Free MA06 Little Myth Marker by Robert Asprin

what’s important ... I think.”
    “Cheerio, chaps. How’s every little thing?”
    I glanced up to find Chumley striding toward us, beaming merrily. “Oh. Hi, Chumley.”
    “I thought you’d like to know,” the troll announced. “I think I’ve figured out a way to charge the damage Markie caused this afternoon back to the Mob as a business expense!”
    “That’s swell, Chumley,” Aahz said dully.
    “Yeah. Terrific.”
    “‘Allo, ‘allo?” he said, cocking his head at us. “Any time the two biggest hustlers at the Bazaar fail to get excited over money, there’s got to be something wrong. Out with it now. What’s troubling you?”
    “Do you want to tell him, Aahz?”
    “Well...”
    “I say, this wouldn’t be about little sister leaving the nest, would it? Oh, there’s a giggle.”
    “You know?” I blinked.
    “I can see you’re all broken up over it,” Aahz said in a dangerous tone.
    “Tish tosh!” the troll exclaimed. “I don’t see where it’s anything to get upset about. Tananda’s just settling things in her mind, is all. She’s found that she likes something that goes against her self-image. It might take a few days, but eventually she’ll figure out that it’s not the end of the world. Everybody goes through it. It’s called ‘growing up.’ If anything, I think it’s bloody marvelous that she’s finally having to learn that things don’t stay the same forever.”
    “You do?” I was suddenly starting to feel better.
    “Certainly. Why, in just the time we’ve been chumming around together, Aahz has changed, you’ve changed, so have I, though I don’t tend to show it as dramatically as you two or little sister. You blokes have just got a bad case of the guilts. Poppycock! You can’t take the blame for everything, you know.”
    “That’s good advice,” I said, standing up and stretching. “Why can’t you ever give me good advice like that, partner?”
    “Cause any fool can see it without being told,” Aahz snarled, but there was a twinkle in his eye. “The problem is that Pervects aren’t just any fool.”
    “Quite right,” Chumley grinned. “Now how about joining me in a little Happy Hour spot of wine while I tell you how clever I am at saving you money.”
    “I’d rather you impressed us with a solution to our baby-sitting problems,” my partner said grimly, heading for the lounge.
    I followed in their wake, strangely happy. Things were back to normal ... or as normal as they ever get around here. Between us, I was sure we could find a positive course of action. I mean, after all, how much trouble could one little girl ...
    That thought crumbled in front of an image of elemental-blown tents.
    I resolved to do more listening than talking in the upcoming war council.

RELAXING OVER DRINKS with Aahz and Chumley, I felt the tensions and depressions of the day slipping away. It was nice to know that when things really got tough, I had friends to help me solve my problems, however complex or apparently hopeless.
    “Well, guys,” I said, pouring another round of wine for everyone. “Any ideas as to what we should do?”
    “Beats me,” Chumley said, toying with his goblet.
    “I still think it’s your problem,” Aahz announced, leaning back in his chair and grinning evilly. “I mean, after all, you got into it without our help.”
    Like I said, it’s great to have friends.
    “I can’t say I go along with that, Aahz old boy,” the troll said with a wave. “Although I’ll admit it’s tempting. The unfortunate reality is that as long as we’re living and working as closely as we are, his problems are our problems, don’t you know?”
    As much as I appreciated the fact that Chumley’s logic was moving them closer to lending me assistance, I felt the need to defend myself a little.
    “I’d like to think it’s a two-way street, Aahz. I’ve gotten dragged into a few of your problems as well.”
    He started to snap back, then pursed his lips and