myth.conceptions-第16部分

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　〃You　didn't　hire　them？〃　I　asked。
　〃No；　I　didn't；〃　Aahz　scowled。　〃And　that　moves　us　back　to　square　one。　Now　we've　got　to　recruit　a　force　one　at　a　time。〃
　〃Did　you　try…〃　I　began。
　〃Look；　kid；〃　Aahz　interrupted　with　a　snarl；　〃I　did　the　best　I　could；　and　I　got　nowhere。　I'd　like　to　see　you　do　better。〃
　〃He　already　has！〃　Brockhurst　announced；　rising　from　his　seat。　〃While　you　were　wasting　time；　Skeeve　here　has　hired　himself　a　fighting　team。〃
　〃He　what？〃　Aahz　bellowed；　turning　on　his　critic。　〃Brockhurst！　What　are　you　doing　here？〃
　〃Waiting　for　orders　in　our　uping　campaign；〃　the　Imp　replied　innocently。
　〃What　campaign？〃　Aahz　glowered。
　〃The　one　on　Klah；　of　course；〃　Brockhurst　blinked。　〃Haven't　you　told　him　yet；　boss？〃
　〃Boss？〃　Aahz　roared。　〃Boss？〃
　〃No　need　to　shout；〃　Ajax　grumbled；　turning　to　face　the　assemblage。　〃We　hear　ya　plain　enough。〃
　〃Ajax！〃　Tanda　exclaimed　gleefully。
　〃Tanda！〃　the　old　man　yelped　back。
　She　was　at　him　in　a　bound；　but　he　smoothly　interposed　his　bow　between　them。
　〃Easy；　girl；〃　he　laughed。　〃None　of　your　athletic　greetings。　I'm　not　as　young　as　I　used　to　be；　ya　know。〃
　〃You　old　fraud！〃　Tanda　teased。　〃You'll　outlive　us　all。〃
　Ajax　shrugged　dramatically。　〃That　kinda　depends　on　how　good　a　general　the　youngster　there　is；〃　he　mented。
　〃Kid；〃　Aahz　growled　through　gritted　teeth；　〃I　want　to　talk　to　you！　Now！〃
　〃I　know　that　temper！〃　Gus　announced；　emerging　from　the　back　room。
　〃Gus！〃　Aahz　exclaimed。
　〃In　the　stone！〃　the　gargoyle　confirmed。　〃Are　you　in　on　this　expedition？　The　boss　didn't　say　anything　about　working　with　Perverts。〃
　Instead　of　replying；　Aahz　sank　heavily　into　a　chair　and　hid　his　face　in　his　hands。
　〃Tanda！〃　he　moaned。　〃Tell　me　again　about　how　this　kid　can　stay　out　of　trouble。〃
　〃Um　。　。　。　Aahz；〃　I　said　cautiously；　〃could　I　talk　to　you　for　a　minute　。　。　。　privately？〃
　〃Why；　I　think　that's　an　excellent　idea　。　。　。　boss；〃　he　said。
　The　smile　he　gave　me　wasn't　pleasant。
　〃Kid！〃　Aahz　moaned　after　I　had　finished　my　tale。　〃How　many　times　do　I　have　to　tell　you？　This　is　the　Bazaar　a2　Deva！　You've　got　to　be　careful　what　you　say　and　to　whom；　especially　when　there's　money　involved。〃
　〃But　I　told　them　nothing　was　definite　until　we　found　out　if　you　had　hired　someone　else；〃　I　protested。
　〃But　I　didn't　hire　anyone　else；　so　now　the　deal　is　final；〃　Aahz　sighed。
　〃Can't　we　get　out　of　it？〃　I　asked　hopefully。
　〃Back　out　of　？　deal　on　Deva？〃　Aahz　shook　his　head。　〃That　would　get　us　barred　from　the　Bazaar　so　fast　it　would　make　your　head　spin。　Remember；　the　Merchants　Association　runs　this　dimension。〃
　〃Well；　you　said　you　wanted　outside　help；〃　I　pointed　out。
　〃I　didn't　expect　to　go　that　far　outside；〃　he　grimaced。　〃An　Imp；　a　senile　Archer；　and　a　gargoyle。〃
　〃And　a　salamander；〃　I　added。
　〃Gus　is　still　bumming　around　with　Berfert？〃　Aahz　asked；　brightening　slightly。　〃That's　a　plus。〃
　〃The　only　really　uncertain　factor；〃　I　said　thoughtfully；　〃is　the　Gremlin。〃
　〃How　do　you　figure　that？〃　Aahz　yawned。
　〃Well；　he's　been　following　Ajax。　The　question　is；　why？　And　will　he　follow　us　to　Klah？〃
　〃Kid；〃　Aahz　said　solemnly；　〃I've　told　you　before。　There　are　no　such　things　as　Gremlins。〃
　〃But　Aahz；　I　saw　him。〃
　〃Don't　let　it　bother　you；　kid；〃　Aahz　sympathized。　〃After　a　day　like　you've　been　through；　I　wouldn't　be　surprised　if　you　saw　a　Jabberwocky。〃
　〃What's　a…〃
　〃Is　everything　set？〃　Tanda　asked；　joining　our　conversation。
　〃About　as　set　as　we'll　ever　be；〃　Aahz　sighed。　〃Though　if　you　want　my　honest　opinion；　with　a　crew　like　this；　we're　set　more　for　a　zoo　than　a　war。〃
　〃Aahz　is　a　bit　critical　of　my　choice　in　recruits；〃　I　confided。
　〃What's　your　gripe；　Aahz？〃　she　asked；　cocking　her　head。　〃I　thought　you　and　Gus　were　old　foxhole　buddies。〃
　〃I'm　not　worried　about　Gus；〃　Aahz　put　in　hastily。　〃Or　Berfert　either。　That　little　lizard's　terrific　under　fire。〃
　〃Well；　I　can　vouch　for　Ajax；〃　Tanda　informed　him。　〃Don't　let　his　age　fool　you。　I'd　rather　have　him　backing　my　move　than　a　whole　pany　of…counterfeit　archers。〃
　〃Is　he　really　from　Archiah？〃　Aahz　asked　skeptically。
　〃That's　what　'he's　said　as　long　as　I've　known　him；〃　Tanda　shrugged。　〃And　after　seeing　him　shoot；　I've　got　no　reason　to　doubt　it。　Why？〃
　〃I've　never　met　a　genuine　Archer　before；〃　Aahz　said。　〃For　a　while　I　was　willing　to　believe　the　whole　dimension　was　a　legend。　Well；　if　he　can　shoot　half　as　well　as　Archers　are　supposed　to；　I've　got　no　gripes　having　him　on　the　team。〃
　I　started　to　feel　a　little　better。　Unfortunately；　Aahz　noticed　my　smile。
　〃The　Imp　is　another　story；〃　he　said　grimly。　〃I'm　not　wild　about　working　with　any　Imp；　but　to　hire　one　without　powers　is　a　waste　of　good　money。〃
　〃Don't　forget　he's　an　Assassin；〃　Tanda　pointed　out。　〃Powers　or　no　powers；　I'll　bet　we　find　a　use　for　him。　When　we　were　talking　with　the　Gremlin　just　now…〃
　〃Now　don't　you　start　on　that！〃　Aahz　snarled。
　〃Start　on　what？〃　Tanda　blinked。
　〃The　Gremlin　bit；〃　Aahz　scowled。　〃Any　half…wit　knows　there　are　no　such　things　as　Gremlins。〃
　〃Do　you　want　to　tell　him　that？〃　Tanda　smiled。　〃I'll　call　him　over　here　and　。　。　。　oh；　rats！　He's　gone　again。〃
　〃If　you're　quite　through；〃　Aahz　grumbled；　rising　from　his　chair；　〃we'd　best　get　moving。　There's　a　war　waiting　for　us；　you　know。〃
　〃Oops！　That　reminds　me！〃　Tanda　exclaimed；　fishing　inside　her　tunic。
　〃I　know　I　shouldn't　ask；〃　Aahz　signed；　〃but　what…〃
　〃Here！〃　Tanda　announced；　flipping　him　a　familiar　object。
　It　was　a　metal　rod　about　eight　inches　long　and　two　inches　in　diameter　with　a　button　on　one　end　of　it。
　〃A　D…Hopper！〃　I　cried；　recognizing　the　device　instantly。
　〃It's　the　same　one　you　gave　Isstvan；〃　Tanda　smiled　proudly。　〃I　lifted　it　from　him　when　we　parted　pany。　You'll　probably　want　to　undo　whatever　you　did　to　the　controls　before　you　use　it；　though。〃
　〃If　I　can　remember　for　sure；〃　Aahz　scowled；　staring　at　the　device。
　〃I　thought　it　might　e　in　handy　in　case　we　get　separated　on　this　job　and　you　need　a　fast　exit；〃　Tanda　shrugged。
　〃The　thought's　appreciated；〃　Aahz　smiled；　putting　an　arm　around　her。
　〃Does　this　mean　you'll　be　able　to　teach　me　how　to　travel　the　dimensions？〃　I　asked　hopefully。
　〃Not　now　I　won't；〃　Aahz　grimaced。　〃We've　got　a　war　to　fight；　remember？〃
　〃Oh！　Yes；　of　course。〃
　〃Well；　get　your　troops　together　and　let's　go；〃　Aahz　ordered。
　〃Okay；〃　I　agreed；　rising　from　my　chair。　〃I'll　get　Gleep　and　。　。　。　wait　a　minute！　Did　you　say　my　troops？〃
　〃You　hired　'em；　you　lead　'em；〃　my　mentor　smiled。
　〃But　you're…〃
　〃I'll　be　your　military　advisor；　of　course；〃　Aahz　continued　casually。　〃But　the　job　of　Fearless　Leader　is　all　yours。　You're　the　court　magician；　remember？〃
　I　swallowed　hard。　Somehow　this　had　never　entered　into　my　thinking。
　〃But　what　do　I　do？〃　I　asked　desperately。
　〃Well；〃　Aahz　drawled。　〃First；　I'd　advise　you　to　move　'em　outside　so　we　can　all　head　for　Klah　together　。　。　。　that　is；　unless　you're　willing　to　leave　your　dragon　behind。〃
　That　didn't　even　deserve　an　answer。　I　turned　to　face　the　troops；　sweeping　them　with　what　I　hoped　was　a　masterful　gaze　which　would　immediately　mand　their　attention。
　No　one　noticed。　They　were　all　involved　in　a　jovial　conversation。
　I　cleared　my　throat　noisily。
　Nothing。
　I　considered　going　over　to　their　table。
　〃Listen　up！〃　Aahz　barked　suddenly；　scaring　me　half　to　death。
　The　conversation　stopped　abruptly　and　all　heads　swiveled　my　way。
　〃Aah　。　。　。〃　I　began　confidently。　〃We're　ready　to　go　now。　Everybody　outside。　Wait　for　me　by　the　dragon。〃
　〃Right；　boss！〃　Brockhurst　called；　starting　for　the　door。
　〃I'll　be　a　minute；　youngster；〃　Ajax　wheezed；　struggling　to　rise。
　〃Here；　Gramps；〃　Gus　said。　〃Let　me　give　you　a　hand。〃
　〃Name's　not　Gramps；　it's　Ajax！〃　the　Archer　scowled。
　〃Just　trying　to　be　helpful；〃　the　gargoyle　apologized。
　〃I　kin'　stand　up　by　myself；〃　Ajax　insisted。　〃Just　'cause　I'm　old　don't　mean　I'm　helpless。〃
　I　glanced　to　Aahz　for　help；　but　he　and　Tanda　were　already　headed　out。
　As　I　turned　back　to　Ajax；　I　thought　I　caught　a　glimpse　of　a　small；　blue　figure　slipping　out　through　the　door　ahead　of　us。　If　it　was　the　Gremlin；　he　was　nowhere　in　sight　when　I　finally　reached　the　street。
　
　Chapter　Sixteen
　〃Myth…conceptions　are　the　major　cause　of　wars！〃
　…A。　HITLER
　
　Fortunately；　the　army　had　not　moved　from　the　position　it　held　when　we　left　for　Deva。　I　say　fortunately　because　Aahz　pointed　out　they　might　well　have　renewed　their　advance　in　our　absence。　If　that　had　happened；　we　would　have　returned　to　find　ourselves　behind　the　enemy　lines；　if　not　actually　in　the　middle　of　one　of　their　encampments。
　Of　course；　he　pointed　this　out　to　me　after　we　had　arrived　back　on　Klah。　Aahz　is　full　of　helpful　little　tidbits　of　information；　but　his　timing　leaves　a　lot　to　be　desired。
　Ajax　lost　no　time　upon　our　arrival。　Moving　with　a　briskness　that　belied　his　years；　he　strung　his　bow　and　stood　squinting　at　the　distant　encampments。
　〃Well；　youngster；〃　he　asked；　never　taking　his　eyes　from　the　enemy's　formations；　〃what's　my　first　batch　of　targets？〃
　His　eagerness　took　me　aback　a　bit；　but　Aahz　covered　for　me　neatly。
　〃First；〃　he　said　loftily；　〃we'll　have　to　hold　a　final　planning　session。〃
　〃We　didn't　expect　to　have　you　along；　Ajax；〃　Tanda　added。　〃Having　a　genuine　Archer　on　our　side　naturally　calls　for　some　drastic　revisions　of　our　battle　plans。　〃
　〃Don't　bother　me　none。〃　Ajax　shrugged。　〃Just　wanted　to　let　you　know　I　was　ready　to　earn　my　keep。　Take　yer　time。　Seen　too　many　wars　messed　up　'cause　nobody　bothered　to　do　any　plannin'！　If　ya　don't　mind；　though；　think　I'll　take　me　a　little　nap。　Jes'　holler　when　ya　want　some　shootin'　done。〃
　〃Alt　。　。　。　go　ahead；　Ajax；〃　I　agreed。
　Without　further　conversation；　Ajax　plopped　down　and　pulled　his　cloak　a　bit　closer　about　him。　Within　a　few　minutes；　he　was　snoring　lightly；　but　I　noticed　his　bow　was　still　in　his　grip。
　〃Now　there's　a　seasoned　soldier；〃　Aahz　observed。　〃Gets　his　sleep　when　and　where　he　can。〃
　〃You　want　me　to　do　a　little　scouting；　boss？〃　Gus　asked。
　〃Um　。　。　。〃　I　hesitated；　glancing　quickly　at　Aahz。
　Aahz　caught　my　look　and　gave　a　small　nod。
　〃Sure；　Gus；〃　I　finished。　〃We'll　wait　for　you　here。〃
　〃I'll　scout　in　the　other　direction；〃　Brockhurst　volunteered。
　〃Okay；〃　I　nodded。　〃Aahz；　can　you　give　'em　a　quick　briefing？〃
　I　was　trying　to　drop　the