Free MYTH-Interpretations: The Worlds of Robert Asprin by Robert Asprin

common sense when it comes to magik. Don't eat anything that says ‘Eat me.' Don't drink anything that says ‘Drink me.' And don't touch Klahdforsaken magik mirrors with barriers around them that say ‘Don't touch!'...what did you say?" Aahz spun around on his heel.
    "I said I know it's my fault. I was just trying to keep Gleep from eating the frame," I explained, sheepishly.
    "Gleep!" the dragon added brightly, beside me.
    "So why didn't you tie him up before we went in?" Aahz said.
    "I did tie him up!" I protested. "You know I did. You saw me knot the leash around a post." But we could both make an educated guess as to what had happened.
    My dragon was not allowed in most reputable places—or what passed for reputable at the Bazaar at Deva, the largest trading area anywhere in the multitude of dimensions. It often happened that unscrupulous Deveel shop proprietors ridded themselves of unwanted merchandise at a profit, by arranging for accidents to occur. Such as having a convenient fire during which time the owners have an unshakeable alibi. Such as leaving the door ajar while they just run next door to borrow a cup of sugar. Such as loosening the tether on a baby dragon whose reputation for clumsiness was almost as impressive as its masters' reputation for magical skill and deep pockets. Said dragon would go charging after its beloved owner. Merchandise would start to hit the tent floor as soon as it entered. More goods, not even close to being in range of said rampaging dragon, would shatter into pieces. Outraged shopkeeper would appear demanding reimbursement at rates inflated four or five times the true worth. Unlucky customer would be forced to shell out or risk expulsion (or worse) from the bazaar. All genuine valuables would have been removed from the shop ahead of time, of course.
    "Maybe one of Bezel's rivals let him loose," I suggested hopefully, not liking my skills at tying knots to be called into question.
    "What were you doing looking at that mirror anyhow?"
    I felt a little silly admitting the truth, but it had been my curiosity that had gotten us stranded out here. "Massha told me about it. She said this was a really great item. It shows the looker his fondest dream....Naturally, I wanted to see if it was anything we could use in our business. You know, to scope out our clients, find out what it is they really want..."
    "And what did you see?" Aahz asked quickly.
    "Only my own dreams," I said, wondering why Aahz was so touchy. "Daydreams, really. Me, surrounded by our friends, rich, happy, with a beautiful girl..." Although the mirror had been a little sketchy about the actual physical details I remembered vivid impressions of pulchritude and sex appeal.
    A slow smile spread over Aahz's scaly features. "You know those dream girls, partner. They never turn out like you hope they will."
    I frowned. "Yes, but if it's your own dream, wouldn't she be exactly what you want? How about yours? What did you see?"
    "Nothing," Aahz said flatly. "I didn't look."
    "But you did," I insisted, grabbing onto a fleeting memory of Aahz with an astonished expression on his face. "What did you see?"
    "Forget it, apprentice! It was a big fake. Bezel probably had a self-delusion spell put on the mirror to spur someone stupid like you into buying it. When you got home you'd have seen nothing reflected in it but Bezel's fantasy of a genuine sucker."
    "No, I'm sure the mirror was real," I said thoughtfully. I knew what I'd daydreamed over the years, but those wishes had been piecemeal, little things now and again. I'd never had such a coherent and complete vision of my fantasies. "Come on, Aahz, what did you see?"
    "None of your business!"
    But I wasn't going to be put off that easily.
    "C'mon. I told you mine," I wheedled. Aahz's wishes were bound to be interesting. He had seen dozens of dimensions, and been around a lot more than I had. "You probably have some sophisticated plan about an empire with you at the top of the heap. in