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the Living Dead the modules have not yet shifted phase.
I know little of Carpiskovy, said Voner. It is said to be very fine and I
am surprised to hear of conditions so insipid.
Margaunt is worse, and by the hour! I found a delicate bang green along the
flitterway.
Delicate , you say!
No less! The gray-pines are on regular duty, and there is never a tweak from
the rubants.
Shimrod spoke. Gentlemen, I am your supervisor. My name is Shimrod; however
in this phase, I will use the name Travec the Dacian. Be on the alert for
plans made against either Shimrod or Travec. I
am pleased that you will be associated with me, since our business is of great
importance. Now,
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.txt for the moment I must ask you to keep silent, since I must assimilate
much information into my mind.
Skel said, You have made a poor beginning, Shimrod or Travec, whatever your
name. Our conversation is on a high level. You would do well to listen.
Shimrod spoke sternly: I have a limited mind. I insist upon obedience. Let us
be clear on this at once; otherwise I must consult Murgen.
Bah! said Voner. Just our luck! In Shimrod we discover another of these
short-tail snatch-after martinets!
Silence, if you please!
Just so, if so it must be, said Voner. Skel, I will speak with you later,
when Shimrod is less testy.
By all means! The time cannot pass too swiftly, as they say in this eccentric
universe.
The effrits became silent save for occasional groans and mutters. Shimrod,
meanwhile, formulated a biography for Travec and stocked his mind with
pertinent information. Next, he established safeguards to protect Trilda from
interlopers during his absence. An ironic circumstance if while he searched
the moors for Desmei, she came to Trilda and plundered his work room of all
its precious adjuncts!
Shimrod's preparations at last were complete. He went to the mirror and made
himself known to
Murgen. I am ready to depart on my mission.
Murgen inspected the unfamiliar image that confronted him. The semblance is
adequate, if somewhat larger in impact than necessary. Still, who knows? It
might prove useful. Now then: go six miles past Kaul Bocach on the Ulf
Passway. Here you will find the Inn of the Dancing Pig.
I know this inn.
You will discover four cutthroats on the premises. They are awaiting orders
from King Casmir. Let it be known that King Casmir has sent you to join the
group, and that a certain Cory of Falonges will shortly arrive to serve as
their leader on a special mission.
So far all is clear.
You should have no difficulty in attaching yourself to Cory s band. His
orders are to assassinate
King Aillas and, if possible, to capture Prince Dhrun.
Cory will lead this company to Glen Dagach. Here, depending upon
circumstances, you might transfer from Cory s band to that of Torqual. But
move quietly and excite no one. At the moment
Desmei feels no suspicion. Do not blunder and drive her into far hiding.
Shimrod nodded. And thereafter: what of Cory?
He becomes inconsequential. The mirror went blank.
II
Travec the Dacian rode a hammer-headed dun horse north along the Great Ulf
Passway. To the right of his saddle a lacquered box contained a short compound
bow and two dozen arrows; at his left side hung a long scimitar, somewhat
narrow-bladed, in a leather scabbard. He wore a black cloth shirt, loose
trousers and knee-length black boots. A cloak, a chin-mail shirt and a conical
iron helmet were tied in a roll behind the saddle.
He rode slouched forward, eyes flickering constantly from side to side.
Weapons, garments, and general mien identified Travec as a vagabond warrior or
perhaps something worse. The folk he met along the way gave him a wide berth
and saw him pass with relief.
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