was ready to face Perv as a native.
“Nice work, Spell-slinger,” Massha drawled with decep-
tive casualness. “But there’s one minor detail you’ve over-
looked.”
This time I knew exactly what she was referring to, but
decided to play it dumb. In case you’re wondering, yes,
this is my normal modus operandi … to act dumb when
I know what’s going on, and knowledgeable when I’m totally
in the dark.
“What’s that, Massha?” I said, innocently.
“Where’s mine?”
There was a lot loaded into those two words, everything
6 Robert Asprin
from threats to a plea. This time, however, I wasn’t going
to be moved. I had given the matter a lot of thought and
firmly resolved to stand by my decision.
“You aren’t going to need a disguise, Massha. You aren’t
staying.”
“But, Skeeve …”
“No!”
“But …”
“Look, Massha,” I said, facing her directly, “I ap-
preciate your wanting to help, but this is my problem. Aahz
is my partner, not to mention my mentor and best friend.
What’s more, it was my thoughtlessness that got him so
upset he resigned from the firm and ran away. No matter
how you cut it, it’s my job to find him and bring him back.”
My apprentice regarded me with folded arms and tight
lips.
“Agreed,” she said.
“… So there’s no point in your trying to … what
did you say?”
“I said agreed,” she repeated. “… As in, I agree it’s
your job to bring Aahz back!”
That took me by surprise. I had somehow expected more
of an argument. Even now, it didn’t look to me like she
had really given up the fight.
“Well, then …”
“… And it’s my job as your apprentice to tag along