Witch Doctor - Wiz in Rhyme-3 by Christopher Stasheff Page A

too-after all, we could always find a way to lose the monster when the elves were out of sight. He didn't look to have too high an IQ. In fact, he didn't look to have an IQ at all.
    The prince pointed off toward the cast. "The gorge will narrow a league or so farther on, and you will find there has been a rock slide that will provide a bridge for you."
    Something rumbled in the distance, in the direction he was pointing. I wondered how long that rock slide had been there. No, I definitely didn't want these little guys to take a dislike to me.
    "Henceforth," he said, with a very severe stare at me, "if you realize that you shall need our help, summon us at once. There is an aura about you that tells me that you shall be vital to the casting out of the rule of evil which we so hate for the trouble and grief it has caused my people; so summon if you so much as think you may have need of us; and be sure, we shall come."
    "I'm not really that important." Why did everybody here think I was the solution to all their troubles? I admit I was used to that attitude from the women I met, but supernatural beings were another matter.
    "You are," he said, with a steely glare that allowed no argument.
    "Call at the slightest need. Till then, farewell! Men of mine!
    All flit!"
    Sunlight got in my eyes; I blinked, and they were gone. There was no one there but Gilbert, his horse, me-and the troll.
    I braced myself, ready to run-I didn't think fighting would do much good.
    But a very dejected troll came mincing up to me, hanging his head-or the whole top half of his body, at least-and fell to his knees. I backed away, horrified. "All right, all right! I'll have to put up with you-but no kneeling! I hate that!"
    The troll scrabbled to his feet, staring down at me expectantly.
    "Do you remember my saying anything about agreeing to take this lunk along?" I asked Squire Gilbert.
    "Why-you have no choice in the matter, Wizard," he said in surprise. "Neither has the troll."
    "Oh, yeah?" I started out across the bridge. "Just watch me." There was a loud groan from below.
    I froze. I hadn't stopped to think that Huge-and-Gruesome might have had company. I backed away in a hurry; whatever was under there just might have brains enough to realize that the easy way to get rid of Gruesome's geas was to get rid of me.
    On the other hand, if it tried, Gruesome would have to fight itand it might not be smart enough to realize that. I decided I didn't want to find out. I retreated back to Gilbert's side with alacrity and turned away east. "On the other hand, maybe a one-mile detour wouldn't be so bad after all. Let's go, Gilbert-fast!"
    "If you say so, Wizard." He mounted and paced alongside me on his horse, trying not to let his smile show.
    I tried to ignore it-and tried harder to ignore the slap of huge flat feet behind me. I'd had experience with that, too, but it wasn't working any better this time than it had before.
    Gilbert didn't seem to mind it, but every now and then, I caught him glancing back out of the corner of his eye. All in all, it was a very nervous-making mile, though he and I tried to cover up with light conversation.
    "So you were born a peasant, but within the order you can become a knight?"
    "Aye. Even so, 'tis not likely, mind you-but I may attain glory enough to cover me with honor."
    Interesting metaphor. I was tempted to try to figure out if it was mixed, but resisted in favor of gaining information. "Any chance you can change your mind then, leave the order, and get married?"
    "Oh, nay!" He turned to me, shocked. "I would never wish to leave the order!"
    "Eighteen is young," I said, from the airy height of twenty-five.
    "Twelve years from now, you might be tempted to reconsider."
    "Heaven forfend! May the angels protect me from such!"
    "I hope so," I agreed. "But could you, if you wanted to?' He started to object again, then closed his mouth, frowning, and thought it over.
    "Purely hypothetically, mind you," I said.
    "Nay, I could