Another Fine Myth by Robert Asprin

“That brings up another question,” I said. “How long does it take?”

“Not long. It’s just three rows up and….”

“No. I mean how long until my dragon reaches maturity?”

“Oh, not more than four or five centuries.”

“Gleep!”

I’m not sure if the dragon said that or I did.

Chapter Nineteen:

“By persevering over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.”

-C. COLUMBUS

“C’MON. Gleep,” I said.

“Gleep,” my dragon responded, falling in behind me.

Now that I was the not-so-proud owner of a permanently immature dragon, I was more eager than ever to find Aahz. At the moment, I was alone in a strange dimension, penniless, and now I had a dragon tagging after me. The only way things could be worse would be if the situation became permanent, which could happen if Aahz decided to return to Klah without me.

The place previously occupied by the Pervish restaurant tent was definitely empty, even at close examination, so I decided to ask the Deveel running the neighboring booth.

“Um … excuse me, sir.”

I decided I was going to be polite as possible for the duration of my stay on Deva. The last thing I needed was another dispute with a Deveel. It seemed, however, in this situation I needn’t have worried.

“No excuses are necessary, young sahr.” The proprietor smiled eagerly, displaying an impressive number of teeth.

“You are interested in purchasing a stick?”

“A stick?”

“Of course!” the Deveel gestured grandly around his stall. “The finest sticks in all the dimensions.”