Another Fine Myth by Robert Asprin

“Well, I think he makes sense,” Brockhurst grumbled, rising and backing away as Aahz approached the table. “If you don’t mind, Isstvan, I’ll watch from over here.”

He sat on the bottom steps of the flight of stairs heading up to the mezzanine where Tanda and I were hidden. His tone was conversational, but it was clear he was only waiting for Isstvan’s signal to loose him on the helpless pair.

“Oh, you Imps are worse than the Deveels!” Isstvan scowled.

“That’s a given,” Frumple commented dryly.

“Now look, Frumple….” Higgens began angrily.

“As to who this figure is,” Frumple pointed to Quigley. ignoring the Imps. “That is Garkin’s apprentice. He’s the one who’s been handling the magik for our Pervert since he lost his powers.”

“Really?” asked Isstvan eagerly. “Can you do the cups and balls trick? I love the cups and balls trick.”

“I don’t understand,” mumbled Quigley vacantly, backing away from the assemblage.

Well, if we were ever going to have a diversion, it would have to be now. Closing my eyes, I changed Quigley’s features. The obvious choice for his disguise was… me!

“See,” said Frumple pointing proudly. “I told you so.”

“Throckwoddle!” exclaimed the two Imps simultaneously. “What?” said Frumple narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

I was ready for them. As the exclamations rose, I changed Quigley again. This time, I gave him Throckwoddle features.

“Why, it is Throckwoddle,” cried Isstvan. “Oh that’s funny.”

“Wait a minute!” Brockhurst hissed. “How could you be Throckwoddle when we turned you into a statue before we caught up with Throckwoddle?”