“Well, Tanda,” I said, flashing my brightest smile.
“Later, handsome,” she replied briskly. “Right now I’ve got some errands to run.”
“Errands?” I blinked.
“Yeah. Aahz is big on manpower, but I’d just as soon have a few extra tricks up my sleeve in case the going gets rough,” she explained. “I’m going to duck over to the special effects section and see what they have in stock.”
“Okay,” I agreed, “Let’s go.”
“No, you don’t,” she said, shaking her head. “I think I’d better go this one alone. The kind of places I have in mind aren’t fit for civilized customers. You and the dragon wait here.”
“But you’re supposed to be keeping me out of trouble!” I argued.
“And that’s why I’m not taking you along,” she said, smiling. “Now, what do you have along in the way of weaponry?”
“Well …” I said hesitantly, “there’s a sort of a sword in one of Gleep’s packs.”
“Fine!” she said. “Get it out and wear it. It’ll keep the riffraff at a distance. Then … um … wait for me in there!”
She pointed at a strange-looking stone structure with a peeling sign on its front.
“What is it?” I asked, peering at it suspiciously.
“It’s a ‘Yellow Crescent Inn,’ “ she explained. “It’s sort of a restaurant. Get yourself something to eat. The food’s unappetizing, but vaguely digestible.”
I studied the place for a moment.
“Actually,” I decided finally, “I think I’d rather…”
Right about there I discovered I was talking to myself. Tanda had disappeared without a trace.
For the second time in my life I was alone in the Bazaar at Deva.