MA02 Myth Conceptions by Robert Asprin Read Free Book Online

chancellor looked smug.
    I risked a glance at Aahz, who winked at me. Even though he was farther away, apparently his acute hearing had given him advance notice of the king’s decision.
    “Let all here assembled bear witness!” the chancellor’s ringing voice announced. “Rodrick the Fifth, King of Possiltum, does hereby commend the magical skill and knowledge of one Skeeve and does formally name him Magician to the court of Possiltum. Let all applaud the appointment of this master magician ... and then disperse!”
    There was a smattering of half-hearted applause from my vanquished rivals, and more than a few glares. I acknowledged neither as I tried to comprehend the chancellor’s words.
    I did it! Court Magician! Of the entire selection of magicians from five kingdoms, I had been chosen! Me! Skeeve!
    I was suddenly aware the chancellor was beckoning me forward. Trying to be nonchalant, I approached the throne.
    “Lord Magician,” the chancellor smiled. “If you will, might we discuss the matter of your wages?”
    “My apprentice handles such matters,” I informed him loftily. “I prefer not to distract myself with such mundane matters.”
    Again, we had agreed that Aahz would handle the wage negotiations, his knowledge of magik being surpassed only by his skill at haggling. I turned and beckoned to him. He responded by hurrying forward, his eavesdropping having forewarned him of the situation.
    “That can wait, Grimble,” the king interrupted. “There are more pressing matters which command our magician’s attention.”
    “You need only command, Your Majesty,” I said bowing grandly.
    “Fine,” the king beamed. “Then report to General Badaxe immediately for your briefing.”
    “Briefing about what?” I asked, genuinely puzzled.
    “Why, your briefing about the invading army, of course,” the king replied.
    An alarm gong went off in the back of my mind.
    “Invading army?” I asked carefully. “What invading army?”
    “The one which even now approaches our borders,” the chancellor supplied. “Why else would we suddenly need a magician?”

“ CUSHY JOB, HE said! Chance to practice, he said! Piece of cake, he said!”
    “Simmer down, kid!” Aahz growled.
    “Simmer down? Aahz, weren’t you listening? I’m supposed to stop an army! Me!”
    “It could be worse,” Aahz insisted.
    “How?” I asked bluntly.
    “You could be doing it without me,” he replied. “Think about it.” I did, and cooled down immediately. Even though my association with Aahz seemed to land me in an inordinate amount of trouble, he had also been unfailing in his ability to get me out ... so far. The last thing I wanted to do was drive him away just when I needed him the most.
    “What am I going to do, Aahz?” I moaned.
    “Since you ask,” Aahz smiled. “My advice would be to not panic until we get the whole story. Remember, there are armies and there are armies. For all we know, this one might be weak enough for us to beat fair and square.”
    “And if it isn’t?” I asked skeptically.
    “We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it,” Aahz sighed. “First, let’s hear what old Badaxe has to say.”
    Not being able to think of anything to say in reply to that, I didn’t.
    Instead, I kept pace with my mentor in gloomy silence as we followed the chancellor’s directions through the corridors of the palace.
    It would have been easier to accept the offered guide to lead us to our destination, but I had been more than a little anxious to speak with Aahz privately. Consequently, we had left Buttercup and Gleep in the courtyard with our equipment and were seeking out the general’s chambers on our own.
    The palace was honeycombed with corridors to the point where I wondered if there weren’t more corridors than rooms. Our trek was made even more difficult by the light, or lack thereof.
    Though there were numerous mountings for torches set in the walls, it seemed only about one out of every four was being