“Unless, of course, something goes wrong,” Tananda supplied. “In which case, we might be able to lend a hand.”
“… And if the three of us can’t handle it. we’ll be there to pull you out again,” Chumly finished.
I should have known better than to try to argue with the two of them when they were united.
“But… if … well, thanks,” I managed. “I didn’t really expect this. I mean, you don’t even know what the trouble is.”
“You can tell us later,” Tananda said firmly, starting her conjuring to move us through the dimensions. “Incidentally, where’s Aahz?”
“That’s part of the problem,” I sighed.
And we were back!
Not just back on Klah, back in my own quarters in the palace. As luck would have it, we weren’t alone. Someday I’ll have time to figure out if it was good luck or bad.
The King was trussed up hand and foot on my bed, while Massha and J. R. Grimble were each enjoying a goblet of wine, and apparently each other’s company. At least, that was the scene when we arrived. Once Massha and Tananda set eyes on each other, the mood changed dramatically.
“Slut,” my new apprentice hissed.
“No-talent mechanic,” Tananda shot back.
“Is that freak on our payroll?” Grimble interrupted, staring at Chumly.
“Spoken like a true bean-counter,” the troll sneered.
I tried to break it up.
“If we can just…”
That brought Grimble’s attention to me.
“You!” he gasped. “But if you’re Skeeve, then who’s….”
“King Rodrick of Possiltum,” I supplied, nodding to the bound figure on the bed. “And now that everybody knows each other, can you all shut up while I tell you what our next move is?”