Wistril Compleat Read Free Page A

I
have come to warn you that the danger you now face is no
illusion."
    "Now why would you do that, wand-waver?"
    "I took an Oath," said the wizard. "An Oath
that prevents me from using my art offensively, even in
self-defense."
    "You lie," said the Captain."
    Wistril shook his head. "I do not lie. My
Oath prohibits me from using magic directly against you, but no
oath prevented me from ordering my household staff to take up axes
and hack apart the bridge before you. The bridge has been rendered
unsafe. It will collapse if you bring an army across it. Inspect
the supports yourself; you will not be molested."
    "Liar. Coward!"
    "Furthermore," said Wistril, "All of the
dragons you see are not illusions. I'm afraid I've released so much
arcane energy nearby that quite a few unusual beings have gathered
around your army, Captain. These creatures include dragons,
sprites, a few goblins -- "
    The Captain spurred his mount, lifted his
sword, and charged. Wistril vanished as the Captain's long blade
slashed at empty air.
    "Gentlemen," boomed Wistril in a voice loud
as thunder, "I repeat my warning. The bridge is damaged. It will
not hold. To follow this lunatic Captain is to most likely die. You
must either turn back or repair the bridge."
    The Captain howled and slashed. Gargoyles
hooted and waved their axes. The dragons in the sky screeched and
jostled, dropping down in dozens of tightening spirals.
    "Forward!" bellowed the Captain, as he
charged onto the bridge. "Forward, you cowards! Move!"
    Hooves thudded and scraped on the bridge. The
Captain charged into the ranks, grabbed the reins of a
catapult-wagon, and led the massive engine onto the bridge. It
creaked and swayed, but held.
    "Advance," screamed the Captain. "Fear me or
fear the wizard -- choose!"
    The army surged forward. Cavalry, a
siege-tower, another catapult dared the bridge -- then shouts rose
up as caution fled.
    Deep in the chasm, a tall, thin gargoyle put
a fan-like ear to a massive ironwood beam. The gargoyle listened
for a moment, pursed his lips, and whistled.
    His crew-mates dropped their tools and took
to the air. Alone now, the tall gargoyle spit in both palms, hefted
his axe, and broke into a sudden, awful grin.
     
     
    Kern touched the tiny left-pointing arrow
carved into the bottom of the mirror-frame. The mirror flashed,
shimmered, and then replayed the bridge collapse.
    "Poor devils," muttered Kern at the silent,
moving image.
    "I doubt you would feel so charitable, had
they gained entry to your rooms," said Wistril from behind his
desk. "And may I point out that their casualties were light, and
largely confined to the rabidly insane."
    Kern watched tiny figures re-group on the far
side of the bridge. Dragons swooped down amid them, sending
soldiers scrambling for cover beneath fallen siege towers and
overturned wagons. A mounted officer who had refused to cross the
bridge rallied the survivors long enough to turn the panicked
flight into an orderly retreat.
    "How many of these were real?" asked
Kern.
    "Several," said Wistril, squinting at the
mirror. "That fellow with the red-tipped wings? The one harassing
the catapult? He was real -- oh yes, and the yellow one on the
ground, chasing the cook's wagon. Both quite real, both
accidentally attracted to all the spells splattered about of
late."
    The mirror shimmered and the scene vanished.
Wistril shook his head. "I did warn them, you know. None of this
was necessary."
    Kern frowned. "The Oath prevented you from
turning the Captain into a turnip, but not from having the bridge
supports hacked away. Correct?"
    "The Oath prohibits offensive arcane actions,
not malicious carpentry," said Wistril.
    "So," said Kern, "did the Oath also compel
you to warn them about the bridge? Or did you warn them just
because you knew you'd enrage their Captain, and send him charging
across without checking the timbers?"
    "Perhaps both," said Wistril smugly.
    "Master," said Kern, "One day I'll ask you a
simple question, and