16 Robert Asprin
“Right-o,” the Djin nodded, not seeming to take offense
at my curtness. “Business it is. So what chore brings you
to summon one of my ilk?”
“Simple enough. I’d like you to take me to my friend.”
“Good for you. I’d like a pony and a red wagon, myself.”
It was said so smoothly it took a moment for me to register
what he had said.
“I beg your pardon?”
Kalvin shrugged.
“I said, ‘I’d like a pony and . . .’ “
“I know. I mean, I heard what you said,” I interrupted.
“I just don’t understand. Are you saying you won’t help
me?”
“Not won’t . . . can’t. First of all, you’ve never even
gotten around to telling me who your friend is.”
“Oh, that’s easy. His name is Aahz, and he’s …”
“… And second of all, it’s not within my powers.
Sorry.”
That stopped me. I had never paused to consider the
extent of a Djin’s power.
“It’s not? But when I summoned you, I thought you were
supposed to help me.”
“… Any way I can,” Kalvin finished. “Unfortunately
for you, that doesn’t cover a whole lot. How much did you
pay for me, anyway?”
“A silver . . . but that was a while ago.”
” A silver? Not bad. You must be pretty good at bargaining
to get a Deveel to part with a registered Djin for that price.”
I inclined my head at the compliment, but felt obliged to
explain.
“He was in a state of shock at the time. The rest of his
stock had been wiped out.”
“Well, don’t feel too proud,” the Djin continued. “You
MYTH-NOMERS AND IM-PERVECTIONS 17
were still overcharged. I wouldn’t pay a silver for my ser-
vices.”
This was sounding less and less assuring. My easy solution