“That means we’ll be relying on the kid here to give us cover in the magik department.”
“All the more reason for me to come along. I’ve picked up a few tricks myself.”
“I know,” Aahz leered.
“Not like that,” she said, punching him in the side. “I mean magik tricks.”
“Even so, it’s not going to be easy.”
“C’mon, Aahz,” Tanda chided. “Are you trying to say it wouldn’t be helpful having a trained Assassin on your side?”
“Well … it could give us a bit of an advantage,” Aahz admitted.
“Good! Then it’s settled. What do we do first?”
“There’re some stalls just around the corner that carry weapons,” I suggested. “We could….”
“Relax, kid. I’ve already taken care of that.”
“You have?” I asked, surprised.
“Yeah. I found just what we need over in the practical jokes section. I was just looking for you before we headed back.”
“Then we’re ready to go?” Tanda asked.
“Yep,” Aahz nodded, fishing the D-Hopper out of his shirt.
“What about my dragon?”
“What about him?”
“Are we going to take him with us?”
“Of course we’re going to take him with us. We don’t leave anything of value behind.”
“Gleep!” said the dragon.
“. . . and he must be valuable to someone!” Aahz finished, glaring at the dragon.
He pressed the button on the D-Hopper. The Bazaar wavered and faded . . . and we were back in Frumple’s shop… sort of.
“Interesting place you’ve got here,” Tanda commented dryly. “Did you do the decor?”
All that was left of Frumple’s shop was a burnt-out shell.
Chapter Twenty-One:
“One must deal openly and fairly with one’s forces if maximum effectiveness is to be achieved.”