Myth-Told Tales

"Congratulations, my lord." she breathed. The two of them exchanged glances that left the princess's cheeks even more pink than before. Bosheer's face turned red, and he smiled. Zing! I thought. The cheers redoubled.

We judges wheeled around the couple on the drawbridge, compared notes, then Carisweather floated a dozen yards up into the air to make an announcement.

"My lords and ladies! I have the honor to announce the winner of today's hunt Prince Bosheer! And here comes his majesty to award him his most desirable prize!"

Over the last rise came the king, followed by Aahz, followed by the 'hippuses carrying the litter with the chest on it. I blinked. The chest was not on it. Instead, it contained a bemused-looking Djinn, and nothing else. Aahz's face was grim. His eyes met mine. The chest had been stolen. In spite of all our precautions, we'd failed.

The king rode over, and though she didn't look in any hurry to get down, helped his daughter dismount from Bosheer's saddle. The king shook hands with the prince, then held up his hands for silence.

"We wish to give thanks to our servants and friends, and especially to our new friend Aahz, who came to our assistance a few moments ago," he said, indicating me with a hand. "I'm sorry to say that the prize we'd originally intended to grant this most gracious winner has been foully robbed from our person." Bosheer looked crestfallen. Henryarthurjon slapped him on the back. "We apologize most heartily to Prince Bosheer. It would seem that crime may touch even the highest in the land. But this brave and puissant man will not go without a reward. Instead, I shall give him from among my many treasures ..."

Gloriannamarjolie pushed forward, her hand hooked through Bosheer's arm. "... his daughter's hand in marriage!"

"What?" asked her father, then noticed the solid grip Glory had on the Whelf. "Oh. Jolly good. Yes. My daughter's hand in marriage."

The crowd cheered. Glory and Bosheer looked radiantly happy.

Massha settled down near me where I stood at the edge of the crowd with my arms crossed. "Well, all's well that ends well, I guess. I saw sparks shooting between those two even before the race started. I knew he was Mr. Right"

"He's satisfied," I said, nodding at the prince. "He got something he liked better than a safe."

"But what happened to the safe?" she asked. "You were following the king. How'd someone manage to rob him with you so close?" I scowled No one likes to fail, even if it was in a good cause. Her face softened. She felt sorry for me.

"I didn't see a thing," I said, impassively. "It had to have happened when he went into that thick clump of woods on the other side of the hill."

"Well, did you notice any footprints? Can you tell which way the thieves went?" she demanded.

"Massha," I said, with infinite patience. "I came here to do you a favor. I blew it I apologize. You deserve better, but I'm done. No one is paying me to track down a missing treasure chest."

"Sorry, Big Guy," Massha said. "I'm actually happier the way things came out."

"Me, too," I agreed. Nunzio and Gleep came up to join us. He and I exchanged comradely nods. Gleep leaped up, aiming for my face with his tongue. I pushed him away. "Let's go in. I bet they're pouring a toast to the happy couple. I could use a drink."

"So could I, Hot Stuff," Massha said, tucking her hand into my arm. "So could I."

M.Y.T.H. INC. PROCEEDS By Jody Lynn Nye

The Klahd with the pinstriped suit coat stretched tight over his massive shoulders accepted the cup of tea offered to him by Bunny. Guido declined cream or sugar, as his habit, which I knew well, dictated. His cousin, Nunzio, not quite so muscular but more affable, accepted both. The fact that both were of a mind to take tea in the sitting room of our renovated inn when they were clearly rushed by other concerns told me how deep those concerns were. I settled myself at their feet to eavesdrop openly upon the proceedings.

"Much obliged," Guido said, taking a deep draught— less, I believed, to assuage thirst than to get the courtesies out of the way. He was never one for a cup of tea where coffee or ale were also on the menu, and he knew both were to hand. Bunny, who knew his mores, seemed to be using his acceptance of the ritual as a test to find out how desperate the Mob enforcers were to obtain the help of my pet. Bunny was nearly as protective as I of Skeeve's studies. The ruffled white pinafore that the red-haired female wore over her tight, green dress was a concession to her attempt to play hostess as well as guardian, but it did not conceal her voluptuous figure any more successfully than her mannered hospitality hid her annoyance and worry. Guido turned to the lanky, blond-haired male reclining in the chair to his right.

"Like I was sayin', Skeeve ..."

"Cookie?" Bunny asked, handing around a plate of tiny, pink-sugared dainties. Guido obediently reached for one.