“It seems that I must forego the ‘Untiring Legs’,” said Cugel. “But no matter: I am accustomed to the road, and now I will take my leave.”
“Our hopes go with you!” said Vasker. “Boldness and caution: let them work hand in hand!”
“I am grateful for your wise counsel,” said Cugel. “Everything now depends upon Iucounu. If avarice dominates his prudence, you shall soon know the enjoyment of your missing organs. Bazzard, our chance acquaintance has yielded profit, so I hope, for all concerned.” Cugel departed Llaio.
2
Spatterlight
Where a bridge of black glass crossed the River Sune, Cugel found a marker announcing that he had once again come into the Land of Almery.
The road forked. Old Ferghaz Way followed the Sune, while the Kang Kingdom Marchway, swinging south, crossed the Hanging Hills and so descended into the valley of the River Twish.
Cugel held to the right and so fared west through a countryside of small farmsteads, demarcated one from the other by lines of tall mulgoon trees.
A stream flowed down from the Forest Da to join the Sune; the road crossed over by a bridge of three arches. At the far side, leaning against a damson tree and chewing a straw stood Iucounu.
Cugel halted to stare, and at last decided that he saw, not an apparition nor a yellow-faced hallucination with pendulous jowls, but Iucounu himself. A tawny coat contained the pear-shaped torso; the thin legs were encased in tight pink- and black-striped trousers.
Cugel had not expected to see Iucounu so soon. He leaned forward and peered, as if in doubt. “Am I correct in recognizing Iucounu?”
“Quite correct,” said Iucounu, rolling his yellow eyes in every direction except toward Cugel.
“This is a true surprise!”
Iucounu put his hand to his mouth to conceal a smile. “A pleasant surprise, I hope?”
“Needless to say! I never expected to find you loitering along the wayside, and you quite startled me! Have you been fishing from the bridge? But I see that you carry neither tackle nor bait.”
Iucounu slowly turned his head and surveyed Cugel from under drooping eyelids. “I too am surprised to see you back from your travels. Why do you walk so far afield? Your former depredations took place along the Twish.”
“I am purposely avoiding my old haunts, and my old habits as well,” said Cugel. “Neither have brought me profit.”
“In every life comes a time for change,” said Iucounu. “I too consider metamorphosis, to an extent which might surprise you.” He discarded the straw from his mouth and spoke with energy. “Cugel, you are looking well! Your garments become you, as does that cap! Where did you find so handsome an ornament?”
Cugel reached up and touched the duplicated scale. “This little piece? It is my lucky talisman. I found it in a mire near Shanglestone Strand.”
“I hope that you brought me another of the same sort, as a memento?”
Cugel shook his head as if in regret. “I found but a single specimen of this quality.”
“Tsk. I am disappointed. What are your plans?”
“I intend a simple life: a cabin on the banks of the Sune, with a porch overhanging the water, and there I will devote myself to calligraphy and meditation. Perhaps I will read Stafdyke’s Comprehensive Survey of All the Aeons, a treatise to which everyone alludes, but which no one has read, with the probable exception of yourself.”
“Yes, I know it well. Your travels, then, have brought you the means to gratify your desires.”
Cugel smilingly shook his head. “My wealth is scant. I plan a life of simplicity.”
“The ornament in your cap is very showy. Is it not valuable? The nexus, or node, gleams as brightly as a good hypolite.”
Cugel once more shook his head. “It is only glass refracting the red rays of sunlight.”
Iucounu gave a noncommittal grunt. “Footpads are common along this road. Their first objective would be this famous ornament of yours.”
Cugel chuckled. “So much the worse for them.”
Iucounu became attentive. “How so?”
Cugel fondled the gem. “Whoever tried to take the jewel by force would be blown to bits, along with the jewel.”
“Rash but effective,” said Iucounu. “I must be off about my business.”
Iucounu, or his apparition, vanished. Cugel, assured that spies watched his every move, gave a shrug and went his own way.
An hour before sundown Cugel arrived at the village Flath Foiry, where he took lodging at the Inn of Five Flags. Dining in the common room, he became acquainted with Lorgan, a dealer in fancy embroideries. Lorgan enjoyed both large talk and generous quantities of drink. Cugel was in no mood for either and pleading fatigue retired early to his chamber. Lorgan remained in bibulous conversation with several merchants of the town.
Upon entering his chamber, Cugel locked the door, then made a thorough inspection by lamp-light. The couch was clean; the windows overlooked a kitchen garden; songs and shouts from the common room were muted. With a sigh of satisfaction, Cugel dimmed the lamp and went to his couch.
As Cugel composed himself for slumber, he thought to hear an odd sound. He raised his head to listen, but the sound was not repeated. Cugel once again relaxed. The odd sound came again, somewhat louder, and a dozen large whispering bat-like creatures flew out of the shadows. They darted into Cugel’s face and climbed on his neck with their claws, hoping to distract his attention while a black eel with long trembling hands worked to steal Cugel’s cap.
Cugel tore aside the bat-things, touched the eel with ‘Spatterlight’, causing its instant dissolution, and the bat-things flew crying and whispering from the room.
Cugel brought light to the lamp. All seemed in order. He reflected a moment, then, stepping out into the hall, he investigated the chamber next to his own. It proved to be vacant, and he took immediate possession.
An hour later his rest was again disturbed, this time by Lorgan, now thoroughly in his cups. Upon seeing Cugel he blinked in surprise. “Cugel, why are you sleeping in my chamber?”
“You have made a mistake,” said Cugel. “Your chamber is next door over.”
