M.Y.T.H. Inc In Action by Robert Asprin

… And all hell breaks loose at the back of the room!

At first I think the guards have jumped Nunzio, but when I look his way he is standin’ clear of the action, lookin’ right back at me and pointin’ desperately out the door, mouthin’ somethin’ I can’t make out over the hubbub. I crane my neck tryin’ to figure out what he’s pointin’ at, but all I can see is the crowd outside the throne room is partin’ . , . makin’ way for something or somebody.

There’s a ripple of noise spreadin’ forward from the back of the crowd, buildin’ in volume as more and more voices join in. Abandonin’ my efforts to see what’s goin’ on, I bend an ear to try to sort out what it is they’re sayin’.

“… magician …”

“He’s back!”

“HE’S COMING!”

“… COURT MAGICIAN!!!”

“LOOK!! THERE HE IS!! IT’S …”

“THE GREAT SKEEVEH!”

… And it was!!

Just as I make out the words, the crowd at the back of the throne room parts, and the Boss comes walkin’ in … and Aahz is with him!! They seem to be arguin’, of course, and are totally ignorin’ the crowd around them which first surges back, then presses forward like a wall.

I am out of the audience before I am aware that I have trampled several of Possiltum’s citizens in my haste, and pass Massha who is always a little slow off the line because of her size. I see Nunzio comin’ through the crowd, knockin’ people down like duckpins, and am vaguely aware that I am doin’ the same … but I don’t care. I am just happy to see the Boss here and in one piece.

“SKEEVE!”

I hear someone shout in a voice that sorta sounds like the queen’s, but by now I am six steps out and closin’ fast.