10 – Aftermath by Asprin, Robert

“But surely . .” she began, and bit her lip

“You were going to say,” came the resigned reply, “you have such confidence in my abilities, you fully expect him to be set free by nightfall Well, if so he will of course be dead-had that point not occurred to you9 But the outcome is by no means certain Join me’ Sit down’ Toast your return beneath my roof”

She obeyed, having no alternative The wizard’s wine, as ever, was superb Compared to it the best of Melilot’s was sharp as vinegar

The food, too, was exceptional, but she found she had little appetite, though Enas Yorl ate briskly enough. He had let slip, long ago, that magic was a tiring business, draining the practitioner of energy as much as any normal kind of plain hard work. Jarveena, however, was dis- tracted by the way his face and hidden body kept on changing, as the minutes ebbed away . .

At last she could contain herself no longer She burst out, “Old friend -if I may call you so-what drew your interest to Klikitagh?

“Old friend? Enas Yorl repeated, wiping lips that now were broader and flatter than before, beneath a broader, flatter nose and beetling brows “Why, there are few so kindly disposed to me as to call me friend at all-and that, of course, is by design’ Nonetheless, I’ll not hold your choice of words against you'” He gave a harsh laugh and drained his goblet.

“Know, then, that it was much despite my will I guard myself from sentimental ties that might bind me to this world, hoping for the day when I myself can be released by death I would not care to overlook the chance of escape because I regretted leaving anyone, or anything, be- hind . ” He seemed oddly reluctant in his speech, as though making a shameful confession