“I didn’t think you’d get this far, none of you! But
where a spellsinger, however inept, is involved, there are
never any assurances. So when you escaped from Malderpot
and my servants lost you in the woods, I determined to
find you myself. Your bold and unforeseen move into the
Muddletup Moors confused me, I must admit. But only for
a time, and I was just able to intercept you on the shores of
the Glittergeist and execute my little charade.
“I did not think I would be with you long, but luck and
false fortune seemed to follow you wherever you went.
Across the ocean, on this kindred spirit’s vessel, even into
the land of the bellicose enchanted folk. When you not
only managed your release from their hands but induced
them to assist you with a map, I determined to press on
ahead on my own to seek out this Shop of the Aether and
Neither and buy up all the necessary medicine before you
could arrive.
“And again you surprised me, not out of cleverness or
insight, but through blind luck. So Corroboc and I paral-
leled your progress through this bloated emporium of
useless goods, he flying above to check periodically on
your position, until you kindly located the object of the
quest for me. Which I will now take possession of.” He
glanced up at Snooth.
266
Alan Dean Foster
“I do not think she has in hand a device or medicine
that can save her from the fast-acting effects of hruth
venom. Once that container has been handed over I will
relieve you of your weapons and leave you to the tender
attentions of my patient friend. Perhaps he will grow bored
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