Adam of Albion by Kim McMahon, Neil McMahon Page B

notice it. But—the process has to be routed
through me, and the range is limited—a couple of miles, depending on the
terrain. Another good reason for us to stay close together.”
    That
was a big help, for sure, although there were still plenty of other problems
and questions—starting with how they were going to get to the meeting place
unnoticed.
    “I’ll
sneak a look around,”Adam said, trying to sound braver than he felt. There must
be a place nearby where gear for the camels was stored—maybe there’d be some
burlap or pack cloths they could wrap around themselves.
    He
was just starting toward the crude wooden door when it swung open.
    A
boy about the same age as Artemis and Adam, with sun-darkened skin and curly
black hair, was staring back at them with huge eyes that mirrored their own
shock.

FIFTEEN
    The
boy jumped back, turning like he was going to flee.
    “Wait—we’re
friends!” Artemis called out. “We won’t hurt you—please, come talk to us.”
    He
hesitated—still poised to run, but now he seemed entranced.
    And
it wasn’t because of Orpheus, Adam realized—his gaze was locked on Artemis. Her
hair was still uncovered while she’d been folding the shawl into a scarf, and
apparently, the sight of that wild blond mane was much more fascinating than
the extra head perched on Adam’s shoulder.
    Artemis
was quick to realize it, too—and to put it to use. She gave him a radiant
smile, and gracefully stood up. Then she ran her hands through her hair,
fluffing it out to its maximum end-to-end extension, as wide as she was tall.
    The
boy gasped in awe, sinking to his knees and clasping his hands together.
    “Oh,
lady,” he whispered. “Are you a jinni?”
    “Not
exactly—but we come from a faraway time and place, and we are magical.
Look!” She pointed at Orpheus. “This is the miraculous talking head of legend,
that can perform many marvels.”
    Orpheus
jumped on the cue like a hungry trout hitting a caddis fly—first, by changing
color from the ambient earth tones around them to a brilliant rainbow spectrum
that moved subtly around his face.
    “Arise,
O brave son of the Prophet, and tell us your name,” he said, in a rich, formal
voice.
    Adam
was noticing that while he understood all the talking perfectly well, the words
had an odd feel, like they were hitting his brain differently than usual—that
must be the implanted chip altering the sonic frequencies.
    The
boy stood up shakily, his eyes still huge. “I am called Mustafa, O marvelous
head that shines like a rainbow and speaks like a mage.”
    Adam
felt Orpheus stretch himself a little taller, preening.
    “I
am Orpheus. This young man is Adam, and the lady is Artemis.”
    Mustafa’s
lips moved as he repeated her name under his breath.
    “Will
you help us, Mustafa?” she asked. “I swear to you, we won’t harm anyone—we only
have a task to accomplish. And we’ll reward you handsomely.”
    He
lowered his face shyly. “If I may serve the lady with the moonlight hair, I ask
no other reward.”
    Adam
closed his eyes with relief. They still had a long way to go, but this was a
big step.
    “The
great Sultan Saladin, and the Frankish King Richard, will soon hold a meeting
to discuss terms, is it not?” Orpheus asked.
    Mustafa
nodded. “The Sultan’s emissaries are riding out from the city even now.”
    “We
need to be present there—but we have to stay secret, and look like everyone
else. Can you find clothing for Artemis and Adam?”
    Mustafa’s
face turned miserable with shame. “It would be easily bought—but I am a poor
groom and have no money.”
    Damn!
Adam thought—that was another thing that had never crossed his mind. He had a
couple of Euros in his wallet, but they weren’t going to cut it here.
    “What
about these?” Artemis said, holding up her many-ringed hands. “They’re pure
silver.”
    Mustafa’s
face brightened again. “Oh, yes! Two or three of those will buy everything you
need. My uncle has a