I smiled.
"Now I will gladly assist you on your mission," Quigley answered. "Why, with a weapon and good comrades, what more could a warrior ask for?"
"Money," Aahz said bluntly.
"Oh Aahz." Tanda punched him a little too hard for it to be playful. "You're such a kidder."
"Don't you want to know what the mission is?" I asked Quigley.
"Oh, yes, I suppose you're right, lad. Forgive me. I was carried away by my enthusiasm."
"Tell him, Skeeve," prompted Tanda.
"Actually," I said, with a sudden flash of diplomacy, "Aahz explains it much better than I do."
"It's really quite simple," mumbled Aahz, still sulking a bit. "We're going after Isstvan."
"Isstvan?" Quigley looked puzzled. "The harmless old innkeeper?"
"Harmless? Harmless, did you say?" Aahz took the bait. "Quigley, as one demon hunter to another, you've got a lot to learn."
"I do all right for myself."
"Sure you do. That's why you got turned to stone, remember?"
"I got turned to stone because I put my faith in a magik sword that...."
Things were back to normal.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen," I interrupted. "We were talking about the upcoming mission."
"Right, kid. As I was saying, Quigley, that harmless old innkeeper is working so closely with demons I wouldn't be surprised to learn he was one himself."
"Impossible!" scoffed Quigley. "Why, the man sent me out hunting for demons."
"Ahh!" smiled Aahz. "Therein lies the story.' I caught Tanda's eyes and winked. She smiled back at me and nodded. This might take a while, but as of now Quigley was in the bag!
Chapter Twenty-Two:
This is another fine myth you've gotten me into!"
-LOR L. AND HAR D.
THERE was something there in the shadows. I could sense its presence more than see it. It was dark and serpentine ... and it was watching me. I was alone. I didn't know where the others had gone, but I knew they were counting on me.
"Who's there?" I called.
The voice that came back to me out of the darkness echoed hollowly.
"I am Isstvan, Skeeve. I've been waiting for you."
"You know who I am?" I asked, surprised.
"I know all about you and your friends. I've known all along what you're trying to do."
I tried to set wards about me, but I couldn't find a force line. I tried to run, but I was rooted to the spot.
"See how my powers dwarf yours? And you expected to challenge me."
I tried to fight back a wave of despair.
"Wait until the others come," I cried defiantly.