Another Fine Myth by Robert Asprin

“Well, Aahz?” Isstvan asked, “Where is this escape clause you promised?”

“Right here!” Aahz said, fishing a familiar object from inside his shirt and tossing it to Isstvan.

“A D-Hopper!” Isstvan cried with delight. “I haven’t seen one of these since….”

“What is it?” Higgens interrupted.

Isstvan scowled at him.

“It’s our ticket off this dimension,” he exclaimed grudgingly.

“How does it work?” Brockhurst asked suspiciously.

“Trust me, gentlemen.” Isstvan’s distasteful expression gave lie to the joviality of his words. “It works.”

He turned to Aahz again.

“Imps!” he mumbled to himself.

“You hired ’em,” Aahz commented, unsympathetically.

“So I did. Well, what is this diabolical vengeance you have in mind for Frumple?”

“That’s easy,” smiled Aahz. “Use the D-Hopper and take him back to Deva.”

“Why Deva?” Isstvan asked.

“Because he’s been banned from Deva,” Higgens answered, the light dawning.

“… and the Deveels are unequaled at meting out punishment to those who break their laws,” Brockhurst finished with an evil smile.

“Why was Frumple banned from Deva?” Tanda whispered to me.

“I don’t know,” I confided. “Maybe he gave a refund or something.”

“I don’t believe it,” she snorted, “I mean he is a Deveel.”

“Aahz,” Isstvan smiled, regarding the D-Hopper, “I’ve always admired your sense of humor. It’s even nastier than mine.”

“What do you expect from a Pervert?” snorted Brockhurst.

“Watch your mouth, Imp,” I snarled.

He was starting to get on my nerves.

“Then it’s settled!” Isstvan chortled, clapping his hands together gleefully. “Brockhurst! Higgens! Come gather around Frumple here. We’re off to Deva.”