Myth-Ing Persons By Robert L Asprin

I had expected a certain amount of excitement from the staff when they found out I wasn’t totally helpless. Instead, they looked uncomfortable. They exchanged glances, then looked at the sky, then at the ground.

“Ummm . . . does this mean we’re going on?” Guido said at last.

“That’s right,” I said, lips tight. “In fact, I probably would have gone on even if my powers were completely gone. Somewhere out there my partner’s in trouble, and I’m not going to back away from at least trying to help him. I’d do the same if it was one of you, but we’re talking about Aahz here. He’s saved my skin more times than I care to remember. I can’t just….”

I caught myself and brought my voice back under control.

“Look,” I said, starting again. “I’ll admit we never expected this vampire thing when we started out, and the limited magic handicap is enough to give anyone pause. If either or both of you want to head back, you can do it without hard feelings or guilt trips. Really. The only reason I’m pushing on is that I know me. Whatever is up ahead, it can’t be any worse than what I would put myself through if I left Aahz alone to die without trying my best to bail him out. But that’s me. If you want out, go ahead.”

“Don’t get your back up. Hot Stuff,” Massha chided gently. “I’m still not sure how much help I’m going to be, but I’ll tag along. I’d probably have the same problem if anything happened to you and I wasn’t there, that you’d have if anything happened to Aahz. I am your apprentice, you know.”