It was more than a little unnerving. If there is one characteristic of Aahz's I could always count on, it was that he was expressive. Whether with facial expression, gestures, grunts, or verbal explosions, my mentor usually let everyone in the near vicinity know what he felt or thought about any event or opinion expressed. Right now, though, I didn't know if he was about to explode or just walk away.
I began having regrets over instigating this confrontation. Then I toughened up. What I had said was right and needed to be said. It flashed across my mind that I could lose Aahz over this argument. My resolve wavered. Right or not, I could have said it better... gentler. At least I could have picked a time when all our friends weren't watching and listening. Maybe....
Aahz turned away abruptly, shifting his stance to face Tananda and Chumly.
"Now I'm ready to believe you two," he announced. "The kid here really did handle that mess on Klah all by himself, didn't he?"
"That's what we've been trying to tell you, old boy," the troll winked. "Your apprentice is growing up, and seems to us more than capable of standing on his own two feet lately."
"Yeah, I noticed."
He looked at me again, and this time his eyes were expressive. I didn't recognize the expression, but at least there was one.
"Kid... Skeeve," he said. "If I've ever wondered why I bothered taking you under my wing, you just gave me the answer. Thanks."
"Um... Thanks. I mean, you're welcome. No. I mean..."
As always, I was very glib in the face of the unexpected. I had gotten used to weathering Aahz's tirades, but this I didn't know how to handle. Fortunately my pet came to my rescue.
"Gleep?" he queried, shaking his head in through the door.
"... But if you take anything I've showed you, I mean spell one, and teach it to that dragon," my mentor roared, "you and I are going to go a couple rounds. Do we understand each other, apprentice?"
"Yes, Aahz."
Actually, I didn't. Still, this didn't seem like the time to call for a clarification.
"Butt out, Gleep," I ordered. "Go play with Buttercup or something."
"Gleep!" and my dragon's head was gone as fast as it had appeared.
"Say, hot stuff," Massha drawled. "As much as I appreciate your standing up for me, I'm kinda curious to hear what Big Green has for a plan."
"Right!" I nodded, glad to be off the hot seat. "Sorry, Aahz, I didn't mean to interrupt. What's the plan?"
"Well, first," Aahz said, taking his accustomed place as center of attention once more, "I've got a question for Gus. What's the Mob been doing so far to move in?"
"Judging from what I heard," the gargoyle responded, "a bunch of them move in on a merchant and offer to sell him some 'insurance.' You know, 'pay us so much of your revenue and nothing happens to your business.' If anyone's slow to sign up, they arrange a small demonstration of what could go wrong: some 'accidental' breaking of stock or a couple plug-uglies standing outside hassling customers. So far it's been effective. Deveels don't like to lose business."
"Good," my mentor grinned, showing every last one of his numerous pointed teeth. "Then we can beat them."
"How?"
If nothing else, I've gotten quite good at feeding Aahz straight lines.
"Easy. Just ask yourselves this: If you were a Deveel and paid the Mob to protect your business, and things started going wrong anyway, what would you do?"
"I can answer that one," Massha said. "I'd either demand better protection, scream for my money back, or both."
"I don't get it," I frowned. "What's going to happen to a Mob-protected business?"
"We are," Aahz grinned.
"What our strategist is trying to say," Chumly supplied, "is that the best defense is a good offense. Not terribly original, but effective nonetheless."
"You're darn right it's effective," my mentor exclaimed. "Instead of us defending against the Mob, we're going to start a crime wave right here at the Bazaar. Then let's see how good the Mob is at defending against us!"
Chapter Sixteen:
"It's always easier to destroy than to create."
-ANY GENERAL, ANY ARMY, ANY AGE.
"HEY, Guido! How's it going?"
The big bodyguard spun around, scanning the crowd to see who had hailed him by name. When he saw me, his face brightened.
"Mister Skeeve!"
"Never expected to run into you here!" I lied.
From Gus's description, I had known that both Guido and his cousin Nunzio were part of the Mob's contingent at the Bazaar. This "chance meeting" was the result of nearly half a day's worth of searching and following rumors.
"What are you doing here?" he asked confidentially. "Shopping for a few little items to wow 'em with back at Possiltum?"
"Just taking a bit of a vacation. That new queen and I don't get along so well. I thought things might ease up if I disappeared for a while."
"Too bad. If you was shoppin', I could line you up with some 'special deals,' if you know what I mean."
"You guys are really moving in, then?" I marveled.
"How is it going? Any problems?"
"Naw," the bodyguard bragged, puffing out his chest. "You was right. These Deveels are like shopkeepers anywhere. Lean on 'em a little and they fall in line."
"Don't tell me you're handling this all by yourself! I mean I know you're good, but..."
"Are you kiddin'? I'm an executive now... well, at least a team leader. Both Nunzio and me have a dozen men to order around, courtesy of our 'extensive knowledge of the Bazaar.' Pretty good, huh?"
"You mean you're running the whole operation?"
"That's Shai-ster's job. Me and Nunzio report to him, but it's us gives the orders to the boys."
I looked around expectantly.
"Is your team around? I'd like to meet them."
"Naw. We worked this area a couple days ago. I'm on my way to meet 'em and give out today's assignments. We're going after the area by the livestock pens today."
"How about Nunzio's team?"
"They're about three hours west of here. You know, this is a really big place!"
I put on my most disappointed face.
"Too bad, I would have liked to have met some of the ones who do the real work."
"Tell ya' what," Guido exclaimed, "why don't you drop by Fat's Spaghetti Parlor sometimes? That's where we're all hanging out. If we're not there, they can tell you where we are."
"I'll do that. Well, don't work too hard... and be careful. These guys can be meaner than they look."
"Piece of cake," he laughed as he headed off.
I was still waving merrily at his retreating figure as the rest of my "gang" faded out of the crowd around me.
"Did you get all that?" I asked out of the corner of my mouth.
"Two teams, neither one in this area. Shai-ster's running the show and therefore holding the bag," Tananda recited. "This area is both clear and under protection."
"Fat's Spaghetti Parlor is their headquarters, which is where we can find Shai-ster," Chumly completed. "Anything else?"
"Yeah," Aahz grinned. "Skeeve has a standing invite to drop by, and when he does, they're ready to tell him which team is working what area that day. Nice work."
"Lucky," I admitted with no embarrassment. "Well, shall we start?"
"Right," Aahz nodded. "Just like we planned, Tananda and Chumly are a team. Gus, you're with me. Skeeve and Massha, you start here. We all move out in different directions and space our hits so there's no pattern. Okay?"
"One more thing," I added. "Keep an eye on your disguises. I'm not sure of the exact range I can hold that spell at. If your disguise starts to fade, change direction to parallel mine."
"We meet back at the Yellow Crescent Inn," Gus finished. "And all of you watch your backs. I don't stock that much first aid gear."