Free MA02 Myth Conceptions by Robert Asprin Page B

at the end of his rope. Surprisingly, however, for a change he wasn’t trying to get to me. In fact, he was trying his best to get at a large bush which stood some distance from his tree ... or at something hidden in the bush!
    Cold sweat suddenly popped out on my brow. It occurred to me that Gleep might have been discovered by one of the enemy army scouts. That would be bad enough, but even worse was the possibility said scout might still be around.
    I hurriedly stepped sideways into the shadow of a tree and reviewed the situation. I hadn’t actually seen a scout. In fact, there was no movement at all in the indicated bush. I could sneak back and get Aahz, but if I were wrong he wouldn’t be very happy over being called to handle a false alarm. I could set Gleep loose and let him find the intruder, but that would mean exposing myself.
    As I stood debating my next course of action, someone slipped up behind me and put their hands over mv eyes.
    “Surprise!” came a soft voice in my ear.

I JUMPED!
    Perhaps I should clarify. When I say, “I jumped,” I mean I really jumped. Over a year ago, Aahz had taught me to fly, which is actually controlled hovering caused byreverse levitation.
    Whatever it was, I did it. I went straight up in the air about ten feet and stayed there. I didn’t know what had snuck up behind me, and didn’t want to know. I wanted help! I wanted Aahz!
    I drew a mighty breath to express this desire.
    “Kinda jumpy, aren’t you, handsome?”
    That penetrated my panic.
    Stilling my shout before it truly began; I looked down on my attacker. From my vantage point, I was treated to a view of a gorgeous golden-olive-complected face, accented by almond-cat eyes, framed by a magnificent tumble of light green hair. I could also see a generous expanse of cleavage.
    “Tanda!” I crowed with delight, forcing my eyes back to her face.
    “Do you mind coming down?” she called. “I can’t come up.”
    I considered swooping down on her dramatically, but decided against it. I’m still not all that good at flying, and the effect would be lost completely if I crashed into her.
    Instead, I settled for lowering myself gently to the ground a few paces from her.
    “Gee, Tanda, I ... glack!”
    The last was squeezed forcefully from me as she swept me into a bone-crushing embrace.
    “Gee, it’s good to see you, handsome,” she murmured happily. “How have you been?”
    “I was fine,” I noted, untangling myself briefly. “What are you doing here?”
    The last time I had seen her, Tanda was part of the ill-fated group Aahz and I had seen off to dimensions unknown. Of the whole crowd, she had been the only one I was sorry to see go.
    “I’m waiting for you, silly,” she teased, slipping an affectionate arm around my waist. “Where’s Aahz?”
    “He’s ...”I started to point up the hill when a thought occurred to me. “Say ... how did you know I had Aahz with me?”
    “Oh! Don’t get mad,” she scolded, giving me a playful shake. “It stands to reason. Even Aahz wouldn’t let you face that army alone.”
    “But how did you ...“
    “Gleep!”
    My dragon had discovered his quarry was no longer hiding behind the bush. As a result, he was now straining at the end of his rope trying to reach us. The tree he was tethered to was swaying dangerously.
    “Gleep!” Tanda called in a delighted voice. “How are ya, fella?”
    The tree dipped to a new low as my dragon quivered with glee at having been recognized. I was quivering a little myself. Tanda has that effect on males.
    Heedless of her own safety, Tanda bounded forward to kneel before the dragon, pulling his whiskers and scratching his nose affectionately.
    Gleep loved it. I loved it, too. In addition to her usual soft, calf-high boots, Tanda was wearing a short green tunic which hugged her generous curves and showed off her legs just swell. What’s more, when she knelt down like that, the hem rode up until ...
    “What’s wrong with that