Close call

I could barely see the bolt in the crossbow. That's how it is when it's pointed directly between your eyes.

At least I won't feel anything, I thought morbidly.

"No, Gremag," Rannos said. He put his hand on the end of the crossbow and lowered it. "Somewhere less lethal, and more vulnerable."

I didn't even want to think about where he aimed the crossbow now. Or where he would aim it next.

"Now," Rannos said. "Perhaps you have done this before, perhaps not. Regardless, I'm sure you know the procedure."

"I talk or you start shooting stuff off," I said.

He nodded and clapped his hands slowly. "Very good. Now, who sent you?"

"Look," I said. "I don't want any trouble."

"Oh, it's too late for that. Who sent you?"

"All right, all right." Fast thinking ensued on my part. I've gotten good at it over the years. "Look, I was hired by this gentlemen."

"His name?"

"Nixon," I said. "Richard Nixon."

"And why would he want it?"

"It?"

Rannos frowned. "Don't be coy." He gestured at Gremag, who took more careful aim at my...well...."

"I say again," Rannos said, "why does he want it?"

"I'm not exactly sure," I said. "Something about a watergate."

"Watergate?" he said. "And what exactly is that?"

"I'm not sure," I said. "He mumbled something about not being a crook."

"For your sake I hope you know more."

"Okay, okay." I did some more fast thinking. "He was just a middle man, you know? He worked for somebody else."

"Who?"

"Somebody called Elvis," I said. "A wizard. He's making something."

"And what is he making?"

"He's enchanting this new kind of metal," I said. "Something called Metallica."

"Sounds absurd," Rannos said. "Is that like adamantine?"

"Oh, better," I said. "He's making armor out of it." I hesitated. "Part of the deal was that he would create a suit for me."

"I see."

"He called it the Harvestor of Sorrow."

"And the power of a god will help him?"

A god? "Yes."

"Really," Rannos said. "You're readily giving up information easily, aren't you?"

"Hey, I don't want to die over this," I said.

"This Nixon you speak of...I find it unlikely he would hire someone as incompetent as you." Rannos rubbed his chin.

"Ah, he's just a common thief," Gremag said.

"Indeed," Rannos said. "Harmless."

Harmless? I don't think I'd ever been so insulted. "You know, Elvis knows where I am."

"Does he," Rannos said dryly. "And you think he would know of your capture by now?"

"Oh, he knows," I said. "I bet he's already left the building."

"Enough," Rannos said. He turned to leave. "Kill him, Gremag."

Oh crap. "I have proof!"

Rannos stopped Gremag with a gesture. "Let's humor him for a moment." He didn't look at me as he spoke. "Show us your 'proof.'"

"It's in my pocket." I reached in to my pocket slowly. Gremag took a step toward me as I did. Rannos looked at me out of the corner of his eye as I carefully pulled out my car keys.

"Right here." I showed him the car alarm. "See this light?" I pushed the button. Rannos merely raised an eyebrow at the flashing LED.

"Clever trick," he said. He faced me. "And I take it he will now appear in some sort of brilliant display of sorcery?"

"Yes," I said. I stood. "And when he does, you will rue the day you crossed the path of Elvis--the King."

Nothing happened.

For a moment I actually thought Marc or Saul or any of the others would actually do something to help me. God, I knew I shouldn't have gone along with this. Some adventurer.

"A bit awkward," Rannos said.

"Yeah," I said. "Hey, do you have a cell phone or something?"

Rannos was not amused. "Kill him."

I started to tumble to the side, but something blocked me. I felt a hand on my chest, but I didn't see anything. The hand pushed me aside hard enough to knock me to the floor. I felt someone nearly sit on me, just as I heard a twang fill the room.

An arrow appeared in Gremag's forehead. Just as the arrow materialized, so did Anna. The elf leaned against me as she pulled another arrow out of her quiver. She was a regular Legolas as she nocked the arrow and drew the string. She was fast, but so was Rannos. He already had a dagger in hand. I didn't know if she could fire before he threw it. I didn't get the chance to see.

The dagger flew out of Rannos' hand. As it did, Saul materialized in front of him. Rannos didn't hesitate. He hit Saul square in the stomach, and then grimaced in pain. Saul stepped aside as Rannos fell into the room. He stumbled, but caught himself on the desk. Through the curtain Audry appeared.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

"I don't know," Anna said. She looked at me. "Is it?"

"Great," I said. "Just frickin' dandy."

"I see everything's under control," Marc said. He stepped through the curtain.

"Your magic worked like a charm," Saul said.

A short laugh came from behind the curtain. "Good one, Saul!" Ostler appeared. He still wore his apron. "Well, my friends. It seems your regular tricks are as effective as usual."

"These aren't my regular tricks," I said. "And I don't like being a sitting duck."

"Interesting expression," Ostler said. "I believe you'll fit right in."

"I apologize, my friend," Saul said. "We had to be sure."

"And now we are," Audry said. She bowed slightly. "Well done."

"Thanks," I said. "Hey, uh, Anna. Can you get off of me."

She leaned on me harder. "Tell me something first."

"What's that?"

"What in the name of the Gods is a cell phone?"