Two Pieces of Tarnished Silver by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page B

longer see? Or would the transformation preserve his consciousness so that he might live forever as a statue, feeling minute pain in every chip and scratch over the uncountable years he would spend trapped in this demon’s personal Abyss? And when erosion set in, and all that was once Korm Calladan had crumbled to dust, would he still maintain his sense of self?
    But Korm’s toes did not turn to stone. His heart continued to race in his chest. Juval, now wholly a medusa, cackled with delight.
    “You’ve nothing to fear from my gaze, child,” it said in a voice that dripped with newfound femininity yet remained unmistakably that of the demon. “That body died out long ago. I can assume its image now only because it remains in my memory. For I now inhabit a shapechanger, and can become any creature that once was mine. No more can I create statues, but with a thought I can make my own body a gallery of the forms I have worn before.
    “No, swordsman. The statues are not reminders of my previous forms. They are something far more useful. They remind me that though I control all aspects of this realm, the keys to its front gate are not in my possession. I must remain ever vigilant against unwanted intruders.”
    “But we are not unwanted,” replied Korm. “Epostian Creeg brought us here. You and he had some kind of deal, didn’t you?”
    “I do not deal directly with wretches like that dandy on the ground,” Juval spat. “My accordance is with his mistress, the Lady Iranez. That she uses intermediaries to deliver my price is a sign of weakness and lack of trust. Most disappointing.”
    “I also find Creeg most disappointing,” Korm said. “But I assure you his offer is not genuine. As far as I can tell, he is acting as his own agent in this. In fact, the Lady Iranez instructed us to deliver a portion of treasure culled from the finest of her personal collection. Aebos, show our host what we have been authorized to deliver.”
    The cyclops reluctantly reached into the linen sack and withdrew a sturdy platinum tiara bejeweled with a rainbow of scintillating colors. A fine silver necklace chased with glittering rubies looped around the apex of the delicate crown and curled over Aebos’s massive thumb to dangle invitingly.
    Juval cackled, the snap of its derisive laughter sharper for the chorus of hissing snakes that accompanied it. When finally the demon’s pleasure subsided into a fit of rough chuckles, it spoke, shaking its head. “You are a fool. What good does a pretty bracelet or a handful of coins do me here? I am trapped forever in this Hell of my creation, never to visit a market or fancy ball. Wealth as you understand it means absolutely nothing to me.”
    “I’m certain that we can come to some accommodation,” replied Korm.
    “As am I,” Juval replied. “Creeg spoke true. My accordance with his mistress calls for the delivery of a new, interesting form once every decade. I inhabit that form until I tire of it, at which point I demand a new one.” Juval turned briefly toward the murdered satyr atop the garden’s central dais. “The last three deliveries Iranez has made have not been sufficiently interesting, and so I have stilled the waters of her beloved homeland until the quality of her offering equals the value of my service.”
    Aebos began carefully returning his treasures to the linen bag. The corner of Korm’s mouth twitched. Things were about to go to hell, he thought, but at least if they managed to get out of here that bag of treasure would accompany them to Quantium.
    Korm’s mind raced to concoct a way to defeat the demon. If he stalled the creature, perhaps Creeg could rouse himself and come to their aid. Even the thought of pinning their hopes on Epostian Creeg—who had already proven himself their enemy—made Korm’s stomach turn. He brought his left hand to rest on the grip of his saber, unsure what to do next. Juval seemed to read his thoughts.
    “There is nothing you can do