MA02 Myth Conceptions Read Free

outside. “He looks like a soldier to me,” I supplied.
    “He looks scared to me,” Aahz retorted. “Maybe you should tone down your disguise a bit next time .”
    “Do you think he’s a demon hunter?” I asked nervously.
    Instead of answering my questions Aahz turned abruptly from the window.
    “If he wants a magician, we’ll give him a magician,” he murmured. “Quick, kid, slap the Garkin disguise on me.”
    As I noted earlier, Garkin was my first magik instructor. An imposing figure with a salt-and-pepper beard, he was one of our favorite and most oft-used disguises. I could do Garkin in my sleep.
    “Good enough, kid,” Aahz commented, surveying the results of my work. “Now follow close and let me do the talking.”
    “Like this?” I exclaimed.
    “Relax, kid,” he reassured me. “For this conversation I’m you. Understand?”
    Aahz was already heading out through the door, without waiting for my reply, leaving me little other choice than to follow along behind him.
    “Who seeks an audience with the great Skeeve?” Aahz bellowed in a resonant bass voice.
    The man shot another nervous glance at me, and then drew himself up in stiff formality.
    “I come as an emissary from his most noble Majesty, Rodrick the Fifth, King of Possiltum, who ...”
    “What’s Possiltum?” Aahz interrupted.
    “I beg your pardon?” the man blinked.
    “Possiltum,” Aahz repeated. “Where is it?”
    “Oh!” the man said with sudden understanding. “It’s the kingdom just east of here ... other side of the Ember River ... you can’t miss it.”
    “Okay,” Aahz nodded. “Go on.”
    The man took a deep breath, and then hesitated, frowning.
    “… King of Possiltum ...”I prompted.
    “Oh yes! Thanks,” the man shot a quick smile, then another quick stare, then continued, “…King of Possiltum, who sends his respects and greetings to the one known as Skeeve the magician ...”
    He paused and looked at Aahz expectantly. He was rewarded with a polite nod of the head. Satisfied, the man continued.
    “His Majesty extends an invitation to Skeeve the magician to appear before the court of Possiltum that he might be reviewed for his suitability for the position of court magician.”
    “I don’t really feel qualified to pass judgment on the king’s suitability as a court magician,” Aahz said modestly, eying the man carefully. “Isn’t he content just to be king?”
    “No, no!” the man corrected hastily. “The king wants to review your suitability.”
    “Oh!” Aahz said with the appearance of sudden understanding.
    “That’s a different matter entirely. Well, well. An invitation from ... who was it again?”
    “Rodrick the Fifth,” the man announced lifting his head haughtily.
    “Well,” Aahz said grinning broadly. “I’ve never been one to refuse a fifth!”
    The man blinked and frowned, then glanced at me quizzically.
    “You may tell His Majesty,” Aahz continued, unaware of our confusion. “I shall be happy to accept his kind invitation. I shall arrive at his court at my earliest convenience.”
    The man frowned. “I believe His Majesty requires your immediate presence,” he commented darkly.
    “Of course,” Aahz answered smoothly. “How silly of me. If you will accept our hospitality for the night, I and my assistant here will be most pleased to accompany you in the morning.”
    I knew a cue when I heard one. I drooled and bared my teeth at the messenger.
    The man shot a horrified look in my direction.
    “Actually ...”he said hastily, “I really must be going. I’ll tell His Majesty you’ll be following close behind.”
    “You’re sure you wouldn’t like to stay?” Aahz asked hopefully.
    “Positive!”
    The man nearly shouted his reply as he began backing the bird away from us.
    “Oh well,” Aahz said. “Perhaps we’ll catch up with you on the road.”
    “In that case,” the man said turning his bird. “I’ll want a head ... that is, I’d best be on my way to