Free Geis of the Gargoyle by Piers Anthony Page B

satisfied to leave her out, now that they had a safe path to follow.
     
    They intersected a path heading north, and followed it wp Vo tine nmsftAe bridge across fce Gap Chasm.   Iris used it without hesitation, so Gary did too, though it looked like nothing at all, and it took them right across the yawning gulf.   That surprised him; then he realized that even the Gap Chasm might get bored and sleepy when nothing much was happening, so yawning was natural.
     
    At last they came to the golems' club house.   But the club was lying on the ground.   The family seemed to have moved into a more conventional home recently.   There it was: a small cottage industree.   It looked like a cross between the industree he had seen before, and a big cheese.
     
    Gary approached the treetrunk and knocked on the door there.   In a moment a tiny woman with very long hair opened it.   "Stranger, we don't mean to be unfriendly, but this region isn't safe for visitors," she said, looking worried.
     
    "I am Gary Gargoyle in manform," he said.   "And this is the Sorceress Iris in youthform.   The Good Magician sent us to-to tutor Surprise."
     
    "Oh, you're the one!" the little woman exclaimed.   "Oh, wonderful! We just can't handle her any more.   She's out of control.   I'm her mother, Rapunzel.   Here she is." She reached back inside the tree and brought forth a small bundle.
     
    "But-" But his protest was stifled, because there in his hands was the bundle.   It seemed to be a tiny little girl.   The door to the house was closed.
     
    "But she's so small," Iris said, almost as doubtful about this as Gary was.
     
    "Surprise!" the tot exclaimed.   Her tiny eyes crossed.   Suddenly she was full normal six-year-old little girl sized, being awkwardly held by Gary's arms.   She kissed him on the cheek.   "Do you like me?"
     
    "Why, I don't know," Gary said as he carefully set her down.   "Are you likable?"
     
    "Sure, when I want to be.   Are you going to be interesting or dull?"
     
    "I have no idea."
     
    "That's interesting," Surprise decided.   "Let's go."
     
    "But we can't just take you from your family," he protested.   "We have to talk to your parents first." Then he became aware that she wasn't standing before him any more.   "Where are you?"
     
    There was a giggle from somewhere.   He looked around, and Iris looked around, but they couldn't spy the source of the giggle.   So Gary knocked on the door again.
     
    The door opened.   "Yes?" Rapunzel asked, as if they hadn't just met.
     
    "We seem to have lost your daughter," Gary said, embarrassed.
     
    "Oh, that's all right.   We lose her all the time.   It's one of her talents."
     
    "One of her-?"
     
    "She can't be found when she doesn't want to be found," Rapunzel explained.   "She has a number of ways to get lost."
     
    "But then how can we find her?"
     
    "You'll just have to make her want to be found.   Do you have anything that might interest her?"
     
    Gary was blank, but Iris came to the rescue.   "I can make very interesting illusions."
     
    Surprise reappeared.   "You can? Let me see!"
     
    A miniature replica of the golems' cottage tree appeared in the air before the Sorceress, complete with tiny figures of the four of them.   It looked extremely realistic.
     
    "Gee!" the child exclaimed.   "I like it." Her eyes crossed.   And before her appeared an even smaller replica, with even tinier figures.
     
    Iris gaped.   "But I'm the only one who can do this kind of illusion," she protested.
     
    "I'm sorry," Surprise said, and her replica vanished.
     
    "She just does anything she wants to," Rapunzel said.   "We love her, but we can't handle her.   When she knocked over our club house in a fit of super-strength, we gave up and petitioned the Good Magician for relief.   He said he would send a tutor.   We're certainly glad to see you! Bring her back when she's under control." She closed the door again.
     
    "But-" Gary began helplessly.