Heaven Cent Read Free Page A

them?”
    “I admit to being baffled,” Marrow said. “Full-fleshed ankles and legs—no appeal at all.” Then, diplomatically, he added: “Present company excepted, of course.”
    Dolph decided that Marrow was all right. The skeleton had arrived after Esk Ogre and Chex Centaur restored the Kiss-Mee River to its curvaceous state, making it affectionate again. Marrow had been rescued from the Lost Path in the gourd, and now served as a general helper around the castle. He was especially good in the dungeon, because he didn't mind cobwebs or rats. In fact, he normally rested his bones there, lending excellent atmosphere. Visitors not in the know could be quite startled. He even had a convenient hollow finger bone, with which he could whistle for his friend Chex when he needed a lift.
    “Maybe I'll add you to the list,” Dolph said.
    “List?”
    Dolph explained about his campaign to trick his mother into agreeing to let Grundy Golem be his companion for the Quest. “You're adult, aren't you? You should qualify. You'd give her a real fit!”
    “Excellent notion,” Marrow agreed. “Perhaps I can suggest some additional names. What about Cumulo Fracto Nimbus?”
    “Terrific!” Dolph exclaimed. “That will really dampen her!” Fracto was the King of Clouds, and was a foul-weather friend. One could never tell when he was going to throw a storm and tear things up with lightning bolts. The very notion of Fracto hovering over her carpets would send Queen Irene into a femalish frenzy.
    “Then there's Hardy Harpy, and Xap Hippogryph,” Marrow said. “Not to mention Stanley Steamer.”
    “Great!” Dolph agreed enthusiastically. “Those will drive her crazy! She won't know what she's doing!”
    So it was decided. Marrow crawled back under the bed, which was as comfortable a place for his bones as any, and Dolph tuned his magic mirror in on the Tapestry in Ivy's room. Unfortunately she was letting it run random; there was nothing interesting on. That was the problem with big sisters; they had no taste in viewing.
    Next day he started his program. “Marrow Bones,” he said. “I want him for my companion.” Irene nodded. “Yes, I think that is an excellent choice.” “Well, then, how about Cumulo Fracto Nim—what?”
    “Marrow is adult, mature, and experienced,” Irene said.
    “He has a good skull on his shoulders. I understand he was a great help to Chex Centaur. There is also no problem about feeding him. I commend you for your perspicacity in selecting him.”
    Dolph didn't know what “perspicacity” meant, but he knew he didn't like it. How could she agree to the first foolish name he had named? It wasn't fair! Now he was stuck with the walking skeleton! “Uh, yeah,” he said. Maybe Marrow wouldn't want to go.
    But by the time he got back to his room, he decided that maybe it was better to stick with what he had. Marrow was a decent sort; for one thing, not only did he believe in the monster under the bed, he helped him. That made him childlike in a way that counted. He would do anything for anyone, and he could keep a secret.
    So it was arranged: Dolph would go on his Quest to solve the mystery of the Good Magician's disappearance, and Marrow Bones would be his companion. The Adventure would Begin.

Xanth 11 - Heaven Cent
    Chapter 2. Message.
    They set off next morning, walking east along the enchanted path. It was a two day trek at normal human pace, so Irene had made Dolph wear a knapsack filled with sandwiches, spare socks, a small magic mirror, and other such motherly inconveniences. “Be sure to wash your face every morning,” she had admonished him. “And don't forget behind the ears.” Dolph had almost died of disgust right there.
    Marrow carried nothing, for he had need of neither food nor clothing. He was a magical creature, for whom the rules were different. As Dolph's legs began to tire from the long walk, he envied the skeleton increasingly.
    “What makes you go?” he