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jingling. "Cugel, in some respects you are dense and dull; your brain is like
lukewarm porridge, and I say this without heat. You understand only what you
see, and this is the smallest part." Iucounu emitted a whinny of laughter, so
that Cugel sent him a questioning look. "Observe Sadlark!" said Iucounu.
"What do you see?"
"An armature of wires and a number of scales, in the purported shape of
Sadlark."
"And what if the wires were removed?"
"The scales would fall into a heap."
"Quite so. You are right. The protonastic centrum is the node which binds the
other scales with lines of force. This node is the soul and force of Sadlark.
With the node in place, Sadlark lives once again; indeed Sadlark was never
dead, but merely disassociated."
"What of, let us say, his inner organs?"
"In the overworld, such parts are considered unnecessary and even somewhat
vulgar. In short, there are no inner parts. Have you any other questions or
observations?"
"I might politely venture to point out that the day is waning and that I wish
to arrive at Taun Tassel before dark."
Iucounu said heartily: "And so you shall! First, be good enough to place upon
the work-table the 'Pectoral Sky-break Spatterlight', with all traces of
diambroid detached. No other option is open to you."
"Only one," said Cugel. "I prefer to keep the scale. It brings me luck and
wards off acrid magic, as you have already learned."
Yellow lights flickered behind Iucounu's eyes. "Cugel, your obstinacy is
embarrassing. The scale indeed holds a proud crust between you and enemy magic
of the casual sort. It is indifferent to overworld magic, some of which I
command. Meanwhile, please desist from this constant skulking forward in the
attempt to bring me within range of your sword. I am tired of jumping backward
every time you sidle in my direction."
Cugel spoke haughtily: "Such an ungracious act never so much as crossed my
mind." He drew his sword and laid it on the work-bench. "There! See for
yourself how you have misjudged me!"
Iucounu blinked at the sword. "Still, keep your distance! I am not a man who
welcomes intimacies."
"You may expect my full cooperation," said Cugel with dignity.
"I will be frank! Your deeds have long cried out for retribution, and as a man
of conscience I am forced to act. Still, you need not aggravate my task."
244
"This is harsh language!" said Cugel. "You offered me a ride to Taun Tassel.
I did not expect treachery."
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Iucounu paid no heed. "I will now make my final request: give me the scale at
once!"
"I can not oblige you," said Cugel. "Since that was your final request, we can
now leave for Taun Tassel."
"The scale, if you please!"
"Take it from my cap, if you must. I will not assist you."
"And the diambroid?"
"Sadlark will protect me. You must take your chances."
Iucounu uttered a cry of laughter. "Sadlark also protects me, as you will
see!" He threw aside his garments and with a quick movement inserted himself
into the center of the matrix, so that his legs fitted into Sadlark's
mediators and his face showed behind the gap in the turret. The wires and
scales contracted around his pudgy body; the scales fit him as if they were
his own skin.
Iucounu's voice rang like a choir of brass horns: "Well then, Cugel: what do
you think now?"
Cugel stood gaping in wonder. At last he said: "Sadlark's scales fit you
remarkably well."
"It is no accident, of this I am certain!"
"And why not?"
"I am Sadlark's avatar; I partake of his personal essence! This is my destiny,
but before I can enjoy my full force, I must be whole! Without further
quibbling you may fit 'Spatterlight' into place. Remember, Sadlark will no
longer protect you against my magic, since it is his magic, as well."
A crawling sensation in Cugel's glove indicated that Sadlark's protonastic
centrum 'Spatterlight' endorsed the remark. "So it must be," said Cugel. He
carefully detached the ornament from his cap and removed the diambroid. He
held it in his hand a moment, then placed it against his forehead.
Iucounu cried out: "What are you doing?" [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]