Anotherblatant lie. Aahz was currently disguised as Garkin.

"Yes,"the demon hunter admitted hesitantly.

"Tananda'swork," Aahz confided. "Just as it was her powers thatrestored you after you had been turned to stone."

"Hmmm…."Quigley said, looking at Tanda again.

"Really,you must realize, Quigley, that when one fights demons, sometimes itis helpful to employ a demon's weapons," Aahz admonished gently.

"Tanandahere can be a powerful ally… and frankly, I find your attitudetoward her deplorable and ungrateful."

"Forgiveme, milady," Quigley sighed, stepping up to her again. "Idid not mean to offend you. It's just that… well… I'vehad some bad experiences with those who associate with demons."

"Thinknothing of it, sugar," said Tanda the demon, taking his hand,"And call me Tanda."

Whilethey were occupied with each other, I seized the opportunity andsnagged Aahz's arm.

"Hm?What is it, kid?"

"Givehim back his sword!" I hissed.

"What?No way, kid. By my count he's still got five pieces of gold left.I'll sell it to him."

"Buthe gave us his unicorn."

"Hegave us a dragon… your dragon! I fail to see anythingbenevolent in that."

"Look,Aahz. Either you give him that sword or you can work your own magik!Get me?"

"Talkabout ingratitude! Look kid, if you…."

"Aahz!"Tanda's voice interrupted our dispute. "Come help me convinceQuigley to join our mission."

"Wouldthat I could, milady," Quigley sighed, "but I would be oflittle help. This late misfortune has left me afoot, weaponless, andpenniless."

"Actually,"Aahz chimed, "you still have five…."

Iinterrupted him with an elbow in his ribs.

"Whatwas that, Aahz?" Quigley asked.

"Aah…my… um… squire and I were just discussing that and wehave reached a decision. So… um… so fine a warriorshould not be left so destitute, so… um… we…."

"We'vedecided to give you back your sword," I announced proudly.

"Really?"Quigley's face lit up.

"Ididn't know you had it in you, Aahz," Tanda smiled sweetly.

"Isay, this is comradeship indeed." Quigley was obviously besidehimself with joy. "How can I ever repay you?"

"Bynever mentioning this to anyone," Aahz growled.

"How'sthat again?"

"Isaid don't mention it," Aahz amended. "It's the least wecan do."

"Believehim," I smiled.

"NowI will gladly assist you on your mission," Quigley answered."Why, with a weapon and good comrades, what more could a warriorask for?"

"Money,"Aahz said bluntly.

"OhAahz." Tanda punched him a little too hard for it to be playful."You're such a kidder."

"Don'tyou want to know what the mission is?" I asked Quigley.

"Oh,yes, I suppose you're right, lad. Forgive me. I was carried away bymy enthusiasm."

"Tellhim, Skeeve," prompted Tanda.

"Actually,"I said, with a sudden flash of diplomacy, "Aahz explains it muchbetter than I do."

"It'sreally quite simple," mumbled Aahz, still sulking a bit. "We'regoing after Isstvan."

"Isstvan?"Quigley looked puzzled. "The harmless old inn-keeper?"

"Harmless?Harmless, did you say?" Aahz took the bait. "Quigley, asone demon hunter to another, you've got a lot to learn."

"Ido all right for myself."

"Sureyou do. That's why you got turned to stone, remember?"

"Igot turned to stone because I put my faith in a magik sword that…."

Thingswere back to normal.

"Gentlemen,gentlemen," I interrupted. "We were talking about theupcoming mission."

"Right,kid. As I was saying, Quigley, that harmless old inn-keeper isworking so closely with demons I wouldn't be surprised to learn hewas one himself."

"Impossible!"scoffed Quigley. "Why, the man sent me out hunting for demons."

"Ahh!"smiled Aahz. "Therein lies the story." I caught Tanda'seyes and winked. She smiled back at me and nodded. This might take awhile, but as of now Quigley was in the bag!

THEREwas something there in the shadows. I could sense its presence morethan see it. It was dark and serpentine… and it was watchingme. I was alone. I didn't know where the others had gone, butI knew they were counting on me. "Who's there? "I called.The voice that came back to me out of the darkness echoed hollowly.

"Iam Isstvan, Skeeve. I've been waiting for you."

"Youknow who I am?" I asked, surprised.

"Iknow all about you and your friends. I've known all along what you'retrying to do."

Itried to set wards about me, but I couldn't find a force line. Itried to run, but I was rooted to the spot. "See how my powersdwarf yours? And you expected to challenge me."

Itried to fight back a wave of despair.

"Waituntil the others come," I cried defiantly.

"Theyalready have," the voice boomed. "Look!"

Twoobjects came rolling at me out of the darkness. I saw with horrorthat they were heads! Tanda's and Quigley's!

Ifelt ill, but clung to a shred of hope. There was still no sign ofAahz. If he was still at large, we might….

"Don'tlook to your Pervert for help," the voice answered my thoughts."I've dealt with him too."

Aahzappeared, sheathed in fire. He staggered and fell, writhing on theground as the flames consumed his body.

"Nowit's just you and me, Skeeve!" the voice echoed. "You andme."

"I'llgo!" I shouted desperately. "You've won. Just let me go."

Thedarkness was moving closer.

"It'stoo late. I'm coming for you Skeeve… Skeeve…."

"Skeeve!"

Somethingwas shaking my shoulder. I bolted upright, blinking my eyes as theworld swam back into focus. The camp was asleep. Aahz was kneelingbeside me, the glow from the campfire's dying embers revealing theconcerned expression on his face.

"Wakeup, kid! If you keep thrashing around, you'll end up in the fire."

"It'sIsstvan!" I explained desperately. "He knows all about us."

"What?"

"Iwas talking to him. He came into my dream!"

"Hmmm…sounds more like a plain old nightmare," Aahz proclaimed. "Iwarned you not to let Tanda season the food."

"Areyou sure?" I said doubtfully.

"Positive,"Aahz insisted. "If Isstvan knew we were coming, he'd hit us withsomething a lot more powerful than making faces at you in a dream."

Iguess that was supposed to reassure me. It didn't. All it did wasremind me I was thoroughly outclassed in the upcoming campaign.

"Aahz,can't you tell me anything about Isstvan? What he looks like, forinstance."

"Nota chance, kid," Aahz grinned at me.

"Whynot?"

"Becausewe won't both see him the same way, or at least we wouldn't describehim the same way. If I describe him to you, one of two things willhappen when you first see him. If he looks scarier to you than I'vedescribed him, you'll freeze. If he looks more harmless than I'vedescribed him, you'll relax. Either way, it'll slow your reactionsand give him the first move. There's no point in gaining the elementof surprise if we aren't going to use it."

"Well,"I persisted. "Couldn't you at least tell me about his powers?What can he do?"

"Forone thing, it would take too long. Just assume that if you canimagine it, he can do it."

"What'sthe other?" I asked.

"Theother what?"

"Yousaid 'for one thing.' That implies you have at least one otherreason."

"Hmm,"Aahz pondered. "Well, I'm not sure you'll understand, but to acertain degree what he can do, I mean the whole list, is irrelevant."

"Why?"

"Becausewe're taking the initiative. That puts him in a reactive instead ofan active role."