Into the Abyss полностью

“Look, it’s not like I planned it.” Edwyrd really wanted to get this thing solved. “Anyway, let’s think about this. I’m not sure I like this at all. I just don’t see another way.”

Jenn stood by the rail of the ship, thinking. The early morning sun cleared away a lot of her mental cobwebs. She’d just finished breakfast and was feeling considerably better. Yesterday had been too much. First, she’d been sure they were all lost in that battle. Somehow, though, between luck and Edwyrd’s-whatever it was animages did, they’d survived. Luck really; it was pure fortune.

One of the first things she’d learned on coming to Lenamare’s school was not to overextend yourself in casting spells. Spells were tricky things, if you tried too far above your ability or knowledge, disaster would strike. She’d seen students burned badly by a mispronounced spell that was too powerful for them. Like all students, she was ingrained with the stories of great wizards failing at great spells and bringing havoc to their whole surroundings. The Verigone desert being the textbook example. Luck. She had said more than one prayer to the goddess last night on that score.

Then Rupert, she’d been so afraid she’d lost him. When the healer had said he’d died, Jenn was sure she was going to have a nervous breakdown. Again, Edwyrd pulled him through somehow. She had no clue how animages did their healing, but Maelen had admitted that Edwyrd’s story was possible. Incredible, she could only think, to bring someone that far gone back. She could tell Maelen was just as puzzled as she was. However, she’d checked Rupert out herself, and so had Maelen. Aside from the strange change in his appearance, he was perfectly healthy, if weak. Again, thanks to the goddess were due. She only hoped his hair would straighten out, as Edwyrd promised.

Now the problem was that the crew wanted her or Gastropé to help them get to Hoggensforth faster. Not that it was a bad idea, the sooner they got there, the better. The problem was that she wasn’t sure she could. Oh, true, she could summon a light wind, but air spells were in the realm of enchanters, and she wasn’t that good at such spells. Nor was Gastropé, he apparently was a pyromancer with some conjury ability. Edwyrd, apparently, was into fire as well. Maelen called it pyromastery though, not pyromancy.

Actually, from the little Maelen had said, she gathered Edwyrd was far more than just a passable student. In fact, he seemed to be hinting that Edwyrd was a full-fledged master. If one could believe that. Not that she’d known him long enough to argue the point, but what sort of master animage would be walking penniless into a strange town with only the clothes on his back. Animages were strange, but that strange?

Jenn shook her head. As she was about to turn away from the rail, she noted a large bird approaching the ship, rapidly. As she looked again at the bird, she realized that it was a very large bird. As it got closer she realized it was a very large bird with eight legs! “Shit! That’s no bird, that’s the goddess-cursed demon friend of Tom’s that tried to subvert Rupert.” She quickly looked around, searching for Gastropé. He was on the other side of the ship. “Gastropé!” she yelled.

Gastropé looked up from whatever he was doing. “Come quickly!” Jenn yelled. “We’ve got problems.” Gastropé trotted over to her. As he got to her, she pointed to the now very close demon.

“Holy birds of Draston!” Gastropé croaked. Quickly he began what preparations he could to hold the demon. A loud droning noise filled the deck. By this point, crew members had noticed the approaching demon, and were pointing and talking loudly among themselves.

As it became apparent that the demon was headed right for the two wizards, the crewmembers made haste to place themselves on the opposite end of the ship. The demon came down, fast.

Crunch! It landed heavily on the deck, cracking a few planks.

“Hey lunches! Where’s Tom?”

“Back! Vile spawn of night-hags!” Gastropé commanded. He was quickly making some sort of gesture.

“My, my, aren’t we testy? Relax your gonads before I roast them on their branch.” Tizzy told him. Gastropé squinted, trying to determine if his spells were having any effect.

“What are you doing here, demon?” Jenn demanded.

“Like I told you. I’m looking for the Tomatic demon.” Tizzy intoned with a certain echo effect in his voice on the last sentence.

“The what?” Asked Gastropé’ obviously puzzled, and dripping with sweat.

“The big red handsome fellow, you know-the one who was playing taxi driver for you.”

“What driver? Never mind,” Jenn shook her head. “He’s not here. He’s gone back to the Abyss. Now leave.”

“Well, aren’t you Miss Congeniality? Where am I supposed to leave to? Remember, he was my ride as well as yours.”

“Get yourself gone, demon. We command you.” Jenn told the octopod.