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we both sensed that the timely intervention was neither
accidental nor a mistake. Someone had deliberately
pulled the crowd off our backs. Before we celebrated
our good fortune, we wanted to know who and why.
A pair of figures appeared at the mouth of the alley.
"You can come out now," one of them called.
"Sorry to interfere, but it looked like so much fun we
just had to play, too."
I'd know that voice anywhere, even if I didn't
recognize the figure as well as the unmistakable form of
her brother.
"Tananda! Chumley!" I shouted, waving to pinpoint
our position. "I was wondering when you'd show up."
The sister-brother team of Trollop and Troll hastened
to join us. For all their lighthearted banter, I can think
of few beings I'd rather have on or at my side when
things get tight.
"Are you all right?" Tananda asked, stopping to help
Massha to her feet.
"Really never had much dignity," my apprentice
responded, "and what little I did have is shot to hell.
Except for that I'm fine. I'm starting to see why you Big
Leaguers are so down on mechanical magic."
Chumley seized my hand and pumped it vigorously.
"Now don't be too rough on your little gimmicks,
ducks," he advised. "That little ring you left us was just
the ticket we needed to get here in time for the latest in
our unbroken string of last-minute rescues. Except for
the typical hash you've made of your end-game, it looks
like you've done rather well without us. We've got all
present and accounted for, including Aahz, who seems
remarkably unscathed after yet one more near-brush
with disaster. Seems like all that's left is a hasty retreat
and a slow celebration ... eh, what?"
"That's about the size of it," I agreed. "It's great
having the two of you along to ride shotgun on our exit,
though. Speaking of which, can you find the castle from
here? I've gotten a little turned around...."
"Hold it right there!" Aahz broke in. "Before we get
too wrapped up in congratulating each other, aren't
there a few minor details being overlooked?"
The group looked at each other.
120
Robert Asprin
"Like what?" Tananda said at last.
"Like the fact that I'm still wanted for murder, for
one," my partner glared. "Then again, there's the three
fugitives we're supposed to be bringing back to Deva
with us."
"Oh, come on, Aahz," the Trollop chided, poking
him playfully in the ribs. "With the reputation you
already have, what's a little thing like a murder war-
rant?"
"I didn't do it," Aahz insisted. "Not only didn't I
kill this Vic character, nobody did. He's still around
somewhere laughing down his sleeve at all of us. Now
while I'll admit my reputation isn't exactly spotless, it
doesn't include standing still for a bum rap ... or let-
ting someone get away with making a fool of me!"
"Of course, saving the money for paying the
swindlers' debts plus the fines involved has nothing to
do with it, eh, Aahz?" Chumley said, winking his larger
eye.
"Well... that, too," my partner admitted. "Isn't it
nice that we can take care of both unpleasant tasks at
the same time?"
"Maybe we could settle for just catching Vic and let
the others go," I murmured.
"How's that again, partner?"
"Nothing, Aahz," I said with a sigh. "It's just that
... nothing. C'mon everybody. If we're going to go
hunting, it's going to require a bit of pla
don't think we should do it out here in the open."