MA02 Myth Conceptions by Robert Asprin Read Free Book Online Page A

used, and the light shed by those torches was less than adequate for accurate navigation of the labyrinth.
    I commented on this to Aahz as further proof of the tightfisted nature of the kingdom. His curt response was that the more money they saved on overhead and maintenance, the more they would have to splurge on luxuries ... like us.
    He was doggedly trying to explain the concept of an “energy crisis” to me when we rounded a corner and sighted the general’s quarters.
    They were fairly easy to distinguish, since this was the only door we had encountered which was bracketed by a pair of matching honor guards. Their polished armor gleamed from broad shoulders as they observed our approach through narrowed eyes.
    ‘‘Are these the quarters of General Badaxe?” I inquired politely. “Are you the magician called Skeeve?” the guard challenged back. “The kid asked you a question, soldier!” Aahz interceded. “Now are you going to answer or are you so dumb you don’t know what’s on the other side of the door you’re guarding?”
    The guard flushed bright red, and I noticed his partner’s knuckles whitening on the pike he was gripping. It occurred to me that, now that I had landed the magician’s job, it might not be the wisest course to continue antagonizing the military.
    “Urn, Aahz ...”I murmured.
    “Yes! These are the quarters of General Badaxe ... sir!” the guard barked suddenly.
    Apparently the mention of my colleague’s name had confirmed my identity, though I wondered how many strangers could be wandering the halls accompanied by large scaly demons.
    The final, painful “sir” was a tribute to my performance in the courtyard. Apparently the guards had been instructed to be polite, at least to me, no matter how much it hurt. Which it obviously did.
    “Thank you, guard,” I said loftily, and hammered on the door with my fist.
    “Further,” the guard observed. “The general left word that you were to go right in.”
    The fact that he had withheld that bit of information until after I had knocked indicated that the guards hadn’t completely abandoned their low regard for magicians, but rather were finding more subtle ways of being annoying.
    I realized Aahz was getting ready to start a new round with the guard and hastily opened the door and entered, forcing him to follow.
    The general was standing at the window, silhouetted by the light streaming in from outside. As we entered, he turned to face us.
    “Ah! Come in, gentlemen,” he boomed in a mellow tone. “I’ve been expecting you. Do make yourselves comfortable. Help your~ selves to the wine if you wish.”
    I found his sudden display of friendliness even more disquieting than his earlier show of hostility. Aahz, however, took it all in stride, immediately taking up the indicated jug of wine. For a moment I thought he was going to pour a bit of it into one of the goblets which shared the tray with the jug and pass it to me. Instead, he took a deep drink directly from the jug and kept it, licking his lips in appreciation. In the midst of the chaos my life had suddenly become, it was nice to know some things remained constant.
    The general frowned at the display for a moment, and then forced his features back into the jovial expression he had first greeted us with.
    “Before we begin the briefing,” he smiled, “I must apologize for my rude behavior during the interview. Grimble and I have ... differed in our opinions on the existing situation, and I’m afraid I took it out on you. For that I extend my regrets. Ordinarily, I have nothing against magicians as a group, or you specifically.”
    “Whoa! Back up a minute, General,” Aahz interrupted. “How does your feud with the chancellor involve us?”
    The general’s eyes glittered with a fierceness which belied the gentility of his oration.
    “It’s an extension of an old argument concerning allocation of funds,” he said. “When news reached us of the approaching force, my