{"id":4090,"date":"2026-01-04T00:07:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T00:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/spellsinger-04-the-moment-of-the-magician-foster-alan-dean\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T00:07:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T00:07:01","slug":"spellsinger-04-the-moment-of-the-magician-foster-alan-dean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/spellsinger-04-the-moment-of-the-magician-foster-alan-dean\/","title":{"rendered":"Spellsinger 04 – The Moment Of The Magician – Foster, Alan Dean"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Book Preview<\/h3>\n
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“And I say Opiode should give way!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The speaker. Asmouelle the tamandua, stood be-<\/p>\n

fore the narrow wooden oval that was the Quorum<\/p>\n

table and glared at his colleagues. His nose was<\/p>\n

damp and glistening, and so was the table. Most<\/p>\n

everything stayed damp in Quasequa, a city built on<\/p>\n

numerous islands in the middle of the Lake of<\/p>\n

Sorrowful Pearls. Causeways joined the islands together,<\/p>\n

and each isle sent its duly chosen representative to<\/p>\n

^ argue for it in the Quorum.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This afternoon the arguments raged hotter than<\/p>\n

the air outside the Quorumate. The members were<\/p>\n

debating the selection of an advisor in matters ar-<\/p>\n

cane and magical.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The unexpected challenger for this mystic position<\/p>\n

sat and brooded in a chair at the far end of the<\/p>\n

Quorum chamber. Reluctant attendants saw to his<\/p>\n

needs. They were afraid of the newcomer. So were<\/p>\n

several members of the Quorum, though none<\/p>\n

confessed such unseemly fears openly.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Two members openly supported the challenger,<\/p>\n

but not out of fear. Kindore and Vazvek saw a<\/p>\n

chance to better themselves by striking a bargain<\/p>\n

with the newcomer for their aid. The rest of the<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

2 Alan Dean Poster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Quorum regarded this naked display of sycophancy<\/p>\n

with disgust.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

And now Asmouelle appeared to have joined<\/p>\n

them.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The tamandua sat down. Domurmur the lynx rose<\/p>\n

and spoke dispassionately. “And \/ say this wanderer<\/p>\n

has yet to prove himself capable of anything stronger<\/p>\n

than bad breath.” His paws rested on the ancient<\/p>\n

table, which was as black and shiny as a bottle of<\/p>\n

oil.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kindore responded with an insult of some subtlety,<\/p>\n

and once again the debate dissolved into chaos. It<\/p>\n

ceased only when Trendavi raised a hand for silence.<\/p>\n

He did not stand. Long experience had taught him<\/p>\n

that it was not necessary for a legislator to jump up<\/p>\n

and down like a toy in a box to make a point.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The aged pangolin squinted down the length of<\/p>\n

the table, studying the challenger silently for a moment.<\/p>\n

Then he nodded to his left.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Opiode the Sly has been principal advisor in<\/p>\n

arcane matters to the Quorum of Quasequa for<\/p>\n

nearly thirty years. Skillfully and well has he served.<\/p>\n

The city and its citizens have profited much from his<\/p>\n

advice.” Trendavi showed scaly palms. “As have we<\/p>\n

all.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Words of agreement rose from the members while<\/p>\n

Kindore and Vazvek were conspicuous by their silence.<\/p>\n

The newcomer said nothing.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It is true that this Markus person”\u2014and Trendavi<\/p>\n

gestured toward the individual in the solitary chair,<\/p>\n

who sat smiling to himself as if at some secret joke\u2014<\/p>\n

“has demonstrated to the Quorum nothing more<\/p>\n

than a facile tongue.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Now the newcomer stood and approached the<\/p>\n

black table. “Since you credit me with it, let me use<\/p>\n

it, friends.” The towering form of his personal body-<\/p>\n

guard moved to stand close to the door. “Can I come<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

TSOS MOMENT Of THB MACMCiAflr\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>3<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

nearer?” He smiled pleasantly and even Domurlnur<\/p>\n

had to admit that this Markus the Ineluctable, as he<\/p>\n

styled himself, could be downright ingratiating in<\/p>\n

manner when he so desired. Especially for a human,<\/p>\n

a species not noted for its social graces.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Trendavi nodded. All eyes focused on the newcom-<\/p>\n

er as he moved close.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

For his part, Markus the Ineluctable sensed antag-<\/p>\n

onism, fear, curiosity, and some open support among<\/p>\n

the members of the Quorum. He would concentrate<\/p>\n

his efforts on persuading those who seemed to be<\/p>\n

wavering. Of the ten, he could count on three. The<\/p>\n

two who openly feared him he could ignore. He had<\/p>\n

to persuade at least two others.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

And he had to move carefully lest he panic them<\/p>\n

all. It was too early to press his demands. His posi-<\/p>\n

tion was uncertain in Quasequa, and despite his<\/p>\n

powers, he had no wish to raise a formal alliance<\/p>\n

against him. Far better to make friends of them than<\/p>\n

enemies. Of a majority, anyway.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I’ve come here from a faraway land, a land far-<\/p>\n

ther off and stranger than any of you can imagine.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“So you’ve claimed.” Domurmur had become some-<\/p>\n

thing of an unofficial spokesman for Markus’s<\/p>\n

opposition. “All that you claim is difficult to be-<\/p>\n

lieve.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Yet much of it is proven by my presence, isn’t it?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Not necessarily,” said Newmadeen, preening her<\/p>\n

whiskers casually. One of her long ears was bent<\/p>\n

forward in the middle, a sign of beauty among the<\/p>\n

hares.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Markus turned away momentarily and coughed.<\/p>\n

He did not need to cough, but he didn’t want them<\/p>\n

to see the expression on his face. He didn’t like being<\/p>\n

called a liar- Calming himself, he turned to face<\/p>\n

them again. Newmadeen he didn’t reply to, but he<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

would remember her. Oh, yes, he would remember<\/p>\n

her. Markus the Ineluctable never forgot an enemy.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Why not?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cascuyom the howler shrugged. “There is nothing<\/p>\n

unique or remarkable about your person. There are<\/p>\n

many humans living in Quasequa. All species mix<\/p>\n

freely here. Or you could have come from any one<\/p>\n

of several neighboring lands with denser human<\/p>\n

populations. Your humanness is proof of nothing.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Markus stepped up to the table, enjoying the way<\/p>\n

several of the members shied away from him. “But<\/p>\n

I’m no mere human! I’m not your usual mortal. I<\/p>\n

am a magician\u2014the magician. Markus the Ineluctable!<\/p>\n

I have powers you cannot comprehend, abilities you<\/p>\n

cannot conceive of, talents you cannot imagine!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“A mouth big beyond belief,” Domurmur whispered<\/p>\n

to the beauteous Newmadeen.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Trendavi cleared his throat, spoke thoughtfully<\/p>\n

and, he hoped, with some degree of neutrality- “You<\/p>\n

must think quite highly of your skills to come straight<\/p>\n

to the Quorum to challenge the faithful and talented<\/p>\n

Opiode without first passing time as an apprentice.<\/p>\n

For the nonce I will credit you with boldness instead<\/p>\n

of ignorance. Whether Opiode will be as forgiving<\/p>\n

remains to be seen.” He nodded toward the salaman-<\/p>\n

der seated in the advisor’s chair off to his right.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Red-orange blotches decorated what was visible of<\/p>\n

Opiode’s back. He wore a single garment that resem-<\/p>\n

bled a raincoat. It was not close-fitting. No salaman-<\/p>\n

der could wear anything close to its skin because its<\/p>\n

natural bodily secretions would cause the material to<\/p>\n

stick.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Opiode’s long tail flicked nervously back and forth.<\/p>\n

What he’d heard of this Markus the Ineluctable<\/p>\n

hadn’t pleased him. Now that he saw him in the<\/p>\n

flesh, he liked the man even less.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Still, he’d held his peace because protocol demanded<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMENT OF TISK MAOTCMUT\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>5<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

it. Not that his personal opinion would be accepted<\/p>\n

as evidence. The selection of chief advisor to the<\/p>\n

Quorum was purely a matter of business. He would<\/p>\n

have his turn in due course. So he continued to sit<\/p>\n

quietly, ignoring the debate as best he could while<\/p>\n

trying to still the twitching of his tail.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Markus was talking on. “I can do things you won’t<\/p>\n

believe by means of a magic you’ve never encountered<\/p>\n

before”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“More talk,” said Domurmur, slapping the table<\/p>\n

with a paw- Markus grinned at him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

**I suspected it would come to this. You want more<\/p>\n

than talk from me.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“That’d be nice,” said Domurmur sarcastically.<\/p>\n

“We’ve had to contend with applicants whose loquadou&-<\/p>\n

ness far exceeded their abilities before”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

For an instant, it seemed as if Markus the Inelucta-<\/p>\n

ble was about to lose his temper. His barely concealed<\/p>\n

rage didn’t faze Domurmur. He was made of sterner<\/p>\n

stuff than some of his colleagues.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Yes.” said Opiode suddenly, unable to contain<\/p>\n

himself any longer. “Let’s have an end to this talkl”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

All eyes turned to the chief advisor as he rose<\/p>\n

from his seat. The glow bulbs hanging by their single<\/p>\n

Strands from the curved stone ceiling pulsed a little<\/p>\n

brighter as the salamander stood. It was his spelling<\/p>\n

which provided their soft, steady light. The servitors<\/p>\n

flanking the doorways whispered expectantly among<\/p>\n

themselves. Attendants and Quorum members alike<\/p>\n

could feel the power flowing from the old wizard,<\/p>\n

could sense that he was completely involved in what<\/p>\n

was taking place.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

About the challenger there was no such percepti-<\/p>\n

ble aura of strength. There was only the air of<\/p>\n

mystery and feeling of alienness he had brought with<\/p>\n

him from the moment he’d stepped into the chamber.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

6 Alan Dean Poster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

That, and the regal bearing he affected, which some-<\/p>\n

how seemed not to fit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nor was his actual appearance particularly impres-<\/p>\n

sive. He was tall for a human but not spectacularly<\/p>\n

so, round of countenance, and crowned with less fur<\/p>\n

than most. In hand-to-hand combat it was unlikely<\/p>\n

he could have defeated any of the Quorum with the<\/p>\n

exception of old Trendavi, for he displayed a consid-<\/p>\n

erable paunch above his belt line.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The forthcoming batde would not be physical,<\/p>\n

however. Opiode approached the Quorum. “I see no<\/p>\n

reason to oppose a challenge. Indeed, I could not<\/p>\n

turn it down if 1 wished to. Nor is there any way you<\/p>\n

can choose between us without a contest of wills. The<\/p>\n

people of Quasequa deserve to have an advisor who<\/p>\n

has proven his abilities” He sighed deeply, looked<\/p>\n

resigned as he smoothed the slime on the back oT his<\/p>\n

hands with a fold of his voluminous robe.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I have demonstrated my fitness many times be-<\/p>\n

fore and expect to have to do so many times again.”<\/p>\n

He cocked an amphibian eye Coward the newcomer.<\/p>\n

“Have you any objection to a public contest?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Here and now suits me fine.” Markus fairly oozed<\/p>\n

confidence. “I’m a little new at this kind of duel. Do<\/p>\n

we need seconds?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“1 think not. In any event, my assistant Flute is<\/p>\n

quite young and I would not want him subjected to<\/p>\n

mystic influences that could injure him at a delicate<\/p>\n

Stage of his development.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Aw, I wouldn’t do that.” Markus turned. “Prugg,<\/p>\n

no matter what happens you stay there and keep out<\/p>\n

of the way. Understand?” The huge bodyguard nod-<\/p>\n

ded once and backed away from the table. He was<\/p>\n

not completely impassive, however. Like everyone<\/p>\n

else in the chamber, he was curious to see how his<\/p>\n

master would fare. He was even a little worried.<\/p>\n

After all, Opiode was the most noted wizard in the<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THB MOMENT OF TSB SSAWCSAM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>7<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

land. It was simple for his master to overawe the<\/p>\n

peasant folk with his magic, but outwitting Opiode<\/p>\n

would be another matter entirely.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Markus the Ineluctable seemed anything but<\/p>\n

intimidated, though. He grinned and gestured<\/p>\n

expansively toward the salamander. “You first.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Opiode did not smile. “Food is vital to the health<\/p>\n

of all. No food is more important to the people of<\/p>\n

Quasequa than the fish that swim in the lakes around<\/p>\n

us.” He slid back his sleeves, cleared his throat, and<\/p>\n

his words rolled through the chamber.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The bounty of the lake<\/p>\n

I bid you aH to share<\/p>\n

Your hungers may you slake<\/p>\n

With meat beyond compare<\/p>\n

For while I advise Quasequa there will be<\/p>\n

No nutritional dystopia<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

But always instead if you look you will see<\/p>\n

An ichthyological cornucopia.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Quorum members and servitors alike watched with<\/p>\n

the fascination of children as a small, glowing blue-<\/p>\n

green whirlpool formed in the air above the floor.<\/p>\n

You could smell the lake water as the vortex hummed.<\/p>\n

Then the fish poured forth, falling head upon tail,<\/p>\n

until there was a heaping mound of flopping, bounc-<\/p>\n

ing weewaw lying in the middle of the floor. Weewaw,<\/p>\n

the hardest to catch and tastiest of all. And Opiode<\/p>\n

had brought forth this expensive and improbable<\/p>\n

feast with a wave of his hands and a few words.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The wizard spoke only when the last fish had<\/p>\n

\u2022 tumbled to the stones and the whirlpool had vanished.<\/p>\n

“Can you so readily insure the supply of food to the<\/p>\n

citizens of the city?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Markus frowned a moment. Then his grin returned.<\/p>\n

He raised his hands above his head, the fingers<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

8 Alan Dean Poster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

pointing outward. His black cape fluttered behind<\/p>\n

him. The Quorum members strained to listen, but<\/p>\n

those with good hearing could make no sense of the<\/p>\n

newcomer’s words. Even Opiode, who could hear the<\/p>\n

incantation clearly, did not understand. The words<\/p>\n

were strange and sharp.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sense they might not have made, but there was no<\/p>\n

denying their effect. A bright green glow appeared<\/p>\n

before the table. A few of the members shifted<\/p>\n

nervously in their chairs, and Markus casually as;<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

sured them they had nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The glow expanded and thinned. Markus looked<\/p>\n

smug as the glow formed a floating rectangle above<\/p>\n

the floor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was an aquarium without sides- Magic alone<\/p>\n

held the water in place. Swimming to and fro within<\/p>\n

the drifting section of lake was a whole school of<\/p>\n

weewaw. suspended before the Quorum.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I hate<\/p>\n

waste. Wouldn’t it be better to get your fish one at a<\/p>\n

time and keep the others fresh for the taking?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Opiode muttered something and his pile of dead<\/p>\n

weewaw vanished. Markus did likewise and the float-<\/p>\n

ing aquarium also disappeared, save for a few mis-<\/p>\n

placed drops which stained the floor-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Well brought!” said Kindore, only to have his<\/p>\n

colleagues shush him. Opiode glared at the flying<\/p>\n

squirrel, then turned his attention back to the smil-<\/p>\n

ing Markus. They had determined one thing already.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

His challenger was for real.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It is not enough to feed a population in times of<\/p>\n

difficulty, stranger. One must be able to defend<\/p>\n

them as well” Again he lifted an arm, made sinuous<\/p>\n

motions in the air.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Let those who threaten<\/p>\n

beware, beware<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMEMT OF THE MAGICIAN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>9<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

We will not fight<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

with air, with air<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

We mold our weapons<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

with care, so there<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Be metallurgical might!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fire this time, bright and hot. The Quorum mem-<\/p>\n

bers shielded their faces as the set of armor co-<\/p>\n

alesced before them, melting out of the flames. Sword,<\/p>\n

shield, and long spear accompanied it. The fire<\/p>\n

cooled and flickered out.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Notorian moved from his seat to inspect the newly<\/p>\n

forged weapons. He hefted the sword, tapped the<\/p>\n

armor with it.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Fine instruments for fighting.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“For one fighter, yes,” Markus agreed readily. “For<\/p>\n

a trained warrior. But what of the ordinary citizen?<\/p>\n

How does he, or she, defend the community?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Once more he raised his hands, once again he<\/p>\n

intoned an invocation none could comprehend. This<\/p>\n

he concluded by swinging his cape around in front<\/p>\n

of him, to form a funnel in the air.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

There was a tinkling sound as something fell from<\/p>\n

the base of the funnel. Then another, and another.<\/p>\n

It became a metallic clashing as the flow increased,<\/p>\n

until the flow of knives was a shining waterfall pouring<\/p>\n

from the bottom of the cape.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Notorian the wolf picked one up and tested the<\/p>\n

edge. “Finest steel I’ve ever seen,” he declared to the<\/p>\n

stunned Quorum. The rush of metal continued until<\/p>\n

Trendavi finally raised a hand himself.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Enough!” Markus nodded, let the cape swirl back<\/p>\n

around his neck. As he did so, the clanging waterfall<\/p>\n

ceased. The floor of the Quorum chamber was awash<\/p>\n

in knives of every shape and size- Markus kicked a<\/p>\n

few of them aside and bowed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“As my employers wish.” He swept a hand out to<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Fofltcr<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

10<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

encompass the armory. “A gift to the Quorum and to<\/p>\n

the citizens of Quasequa, my adopted home.”<\/p>\n

“They’re only knives,” Cascuyom muttered.<\/p>\n

“You’d prefer swords?” Markus asked him, over-<\/p>\n

hearing. “Or maybe something more lethal still? Like<\/p>\n

this.” He threw his left hand toward the ceiling- A<\/p>\n

burst of lightning flew from his fingers to shatter the<\/p>\n

pole holding a banner across the table. Splinters and<\/p>\n

fabric tumbled onto the Quorum. Markus grinned as<\/p>\n

they fought to extricate themselves while maintaining<\/p>\n

their dignity.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Something more impressive?” he inquired.<\/p>\n

“No, no, that will be quite satisfactory,” harrumphed<\/p>\n

Trendavi, trying to untangle himself from the fallen<\/p>\n

banner.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“You can feed and you can destroy,” snapped<\/p>\n

Opiode, “but can you create?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Again the salamander’s hands moved in time to his<\/p>\n

mouth.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Jewels of the earth<\/p>\n

Scarce and profound<\/p>\n

Gems of great worth<\/p>\n

Come forth from the ground<\/p>\n

Rise here to please us<\/p>\n

To tempt and to tease us!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Crystals of blue and yellow, of rose and lavender<\/p>\n

began to take shape in the center of the table. They<\/p>\n

seemed to grow out of the wood, catching the light<\/p>\n

as they developed, throwing back delightful colors at<\/p>\n

the enraptured members. By the time Opiode con-<\/p>\n

cluded the incantation, the entire table was encrusted<\/p>\n

with crystals. A smattering of applause came from<\/p>\n

the servitors gathered along the walls-<\/p>\n

But Markus the Ineluctable only smiled wider as<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THS MOMEHT OF THE MAQtCIAM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>11<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

he moved his fingers against one another. The ap-<\/p>\n

plause for Opiode turned to awed whispers.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Flowers began to appear, growing out of the na-<\/p>\n

ked stone of the walls and ceiling. Exotic, alien<\/p>\n

blossoms that put forth the most exquisite smells. A<\/p>\n

blaze of color and fragrance filled the Quorum cham-<\/p>\n

ber to overflowing.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

You could see the opinions of several members of<\/p>\n

the Quorum begin to shift in\/Markus’s favor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Satisfied yet?” Markus asked them. “You tell me<\/p>\n

which of us is the more powerful magician.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“A magician is a trickster, not a wizard,” said<\/p>\n

Opiode.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Markus shrugged. “I prefer magician. I’m comfort-<\/p>\n

able with it. I’ve always called myself a magician. As<\/p>\n

for my ‘tricks,’ they seem just as effective as your<\/p>\n

wizardry. Had enough?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“There is one more thing,” said Opiode slowly.<\/p>\n

“You have shown what you can do for others, but can<\/p>\n

you do for yourself?” So saying he pointed a red-and-<\/p>\n

black arm at Markus’s face and uttered an incanta-<\/p>\n

tion so powerful the words cannot stand repeating.<\/p>\n

A slight but steady breeze sprang up, rippling the<\/p>\n

fur of the onlookers, and the glow bulbs grew dim. No<\/p>\n

one in the chamber dared to breathe, lest a fraction<\/p>\n

of that energy latch onto them and turn them to<\/p>\n

dust.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

As they stared, Markus the Ineluctable began to<\/p>\n

rise from the floor. He put his hands on his hips and<\/p>\n

considered his levitation thoughtfully, then nodded<\/p>\n

appreciatively in Opiode’s direction.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Hey. not bad. Not bad at all.” Then he raised one<\/p>\n

hand and murmured something almost indifferently.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Opiode the Siy, Opiode the clever, Opiode the<\/p>\n

principal advisor in matters arcane and magical to<\/p>\n

the Quorum of Quasequa, vanished.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Shouts and cries from the servitors, mild panic<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Aim Dean roster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

12<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

among the more impressionable members of the.<\/p>\n

Quorum as Markus settled gently back to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“What have you done with him?” Domunnur’s<\/p>\n

teeth were clenched, but he knew when he was<\/p>\n

overmatched. There was little more he could do than<\/p>\n

ask. “Where is he?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Where is he? Well now, let me think.” Markus<\/p>\n

rubbed his chin. “He might be over… there!” He<\/p>\n

pointed sharply toward a far doorway. Servitors<\/p>\n

stationed there scattered, dropping a platter of fruit<\/p>\n

behind them. Markus turned, inspecting the chamber.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Or he might be… under there.” A couple of the<\/p>\n

members of the Quorum inadvertently peered un-<\/p>\n

der the table, hastily sat up straight in their chairs<\/p>\n

when they realized how easily the newcomer had<\/p>\n

manipulated them.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“But he’s actually probably right… here.” Markus<\/p>\n

the Ineluctable removed his black hat, turned it<\/p>\n

upside down, and tapped it once, twice, a third time.<\/p>\n

Out plopped a dazed and very disoriented Opiode<\/p>\n

the Sly. Disdaining Markus’s proffered hand, the<\/p>\n

salamander struggled to his feet and backed away,<\/p>\n

shaking his head and trying to regain his bearings.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

From the Quorum came a rising cry in support of<\/p>\n

Markus.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Opiode ignored it, stared narrowly at his opponent.<\/p>\n

“I don’t know how you did that, but of one thing I<\/p>\n

am certain: it was no clean wizardry.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Oh, it was clean enough,” said Markus smugly.<\/p>\n

“Just a mite different from what you’re used to,<\/p>\n

that’s all. Are you afraid of something different,<\/p>\n

something new?” He turned to face the Quorum.<\/p>\n

“Are you all afraid of something different, even if it’s<\/p>\n

better than what you’ve been used to?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No,” said Trendavi quickly. “We are not afraid of<\/p>\n

what is different, or of what is new. We of Quasequa<\/p>\n

pride ourselves on accepting new things, on promot-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

TBS MOMENT OP TSOE MAGICIAN<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

13<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

ing innovation.” He gazed sorrowfully in Opiode’s<\/p>\n

direction. “It is my recommendation and I hereby<\/p>\n

move that the Quorum officially nominate Markus<\/p>\n

the Ineluctable to the position of chief advisor to the<\/p>\n

Quorum on matters arcane and magical, and I fur-<\/p>\n

thermore move that Opiode the Sly, who has served<\/p>\n

us so well lo these many years, be retired from the<\/p>\n

post with a vote of thanks and an official commenda-<\/p>\n

tion to be decided upon later.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Seconded!” said a pair of voices simultaneously.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

And that was that. It was done, over, and Markus<\/p>\n

stood smiling, arms crossed before him as his sup-<\/p>\n

porters gathered around to congratulate him on his<\/p>\n

victory and those who had opposed him moved to<\/p>\n

offer grudging words of acceptance. A few would<\/p>\n

have offered their condolences to the defeated Opiode,<\/p>\n

but the salamander did not linger. Instead, he left<\/p>\n

quickly and with dignity, still a bit shaken from the<\/p>\n

manner in which Markus had handled him, but in<\/p>\n

no way cowed or t>eaten.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was dark in the wizard’s study. But then, Opiode<\/p>\n

preferred the dim light and the dampness. His rooms<\/p>\n

were situated at the edge of the Quorumate Com-<\/p>\n

plex and below the water line. Ancient stones held<\/p>\n

back the warm water of the Lake of Sorrowful Pearls<\/p>\n

while allowing a pleasant dampness to seep through.<\/p>\n

Thick moss, red as well as green, grew on the stones<\/p>\n

and ceiling. The furniture was fashioned of stone or<\/p>\n

boram root, which resists rot.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Glow bulbs dangled overhead, their magic lights<\/p>\n

dimmer than usual, the weak illumination a reflec-<\/p>\n

tion of the wizard’s uncomfortable state of mind.<\/p>\n

Opiode stared steadily at one flickering bulb as he<\/p>\n

lay in his thinktank. The stone basin was filled with<\/p>\n

freshly drawn lake water rich with lichens, mosses,<\/p>\n

tight blue hot pads, and minute aquatic insects.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

14 Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Altogether, the rooms constituted a benign and<\/p>\n

thoroughly salamandrine environment.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

But as Opiode lay on his back, his arms crossed<\/p>\n

over his chest, his tail gently agitating the water, it<\/p>\n

was plain to see he was disturbed. Tending the<\/p>\n

crackling fire nearby was a much smaller and younger<\/p>\n

salamander, well aware of his master’s unease. Flute<\/p>\n

wore the cloak of an apprentice. He was stouter than<\/p>\n

Opiode, marked with black spots instead of red, and<\/p>\n

his expression was anxious- His feathery pink gills<\/p>\n

lay flat against his neck as he waited patiently for<\/p>\n

Opiode to arise. A sad day. He knew what had<\/p>\n

happened in the Quorum chamber far above. Every-<\/p>\n

one in the city would know by tonight.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Finally Opiode rose from the basin, shifting easily<\/p>\n

to inhaling air instead of water, and declared<\/p>\n

portentously, “This thing must not be allowed to<\/p>\n

happen!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Your pardon. Master,” said Flute sofdy. “What<\/p>\n

must not be allowed to happen?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I have lost. There is nothing that can be done<\/p>\n

about that. Nor do I deny the strength of this<\/p>\n

newcomer’s magic. He is a valid wizard, or magician,<\/p>\n

or whatever he chooses to call himself. A manipula-<\/p>\n

tor of the unknown. But it is not his abilities I fear; it<\/p>\n

is his intentions. Those I comprehend even less than<\/p>\n

his magic.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

He walked over to stand before the fire. Flute<\/p>\n

moved to the table and checked the settings for<\/p>\n

supper, then to the stove on which a big pot of<\/p>\n

caddisfly stew sat boiling. He stirred it carefully. One<\/p>\n

had to have a delicate touch with the dish or the<\/p>\n

nests within would become soft and stringy and<\/p>\n

would lose the delicate crunch so beloved of gourmets.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Nor do I like the attitude of his original support-<\/p>\n

ers on the Quorum,” Opiode went on, staring into<\/p>\n

the fire. “Kindore and Vazvek. Those two opportun-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THK MOMKVT OF THE MAOICIAM<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

15<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

ists would throw in their lot with anyone they thought<\/p>\n

might help them turn a profit. And Asmouelle and<\/p>\n

some of the others have the spines of worms. With so<\/p>\n

much support, there is nothing to stop this Markus.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Stop him from doing what. Master?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“From doing whatever he wishes to do. He is chief<\/p>\n

advisor to the Quorum. A prestigious position and<\/p>\n

one which would satisfy most. But not him, 1 think. I<\/p>\n

saw that much in his eyes. That is not sorcery. That is<\/p>\n

thirty years of experience. Flute. No, he wants more.<\/p>\n

I fear, much more.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Evil designs. Master?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Flute, I have lived long enough and dealt with<\/p>\n

those in power often enough to recognize the hun-<\/p>\n

ger for power when it manifests itself on the face of<\/p>\n

another. I saw it in the face of Markus the Inelucta-<\/p>\n

ble as I left the Quorum chamber. He conceals it<\/p>\n

from the others, but he cannot hide it from me,<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Did you know. Flute, that the great joy of living in<\/p>\n

Quasequa is that we have never had a single ruler?<\/p>\n

No kings here, no presidents or emperors. Only the<\/p>\n

Quorum, which functions in a kind of constrained<\/p>\n

anarchy. It suits us, we Quasequans.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“This Markus will think otherwise. He will see<\/p>\n

weakness where we see strength. And it does have its<\/p>\n

vulnerabilities, our system, particularly when some<\/p>\n

are ready to grovel at the feet of the first would-be<\/p>\n

dictator who comes along and declares himself.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“You think he means to announce himself absolute<\/p>\n

ruler?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I wish I could be certain, but I can’t.” Opiode<\/p>\n

absently cleaned his left eye with his tongue. “In any<\/p>\n

event, I am no longer in a position to stop him.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Is his magic so much stronger than yours, Master?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It was today. On another day”\u2014he shrugged slick<\/p>\n

shoulders\u2014”who can say? But there is no denying<\/p>\n

his power. If 1 only knew the source he draws<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

16<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

upon…” He broke off and moved to the table, the<\/p>\n

frustration sharp on his face.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Flute reached for the potholders. “Supper, Master?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No, not yet.” Opiode waved him off, his mind<\/p>\n

working intensely. “If I could only be certain of his<\/p>\n

intentions, of his motivations\u2014but where humans<\/p>\n

are concerned, nothing is obvious, nothing is certain.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“What if he truly is more powerful than you,<\/p>\n

Master?” It was not a disrespectful question.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Then we will need the assistance of one who can<\/p>\n

deal not only with strong magic but with strange<\/p>\n

magic.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“There is one more talented than you. Master?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

For the First time that day, Opiode smiled slighdy.<\/p>\n

“You have seen but little of the wide world, my<\/p>\n

young student. It is unimaginably vast and rich with<\/p>\n

wonders and surprises. Yes, there are wizards more<\/p>\n

powerful than I. I am thinking of one in particular.<\/p>\n

One who is wise beyond all others, knowledgeable<\/p>\n

beyond comprehending, stronger even, I think, than<\/p>\n

this Markus the Ineluctable… 1 hope. One who is<\/p>\n

brave, courageous, and bold, an inspiration to all<\/p>\n

other wizards. It is he whose help we must have:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump of the Tree.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Flute frowned, turned away so that Opiode could<\/p>\n

not see the skepticism on his face. “I have heard of<\/p>\n

him. Master. Truly it is said that he is wise and full of<\/p>\n

learning, long-lived and powerful. However, I have<\/p>\n

yet to hear it said of him that he is brave, courageous,<\/p>\n

and bold.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Well,” Opiode retreated somewhat, “I confess some<\/p>\n

of it may be rumor. But his ability is proven fact. You<\/p>\n

know that he was largely responsible for the recent<\/p>\n

defeat of the Plated Folk at the batde for the Jo-<\/p>\n

Troom Gale.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I have heard many versions of that battle. Master,<\/p>\n

some of which were less flattering to Clothahump of<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MoMKprr OF THK MAGICIAN.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

17<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

the Tree than others. It is told that he was there at<\/p>\n

the critical moment, yes, but to what degree he was<\/p>\n

involved depends on which storyteller you are listen-<\/p>\n

ing to.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Nevertheless, he is the only one powerful enough<\/p>\n

to help us. We must seek his aid. He cannot refuse<\/p>\n

us.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“How will you inform him. Master?” Flute gazed<\/p>\n

sadly at the supper that was on the verge of<\/p>\n

overcooking. “Shall I prepare the pentagram for a<\/p>\n

traveling conjuration?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No.” Opiode rose from the table. “This Markus<\/p>\n

might be strong enough to detect it. And there is no<\/p>\n

guarantee of its working, given the distance the<\/p>\n

conjuration would have to travel. Clothahump’s home<\/p>\n

lies a long way from Quasequa\u2014and I am getting<\/p>\n

old. It has been a long time since I attempted a<\/p>\n

traveling conjuration over such a distance.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Flute was shocked by this admission of weakness<\/p>\n

but fought not to show it. Truly the loss of today’s<\/p>\n

contest had weakened not only his Master’s stature<\/p>\n

but his confidence as well.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Or perhaps Opiode the Sly was merely being prop-<\/p>\n

eriy cautious. Flute preferred to think that that was<\/p>\n

the case.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“We must have a messenger,” the wizard muttered.<\/p>\n

“A reliable messenger. One who is used to traveling<\/p>\n

far and fast and who will not be afraid to leave the<\/p>\n

familiar country that surrounds the Lake of Sorrow-<\/p>\n

ful Pearls.” He thought a moment longer before<\/p>\n

nodding to himself and looking up at his apprentice-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Khi the Isle of Kunatweh, the furthermost of the<\/p>\n

four high islands that form the eastern part of the<\/p>\n

.city, hi the place where the fliers congregate, lives a<\/p>\n

raven named Pandro. Bring him here to “me- Make<\/p>\n

certain that none see you. I will explain what he<\/p>\n

must do. Although 1 have never had reason to use<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

18 Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

one such as him before, by reputation he is brave<\/p>\n

and trustworthy. Again 1 tell you to take care in your<\/p>\n

going and returning. It is said that this Markus<\/p>\n

already has spies roaming the city and reporting<\/p>\n

back only to him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Although he defeated me today, he strikes me as<\/p>\n

no fool. I am sure he still regards me as his most<\/p>\n

dangerous rival. In that he is right,” Opiode muttered<\/p>\n

grimly. “I sense and see what kind of individual he is<\/p>\n

and so am unalterably opposed to having him in a<\/p>\n

position of power in the city 1 love so dearly. I believe<\/p>\n

he must know my feelings toward him, and in any<\/p>\n

case, such as he will leave nothing to chance. So he<\/p>\n

will have this place watched. At least you can slip out<\/p>\n

without being seen. I do not believe anyone eke<\/p>\n

knows of my private entryway.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“When do I leave. Master?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Now.” The wizard hesitated. “Have you eaten?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It does not matter. Master. I can eat anytime.**<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No,” Opiode said firmly.” “You may need all your<\/p>\n

strength. First we eat.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

They did so, the meal passing largely in contempla-<\/p>\n

tive silence. Then Flute secured his waterproof cloak<\/p>\n

snugly around him and moved to the arched alcove<\/p>\n

on the far side of the room. The arch was an<\/p>\n

inverted bell fashioned of tightly chinked tile. A<\/p>\n

pressure spell invoked by Opiode kept the lake water<\/p>\n

out.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Flute climbed the stone steps until he could look<\/p>\n

out onto the black water that lapped against the wall<\/p>\n

of the bell. He readied his gills, fluffing them out<\/p>\n

with his hands, and dove into the water.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

A couple of fast kicks carried him well out into the<\/p>\n

open lake. He did not surface but swam hard and<\/p>\n

unerringly for the four high islands of the east. Like<\/p>\n

the other isles that combined to form the sprawling<\/p>\n

city of Quasequa, they were connected to one an-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMENT or TBB MAOICUJT<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

19<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

other by causeways, but this was not the time to walk<\/p>\n

openly on city streets.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was time for stealth and for clinging to the dark<\/p>\n

bottom of the lake.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

II<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Opiode sat in his robes of office, a thin, narrow<\/p>\n

upswept cap balanced on the middle of his slick<\/p>\n

head, and regarded his visitor. Flute stood quietly by<\/p>\n

the front door.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The raven wore the kilt of his clan, colorful material<\/p>\n

striped with green, purple, and red. His vest was light-<\/p>\n

ly spun lavender. A single gold chain hung round<\/p>\n

his neck to rest against his chest feathers. He rubbed<\/p>\n

the underside of his beak with a flexible wingtip.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Let me get this straight, now, sorcerer.” He was<\/p>\n

studying the papers Opiode had handed him. “You<\/p>\n

want me to fly north along this route, turning slighdy<\/p>\n

west here, to deliver this message.” He shuffled the<\/p>\n

papers, held up one filled with writing instead of<\/p>\n

diagrams. “It goes to an old turtle named Clothahump<\/p>\n

who lives in”\u2014he checked the map briefly\u2014”this ma-<\/p>\n

jor tree here. For one hundred coins.” Opiode nodded.<\/p>\n

“That’s a helluva long flight,” Pandro said.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I had heard that you were not afraid of long flights.”<\/p>\n

“I ain’t. 1 ain’t afraid of anything, least of all a little<\/p>\n

long-distance traveling. But considering how quiet<\/p>\n

you’re being about this, and the amount you’re paying<\/p>\n

me, well, no disrespect. Master Opiode, but\u2014what’s<\/p>\n

the catch?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

20<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

TBK MQMKNT OF THE KAOICIAN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>21<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Opiode glanced at Flute, then sighed and smiled,<\/p>\n

down at Pandro. “It would not be right for me to<\/p>\n

keep it from you. You must know what you are<\/p>\n

about, as well as its importance.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“You must have heard that another has assumed<\/p>\n

my position as chief advisor to the Quorum.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Sure. It’s all over town. This Markus fella… what’s<\/p>\n

it to me?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Good Pandro, I have reason to believe that this<\/p>\n

newcomer intends ill toward our great city. But 1<\/p>\n

cannot convince the members of the Quorum of<\/p>\n

that. They would think I was making accusations out<\/p>\n

of bitterness at my loss- And I cannot move against<\/p>\n

this Markus by myself. I need help. This Clothahump<\/p>\n

that you will seek out is the only one who can help us.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The ‘catch’ is that this Markus the Ineluctable is<\/p>\n

crafty as well as skilled in the arcane arts. You are<\/p>\n

sure none saw you arrive here?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“As sure as we can be, Master,” said Flute. “I took<\/p>\n

every precaution.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Then, good Pandro, there may be no catch. But<\/p>\n

be ever alert as you wing northward, for this Markus<\/p>\n

is not stupid. If he believes you are aiding me, it<\/p>\n

could be dangerous for you. If he did see you arrive<\/p>\n

here, or sees you depart, he may try to stop you<\/p>\n

from completing your journey.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Is that all?” The raven rested his wingtips on his<\/p>\n

hips for a moment, then rolled up the message and<\/p>\n

the map and slipped them into his backpack. “Then<\/p>\n

Acre’s nothing to concern yourself with. Master<\/p>\n

Optode. There isn’t another flier in Quasequa who<\/p>\n

Can stay in the air for as long as I can on as little food<\/p>\n

as I can. Anybody he sends after me, if he sends<\/p>\n

anyone. I can outfly.” He flicked his beak with a<\/p>\n

;Kringtip.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

^ “See here? Been broken twice in fights. I can take<\/p>\n

,^care of myself and I’m not worried about anything<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

22<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

this Markus fella might send up after me. If it flies, I<\/p>\n

can outrun or outfight it.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It is good to be confident. Overconfidence is<\/p>\n

dangerous.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Don’t worry. I’ll use my good judgment, sir. I’ve a<\/p>\n

mate and three fledglings to take care of, and you<\/p>\n

can bet I’m coming back to them. That’s stronger<\/p>\n

motivation than your hundred coins. Relax. I’ll get<\/p>\n

your message through.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Can you fly at night?” Opiode asked him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Night, day, the air’s all the same to me whether<\/p>\n

it’s light or dark out. But if you’d feel better about it,<\/p>\n

I’ll leave tonight.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Opiode smiled. “Feel better, I would. The night<\/p>\n

must be a friend to us all, now.” Flute nodded<\/p>\n

solemnly.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“As you wish, sir.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Caution above all,” Opiode counseled him. “This<\/p>\n

Markus has spies everywhere. Even among the fliers.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I’ll keep it in mind, sir. Once I’m clear of the lake<\/p>\n

district I should have free flying all the way north.<\/p>\n

Besides, I know all the’good fliers and fighters in the<\/p>\n

high islands. I don’t think any are in this fella’s<\/p>\n

pay.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I was not worried about your cousins,” Opiode<\/p>\n

said darkly, “so much as I was concerned about what<\/p>\n

this Markus might call forth from another, more<\/p>\n

sinister sky to challenge you.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Can’t spend all our time worrying about the<\/p>\n

unforeseeable, can we, sir? At least I can’t. I sup-<\/p>\n

pose that’s your job.” He tapped his head. “Anyway,<\/p>\n

anything I can’t outfly or outfight I can sure as hell<\/p>\n

outsmart.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Then be off with you, owner of an unseen cloud,<\/p>\n

and hasten back to us safely.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pandro started for the doorway. “You can bet on<\/p>\n

that, sir.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMENT OF THE MAGICIAN<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

23<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“A raven, you say?” Markus the Ineluctable was<\/p>\n

listening with only half his mind to what the mouse<\/p>\n

was telling him. He was too busy enjoying the splen-<\/p>\n

dor of his new tower quarters, the finest that the<\/p>\n

Quorumate Complex could offer.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Yes, wise one,” said the mouse. It had a tendency<\/p>\n

to stutter, a condition made worse by its proximity to<\/p>\n

the powerful and much-feared new chief advisor to<\/p>\n

the Quorum. “It flew s-s-straight away from the<\/p>\n

H-Ianding where Mossamay Street and the wizard’s<\/p>\n

c-c-close join.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Which direction did it take?”<\/p>\n

“It f-f-flew north, wise one. Few city fliers live to<\/p>\n

the n-n-north.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Markus turned from contemplation of an exqui-<\/p>\n

site wood carving to stare at his bodyguard. The<\/p>\n

mouse barely came up to his hip. “Prugg, what’s<\/p>\n

your opinion of this?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prugg was very big, very strong, and not very<\/p>\n

bright. Despite his size and strength, people had a<\/p>\n

tendency to laugh at him. At least, they used to.<\/p>\n

Since he’d become Markus the Ineluctable’s personal<\/p>\n

servant they’d stopped laughing. Prugg was just intelli-<\/p>\n

gent enough to realize this. He was very grateful to<\/p>\n

‘ the magician. Markus made him feel comfortable,<\/p>\n

feven though he understood very little of what his<\/p>\n

new master had to say.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

But he didn’t have to think anymore. Markus did<\/p>\n

all his thinking for him, Prugg found thinking<\/p>\n

uncomfortable. And nobody laughed at him anymore.<\/p>\n

\u2022 He was respected and feared. It was a new sensation<\/p>\n

<and Prugg found that he liked it. Markus under-<\/p>\n

‘\u2022Steod him, understood his needs. Prugg responded<\/p>\n

^with devoted, unquestioning service.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

^’ So he considered the question carefully before<\/p>\n

)lying. “It is true that the lands to the north of the<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

24 Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

city are not as thickly inhabited as those in other<\/p>\n

directions. Master.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“What’s the land to the north of here like?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Open forest where live peoples who do not pledge<\/p>\n

their allegiance to the city or to any other government,<\/p>\n

Master. North of that is the Wrounipai, the first of<\/p>\n

many swamps all connected together that run from<\/p>\n

west to east. They cut us off from any lands that lie<\/p>\n

still farther north.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“And what about those lands?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I do not know. Master. I have never been there. I<\/p>\n

do not know anyone from the city who has ever been<\/p>\n

there.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“And that’s the way this bird was heading when he<\/p>\n

left Opiode’s place.” Markus turned his full attention<\/p>\n

on his spy. “You’re certain of that?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Y-y-y-y-for sure, wise one! I am certain of it. He<\/p>\n

f-f-f-flew straight away from the wizard’s neighborhood.<\/p>\n

I followed him with my eyes from the rooftops<\/p>\n

nearby.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Okay, but how can we be sure he was on a mission<\/p>\n

for Opiode?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The visitor moved nearer, anxious to ingratiate<\/p>\n

himself with the magician- His whiskers trembled as<\/p>\n

he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The wizard Opiode has a young assistant named<\/p>\n

Flute. I s-s-saw him conversing with the raven before<\/p>\n

he took off for the north.” Markus was nodding<\/p>\n

absently, admiring the polished hardwood inlay of<\/p>\n

the table behind him- A single chair rested against<\/p>\n

the table.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It needs something, he thought. A gargoyle or<\/p>\n

demon or some such carved atop the chair. Some-<\/p>\n

thing to draw the visitors’ eyes upward. For that<\/p>\n

matter, if the table was going to serve as a desk, it<\/p>\n

had to be up on a dais. He’d have to get some<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

TBE MOMENT OF THE MAGICIAN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>25<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

carpenters in here and get them started on the<\/p>\n

alterations he wanted.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

He was aware of his spy standing hopeful and<\/p>\n

silent by his legs. “That’s it?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“That is all, w-w-wise one “<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Markus nodded, glanced toward Prugg. “Give him<\/p>\n

a gold piece.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Thank you, wise one!” The spy was unaccus-<\/p>\n

tomed to such largess, but Markus had always be-<\/p>\n

lieved in paying his help as much as possible. Other-<\/p>\n

wise you ended up with garbage working for you,<\/p>\n

ready to sell you out to the first high bidder. Even if<\/p>\n

he was overpaying for this particular bit of information,<\/p>\n

in so doing he was buying himself a valuable servant<\/p>\n

forever.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The mouse took the coin; skittered quickly away<\/p>\n

from the ominous, silent shape of Prugg; and did<\/p>\n

some admirable bowing and scraping as he retreated<\/p>\n

from the magician’s room.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

When the door was closed once more, Prugg turned<\/p>\n

to his benefactor. “What will you do now, Master?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“What would you suggest?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prugg strained. Thinking hurt his head. “There<\/p>\n

are faster fliers than ravens, Master. I would send<\/p>\n

them after this one. Better not to take chances. Kill<\/p>\n

it.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“He has nearly a full day’s head start,” Markus<\/p>\n

murmured, “but I agree with your suggestion.” Prugg<\/p>\n

smiled proudly. “I will send fliers out after him, yes,<\/p>\n

faut 1 will not hire them. I will conjure them forth to<\/p>\n

do our bidding.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“”Yes. Master,” said Prugg admiringly, waiting to<\/p>\n

see what the magician would do next.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

What Markus did was to assume a wide stance in<\/p>\n

the middle of the room. The floor there had been<\/p>\n

deared of all furniture and decoration. Prugg moved<\/p>\n

to one side for a better view. He found it astonishing<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

26<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

that Markus required no special chamber in which to<\/p>\n

perform his wizardry. Nothing but a clear floor and<\/p>\n

plenty of arm room.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

As always, Markus mumbled the incantation. Not<\/p>\n

that Prugg would have understood the words any<\/p>\n

better than Opiode, but Markus the Ineluctable took<\/p>\n

no chances with his secrets.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The room darkened perceptibly and the air grew<\/p>\n

very still. Prugg would have been able to see better<\/p>\n

with glow bulbs, but Markus would have nothing of<\/p>\n

Opiode’s around him and insisted instead on using<\/p>\n

simple torches for illumination.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Then a faint whine became audible, alien and<\/p>\n

harsh, rising slowly in volume. Prugg strained to see.<\/p>\n

In the center of the room, in front of Markus,<\/p>\n

shapes took form. If was as the magician had said:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

fliers, but fliers akin to none Prugg had ever heard<\/p>\n

tell of. He found himself backing away. They were<\/p>\n

far smaller than he was, but ugly and threatening to<\/p>\n

behold.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Markus, on the other hand, seemed delighted by<\/p>\n

their appearance. They danced and whirled over his<\/p>\n

head as he guided them with words and hands.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Beautiful, beautiful! Better than I dared hope<\/p>\n

for. If only I could’ve called them up as a child. Ah,<\/p>\n

well, Prugg, it takes time to master the art. See,<\/p>\n

they’re just as I described theml”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The demons continued to pivot and spin over<\/p>\n

their master’s head, roaring exultantly and gnashing<\/p>\n

their long teeth. In the enclosed space the din was<\/p>\n

deafening.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

They had no faces, Prugg noted.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

No eyes, nostrils, external ears, or visible mouths.<\/p>\n

Only those mindless, clashing teeth. Fangs without<\/p>\n

jaws. Prugg found he was shaking. There were worse<\/p>\n

things in the world than one’s own nightmares^<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“To the north!” Markus cried, pointing with one<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tsss Moanswr or THE WAQSCSAS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>2,7<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

If v!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

ft^<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

^<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

m<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

hand. “There flies the raven named Pandro. Where<\/p>\n

he’s going 1 don’t know, but see that he doesn’t get<\/p>\n

there. Go!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

One by one, in single file, the faceless demons tore<\/p>\n

through the open window. Only when the last of the<\/p>\n

growling chorus had faded into the light of mideve<\/p>\n

did Markus drop his hands and return to stand<\/p>\n

behind his desk.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“About this chair, Prugg. What I want you to do<\/p>\n

is\u2014” He stopped and stared at his bodyguard. “Are<\/p>\n

you paying attention?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The huge servant forced his gaze away from the<\/p>\n

window where the demons had taken their leave and<\/p>\n

back to his master. Markus was speaking as though<\/p>\n

die conjuration had never taken place. It was all so<\/p>\n

matter-of-fact, so ordinary to him, this calling up of<\/p>\n

otherworldly powers.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Truly Prugg was fortunate to have him for a master.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was a lovely warm day, the air thick with humidi-<\/p>\n

ty but not oppressively so. Below Pandro the trees<\/p>\n

had closed in, shutting off sight of the ground. He<\/p>\n

was already well north not only of Quasequa but of<\/p>\n

its outlying villages and satellite communities as well.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rising thermals allowed him to glide effortlessly<\/p>\n

over the dense tropical forest. Since departing<\/p>\n

Quasequa he’d stopped only once, and that briefly,<\/p>\n

the previous night to catch a bit of sleep. Then up<\/p>\n

before dawn for a fast breakfast of fruit, nuts, and<\/p>\n

dried fish and on to the north.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

In his mind he reviewed the landmarks he would<\/p>\n

pass on his way to the distant Bellwoods, a forested<\/p>\n

region that was little more than rumor in Quasequa.<\/p>\n

Opiode assured him such a place existed, just as he<\/p>\n

assured him the great wizard he was to deliver his<\/p>\n

message to existed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

If he was real, Pandro would find him. He’d never<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

28 Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

failed to make a detivery yet, and this morning he<\/p>\n

was feeling particularly confident. He felt so good he<\/p>\n

skipped his usual midday snack, preferring to cover<\/p>\n

as much territory as possible. Thus far the journey<\/p>\n

had proved anything but dangerous. He’d assured<\/p>\n

his mate before leaving that it would be more in the<\/p>\n

nature of an extended vacation than a difficult<\/p>\n

assignment. So far it had developed exacdy as he’d<\/p>\n

told her.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Then he heard the noise.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was behind and slightly above him and growing<\/p>\n

steadily louder as he listened. At first he couldn’t<\/p>\n

place it. More than anything, it sounded like the<\/p>\n

droning he imagined the fliers of the Plated Folk<\/p>\n

might make. But those historic enemies were likewise<\/p>\n

little more than rumor in Quasequa. Pandro had<\/p>\n

only seen drawings of them, the fevered sketches of<\/p>\n

far-ranging artists with more imagination than fact<\/p>\n

at their disposal.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hard-shelled, gray-eyed relatives of the common<\/p>\n

bugs and crawly things that inhabited the woods and<\/p>\n

lakes, they were. None had penetrated as far south<\/p>\n

as Quasequa. He certainly never expected to see<\/p>\n

them in person. Yet when at last he was able to look<\/p>\n

back and make out the shapes pursuing him, he was<\/p>\n

startled, for they certainly looked like the representa-<\/p>\n

tions he’d seen of the Plated Folk.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The reality as they drew nearer still was worse.<\/p>\n

They were not minions of the Plated Folk but some-<\/p>\n

thing far more sinister. Similarities in shape and<\/p>\n

appearance there were, but even the Plated Folk had<\/p>\n

faces. The demons overtaking him had none. They<\/p>\n

were hard-shelled but utterly different from any-<\/p>\n

thing he’d ever seen before- Nor were they fliers like<\/p>\n

his cousins, for where there should have been beaks<\/p>\n

he saw only hungry, razor-sharp, strangely curved<\/p>\n

fangs.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMENT OF THB MAOICIAW<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

29<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

No matter how he strained he couldn’t outdistance<\/p>\n

them, and they closed the space between with terrify-<\/p>\n

ing ease. Hoping to lose them in the trees, he dove<\/p>\n

for the crowns of the forest. They followed easily,<\/p>\n

closing ground still more when he reemerged from<\/p>\n

the branches. He dipped and rolled and dodged,<\/p>\n

employing every maneuver he could remember, some-<\/p>\n

times vanishing among the foliage, sometimes dou-<\/p>\n

bling sharply back on his route before rising again to<\/p>\n

check the sky. And the demons stayed with him,<\/p>\n

inexorable in their pursuit, malign in their purpose.<\/p>\n

For Pandro they meant only death.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

One veered just a little too near the mass of a giant<\/p>\n

tocoro tree and smashed into the bark. Glancing<\/p>\n

backward, Pandro was relieved to see it fall, spinning<\/p>\n

and tumbling and broken, to smash into the ground<\/p>\n

below. There was still hope, then. Demonic visitors<\/p>\n

his tormentors might be, but they were neither invul-<\/p>\n

nerable nor immortal. They could be killed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Six of them had fallen on him. Now there were<\/p>\n

five left. But he couldn’t continue the battle at this<\/p>\n

speed. All the diving and dodging among the trees<\/p>\n

was wasting his strength at a much faster rate than<\/p>\n

mere flying. Yet having tried to outrun them and<\/p>\n

failed, he didn’t have much choice. He had to keep<\/p>\n

to the woods-<\/p>\n

One of his pursuers swooped around the bole of a<\/p>\n

forest giant, only to find itself caught in the grasp of<\/p>\n

a huge, carnivorous flying lizard. Blood spurted as<\/p>\n

the two combatants tumbled groundward, unable to<\/p>\n

disengage. The lizard was stunned by the ferocity of<\/p>\n

the much smaller creature it had caught, while for its<\/p>\n

part the demon was unable to break free from sharp<\/p>\n

talons. They struck the earth together.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Four left, Pandro thought wildly. His heart was<\/p>\n

pounding against his chest feathers and his wing<\/p>\n

muscles ached. One of the demons was right on top<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Aim Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

30<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

of him, and he had to fold his wings and drop like a<\/p>\n

stone, plummeting desperately toward the ground<\/p>\n

only to roll out at the last second. Even so, curved<\/p>\n

fangs slashed at his left wing in passing, sending<\/p>\n

black feathers flying.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

He checked the injury as he climbed cloudward.<\/p>\n

The wound was superficial, but it had been a near<\/p>\n

thing. Too near. And his assailants seemed as fresh<\/p>\n

and untired as when they’d First attacked. He had to<\/p>\n

do something drastic, and soon. He couldn’t keep<\/p>\n

dodging them forever.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Once more he drew his wings in close to his body<\/p>\n

and fell earthward. As though of the same mind, the<\/p>\n

four demons followed in unison, screaming at him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Again he rolled up and over before crashing, but<\/p>\n

this time he landed behind a chosen tree. His pursu-<\/p>\n

ers split and came at him from two sides. The first<\/p>\n

one went over his head, the second missed him on<\/p>\n

the right. The third went straight for his throat and<\/p>\n

crumpled itself against the tree, teeth flying in all<\/p>\n

directions as the head shattered. The fourth turned<\/p>\n

away to reconsider –<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pandro pushed air as he flew back toward Quasequa,<\/p>\n

hoping they wouldn’t see him and intending to make<\/p>\n

a wide curve back northward once he’d lost them.<\/p>\n

Looking back over his shoulder he spotted two of<\/p>\n

them skimming low over the treetops, hunting him<\/p>\n

in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

But where was the third surviving demon?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

He turned just in time to duck, but the teeth bit<\/p>\n

deeply into his neck and back, barely missing his<\/p>\n

face. Blood flew with his feathers. The clouds began<\/p>\n

to swim in front of his eyes, blotting out all the blue<\/p>\n

sky. He felt himself falling toward a green grave.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Good-bye, Asenva of the saucy tail, he thought.<\/p>\n

Good-bye fledglings. Good-bye worried wizard, may<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMENT OF TBE MAGICIAN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>31<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

your skin never be dry. I tried my best. But you<\/p>\n

didn’t tell me I would have to fight demons.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The first tree reached up to catch him. He hit<\/p>\n

hard.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prugg enjoyed the expressions that came over the<\/p>\n

faces of Kindore and Vazvek when the demons<\/p>\n

returned. The two members of the Quorum made<\/p>\n

protective signs in front of their faces and all but hid<\/p>\n

beneath the master’s cape. Markus let them quake in<\/p>\n

terror for a few minutes before assuring them they<\/p>\n

were in no danger and that the faceless fliers were<\/p>\n

his servants. Even so, Vazvek did not emerge from<\/p>\n

behind the magician until the demons had settled<\/p>\n

one at a time into waiting wall alcoves.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

As soon as he was sure they had fallen asleep,<\/p>\n

Prugg approached them. He did not want to show<\/p>\n

fear in front of the Quorumen, but he feared the<\/p>\n

master’s magic nonetheless.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Go on, Prugg,” said Markus helpfully. “They won’t<\/p>\n

hurt you. They won’t move unless I command them.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prugg studied the trio. True to the master’s word,<\/p>\n

they ignored him. They were not very big, especially<\/p>\n

for demons, but those curved fangs were very<\/p>\n

impressive. Prugg ran a finger over one and still its<\/p>\n

owner did not stir.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Only three of them,” Markus murmured- “I won-<\/p>\n

der what happened to the other three.” He shrugged.<\/p>\n

“Doesn’t matter. I can always call up more.” He<\/p>\n

tteraed to face his supporters.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“What do you think, Kindore? Should I bring<\/p>\n

dievq back to life and have them dance in the air for<\/p>\n

you?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No, oo, no, advisor,” said a badly shaken Kindore.<\/p>\n

He pulled at his thin coat, working to refasten the<\/p>\n

buttons which had come loose as he’d scrambled to<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

32 Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

avoid the demons. “I have never seen demons like<\/p>\n

that”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“How many demons have you seen?” Markus<\/p>\n

grinned at the squirrel. “They’re harmless now. We<\/p>\n

can resume our discussion.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This was done. When Markus’s questions had all<\/p>\n

been answered, he gave the pair his orders. Not<\/p>\n

advice, orders. Markus the Ineluctable had already<\/p>\n

moved beyond making suggestions, and Kindore and<\/p>\n

Vazvek hastened to carry out his bidding. Things<\/p>\n

were moving rapidly now, and the master was pleased.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

He dismissed them, watched with amusement as<\/p>\n

they retreated quickly, and then walked over to in-<\/p>\n

spect his now-silent aerial servants.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Only three.” He rubbed a forefinger across his<\/p>\n

lower lip, then gestured at the last demon in line.<\/p>\n

“See, there’s blood on this one’s teeth.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I saw. Master.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“But whose blood? Could it be demon blood?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prugg strained but could not come up with a quick<\/p>\n

reply.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Markus looked pained. “You’re slow, Prugg, you<\/p>\n

know that? Real slow.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Forgive me, Master. 1 know that I am stupid. But<\/p>\n

I try.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“That’s okay- I don’t keep you around for your wit.<\/p>\n

You may as well know that it can’t be demon blood<\/p>\n

because there is no blood in any of these creatures,<\/p>\n

Just as there is no life in them. They only live at my<\/p>\n

command. They’re not sleeping, Prugg. They’re dead.<\/p>\n

Until I choose to give them life again. Therefore it<\/p>\n

stands to reason, doesn’t it, that this is the blood of<\/p>\n

the black messenger?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Yes, that must be so,” agreed Prugg. “Yes, the<\/p>\n

black flier must be down, along with whatever mes-<\/p>\n

sages he carried from that slimy bad loser, Opiode.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMENT or THE MAOICIAN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>33<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

prugg looked pleased. “Can I tell the old wizard his<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

^’Servant has been killed?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

^ “No, Prugg, you cannot. Nor will I tell him. Let<\/p>\n

faun squat in his bath believing his messages are<\/p>\n

going to be received. Let him think his trusted<\/p>\n

messenger ran out on him. Let him stew those possi-<\/p>\n

bilities over for a while. It will keep him out of our<\/p>\n

hair for now.” He smited thinly. “I have a lot to do<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

^and I don’t want to have to waste time worrying<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

^about the salamander.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022^\u2022~r<\/p>\n

f-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

^\u00a0 <\/span>“What’s wrong with him?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pandro heard the words faintly through the black<\/p>\n

^haze that was the inside of his head. There was a<\/p>\n

Hflaoment during which he thought the words might’ve<\/p>\n

^fceen part of a dream, a bad dream he’d been having.<\/p>\n

1’Then more words, different, a little more intelligible<\/p>\n

^Cthis time.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“How the hell should I know? Do I look like a<\/p>\n

^ohysician?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

H \u2022 “You always did look like something escaped from<\/p>\n

||a hospital,” countered the first voice. “One where<\/p>\n

j|they treat mental problems.”<\/p>\n

j- “Shut up, you two. I think he’s coming around,”<\/p>\n

^commanded still a third voice.<\/p>\n

^ The voices went away again- It occurred to Pandro<\/p>\n

$fhat perhaps they might be waiting for some kind of<\/p>\n

^response from him-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

^- “I… can hear you okay, but I can’t see you. I’m<\/p>\n

||\u00bblmd”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

^l’ “He’s blind,” said one voice, not in the least<\/p>\n

f Sympathetic.<\/p>\n

^ “Have you tried,” said the third voice, a little more<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

rntly, “opening your eyes?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pandro mulled this over. “Why, no. I haven’t.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

|\u00bb”Try,” the voice urged him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

H Pandro blinked, discovered he was lying on a crude<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

34 Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

platform built between two branches high above the<\/p>\n

forest floor. The foliage around him was swarming<\/p>\n

with the graceful, swift shapes of fellow fliers. They<\/p>\n

had one thing in common: every one of them was<\/p>\n

considerably smaller than he was. None stood more<\/p>\n

than a foot high.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Two of the three who were staring down at him<\/p>\n

wore blue-and-black kilts with bright chartreuse vests,<\/p>\n

while the third was clad in a kilt of white and yellow<\/p>\n

with a pink vest. This attire was subdued compared<\/p>\n

to their natural coloration, which was brilliant and<\/p>\n

metallic.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

At first he had a hard time telling them apart.<\/p>\n

They hardly ever stopped moving, darting in front<\/p>\n

of him, behind, making erratic loops around the<\/p>\n

branches, arguing constantly with each other, and<\/p>\n

occasionally flitting overhead to sip from one of the<\/p>\n

huge tropical blossoms that burst forth from the<\/p>\n

tree.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Shoving backward with his wingtips, Pandro sat<\/p>\n

up, winced in pain- His wing came away from the<\/p>\n

back of his neck unbloodied, however. If he hadn*t<\/p>\n

turned at the last instant, the demon would have bit<\/p>\n

him in the face. The image that produced in his<\/p>\n

mind made him queasy all over again.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Where are you from?… What are you doing<\/p>\n

here?… Who are you?… Why the neck chain… ?”<\/p>\n

The trio threw one question after another at him<\/p>\n

and didn’t wait for replies- One of them was tapping<\/p>\n

him on the shoulder as it spoke.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Take it easy,” Pandro pleaded. A quick inspection<\/p>\n

revealed that the surrounding trees were filled with<\/p>\n

tiny homes and traditional covered nests. “My turn<\/p>\n

first- Where did you find me?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

One of the querulous hummingbirds drifted in<\/p>\n

front of Pandro, fanning his face with wings that<\/p>\n

were sensed rather than seen- It nodded to its right.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMENT or TAB MAOJCUW\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>35<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

*You came down over there.” Crimson flashed<\/p>\n

^beneath its bill. “Busting branches all the way down.<\/p>\n

^.Wonder is that you didn’t bust your skull.”<\/p>\n

“Some others tried to,”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Oh ho!” said another, whose throat was blue as<\/p>\n

an alpine tarn. “A fight! If it’s a fight they’re looking<\/p>\n

-for…” He curled the tips of both wings into fists and<\/p>\n

glared belligerently at the sky, looking for someone<\/p>\n

^Co sock.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“\u00a0 <\/span>“Watch your blood pressure. Spin,” said the third<\/p>\n

? bird. He was slightly less hyperkinetic than his<\/p>\n

; companions.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Watch your rear.” The bird dove on him, and the<\/p>\n

‘ithree of them went round and round in the air,<\/p>\n

iJabbing with feet, wings, and beaks. When they fmal-<\/p>\n

^ly separated, Pandro saw that no harm had been<\/p>\n

H-done. None of them was even breathing hard. Two<\/p>\n

^ buzzed upward for a sugary drink while the third<\/p>\n

;’ regarded the injured visitor sorrowfully.<\/p>\n

.^ “That’s the trouble these days. Nobody knows how<\/p>\n

^.to have a good fight anymore.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

(“I know civilization’s in a bad way.” Pandro agreed<\/p>\n

dryly, “but it’s going to be worse if I don’t carry out<\/p>\n

U wy mission.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

^ “Hot damn, a mission!” He danced all around<\/p>\n

JrfPandro as the raven stood and tested his wings.<\/p>\n

^ Emeralds flashed on his tiny chest.<\/p>\n

,,\u00a0 <\/span>Except for a few missing feathers and the naked<\/p>\n

^-\u2022Icar that ran from the back of his neck downward,<\/p>\n

^randro seemed to be intact.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

; “Yes, a mission for the wizard Opiode, former<\/p>\n

}-\u00aehief advisor to the Quorum of Quasequa.”<\/p>\n

tit “Never go into Quasequa,” declared the humming”<\/p>\n

>ird, shaking its head and forcing Pandro to duck<\/p>\n

\u00b0ack to avoid the swinging bill. “Nothing going on<\/p>\n

lere. Talk about dull.”<\/p>\n

, “Cousin, to your kind, everything is dull. Are the<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

36 Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

rest of us responsible if you happen to live at a speed<\/p>\n

twenty times faster than anyone else’s?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No, you’re not,” said the one called Spin. “You<\/p>\n

can’t help it if you’re slow and boring. The whole<\/p>\n

rest of the world is slow and boring.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It’s liable to get exciting real soon,” said Pandro<\/p>\n

grimly. “Some weird human’s taken over as chief<\/p>\n

advisor in Quasequa. This Opiode’s worried about<\/p>\n

what he might do. The newcomer’s a powerful<\/p>\n

magician, and Opiode doesn’t seem to think much of<\/p>\n

his plans.” He had a sudden horrible thought, and a<\/p>\n

wingtip went to his chest. When he clutched the vial<\/p>\n

containing the messages, he relaxed. The demons<\/p>\n

had ripped off his backpack, but they’d missed the<\/p>\n

chain and vial hanging around his neck. A good<\/p>\n

thing he’d taken care to put the messages there for<\/p>\n

safekeeping.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

He eyed the sky. “1 guess they think they got me.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Who thinks they got you?” asked Oun, the second<\/p>\n

hummingbird.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The demons. They must’ve been sent after me by<\/p>\n

Markus the Ineluctable, that new advisor I just told<\/p>\n

you about. Opiode warned me to watch out, but<\/p>\n

there wasn’t anything I could do. They were just too<\/p>\n

fast for me”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Demons, wow!” said Spin. “About time we had a<\/p>\n

decent scrap.” He turned to his two companions. “I’ll<\/p>\n

go find Wix and the rest of the gang and we’ll\u2014!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Hold on a minute,” said Pandro. The humming-<\/p>\n

bird pivoted in midair. “You don’t want to go looking<\/p>\n

for these things.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“We’re not afraid of anything that flies”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I’m sure you’re not, but these were different.” He<\/p>\n

shuddered, remembering that cold, barren contact<\/p>\n

on the back of his neck. He made a chopping motion<\/p>\n

with one wing. “And they’ve got teeth, not just bills.<\/p>\n

They’ll take you apart.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THS MOMENT OF THE MAGICIAN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>37<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Condor crap!” snapped the second hummingbird,<\/p>\n

^darting through the air and striking out with lefts<\/p>\n

1 and rights at imaginary opponents. “We’ll pull their<\/p>\n

wings off! We’ll\u2014!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Do nothing of the kind,” said the spokesman for<\/p>\n

the trio, “because there aren’t any demons around.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Oun’s crimson chest feathers flashed. “There aren’t?”<\/p>\n

^\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>“Seen any demons lurking about? Either of you?”<\/p>\n

is;\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>“Well, no.” Both looked abashed and finally land-<\/p>\n

Is ed on the platform. “Not actually.” Spin lifted slightly.<\/p>\n

|l “But if Pandro here could lead us to them…”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

t\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The raven shook his head violently. “Thanks, but<\/p>\n

; I’ve got a job to do. Anyway, if they were still looking<\/p>\n

‘,,-for me, I’m sure you would’ve seen them by now.<\/p>\n

They brought me down, but they didn’t kill me.” He<\/p>\n

flexed long black wings and rose from the platform.<\/p>\n

No damage to the vital shoulder muscles. Consider-<\/p>\n

ing that he’d recently missed death by inches, he felt<\/p>\n

pretty good.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Listen, thanks for your help, but I’d better be on<\/p>\n

my way. I’m beginning to share some of that<\/p>\n

Salamander’s concern about what’s happening in the<\/p>\n

world.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Phooey,” muttered Spin, “who cares what some<\/p>\n

^-old wizard thinks?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Some might,” said the third flier thoughtfully. He<\/p>\n

Stared at Pandro. “Fly high, cousin, and don’t look<\/p>\n

back.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Don’t worry.” Pandro rose skyward. “And while<\/p>\n

I’m gone, consider this: Opiode the Sly believes that<\/p>\n

^ihis new wizard may have evil designs that extend<\/p>\n

^|even beyond Quasequa. Perhaps even to your forest.”<\/p>\n

\u2022\/IY “Then he better not come here,” hummed Spin,<\/p>\n

‘” l?dardng and jabbing at the air, his wings a blur.<\/p>\n

I’yFlying demons or no flying demons, we’ll send him<\/p>\n

^running without his tailfeathers.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

38 Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pandro’s voice was faint now with distance. “He<\/p>\n

doesn’t have any feathers. I told you, he’s a human.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Spin settled back onto his branch. “A human. Now<\/p>\n

what would a human want with us?” He shrugged,<\/p>\n

turned to his companion Oun, “What say we go<\/p>\n

round up Wix and the rest and have ourselves a<\/p>\n

good punch-up anyway?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Yeah, sure!” They zoomed toward the next<\/p>\n

emergent.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The third member of the trio held back and<\/p>\n

struggled to grasp the import of the raven’s words.<\/p>\n

Then he shrugged and flew off to join his friends,<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

That’s the trouble with being a hummingbird.<\/p>\n

One’s attention span is so damned short.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ill<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“But I know that she loves me!”Jon-Tom spoke as he<\/p>\n

paced back and forth in the turtle’s bedroom. There<\/p>\n

was plenty of headroom even for his lanky six feet<\/p>\n

two inches because Clothahump had thoughtfully<\/p>\n

expanded the internal dimension spell another foot.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

For that matter, the entire tree was filled with<\/p>\n

rooms that shouldn’t have been, thanks to Clotha-<\/p>\n

hump’s wizardry. The turtle wasn’t engaging in any<\/p>\n

wizardry now, though- He was lying on his plastron<\/p>\n

among the mass of strong cushions which served<\/p>\n

him as a bed, his arms crossed under his horny chin.<\/p>\n

Only his eyes moved as he followed the nervous<\/p>\n

progress of the upset young spellsmger.<\/p>\n

“You know, I was once in love myself, lad.”<\/p>\n

That revelation was sufficient to halt Jon-Tom in<\/p>\n

his tracks- “What… you?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Raising his head, the turtle peered indignantly at<\/p>\n

|jt the tall and tactless young human through hexagonal-<\/p>\n

pi tensed glasses-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘My “And why not me?” He looked suddenly wistful.<\/p>\n

ij^lt was about a hundred and sixty years ago. She was<\/p>\n

.ytquite attractive- The colors and patterns in her shell<\/p>\n

^ reminded one of flatly faceted jewels, and her plas-<\/p>\n

^ tron was smooth as polished granite.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

m\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>39<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

40<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“What happened?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ctothahump sighed. “She threw me over for a<\/p>\n

slick-talking matamata. I believe her tastes were rath-<\/p>\n

er kinkier than mine.” His attention snapped back to<\/p>\n

the present.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“So I am speaking from some experience, my boy,<\/p>\n

when I tell you that this Talea does not love you.<\/p>\n

Besides which, you are a spellsinger with a promis-<\/p>\n

ing future and can do better- She is nothing but a<\/p>\n

petty thief.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom didn’t turn away from the wizard’s gaze.<\/p>\n

“It’s not her profession I’m interested in. She saved<\/p>\n

my life and I saved hers and we love each other and<\/p>\n

that’s that”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It is not ‘that’ or anything else,” argued the imper-<\/p>\n

turbable turtle. “I do not for an instant deny that she<\/p>\n

is brave and courageous. I wish I could also add that<\/p>\n

she is thoughtful. Brave and courageous do not<\/p>\n

automatically translate into love, however. As for<\/p>\n

thoughtful, if she were that and she did indeed love<\/p>\n

you, she would be here now.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom looked uneasy. “Well, you remember how<\/p>\n

she is. Flighty, high-strung, nervous, especially around<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

you.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Me? Now, boy, why should she be in the slightest<\/p>\n

nervous around me?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“You are the greatest, most powerful sorcerer in<\/p>\n

the world. You make a lot of people nervous.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Do I? Dear me,” said the turtle, “I thought I only<\/p>\n

made a lot of people irritable. Take my advice, my<\/p>\n

boy, and put her out of your mind. She will interfere<\/p>\n

with your studies, which you neglect as it is.” He<\/p>\n

brushed dust from one ot the bed pillows and frowned.<\/p>\n

“Have to get Sorbl to clean this place up, if I can<\/p>\n

corner the little sot long enough to put a dirt hex on<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

him.”<\/p>\n

“Damn it, 1 know that she loves me!” Jon-Tom<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE SSOUKMT OF TOT MAGICIAN<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

41<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

spoke with unaccustomed intensity. “I know she does.<\/p>\n

1 can feel it. She’s just… she’s just not quite ready to<\/p>\n

make it permanent, that’s all. She needs more<\/p>\n

reassurance, more encouragement.” He stared at the<\/p>\n

wood chips carpeting the floor. “Of course, that<\/p>\n

would be easier to do if I had some idea where she<\/p>\n

is.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“You’ll never get a wild type like that to settle<\/p>\n

down.” Clothahump removed his glasses and squinted<\/p>\n

through one eye as he gave them a perfunctory<\/p>\n

cleaning, then set them back on his beak. “Why not<\/p>\n

just marry her and then go your separate ways?<\/p>\n

There’s so much world left for you to see.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I warn to see it all with her.” An uncomfortable<\/p>\n

pause followed. Then Jon-Tom moved to the bed<\/p>\n

and knelt before it. “Look, you’re the greatest wizard<\/p>\n

alive. Can’t you help me?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump shook his head, wrestled himself into<\/p>\n

a sitting position, and crossed his arms over the<\/p>\n

compartments in his plastron.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I must say it is hard to refuse the requests of one<\/p>\n

of such perspicacity. I only wish you could find a<\/p>\n

more stable possibility for a mate.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Talea’s the one I love.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“What about that Quintera female you brought<\/p>\n

over into this world?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom swallowed, turned, and walked away from<\/p>\n

the bed. “Why bring that up? You know it’s a sore<\/p>\n

point with me.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Why? Because in the end she preferred that<\/p>\n

sophisticated hare Caz to you?” Ctothahump shook a<\/p>\n

warning finger at him. “That’s what comes of<\/p>\n

projecting your own desires onto someone else. She<\/p>\n

may have been your physical ideal, but mentally and<\/p>\n

emotionally she was neither… and neither is this<\/p>\n

Talea.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No!” Jon-Tom whirled on the bed. “Talea’s the<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Poster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

42<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

right one. I’m sure of that, even if our relationship is<\/p>\n

developing a little, uh, slowly. Come on, Clothahump,<\/p>\n

I know you can help if you want to.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“With what? You want me to mix you up a love<\/p>\n

potion to slip into her drink?” He shook his head. “I<\/p>\n

don’t deal in those kinds of petty emotionally manip-<\/p>\n

ulative devices and you know it. If that’s what you<\/p>\n

want, go to the chemist in Lynchbany. I’ll give you a<\/p>\n

prescription, but I won’t mix you anything myself.<\/p>\n

You’ll be wasting your money, though. Ninety per-<\/p>\n

cent of that stuffs no better than what you can buy<\/p>\n

over-the-counter.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I don’t want your potions or prescriptions, Ctotha-<\/p>\n

hump. I want your wise, sage advice.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Really? All right. Get a haircut.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jen-Tom moaned. His hair was only shoulder-<\/p>\n

length, “Not here too. Or do you have a prejudice<\/p>\n

against fur because you’ve none of your own?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The turtle looked down at himself. “My, my, so<\/p>\n

you’ve noticed that, have you? I can’t imagine how<\/p>\n

one so observant hasn’t been able to win the undying<\/p>\n

affection of the woman he thinks loves him.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It’s not a question of ‘winning,'” Jen-Tom muttered-<\/p>\n

“This isn’t a war.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Isn’t it now? Dear me! Perhaps after your first<\/p>\n

two hundred years you’ll learn to adjust that view.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“And don’t lay any of that ‘venerable ancient’ shit<\/p>\n

on me, either! I want your advice, not your sarcasm.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump peered over his glasses. “If you want<\/p>\n

to learn what love is all about, my boy, you’d better<\/p>\n

learn to handle sarcasm.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom shifted to another tack. “I’ve been work-<\/p>\n

ing on a song for her,”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“If you think you can spellsing her into love with<\/p>\n

you, my boy, then you\u2014”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No, no, just a friendly little song to show her how<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOSfCPiT OF TBS MAGICIAN<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

43<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

I feel about her. I’ve always been better at conveying<\/p>\n

my emotions through music. Want to hear it?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump muttered under his breath, “Do I<\/p>\n

have a choice?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom walked over to the comer where he’d set<\/p>\n

down his duar and picked up the peculiar, double-<\/p>\n

stringed instrument. He caressed it lovingly. It had<\/p>\n

brought him through some tough spots, that duar.<\/p>\n

It, and his ability to make magic with it, however<\/p>\n

erratic and unpredictable.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Just something to put her in the right mood,” he<\/p>\n

assured Clothahump. “I’ve been trying to remember<\/p>\n

what she likes so I can sing about it the next time we<\/p>\n

meet.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Sing about a rich drunk lying alone in an alley,”<\/p>\n

Clothahump suggested.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom ignored the gibe. “I remember her tell-<\/p>\n

ing me one time how much she liked roses. She said<\/p>\n

they were pretty. She’d never use the word ‘romantic.’<\/p>\n

Talea’s not the romantic type- But she said she liked<\/p>\n

their smell and the way they went with her hair. So<\/p>\n

I’ve been trying to think of a song about roses. It<\/p>\n

wasn’t easy. It’s not the sort of thing my favorite<\/p>\n

musicians like to write songs about, and I have to be<\/p>\n

careful or I’ll wind up with that amazonic tigress I<\/p>\n

told you about.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Anyhow, I finally settled on this. I’d like your<\/p>\n

opinion of it.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Hold on a moment, boy. I want none of your<\/p>\n

hit-and-miss spellsinging in my home. If you feel the<\/p>\n

need to practice, do it outside.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Oh, it’s all right.” Jon-Tom found himself a seat<\/p>\n

1 on a strong shelf. “It’s just a Hide tune. I’m not going<\/p>\n

to do any spellsinging.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump eyed him warily. “Well, if you’re sure..”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jen-Tom smiled confidently at him. “Sure I’m<\/p>\n

sure. What could be dangerous about a song about<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

44 Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

something as innocent as roses?” He let his fingers<\/p>\n

fall lightly across the first set of strings, then the<\/p>\n

second, adjusted the control for tremble ever so<\/p>\n

slightly.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The chords floated through the room, soothing<\/p>\n

and mellow, not nearly as sharp or discordant as<\/p>\n

Jon-Tbm’s heavy metal favorites. Clothahump relented.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“All right, boy.” He moved as far back on the bed<\/p>\n

as he was able. “If you’re certain you know what<\/p>\n

you’re doing and have everything under control.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom smiled reassuringly and began to sing.<\/p>\n

The music was lovely, but that didn’t relax Clothahump.<\/p>\n

He was watching and listening to more than the<\/p>\n

melody.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sure enough, there it was: an intense red glow<\/p>\n

near the foot of the bed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Boy, see there, I told you…!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

But Jon-Tom wasn’t listening to his mentor. He<\/p>\n

was transported to the kingdom of love by images of<\/p>\n

how Talea would react to this song, composed specially<\/p>\n

for her by the man who adored her.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The intense, blood-red ball of light hung in the<\/p>\n

air, throwing off red sparks as Jon-Tom’s voice rose<\/p>\n

passionately. Clothahump waved anxiously at it and<\/p>\n

was pleased to see it fall to the floor and disappear.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

He let out a relieved sigh and narrowed his gaze as<\/p>\n

he waited for Jon-Tom to finish his song. So he did<\/p>\n

not see the branches that sprang forth from beneath<\/p>\n

the carpet of wood chips. They grew with astonishing<\/p>\n

speed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom concluded his chorus and looked proud.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“There, you see? Nothing to worry about. I’ve<\/p>\n

been working hard on my control, and I think I’ve<\/p>\n

gotten it to the point where I only conjure up what I<\/p>\n

want to.” His expression changed to one of curiosity.<\/p>\n

“That’s funny. I don’t remember your planting any-<\/p>\n

thing at the foot of your bed.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

TUB MOMENT or THE MAOICIAM<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

45<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fearing the worst, Clothahump tumbled forward<\/p>\n

to peer over the edge of the bed. Growing out of the<\/p>\n

floor was a small, nicely pruned collection of thin<\/p>\n

branches. As they both watched, some two dozen<\/p>\n

American beauty blossoms erupted from the naked<\/p>\n

twigs.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Hey, how about that?” said Jon-Tom, delighted.<\/p>\n

“Now I ask you, what girl could resist that?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Well,” Clothahump said reluctantly, “1 have to<\/p>\n

admit that’s quite a charming little bouquet you’ve<\/p>\n

called up.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom netted the duar. “I didn’t even get to the<\/p>\n

second chorus. What color would you like this time?<\/p>\n

How about a nice canary yellow?” He sang again,<\/p>\n

and this time the second bush appeared sooner than<\/p>\n

its predecessor. It was also twice as tall and, sure<\/p>\n

enough, heavy with fragrant yellow blooms.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Nothing to it. I told you I’ve been practicing my<\/p>\n

control.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump stared at the bush. “Good. Then you<\/p>\n

can stop it now.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom’s jaw hung a little slack. “Uh, stop what?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Stop it from growing.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“But I have stopped. I’m not singing anymore.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump pointed. “Tell it to that rosebush.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Indeed, it didn’t take especially sharp vision to see<\/p>\n

that the bush was continuing to expand. It was<\/p>\n

almost up to the roof. When it hit the ceiling, the<\/p>\n

branches began to spread out sideways, throwing out<\/p>\n

shoots and blossoms in every direction.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No sweat. I’ll just sing the final chorus. That<\/p>\n

ought to finish it.” He proceeded to do so, the words<\/p>\n

falling gentle and sweet on the now heavily aromatic<\/p>\n

air of the bedroom.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It had absolutely no effect on the fecund rose-<\/p>\n

bush, which continued to spread out across the walls.<\/p>\n

Having covered ceiling and sides, branches began to<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

40 Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

fill the room, crisscrossing and occasionally running<\/p>\n

into one another. Some of the stems were now as<\/p>\n

thick as birch trunks. The room was shaking.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“That’s enough, boy!” Clothahump was hemmed<\/p>\n

in against the headboard of his bed. Jon-Tom was<\/p>\n

trying to edge his way toward the near doorway, had<\/p>\n

to duck as two sapling-thick branches boasting three-<\/p>\n

inch-long thorns tried to block his exit.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I… I don’t understand. I’m not singing any-<\/p>\n

more.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“You bet your ass you’re not, lad.” Clothahump<\/p>\n

struggled with one drawer in his plastron, finally<\/p>\n

yanked it open. “Got to lubricate these one of these<\/p>\n

days.” The drawer finally popped open and he rum-<\/p>\n

maged around inside himself. “Hope I can stop it<\/p>\n

before…”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Before what?” wondered the thoroughly distraught<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom as he stumbled back from an encroaching<\/p>\n

branch. It vomited a three-foot-wide blossom in his<\/p>\n

face, and the burst of perfume made him dizzy.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Before these damned things start growing out of<\/p>\n

us,” Clothahump shouted at him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

His path to the door blocked, Jon-Tom scrambled<\/p>\n

across the floor toward the only remaining open<\/p>\n

section of the room . -. Clothahump’s bed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Maybe I overdid it a little bit”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“My boy, your powers of observation and your<\/p>\n

innate ability to intuit the blatantly obvious never<\/p>\n

cease to amaze me. Ah, there!” He removed a small<\/p>\n

box from his plastron, shoved the drawer shut, and<\/p>\n

opened the box. From within he selected a pinch of<\/p>\n

white powder and leaned forward.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Roots and shoots and cellulose<\/p>\n

Blossoms that be profane<\/p>\n

Dwell in lands of malathane<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THB MOMENT OF TSW MAGICIAN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>47<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Make thy xylum comatose<\/p>\n

Dry up thy tannic staint”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

He threw the powder into the advancing thorns. It<\/p>\n

evaporated. The cluster of branches seemed to<\/p>\n

shudder, to slow… and finally, to petrify.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

They were surrounded, engulfed by beauty. Jon-<\/p>\n

Tom felt sure he was going to throw up.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

He took a step toward the door which led into<\/p>\n

Clothahump’s laboratory, found he couldn’t move<\/p>\n

more than a few inches off the cushions before<\/p>\n

swordlike thorns pricked his legs. He retreated back<\/p>\n

onto the bed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Sorry,” he whispered morosely. The smell of roses<\/p>\n

was overwhelming.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump sighed, gave him a fatherly pat on the<\/p>\n

back. ‘That’s all right, tad. We’re all a little overconfi-<\/p>\n

dent now and again. You were right about one thing,<\/p>\n

though. If your ladylove were here, I’ve no doubt she’d<\/p>\n

be impressed with this little floral tribute of yours… if<\/p>\n

she wasn’t cut to ribbons first. I will say this for your<\/p>\n

spellsinging: you don’t seem able to do anything in a<\/p>\n

small way” At least a thousand blossoms of all shades<\/p>\n

and hues kept them imprisoned on the bed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“There’s nothing basically the matter with your<\/p>\n

spellsinging, my boy. But you are going to have to<\/p>\n

work at moderating your enthusiasm a bit.” He eyed<\/p>\n

his bedroom appraisingly. “An impressive, though<\/p>\n

difficult to deliver, bouquet.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tucking his head down inside his shell until only<\/p>\n

the crown was visible, he slid off the bed and waded<\/p>\n

out into the brambles, quite safe from the thorns.<\/p>\n

They couldn’t penetrate his body armor, but neither<\/p>\n

did he have the strength to force a path through<\/p>\n

them. Finally he gave up and returned to the bed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It’s no good, lad. I’m neither as young nor agile<\/p>\n

as I once was.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

48<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“How about a spell?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump’s reply to that suggestion was tart.<\/p>\n

“You spelled this jungle up: you unspell it.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom’s fingers twisted against each other. “I<\/p>\n

don’t think I ought to try that.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump looked dazed. “What’s that? What’s<\/p>\n

this? Some small hint of humility? How gratifying.<\/p>\n

Today we pass another signpost on the road to<\/p>\n

wisdom.” A powerful, resonant voice interrupted his<\/p>\n

sarcasm.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“THERE’S SOMEONE AT THE DOORI”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Drat, that’s the bell,” the wizard groused. “Why<\/p>\n

am 1 blessed with visitors who have such wonderful<\/p>\n

timing?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

They waited patiently on the bed. Minutes later an<\/p>\n

uncertain voice called to them from the vicinity of<\/p>\n

the doorway.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Uh, Master?” They could just make out the four-<\/p>\n

foot-tall shape of Clothahump’s apprentice standing<\/p>\n

in the opening. For a wonder, Sorbl sounded almost<\/p>\n

sober this morning. That was something of a magic<\/p>\n

itself.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“There is someone at the door, Master.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“We know that, you idiot,” said Clothahump with a<\/p>\n

grimace. “We heard the bell too. Who is at the door?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“He says he’s come a long ways on a mission of<\/p>\n

great importance. Master.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Don’t they all.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“His name is Pandro. He’s a raven and he says he<\/p>\n

comes from a city named Quasequa.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Suddenly Clothahump was more interested than<\/p>\n

indifferent. “Quasequa, you say? Well, I have not<\/p>\n

heard from anyone in that distant land in some time.<\/p>\n

I recall mention of a young sorcerer of some promise,<\/p>\n

a fellow name of Opiode, who was trying to set<\/p>\n

himself up in business down there.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMENT OF TOE MAGICIAN<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

49<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“That’s who’s sent him here, sir!” said Sorbl excitedly.<\/p>\n

“This Pandro says it’s most urgent.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Opiode, yes, that was the name. Though I can’t<\/p>\n

be certain. My memory’s not what it used to be. I’ll<\/p>\n

see him, though.” The turtle’s tone darkened. “You<\/p>\n

> will not offer him any liquid refreshment stronger<\/p>\n

than fruit juice!”<\/p>\n

“Master, I? Do you think that I… ?”<\/p>\n

“Yes, I do. Now, shut up, see him comfortably in,<\/p>\n

and inform him I’ll be along directly. Then go to the<\/p>\n

storage bin outside the parlor. Inside you’ll find<\/p>\n

some large wood clippers. Bring them back here and<\/p>\n

cut us out of my bedroom. Then, while we are<\/p>\n

listening to this visitor’s tale, you may take the re-<\/p>\n

mainder of the day to prune around my bed.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The owl let out a resigned sigh. “As you direct,<\/p>\n

Master.” A brief pause, then, “Would it be improper<\/p>\n

of me to ask what happened here?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Not at all. You should find it instructive. This<\/p>\n

E minor botanical catastrophe sprang from the heart<\/p>\n

of our young spellsinger here. He is in love, you see.<\/p>\n

One would tend to say he has a green thumb. The<\/p>\n

^ actual problem, however, lies with the protuberance<\/p>\n

which arises from between his shoulders.”<\/p>\n

^\u00a0 <\/span>It was a mild enough reprimand and Jon-Tom<\/p>\n

fought to accept it gracefully. Lest he do additional<\/p>\n

damage, he forced himself to put all thoughts of<\/p>\n

the beauteous Talea aside and concentrate instead on<\/p>\n

*the potential import of whatever this far-ranging<\/p>\n

truest might have to say.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

|^ Clothahump’s spell-sharpened shears soon cut a<\/p>\n

11″ tunnel to them through the tangled growth, and the<\/p>\n

^ two of them were able to crawl to freedom.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

iffl ‘<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“^ “A good job,” the wizard complimented his appren-<\/p>\n

; .^- lice. “Now clean out the rest of it, but leave those<\/p>\n

\u2022^ pink blooms over there, the ones under the window.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

00<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

They’re rather attractive, and that part of the floor’s<\/p>\n

always damp anyway.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Yes, Master.” They left him hacking away with the<\/p>\n

shears at Clothahump’s bedchamber.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The raven awaited them on the guest perch which<\/p>\n

had been installed by Clothahump for the comfort of<\/p>\n

winged visitors. He might have come a long ways,<\/p>\n

but he didn’t look particularly fatigued to Jon’Tbm.<\/p>\n

Of more interest was the bruise on his forehead, the<\/p>\n

feathers missing from one wing, and the ugly scar<\/p>\n

which ran down the back of his neck. The wounds<\/p>\n

looked recent, and Jon-Tom wondered if they had<\/p>\n

anything to do with the raven’s reason for coming to<\/p>\n

the Bellwoods.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

If Clothahump noticed any of this, he gave no<\/p>\n

sign, preferring instead to stare grimly at the<\/p>\n

widemouthed glass from which the raven was sip-<\/p>\n

ping decorously.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“What’s that?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“What’s what?” said the raven uncertainly, looking<\/p>\n

up as they entered. “Oh, this?” He gestured with the<\/p>\n

glass. “A drink, and nice and strong, too- I sure as<\/p>\n

hell needed it. Thanks to your\u2014”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“1 know who to thank,” rumbled Clothahump<\/p>\n

dangerously, “He did not by any chance have one<\/p>\n

himself? Just to prove that he could be a proper<\/p>\n

host?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Before the raven could reply, the wizard had whirled<\/p>\n

and was clomping angrily back toward his bedroom.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“SORBL!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom and Pandro eyed each other uncomfort-<\/p>\n

ably for a couple of minutes until Clothahump<\/p>\n

returned.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I’ll be lucky if he has my bedroom cleaned out by<\/p>\n

nightfall, and he’ll be lucky if he doesn’t cut off one<\/p>\n

of his own feet in the process- I’ll deal with him<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMENT OF THE MAOICIAJI\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>51<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Her.” He calmed himself as he gazed over at his<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

;uest.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Please pardon the interruption. Now then. Your<\/p>\n

| name is Pandro and you come from far Quasequa?”<\/p>\n

\\. The raven put his glass aside on the shelf that was<\/p>\n

^attached to the perch- “That’s right, sir.”<\/p>\n

I “That is quite a journey.”<\/p>\n

I “Tell me about it.” Pandro fluttered to the floor<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022and hopped over to stand close to them. “Keep in<\/p>\n

: mind that I’m just a hired messenger. I’m not<\/p>\n

[ completely sure what this is all about. I could tell you<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

what I know, but 1 imagine these documents I was<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

instructed to deliver to you will explain what’s going<\/p>\n

; on in my country much better than I could.” He<\/p>\n

| removed the papers from the cylinder hanging from<\/p>\n

| his neck chain.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

[ “These come from Opiode, former chief advisor<\/p>\n

‘ in matters arcane and mystic to the Quorum of<\/p>\n

| Quasequa.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

” ‘Former’?” Clothahump peered at the messages<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

through his thick glasses. “Um.” He turned to read<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

silently-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tbm tried to make conversation. “What hap-<\/p>\n

Ipened to your neck?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

| Instinctively, a wing felt of the recently acquired<\/p>\n

ground. “I was attacked while on my way here. Some-<\/p>\n

tone or something wanted to make sure I didn’t n^ake<\/p>\n

|cay delivery.”<\/p>\n

| “Who attacked you?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

| “Demons.” Pandro said with admirable casualness.<\/p>\n

I^Taceless demons. Gray and black they were, with<\/p>\n

pong curved teeth and no eyes.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022is. It wasn’t the explanation Jon-Tom expected, and<\/p>\n

^he was more than a little taken aback. “You don’t<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘ IW<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u2022 “They were demons,” Pandro insisted, mistaking<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jim-Tom’s surprise for disbelief. “I know a demon<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Poster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

when I see one, let alone when it tries to take my<\/p>\n

head off.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I wasn’t disputing you,” Jon-Tom replied.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The raven studied him with interest. “You’re the<\/p>\n

biggest human I’ve ever seen.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I’m also a spellsinger,” Jon-Tom told him proudly.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump .spoke without looking up from his<\/p>\n

reading. “That he is. If you want to see a demonstra-<\/p>\n

tion of his powers, have a look in the next room<\/p>\n

over.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It doesn’t matter. It’s not very impressive,” Jon-<\/p>\n

Tom said hastily. “This wizard Opiode: you work for<\/p>\n

him?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I was only hired to make this single delivery. I’m<\/p>\n

not in his regular service, if that’s what you mean.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump concluded his perusal of the papers<\/p>\n

with a noncommittal grunt. “This doesn’t sound too<\/p>\n

serious, even though Opiode’s language borders on<\/p>\n

the hysterical- Certainly not important enough to<\/p>\n

warrant my personal attention. Still, if he feels he<\/p>\n

needs help, I suppose it is incumbent on me to<\/p>\n

provide some.” He turned back to face the raven.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“This new advisor, this Markus the Ineluctable<\/p>\n

Opiode refers to: have you met him?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pandro shook his head. “I just run a small messen-<\/p>\n

ger service. I don’t get into the halls of the Quorumate<\/p>\n

Complex much. No, I haven’t met him. From what<\/p>\n

I’ve heard, not many have. Keeps to himself a lot.<\/p>\n

But there are plenty of stories about him. And about<\/p>\n

his peculiar powers.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“And he’s a human?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pandro nodded. “That’s what they say.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump examined the papers again. “A hu-<\/p>\n

man who claims to have come here from another<\/p>\n

world?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom felt suddenly faint -,. but not so faint that<\/p>\n

he couldn’t interrupt with anxious questions.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMENT OF THE MAGICIAN<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

S3<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Another world! Tell me, does he sing his magic,<\/p>\n

spellsing like 1 do, or use a musical instrument when<\/p>\n

he’s exercising his powers?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pandro flinched, taken aback by the gangling young<\/p>\n

human’s unexpected enthusiasm. “Not that I’ve heard,<\/p>\n

sir, no. It’s said that he whispers his spells so that<\/p>\n

none can hear him. I haven’t heard anyone mention<\/p>\n

music.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It is not used,” said Clothahump, “or Opiode<\/p>\n

would have mentioned it in his communication. The<\/p>\n

rest he does confirm, however.” He was watching<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom carefully. “A human magician who claims to<\/p>\n

have come here from another world.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It’s possible,” said Jon-Tom excitedly. “Don’t you<\/p>\n

think it’s possible? It happened once, to me. Why<\/p>\n

not to another?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“All things are possible- However, just because you<\/p>\n

have a good heart and good intentions does not<\/p>\n

mean that this new visitor is as good and kind as<\/p>\n

yourself, or that he even comes from your world.<\/p>\n

The plenum is full of other worlds.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“That’s right,” said Jen-Torn, momentarily downcast.<\/p>\n

“I got so excited I forgot about that.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“In fact,” the wizard went on, still eyeing the<\/p>\n

‘papers, “from what Opiode says, this Markus ap-<\/p>\n

; pears to be sadly lacking in the social verities. Opiode<\/p>\n

\u2022 is not only afraid of what the newcomer has done;<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

he is even more afraid of what he may intend to do<\/p>\n

anext. As for the visitor’s magic, it is powerful indeed.”<\/p>\n

L’He folded the papers.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

I “This is none of my business. I’m not one to<\/p>\n

[insinuate myself into another wizard’s difficulties.<\/p>\n

Opiode admits that this Markus defeated him in a<\/p>\n

battle of talents. These ‘fears’ he alludes to may<\/p>\n

merely be a reflection of his own disappointments.<\/p>\n

And he speaks only of worries and concerns, not of<\/p>\n

any actual threat. I see no reason for such panic.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This Markus hasn’t instituted any sort of reign of<\/p>\n

terror or inquisition or anything so boring since<\/p>\n

assuming Optode’s office, has he?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

**No sir,” Pandro admitted. “As far as the average<\/p>\n

citizen is concerned, nothing’s changed. At least, not<\/p>\n

insofar as I’ve seen. Of course,” he added thoughtfully,<\/p>\n

“I was attacked on my way here, and the forest where<\/p>\n

I encountered my assailants is not noted for having a<\/p>\n

large demonic population.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I wouldn’t know,” Clothahump murmured. “1 am<\/p>\n

not familiar with that part of the world. What do you<\/p>\n

think of all this, Jon-Tom?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sorcerer and spellsinger discussed the matter while<\/p>\n

Pandro stood and waked quietly. While hardly an<\/p>\n

experienced judge of wizardry qualities, if asked, he<\/p>\n

would have had to confess that Opiode was whistling<\/p>\n

up the wrong trunk if he expected to get any aid<\/p>\n

from this bunch. The apprentice who’d ushered him<\/p>\n

inside was an obvious drunk, the turtle showed signs<\/p>\n

of senility, and the tail human struck the cosmopoli-<\/p>\n

tan Pandro as something of a hick.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Still, surely Opiode the Sly knew what he was<\/p>\n

doing in sending here for help. And what was it they<\/p>\n

were arguing about?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I’m telling you, this guy’s from my own world,<\/p>\n

from my home!” Jon-Tom was saying. “He’s got to<\/p>\n

be. Transported here by accident, just like me.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“There have been no recent disturbances in the<\/p>\n

ether as there were when I brought you over,”<\/p>\n

Clothahump told him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Maybe he crossed over in a different way. Do you<\/p>\n

know of every path between the dimensions?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No,” Clothahump admitted, a mite huffily. “As I<\/p>\n

said before, all things are possible. All 1 am saying<\/p>\n

now is that there is nothing to suggest that this<\/p>\n

Markus the ineluctable came over from your world.<\/p>\n

For one thing, according to Opiode, this fellow seems<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMBWT OF THE MAOICIAN<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

55<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

to have been practicing his magic for quite a while,<\/p>\n

whereas you discovered your spellsinging ability pure-<\/p>\n

ly by accident and only after you had been in this<\/p>\n

world for some time. Furthermore, all this blather of<\/p>\n

coming from another world may merely be typical<\/p>\n

wizardly showmanship, an attempt to cow and over-<\/p>\n

awe impressionable Quasequans. There are many<\/p>\n

humans in this world, as you well know. This Markus<\/p>\n

may not be a transdimensional traveler; he may be<\/p>\n

nothing more than a slick talker. Remember, my boy,<\/p>\n

that your materialization here was an accident.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Maybe this isn’t an accident,” Jon-Tom argued.<\/p>\n

“Maybe some wizard from another world has found<\/p>\n

a way to cross over on his own.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“As I recall, there are no wizards in your own<\/p>\n

world.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom slumped. “I know. But maybe he was<\/p>\n

something else. Maybe he’s an engineer like you<\/p>\n

thought I was, and he can make magic here by<\/p>\n

reciting engineering theorems, or something. The<\/p>\n

point is, Fve got to know. Don’t you see, Clothahump?<\/p>\n

If he got through on purpose, by design, maybe he<\/p>\n

can return home the same way. Maybe with the two<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

;of us working together we can manage a way home<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

; for both of us!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘\u2022 Clothahump was nodding. “That is how I thought<\/p>\n

you would react to this information, my boy. Well, it’s<\/p>\n

only natural that you should be excited. 1 certainly<\/p>\n

will not stand in the way of your finding out.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

TBK MOMENT OF THE. SSAOICtAtf<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

57<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

IV<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pandro had been silent long enough.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Look here, I’m not at all sure what you two are<\/p>\n

talking about any more than I knew what Opiode \\<\/p>\n

was talking about. Like I said, I’m just a messenger.” 3<\/p>\n

He gestured with a wingtip toward the papers ^<\/p>\n

Clothahump held- “One thing Opiode did tell me,<\/p>\n

though. He said that if this Markus is truly from<\/p>\n

another world, then it must be a place of evil and<\/p>\n

darkness.” He eyed Jon-Tom uneasily.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“And you say you’re maybe from the same place?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Maybe. We’ve no reason to believe that yet,” .<\/p>\n

Clothahump replied.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>T<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Well, he’s sure peculiar-looking, but according to ^<\/p>\n

the descriptions I’ve heard, mighty different from ^<\/p>\n

this Markus the Ineluctable.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“What’s he supposed to be like?” asked Jon-Tom<\/p>\n

eagerly.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Definitely human. Tall, but much shorter than<\/p>\n

you. Fat, and older. Not much fur left on his head.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jen-Tom was nodding. “He could be an engineer<\/p>\n

from my world.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“And it’s said he still wears the clothes he was<\/p>\n

wearing when he came into our world.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Tell me about them, describe them! Does he wear<\/p>\n

56<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

jeans\u2014pants of rough blue material? Or maybe a<\/p>\n

suit, something with a long V-shaped opening in the<\/p>\n

front, with a white shirt underneath, and maybe a<\/p>\n

long strip of material tied around his neck?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No,” said Pandro thoughtfully, “the description<\/p>\n

that I heard was somewhat different. I was told he<\/p>\n

dresses entirely in black of some slick, finely woven<\/p>\n

material, with a black cape to match, and a strange<\/p>\n

black tower atop his head, and a spot of petrified<\/p>\n

blood he keeps always over his heart.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“That doesn’t sound very familiar,” Jon-Tom re-<\/p>\n

plied slowly. And he’d been so positive!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“From another world, perhaps, but not necessarily<\/p>\n

yours,” Clothahump told him. “Interesting. Not nec-<\/p>\n

essarily dangerous, but interesting.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Even if he is from your own world, sir,” Pandro<\/p>\n

told Jon-Tom, “1 wouldn’t plan on him helping you<\/p>\n

to get back to wherever you’re from. From what<\/p>\n

Opiode says, this magician helps no one but himself.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Maybe because he’s frightened,” Jen-Tom suggested.<\/p>\n

“Maybe if by working together, the both of us can<\/p>\n

return home, he’ll turn out to be much less threaten-<\/p>\n

ing.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“If you can get him to leave, regardless of how you<\/p>\n

help yourself, sir, all of Quasequa would be grateful”<\/p>\n

He hesitated. “Opiode did not say as much, but<\/p>\n

there are rumors that this Markus has plans for<\/p>\n

\u2022 doing away with the Quorum and installing himself<\/p>\n

as an emperor or king or something. That would be<\/p>\n

a disaster for Quasequa. We have no tradition of<\/p>\n

powerful, single rulers. I think what Opiode the Sly<\/p>\n

is saying is that now is the time to stop the newcomer<\/p>\n

before he can put any evil designs into effect.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“y he has any such intentions. That may be noth-<\/p>\n

ing more than your employer’s paranoia at work.”<\/p>\n

‘That is something Opiode felt you would sense,<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

58<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

sir. He said that you were wise and knowledgeable,<\/p>\n

brave and bold.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump removed his glasses, spoke while clean-<\/p>\n

ing them. “Even as a student, I recall this Opiode<\/p>\n

being somewhat of a stickler for accurate descriptions”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I wish I could tell you more, sirs, but I am only a<\/p>\n

messenger.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“You’ve done better than could have been expected<\/p>\n

of you.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“So you will send help?” asked Pandro hopefully.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Certainly I will.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“You’ll come yourself?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I will send help,” Clothahump said firmly. “You<\/p>\n

may convey that message to Opiode. I’m sure he<\/p>\n

expects some sort of reply, and that should cheer<\/p>\n

him. As for specifics, I prefer not to divulge my<\/p>\n

methodology to the hired help.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I understand, sir,” said Pandro, bowing and<\/p>\n

finishing his stiff drink. He set the glass aside and<\/p>\n

headed for the front door. “Any other messages,<\/p>\n

sir?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Sorbl. Sorbl!” Clothahump yelled. “Never mind.<\/p>\n

I’ll do it myself.” The door swung inward at the flick<\/p>\n

of his hand. It was a tiny magic, very minor wizardry,<\/p>\n

but it impressed Pandro nonetheless. A good impres-<\/p>\n

sion the raven would carry with him all the way back<\/p>\n

to Quasequa.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No, no other message. Tell Opiode if he feels the<\/p>\n

need to convey additional information to me to send<\/p>\n

you back again.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Oh, no, sir! He may send more information back<\/p>\n

to you. but I won’t be bringing it. I’ve had enough of<\/p>\n

wizardly goings-on. Humans from other worlds, face-<\/p>\n

less demons, no thank you, sirs! I’ll inform him<\/p>\n

you’re sending help down to Quasequa and I’m sure-<\/p>\n

he will be heartened by that, but if he wants to thank<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THB MOMENT OF THE MAOJCUUV\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>89<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

you he can do it himself. I’ve had more than enough<\/p>\n

of such doings. Never again.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Don’t you mean ‘nevermore’?” Jon-Tom asked<\/p>\n

him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pandro eyed him oddly for a moment before bow-<\/p>\n

ing a last time. Then he left, closing the heavy<\/p>\n

wooden door behind him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Hope for the better rather than for the worst,”<\/p>\n

said Jon-Tom after the raven had taken his leave.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

*TU start packing our supplies.”<\/p>\n

Clothahump coughed softly. “What do you mean<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

*our* supplies, my boy?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom hailed in mid-stride. “Now, wait a minute.<\/p>\n

What about all that business about your being<\/p>\n

‘courageous, brave, and bold’?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Dear me, is that what he said?” Clothahump was<\/p>\n

studying the ceiling. “I thought certain he said<\/p>\n

‘courageous, brave, and old.’ Because that is an accu-<\/p>\n

rate description. In any case, I’m certainly not about<\/p>\n

to leave my work here to embark on some long hike<\/p>\n

simply to salve the injured feelings of a deposed<\/p>\n

wizard. As 1 said, this hardly sounds to me like a<\/p>\n

crisis”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No crisis, eh? Some evil sorcerer from another<\/p>\n

world throws a colleague of yours out of office and is<\/p>\n

scheming to take over an entire city with who-knows-<\/p>\n

what eventual aims in mind, and you don’t call that a<\/p>\n

crisis?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It’s not my city, and I’m not the one who’s been<\/p>\n

deposed. As for Opiode the Sly’s being a colleague.<\/p>\n

I’ve never worked with him and know of him only by<\/p>\n

reputation.”<\/p>\n

\/\u00a0 <\/span>“That’s one hell of a cold attitude.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I would rather say realistic. However, I did say I<\/p>\n

would send help, and so I shall. You are so con-<\/p>\n

vinced that this Markus the Ineluctable is from your<\/p>\n

world that I wouldn’t think of putting off the day of<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Poster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

60<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

that meeting by so much as an hour. I would only<\/p>\n

slow you down, my boy.” He indicated the duar<\/p>\n

Jon-Tbm cradled against his side.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“You can handle anything that comes before you.<\/p>\n

You now know enough of this land and have mastered<\/p>\n

sufficient of your spellsinging skills to extricate your-<\/p>\n

self from any minor difficulties.” He grinned. “Should<\/p>\n

this Markus turn out to be as belligerent as Opiode<\/p>\n

feels, you can always threaten him with a bouquet.’*<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jen-Torn gave the wizard a sour look. “What would<\/p>\n

I do without your confidence and support?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Oh, I support you, my boy, I support you. Your<\/p>\n

talent is developing nicely. I merely try to keep a<\/p>\n

close watch on the diameter of your head, lest in a<\/p>\n

dangerous moment of overconfidence it grow too<\/p>\n

large.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Opiode desires speed in this matter and so do<\/p>\n

you. I would be an encumbrance to you both. I am<\/p>\n

quite confident of your ability to manage this matter<\/p>\n

on your own.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“What if he’s not from my world?” wondered<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom, suddenly thoughtful. “What if he is some<\/p>\n

strange demonic being in human guise? That raven’s<\/p>\n

description of his attire and his attitude, those don’t<\/p>\n

make him sound much like an old friend from back<\/p>\n

home”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Then you must deal with him as the circum-<\/p>\n

stances dictate,” the wizard told him firmly. “I can’t<\/p>\n

wet-nurse you through maturity.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I’m already mature.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Then act like it.” He winced. “Besides, my arthri-<\/p>\n

tis is acting up.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Funny how your arthritis always seems to act up<\/p>\n

whenever there’s a long journey to be taken.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Yes, it is peculiar, isn’t it?” Clothahump admitted<\/p>\n

without batting an eye. He lumbered toward his<\/p>\n

bedroom, peered through the doorway. “Ah! Sorbl<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMENT Of THK XAOICIAW\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>61<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

has excavated my bed. I can hear him shearing away<\/p>\n

in there. Presumably he is not so drunk that he has<\/p>\n

cut off either of his wings.” He raised his voice.<\/p>\n

“Sorbll How are you managing in there, you useless<\/p>\n

befeathered sot?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I am tired. Master,” came the faint reply from<\/p>\n

somewhere deep within the thorny brambles. “These<\/p>\n

vines are tough.” A pause, then, “Can’t you just<\/p>\n

magic them away?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Perhaps I could, but I did not acquire an appren-<\/p>\n

tice so that I might engage in menial labor. Besides,<\/p>\n

a little exercise is good for the system, especially<\/p>\n

when that system is overloaded with ethyl molecules.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“With what. Master?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Liquorish magical symbols.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Not me, Masteri I would never\u2014I”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump closed the door to the rosebush-ridden<\/p>\n

bedroom, shutting off Sorbl’s too-emphatic protesta-<\/p>\n

tions of innocence. He turned back to jon-Tom,<\/p>\n

peered up at him over steepled lingers.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Opiode has a reputation for exaggeration, my<\/p>\n

boy, and all salamanders are notoriously paranoid. I<\/p>\n

know that you will enjoy the journey to Quasequa. It<\/p>\n

will be a long but pleasant trip. The city itself is<\/p>\n

rumored to be most beautiful, constructed on a<\/p>\n

series of islands out in the middle of a body of water<\/p>\n

called the Lake of Sorrowful Pearls. If 1 were a hun-<\/p>\n

dred years younger, I would not hesitate to accompa-<\/p>\n

ny you.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

jon-Tbm was nodding knowingly. “Sounds delightful.<\/p>\n

In fact, it sounds a lot like our recent relaxing<\/p>\n

vacation jaunt to distant Snarken.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump shifted his eyes away from the tall<\/p>\n

youth- “Ah, any excursion can be dogged by unforeseen<\/p>\n

bad luck.” He cleared his throat self-consciously. “This<\/p>\n

time you will encounter no oceans to cross, no mo-<\/p>\n

rose moors to traverse. Merely shallow tropical lakes<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

03 Alan Dean Footer<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

and lagoons, such as the one on which Quasequa<\/p>\n

itself is constructed. A land of moderate tempera-<\/p>\n

tures and quiet beauty. A veritable paradise com-<\/p>\n

pared to these cold Bellwoods. Often’s the time I’ve<\/p>\n

thought of traveling there with an eye toward retir-<\/p>\n

ing in such a place.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“You’ll never retire. You like your reputation too<\/p>\n

much.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No, 1 mean it, my boy. Someday I will consider<\/p>\n

it seriously. Perhaps when I turn three hundred.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“When you hit three hundred 1 hope I won’t be<\/p>\n

around to see it.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Yes, your unquenchable desire to return home.<\/p>\n

Perhaps this Markus the Ineluctable will turn out to<\/p>\n

be helpful.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“You’re just trying to make me feel better about<\/p>\n

going off without you, but you’re right. I’d go<\/p>\n

anywhere, under any conditions, if I thought there<\/p>\n

was a chance I could get a little closer to home.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“And what of Opiode’s concerns?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Maybe he exaggerates, just like you say. If this<\/p>\n

Markus is from my own world, I’m sure that if the<\/p>\n

two of us can get together and chat for a while, he’ll<\/p>\n

be as happy to see me as I will be to see him, and we<\/p>\n

can work something out”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“And if he’s not of your world, and Opiode does<\/p>\n

not exaggerate?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jen-Tom took a deep breath. “In that case, I’ve got<\/p>\n

my duar. If it comes to a battle of sorceral skills, I<\/p>\n

think I can handle anything.” Except my own mistakes,<\/p>\n

he added silently to himself-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Good for you, my boy! That’s the spirit! Main-<\/p>\n

tain that attitude and I’m sure you’ll have things in<\/p>\n

Quasequa sorted out in no time.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom looked uncertain. “There is one drawback.<\/p>\n

I can’t make a journey like that all by myself. Oh, I<\/p>\n

understand if you don’t feel up to coming along or<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

TBK MOMENT Of THK SSAQSCZAM<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

63<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

don’t feel it’s necessary, or whatever. But I won’t risk<\/p>\n

a trip like this all by my lonesome. I know that flier<\/p>\n

wouldn’t have guided me. Not his job, and fliers get<\/p>\n

bored having to hang back with us land-bound types.<\/p>\n

That much I’ve learned. What about making use of<\/p>\n

public transportation systems along the way?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“A good thought, except that there aren’t any, my<\/p>\n

boy. There is no commerce between the Bellwoods<\/p>\n

towns and Quasequa. All trade from Lynchbany and<\/p>\n

Timswitty and the like goes to the Glittergeist Sea or<\/p>\n

Polastrindu.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Then I’d like to have an old buddy accompany<\/p>\n

me.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump shook his head sadly. “I wonder that<\/p>\n

your choice of company does not otherwise mirror<\/p>\n

your normal good taste.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“1 Just feel comfortable with Mudge around. He’s<\/p>\n

clever with words, knows the customs and ins and<\/p>\n

outs, is good with weapons, and is reasonably trust-<\/p>\n

worthy so long as I keep an eye on him round the<\/p>\n

dock and don’t let him get his paws on the expense<\/p>\n

money.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump shrugged beneath his shell. “It’s your<\/p>\n

neck, my boy. You choose your own companions.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom frowned. “The only problem is, I haven’t<\/p>\n

the slightest idea where he’s to be found. Last time I<\/p>\n

had to track him all the way up to Timswitty. Since<\/p>\n

Quasequa lies in the other direction, I’d lose a lot of<\/p>\n

time if I had to hunt through the Bellwoods in..<\/p>\n

search of him.” He Finished on a hopeful note-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I agree. And don’t give me that innocent-apprentice<\/p>\n

look. It doesn’t have the slightest effect on me.<\/p>\n

However, if you will insist on having him with you…”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“1 wouldn’t insist,” Jon-Tom said quickly. “It would<\/p>\n

Just make me a lot more confident about the whole<\/p>\n

business.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Very well, very well. I will see what I can do. I will<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Fowter<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

64<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

attempt to locate him and explain that he is wanted<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

here.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“As for yourself, you’d best begin preparing for<\/p>\n

the journey. Fill your backpack with care, make cer-<\/p>\n

tain you have ample spare strings for your duar, and<\/p>\n

try to get a good night’s sleep. 1 will be able to<\/p>\n

discuss this matter of your ‘friend’ with more certainty<\/p>\n

tomorrow rooming.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“How long do you think it will take for you to<\/p>\n

locate him and give him the message?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“We will just have to wait and see, my boy. We will<\/p>\n

have to wait and see.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jen-Tom arose the next morning still excited by<\/p>\n

the prospect of meeting someone else from home,<\/p>\n

someone who might be able to help him get back<\/p>\n

where he belonged. It wasn’t that Clothahump hadn’t<\/p>\n

been good to him- In his own distinctive, demanding<\/p>\n

fashion, the wizard had gone out of his way to make<\/p>\n

the displaced human feel welcome.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nor had his sojourn in this land. been uneventful.<\/p>\n

Quite the contrary. But he was more than ready to<\/p>\n

return to the calm, familiar life of an anxiety-ridden<\/p>\n

pre-law student in Weslwood, CA.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

He washed his hands and face in the wooden basin<\/p>\n

that grew from one of the tree’s inner walls, wonder-<\/p>\n

ing not for the first time what kind of intricate<\/p>\n

magical spell could provide indoor plumbing within<\/p>\n

the dimensionally expanded trunk of an oak. After<\/p>\n

drying himself and dressing carefully, he went through<\/p>\n

the contents of his backpack.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It held jerked meat, dried fruit and nuts, a selec-<\/p>\n

tion of medicinal herbs and potions, a small metal<\/p>\n

box holding the few Band-Aids and pills he’d had on<\/p>\n

his person when he’d been sucked into this world, a<\/p>\n

change of underclothing, and a small assortment of<\/p>\n

toiletry items and personal effects. Packed to bursting,<\/p>\n

it was heavier than it had been when he’d set out on<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ttffi StOUKHT W THE MAGICIAN<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

65<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

a previous journey to distant Snarken. On that trip<\/p>\n

Clolhahump had informed him he would encounter<\/p>\n

towns and villages in which to purchase food and<\/p>\n

other necessities. The land between here and Quase-<\/p>\n

qua, however benign, was apparently a good deal<\/p>\n

less urbanized.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

That meant living more off the land. Well, he’d<\/p>\n

always enjoyed camping out, and if Clothahump’s<\/p>\n

description of the country south of the river Tailaroam<\/p>\n

was accurate, it should be a relaxing experience-<\/p>\n

First breakfast, then he’d ask if the wizard had<\/p>\n

succeeded in locating Mudge. Probably he’d have to<\/p>\n

meet the otter somewhere. A couple of quick hellos,<\/p>\n

and off they’d go, traveling at a brisk but unhurried<\/p>\n

pace southward, enjoying the clear weather while<\/p>\n

reminiscing about\u2014<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

A terrible scream split this image and pushed<\/p>\n

everything else into the background. It pierced the<\/p>\n

thick walls of living wood. was followed by a second<\/p>\n

and third. Each howl was more horrible than its<\/p>\n

predecessor. Jon-Tom’s skin prickled.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

His first thought was that Markus the Ineluctable<\/p>\n

was everything Opiode feared and more, and that<\/p>\n

he’d somehow tracked the course of Pandro the<\/p>\n

raven and had sent his faceless demons to do away<\/p>\n

with any potential allies the flier might have made<\/p>\n

contact with. Jon-Tom grabbed his ramwood staff<\/p>\n

and rushed for the next rooms.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

He flicked the concealed switch in the wooden<\/p>\n

shaft, and six inches of sharp steel emerged from the<\/p>\n

base of the staff. If only he wasn’t too late and<\/p>\n

whatever had entered the tree hadn’t gotten ahold of<\/p>\n

Clothahumpi The screams continued, but their inten-<\/p>\n

sity had fallen somewhat. They seemed to be coming<\/p>\n

from the vicinity of the kitchen. He turned down a<\/p>\n

narrow hall, keeping his head low, and bounced off a<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alafi Dean Porter<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

66<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

wall, then skidded to a halt just inside the dining<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

area.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump sat in his reinforced chair next to the<\/p>\n

table that grew out of the floor. He was spooning<\/p>\n

ground fish and water plant from a steaming bowl.<\/p>\n

A tall glass of murky, aged pond water stood nearby.<\/p>\n

Heat rose from the iron cookstove where Sorbl la-<\/p>\n

bored diligently over two bubbling pots and baking<\/p>\n

bread. As he watched, the owl dropped from the<\/p>\n

perch welded to the front of the stove, slid a couple<\/p>\n

of fried mice out of the oven -and slipped them<\/p>\n

between slices of fresh bread, and began to munch<\/p>\n

on his own breakfast. The bread smelled delicious.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

At the moment, though, his thoughts were not on<\/p>\n

food. Instead, he stared openmouthed at the con-<\/p>\n

struction which had appeared in the middle of the<\/p>\n

floor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was a cage, and not a very elegant cage at that.<\/p>\n

Six feet tall and three or four square, it seemed to<\/p>\n

hover in midair a foot or so above the kitchen tiles. It<\/p>\n

had six sides instead of four. Instead of bars, thin<\/p>\n

threads connected top and bottom. They did not<\/p>\n

ripple in the heat of the room. They did not move at<\/p>\n

all.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Not even when the berserk, spitting, squalling<\/p>\n

creature caged within chose to bang against them<\/p>\n

with its body. It bounced off as if the threads were<\/p>\n

fashioned of inch-thick steel. It used its shoulders<\/p>\n

because its arms were tied to its sides. In fact, the<\/p>\n

occupant of the cage wore a mummylike cylinder of<\/p>\n

heavy rope that encased him from ankle to neck.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Good morning, my boy,” said Clothahump cheerily,<\/p>\n

as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.<\/p>\n

“Have some breakfast?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“In a minute.” Jon-Tom put his staff aside. He<\/p>\n

moved into the kitchen and walked slowly around<\/p>\n

the hovering cage, never taking his eyes from it.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

TBE MOKBNT OF THE MAOJCJAM<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

67<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

With a finger, he tested one of the threads. It<\/p>\n

refused to move no matter how hard he pushed or<\/p>\n

pulled on it. He had to pull away fast because the<\/p>\n

bound creature inside tried to bite off his finger.<\/p>\n

Sharp teeth just managed to nick his skin. He sucked<\/p>\n

on the thin cut.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I’m sorry, Mudge,” he said, “but I didn’t have<\/p>\n

anything to do with this.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Oi now, didn’t you, you stretched-out offspring of<\/p>\n

an otherworldly bitch? You slippery sliver-tongued<\/p>\n

bastard. Of course you didn’t ‘ave nothin’ to do with<\/p>\n

it, you and that calcified lump of solid bone wot calls<\/p>\n

‘imself a sorcerer.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump ignored this tirade and continued to<\/p>\n

slurp daintily at his meal.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Don’t give me that crap, matel You and ‘im *ave<\/p>\n

always been in league with one another against me.<\/p>\n

Don’t try to deny it! ‘Tis been that way all along.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom continued to suck on the Finger his friend<\/p>\n

had attempted to amputate, spoke quietly. “He was<\/p>\n

just supposed to find you and send you a message.”<\/p>\n

He turned to face the wizard. “You were just sup-<\/p>\n

posed to send him a message.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump considered, the spoon halfway to his<\/p>\n

mouth. “I did send a message, my boy, and you were<\/p>\n

correct in your concerns. He was quite a distance<\/p>\n

away, in a town near Kreshfarm-in-the-Geegs.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It weren’t far enough!” Mudge howled. He tried<\/p>\n

to sit down, but the enveloping ropes prevented the<\/p>\n

maneuver, and he had to settle for leaning up against<\/p>\n

the threads. “Seems it’ll never be far enough to get<\/p>\n

me away from you two arseholes! It won’t stop me<\/p>\n

from tryin’, though. I’ll never stop tryin’l” He glared<\/p>\n

accusingly at Jen-Tom.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Why, mate? I thought after that little sea voyage I<\/p>\n

*elped you out with we were even up.”<\/p>\n

Jen-Tom found himself unable to meet the otter’s<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

68<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

gaze. “We were… as far as that particular trip was<\/p>\n

concerned. Unfortunately, something new has come<\/p>\n

up.” He tried to smile. “You know how highly I value<\/p>\n

your company and assistance.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“And you want good old ‘appy-go-lucky Mudge<\/p>\n

along to ‘old your bleedin* ‘and, right? Or maybe to<\/p>\n

push you along in your pram?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

When Jon-Tom didn’t reply, the otter turned his<\/p>\n

attention back to the kitchen table. “Untie me, you<\/p>\n

disgustin’ ball of reptilian corruption, or when I get<\/p>\n

out of ‘ere, I swears I’ll shove you in on yourself and<\/p>\n

cement up all the openin’s!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Now, now.” Clothahump dabbed delicately at his<\/p>\n

mouth with a linen napkin. “Let us remember who<\/p>\n

we are talking to.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Oh, I know who I’m talkin’ to, all right. The<\/p>\n

world’s master meddler. I don’t care anymore, you<\/p>\n

see? So I can say wotever I want. Turn me into a<\/p>\n

snake, turn me into a worm, even turn me into a<\/p>\n

bloody ‘uman. See if I care. Because you’ve gone too<\/p>\n

far this time, the two of you, and I’ve ‘ad it! I’m not<\/p>\n

goin’ anywhere.” He nodded in Jon-Tom’s direction.<\/p>\n

“Especially not with ‘im. Not across any oceans, not<\/p>\n

into any fights, not to the local market to buy chestnuts.<\/p>\n

Nowhere, nohow, no way!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom switched to rubbing his bitten finger.<\/p>\n

“Ever hear of Quasequa, Mudge?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The otter frowned down at him. “Qua wot?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Quasequa. It lies far to the south of the Bellwoods.<\/p>\n

Exquisite country, a beautiful tropical city built out<\/p>\n

on a vast lake. The kind of place an otter, it seems to<\/p>\n

me, would find downright paradisaical.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Charming, friendly inhabitants;’ Clothahump added<\/p>\n

without glancing up from his meal, “who know how<\/p>\n

to make a stranger feel at home. Especially, I am<\/p>\n

told, the ladies.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

TBS MOMENT OF TJXE MAGfCUUr<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

69<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mudge seemed to waver, but only for an instant-<\/p>\n

Then his determination returned.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Oh, no, you ain’t goin’ to smooth-talk me into it<\/p>\n

again. Not this time. I know ‘ow you two operate, I<\/p>\n

does.” He nodded again toward Jon-Tom. “This one’s<\/p>\n

*alf solicitor and ‘alf devil. Between the two of you,<\/p>\n

you could sell ice to polar bears- No, I’ll ‘ave none of<\/p>\n

it this time. Do what you want to me.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom approached the cage, his best profes-<\/p>\n

sional smile fairly lighting up the dim kitchen. He<\/p>\n

was careful, however, not to get within biting dis-<\/p>\n

tance of his best friend.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Aw, c’mon, Mudge. One more time. For old times*<\/p>\n

sake. Be a friend.” The otter didn’t reply, stared<\/p>\n

stolidly at the far wall.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I know you’re upset right now, and I can under-<\/p>\n

stand why. I sympathize, really. I meant it when I<\/p>\n

said I had nothing to do with bringing you here like<\/p>\n

this. I was going to come out and meet you, but<\/p>\n

Clothahump decided that it was important to try and<\/p>\n

save time, I guess, so he brought you here this way<\/p>\n

without telling me of his plans.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

*Time. Let me tell you somethin’ about time, mate.<\/p>\n

Do you ‘ave any idea where I was when ‘is sorcerership<\/p>\n

there yanked me out of reality and into nothingness?<\/p>\n

Do you ‘ave any idea what five minutes in Chaos is<\/p>\n

like?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“There are somewhat smoother methods of generat-<\/p>\n

ing the transition,” Clothahump murmured, “but<\/p>\n

they take too much time.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Do they now? Time, wot? I’ll tell you about time.”<\/p>\n

A wistful expression came over his face. “There I<\/p>\n

was, sittin* in Shorvan’s Gambling Palace in down-<\/p>\n

town Toothrust… which is a good place for a gam-<\/p>\n

bling chap like meself to be… ‘oldin* twelve of a<\/p>\n

kind. Twelve of a kind!” He almost broke out sobbing,<\/p>\n

but managed to restrain himself.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

70<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“And the pot… there was enough gold in that pot,<\/p>\n

me friends, to set me up for three, four years o*<\/p>\n

comfort. So I’m gettin’ ready to make me play, see,<\/p>\n

because I know wot the score is and that the one<\/p>\n

chap with a chance to stop me ‘as to be bluffin’<\/p>\n

because ‘e ain’t ‘oldin’ diddly-squat in ‘is paws. This<\/p>\n

bum’s a foxie with no moxie, see? I can read ‘is<\/p>\n

bloomin’ whiskers, and I know I’ve got ‘im beat, I<\/p>\n

know I dol So I push in all me chips, a great<\/p>\n

galumphin’ pile won at great labor and pain, and<\/p>\n

wot do you think ‘appens to me and me twelve of a<\/p>\n

kind, eh? Wot?” Jon-Tom said nothing.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I’m jerked bodily into Unfamiliar Chaos, which<\/p>\n

ain’t no garden spot, I can tell you, and then finds<\/p>\n

meself bound up like a B&D ‘oliday gift in this<\/p>\n

bloody cage so’s that tuft o’ blotchy, moth-eaten<\/p>\n

feathers over there can tell me that I’ve been sum-<\/p>\n

moned hence because you, mate, needs me ‘elp on<\/p>\n

one of your forthcomin’ suicidal excursions.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom glared at Ctothahump, who appeared<\/p>\n

not in the least distressed. “You did say, my boy, that<\/p>\n

you wanted his company on this journey. If anything,<\/p>\n

I expressed a dissenting opinion.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I said that I wanted his help, his willing help.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Best not to waste time,” the turtle harrumphed,<\/p>\n

“debating semantics.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“If you don’t want to waste time,” Jon-Tom said,<\/p>\n

**why not send us to Quasequa tlie same way you<\/p>\n

brought him here?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It’s not quite that simple, my boy. Bringing and<\/p>\n

sending are quite different things. The spells are<\/p>\n

more complex than you can imagine. Bringing takes<\/p>\n

enough out of you, and 1 am not at all adept, I<\/p>\n

confess, at sending. If I were better at either, I’d<\/p>\n

bring this Markus person here. That would simplify<\/p>\n

everything, wouldn’t it? Unfortunately, 1 cannot do<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

TUB MOUKKT OF THE SS.AOIC3AM<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

71<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

that. I was only able to manage this recall because of<\/p>\n

your strong association with this creature and\u2014”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Who’re you callin’ a ‘creature,’ you fat-brained…”<\/p>\n

Mudge hesitated, latched onto a new thought. “Wait<\/p>\n

a minim. Who’s this ‘Markus’ you’re talkin’ about?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Someone I have to talk to,” Jon-Tom explained.<\/p>\n

“In beautiful Quasequa.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Ain’t nowheres as beautiful as a gamin’ room with<\/p>\n

a big pot o* gold lyin’ in it waitin’ for the takin’.<\/p>\n

Twelve of a kind. The draw o’ me life.” He looked<\/p>\n

back to Clothahump again. “The least you could’ve<\/p>\n

done, your sorcerership, was to ‘ave brung me ‘ere<\/p>\n

first-class instead of economy.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I am not one to indulge in frivolous, unnecessary<\/p>\n

expense.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Right, guv, and I’m sure you travels steerage<\/p>\n

every time you transpose, too. At least let me out o’<\/p>\n

these blasted ropes!”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Yes, I believe 1 can do that, now that you have<\/p>\n

calmed down somewhat and decided to act halfway<\/p>\n

civilized. All that screaming and cursing, tch.” He<\/p>\n

mumbled something under his breath.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nothing happened. “Well,” Mudge asked, “is that<\/p>\n

it?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Not quite. You have to sneeze.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Oi, I do, do I? Just like that? You think sneezin*<\/p>\n

on cue’s as simple as talkin’? As simple as drawin* to<\/p>\n

twelve of a kind? Right then!” He inhaled sharply,<\/p>\n

tickled his nose with a whisker, and blew messily in<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom’s direction. No question but that his aim<\/p>\n

was deliberate.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The ropes turned to dust at his feet. He stood and<\/p>\n

rubbed his arms to restore the circulation.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Same old Mudge, Jon-Tom mused, cleaning him-<\/p>\n

self up as he inspected his old friend. The otter<\/p>\n

boasted a new vest of gray shot through with silver<\/p>\n

thread together with matching silver-and-black shorts.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

72<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

His new boots were bright metallic blue. The famil-<\/p>\n

iar longbow and quiver of arrows were slung across<\/p>\n

his back. On his head rode the same battered green<\/p>\n

felt cap. New feather, though.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“That’s an improvement, guv’nor. Now ‘ow about<\/p>\n

this bloomin’ cage?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“What cage?” asked Clothahump with a half smile.<\/p>\n

“There is nothing barring your path save a few<\/p>\n

flimsy threads.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Few they may be but flimsy they ain’t. Don’t think<\/p>\n

I ‘aven’t tried.” He pushed out with a hand, casually,<\/p>\n

and several of the threads snapped. He had to rush<\/p>\n

to jump clear as the wooden roof started to collapse<\/p>\n

on top of him. Then he was standing unrestrained<\/p>\n

on the kitchen floor staring at what up until a<\/p>\n

moment ago had been an impenetrable prison but<\/p>\n

was now nothing more than a couple of blocks of<\/p>\n

wood lightly linked together by a few cloth threads.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The only thing worse than a bloody wizard,” he<\/p>\n

mumbled, “is a bloody wizard who likes to play<\/p>\n

jokes.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I do not play jokes,” declaimed Clothahump with<\/p>\n

dignity. “Such mundane exercises in plebeian amuse-<\/p>\n

ment are beneath my stature.” He coughed lighdy. “I<\/p>\n

do admit to some slight subtle sense of humor,<\/p>\n

however. At my age you pass up no opportunity for<\/p>\n

some mild amusement.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“As for your late lamented twelve of a kind, for<\/p>\n

that 1 am sorry. I have reason to believe that the<\/p>\n

wizard Opiode the Sly, whom you travel to visit, will<\/p>\n

be willing to reimburse you fully.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Yeah, that’s wot you always say, guv.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“In any case, you will surely have the run of lovely,<\/p>\n

exotic Quasequa, whose climate and virtues the poets<\/p>\n

extol beyond\u2014”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Oh, come off it, guv’nor, I’ve ‘eard all this before.”<\/p>\n

He sniffled once. “Twelve of a kind.” A glance up at<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

TBC MOMENT OF THE MAGICIAN<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

73<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

jon-Tbm. “You know ‘ow long a player waits for a<\/p>\n

‘and like that, mate?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No, I don’t. I thought the most you could get in a<\/p>\n

game was four of a kind.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mudge mulled this over. “I can see we’re talkin’<\/p>\n

different games ‘ere, mate. You wouldn’t understand,<\/p>\n

then.” He turned to face Clothahump. “Right then;<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

this brotherly dabbler in the back o’ beyond may or<\/p>\n

may not pay me for me time and trouble, but wot<\/p>\n

about me own ‘ard-earned money I put on the table?<\/p>\n

Wot about the loss o’ me gamblin’ stake? Or don’t<\/p>\n

you think you’re responsible for me losin* that?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I am not responsible for your gambling debts,”<\/p>\n

said the turtle slowly, “but I agree it would be wrong<\/p>\n

were you to suffer the loss of your own money on my<\/p>\n

account.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Well now, that’s more like it.” Mudge looked sur-<\/p>\n

prised and somewhat mollified. “You know, guv, if<\/p>\n

you wouldn’t treat me like an old ‘ammer and saw all<\/p>\n

the time, I might be a mite more inclined to partici-<\/p>\n

pate willingly in these charmin’ little diversions you<\/p>\n

and the ‘airless one ‘ere come up with. Quasequa,<\/p>\n

wot? Never been there, ’tis true. Wot is it we’re<\/p>\n

supposed to do there?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Check out a new chief advisor to the local rulers,<\/p>\n

a newly arrived wizard who calls himself Markus the<\/p>\n

Ineluctable,” Jen-Torn told him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Sounds straightforward enough to me.” His gaze<\/p>\n

narrowed and darted back and forth between Jon-<\/p>\n

Tom and Clothahump. “You’re sure that’s all, now?<\/p>\n

You two wouldn’t be concealin* somethin’ from old<\/p>\n

-Mudge, now would you?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Certainly not,” said Clothahump, obviously insulted.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Would I do something like that, Mudge?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I don’t like it. You two are too chummy. I feel<\/p>\n

safer when you’re arguin’.” He focused on the turtle.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

74<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Wot’s the land like between ‘ere and this -Quasequa<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

place?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Tropical, friendly, largely uninhabited and un-<\/p>\n

spoiled. I would be coming along myself if my arthri-<\/p>\n

tis were not acting up. That, and the fact that this is<\/p>\n

really a minor business, precludes my accompanying<\/p>\n

you”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“There’s something else.” Jon-Tom put a comradely<\/p>\n

hand on Mudge’s shoulder. The otter moved out<\/p>\n

from under it, but at least he didn’t try to bite. “This<\/p>\n

Markus the Ineluctable claims to have come from<\/p>\n

another world. If he comes from my world and the<\/p>\n

two of us strike up a friendship, it’s a chance for me<\/p>\n

to get home. Maybe for both of us to get home.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Well now, that would be worth the journey, to see<\/p>\n

the last of you, mate, though I don’t know as ‘ow I<\/p>\n

could stand more than one of you otherworldly twits<\/p>\n

in the same place at the same time. Nothin’ personal,<\/p>\n

but if you get back to your ‘ome, maybe I can get<\/p>\n

back to ‘aving a normal life o’ me own.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“A normal life,” said Clothahump dryly, “rich with<\/p>\n

thieving, fighting, wenching, and being in a condi-<\/p>\n

tion verging on permanent inebriation all the time.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Yes, that’s wot I said,” agreed the otter blithely,<\/p>\n

missing the wizard’s sarcasm entirely.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clothahump eyed him sadly. “I fear there is no<\/p>\n

hope for you, water rat.” He looked suddenly<\/p>\n

thoughtful. “I was led to believe that the most you<\/p>\n

could hold in a game of artimum was eleven of a<\/p>\n

kind.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I thought artimum was a spice,” said Jon-Tom.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“A spicy game of chance, my boy. Spices are in-<\/p>\n

volved as well as dice and cards.” He gave the otter a<\/p>\n

shrewd look. “You didn’t, by any chance, cardamom<\/p>\n

your hand?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Oh, wonderful!” Mudge threw up his hands and<\/p>\n

beseeched the heavens for understanding. “I’m snatched<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tas MOMENT w THE MAGJCIAJV<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

7S<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

r T<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

; ?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

away from the biggest winnings of me ^hort life so’s I<\/p>\n

can be accused o’ cheatin’ by someone who wasn’t<\/p>\n

even there.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Did you cardamom your cards?” Clothahump<\/p>\n

persisted.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Mudge turned to Jon-Tom, put<\/p>\n

a hand around his waist. “Right then, mate. Long as<\/p>\n

our course ‘as been determined, we might as well be<\/p>\n

on our way. Sooner we gets there the sooner we can<\/p>\n

start *ome, right?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Might as well wait another day, since I’ve saved so<\/p>\n

much time what with Clothahump bringing you<\/p>\n

straight here. We can leave tomorrow morning.” He<\/p>\n

was taken aback by the otter’s sudden enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Let’s ‘ave a chat then, must be a lot you ‘ave to tell<\/p>\n

me, and I’ve plenty to tell you.” He eased Jon-Tom<\/p>\n

toward the doorway.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Twelve of a kind.” Clothahump was rubbing his<\/p>\n

lower jaw and gazing speculatively after the hurried-<\/p>\n

ly departing otter.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mudge made sure to close the door behind him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

v<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was raining when they departed the following<\/p>\n

morning. Mudge appeared to have undergone a<\/p>\n

complete change of heart and was all but pushing<\/p>\n

Jon-lbm out the door.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No reason to wake ‘is nibs,” the otter told him,<\/p>\n

smiling reassuringly. “Let the poor bugger ‘ave ‘is<\/p>\n

rest.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Tell me about this game called artimum. I’ve<\/p>\n

heard of it before but I don’t really know how\u2014”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Now don’t you start, mate. Tell you about it when<\/p>\n

we’re well on our way. Wouldn’t want anyone else to<\/p>\n

get the wrong idea about old Mudge, would you?<\/p>\n

Besides, there’s more interestin’ tales I’ve yet to tell<\/p>\n

you. Did I mention yesterday about the vixen in<\/p>\n

Tenwattle who… ?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The rain slid offJon-Tom’s waterproof iridescent<\/p>\n

lizard-skin cape, which he kept well over his head,<\/p>\n

while Mudge merely placed his felt cap in his pack to<\/p>\n

protect it. Other than that he ignored the rain, for<\/p>\n

otters are as comfortable soaking wet as they are<\/p>\n

bone dry.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Heavier drops rang some of the bell leaves which<\/p>\n

gave this country its name, but for the most pan the<\/p>\n

trees were quiet. A tendaria rested on a nearby<\/p>\n

76<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE MOMEHT OF TBB MAGICIAN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>77<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

branch. The blue-and-puce flying amphibian sat with<\/p>\n

its mouth agape and head back as it collected rainwa-<\/p>\n

ter in the flexible sac attached to its lower jaw. It<\/p>\n

would carry the fresh water back to the clay-sealed<\/p>\n

nest it had made in the trunk of some hollow tree<\/p>\n

and add it to the growing basin therein. In time the<\/p>\n

female of the species would lay her eggs in the nest.<\/p>\n

The young flying amphibians would eventually hatch<\/p>\n

and mature in the protected pool, remaining there<\/p>\n

until they were old enough to fly and breathe air.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Really, Mudge, don’t you think it’s about time you<\/p>\n

gave some thought to altering your life-style?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“And wot’s wrong with me life-style?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“For one thing, you couldn’t exactly call it productive.<\/p>\n

You’re a sharp guy, Mudge. Yet you choose to spend<\/p>\n

your life as a wastrel.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I calls it freedom, mate. And it’s a challenge<\/p>\n

walkin’ the fine line between the legal and the<\/p>\n

debatable, leavin’ it to everyone else to guess which<\/p>\n

side o’ the line you’re on, on any particular day.” He<\/p>\n

winked broadly. “Of course, the trick o’ such livin* is<\/p>\n

to ‘ave one foot on each side o’ the line at all limes,<\/p>\n

and to be able to dance back and forth without<\/p>\n

gettin’ caught on the one side or the other. Never a<\/p>\n

dull moment.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I know it’s an exciting way to live, but it doesn’t<\/p>\n

seem to have much of a future to it. I’ll bet you don’t<\/p>\n

even have enough put aside to pay for a decent<\/p>\n

funeral.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Funeral? Hell, mate, I know them that spends<\/p>\n

their ‘ole lives worryin’ about ‘ow they’re goin’ to be<\/p>\n

buried. The goal o’ their life is death. ‘Ardly seems<\/p>\n

worth livin’ at all. Might as well slit your throat and<\/p>\n

miss out on all the worryin’.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Go ahead and make light of it, but there’ll be no<\/p>\n

one to cry at your funeral. No pallbearers, no<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

78<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

mourners. Or do you think your thieving acquain-<\/p>\n

tances will take the trouble to show up?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mudge shrugged. “I don’t worry about it none,<\/p>\n

but 1 do know there’ll be at least one there to weep<\/p>\n

for me passin’.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Yeah, who?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Why, you, mate,” and the otter grinned up at him<\/p>\n

so infectiously that jon-Tom had to turn away lest<\/p>\n

Mudge see his own smile-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Maybe, just maybe, but I still think you could do<\/p>\n

more with your life.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Plannin’ takes all the surprise out o’ life, mate.<\/p>\n

Me, I’d rather take it as it ‘its me, even if it some-<\/p>\n

times *its kind o’ ‘ard.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

They marched on, arguing about life and mean-<\/p>\n

ings and directions. Mudge cited chapter and verse<\/p>\n

from personal experience\u2014always frenetic, often foul,<\/p>\n

but never dull. jon-Tom countered with quotes from<\/p>\n

everyone from B. F. Skinner to Woody Alien. None of<\/p>\n

his arguments had the slightest impact on the free-<\/p>\n

living otter.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

They passed the glade where the footprints of<\/p>\n

M’nemaxa still showed as deep depressions in solid<\/p>\n

granite; passed through dense, familiar woods; and<\/p>\n

finally emerged on the banks of the river Tailaroam.<\/p>\n

Westward the great river tumbled and churned on<\/p>\n

its way toward the distant Glittergeist Sea, while far<\/p>\n

off to the east lay the impressive range of mountains<\/p>\n

known as Zaryt’s Teeth, which gave birth to the<\/p>\n

Tailaroam’s tributaries.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Their immediate concern was the broad section of<\/p>\n

fast-running river directly in front of them. It flowed<\/p>\n

from east to west, and their course led due south.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“How do we get across?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“As for me, mate,” Mudge told him, “I’d as soon<\/p>\n

swim it in a couple of minutes- I’d enjoy it more than<\/p>\n

these past days’ trek.” He glanced around, searching<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

THB MOMEMT OF THE MAWCUN<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

79<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

the shoreline. “If we can find a nice dry log, I’ll give<\/p>\n

you a push across. Wouldn’t want ‘is nosyness to<\/p>\n

think I weren’t takin’ good care o* you.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

They hunted for and found a suitable log. Jon-<\/p>\n

Tom sat astride the fallen tree with his long legs<\/p>\n

stretched out in front of him, clinging to the otter’s<\/p>\n

clothing and his own belongings while struggling to<\/p>\n

balance himself as Mudge pushed out into the river.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the otter’s sense of equilibrium was bet-<\/p>\n

ter developed than his own. Every time it looked like<\/p>\n

he was about to tip over, Mudge adjusted from<\/p>\n

behind. They arrived on the opposite shore of the<\/p>\n

Tailaroam without Jon-Tom’s getting his toes wet.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mudge climbed onto the sandy bank, shook him-<\/p>\n

self off, and then lay down in the sun until his slick<\/p>\n

fur was completely dry. As soon as he’d dressed, they<\/p>\n

started south along a well-trod and easy-to-follow<\/p>\n

trail.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Soon they found themselves in the Lower Dugga-<\/p>\n

kurra Hills, a landscape of rounded boulders worn<\/p>\n

smooth by the action of wind and rain. Thick brush<\/p>\n

thrived in pockets of dark soil between the rocks.<\/p>\n

Already they were starting to leave behind the larger<\/p>\n

conifers that dominated the expanse of forest called<\/p>\n

the Bellwoods, and the tall tropical hardwoods of the<\/p>\n

lake region would not put in an appearance for some<\/p>\n

time yet.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom took his time breaking camp the follow-<\/p>\n

ing morning, quenching the embers of their camp-<\/p>\n

fire and scattering the ashes. Time was important,<\/p>\n

but he didn’t want to arrive in Quasequa too exhausted<\/p>\n

to think.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The trail had grown more and more obscure the<\/p>\n

deeper they’d penetrated into the rocky terrain, so<\/p>\n

he wasn’t surprised to see the confused expression<\/p>\n

on the otter’s face when Mudge returned from scout-<\/p>\n

ing the path ahead.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alan Dean Foster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

80<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Or was there more there this morning than just<\/p>\n

confusion? He rose,-kicked the last splinters of smok-<\/p>\n

ing wood apart, and brushed dust from his hands.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Something wrong? If it’s the trail -..”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

” Tisn’t that, guv. It’s… well, you’d better come<\/p>\n

and ‘ave a looksee for yourself.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“A looksee at what?”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mudge said evenly, “I think the ground ahead’s on<\/p>\n

fire.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jon-Tom swallowed his ready retort as he saw that<\/p>\n

the otter was in dead earnest. Hurriedly he slipped<\/p>\n

into his backpack and followed his companion<\/p>\n

southward. Mudge underscored the seriousness of<\/p>\n

his claim by not talking as they marched.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sure enough, as they topped a small pass between<\/p>\n

the boulders, Jon-Tom could see vapor rising off to<\/p>\n

the left. It was only after they’d hiked another mile<\/p>\n

that he could be certain it wasn’t smoke-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

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Book Preview “And I say Opiode should give way!” \u00a0 The speaker. Asmouelle the tamandua, stood be- fore the narrow wooden oval that was the Quorum table and glared at his colleagues. His nose was damp and glistening, and so was the table. Most everything stayed damp in Quasequa, a city built on numerous islands … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4089,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[245],"class_list":["post-4090","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-alan-dean-foster"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4090","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4090"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4090\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4089"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4090"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4090"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4090"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}