“Sorry to interfere, but it looked like so much fun we just had to play, too.”
I’d know that voice anywhere, even if I didn’t recognize the figure as well as the unmistakable form of her brother.
“Tananda! Chumley!” I shouted, waving to pinpoint our position. “I was wondering when you’d show up.”
The sister-brother team of Trollop and Troll hastened to join us. For all their lighthearted banter, I can think of few beings I’d rather have on or at my side when things get tight.
“Are you all right?” Tananda asked, stopping to help Massha to her feet.
“Really never had much dignity,” my apprentice responded, “and what little I did have is shot to hell. Except for that I’m fine. I’m starting to see why you Big Leaguers are so down on mechanical magic.”
Chumley seized my hand and pumped it vigorously.
“Now don’t be too rough on your little gimmicks, ducks,” he advised. “That little ring you left us was just the ticket we needed to get here in time for the latest in our unbroken string of last-minute rescues. Except for the typical hash you’ve made of your end-game, it looks like you’ve done rather well without us. We’ve got all present and accounted for, including Aahz, who seems remarkably unscathed after yet one more near-brush with disaster. Seems like all that’s left is a hasty retreat and a slow celebration … eh, what?”
“That’s about the size of it,” I agreed. “It’s great having the two of you along to ride shotgun on our exit, though. Speaking of which, can you find the castle from here? I’ve gotten a little turned around….”