Spellsinger 03 – The Day of the Dissonance by Foster, Alan Dean

“Not all that big, as oceans go.” Clothahump strove to

sound reassuring. “It can be crossed in a few weeks. All

you have to do is book passage on one of the many ships

that trade between the mouth of the Glittergeist and distant

Snarken.”

“I’ve heard of Snarken. Big place?”

THE DAY OF THE DISSONANCE

11

“A most magnificent city. So I have been told, never

having visited there myself. Grander than Polastrindu.

You’d find it fascinating.”

“And dangerous.”

“No journey is worthwhile unless it is dangerous, but

we romanticize. I do not see any reason for anticipating

trouble. You are a tourist, nothing more, embarked on a

voyage of rest, relaxation, and discovery.”

“Sure. From what I’ve seen of this world it doesn’t treat

tourists real well.”

“That should not trouble an accomplished spellsinger

like you.”

The wizard was interrupted by the sound of another

crash from the nearby storeroom, followed by a few

snatches of drunken song.

“You also have your ramwood staff for protection, and

you no longer are a stranger to our ways. Think of it as a

holiday, a vacation.”

“Why do I have this persistent feeling you’re not telling

me everything?”

“Because you are a pessimist, my boy. I do not criti-

cize. That is a healthy attitude for one embarked on a

career in magic. I am not sending you after trouble this

time. We do not go to battle powerful invaders from the

east. I am asking you only to go and fetch a handful of

powder, a little medicine. That is all. No war awaits. True,

it is a long journey, but there is no reason why it should