Geis of the Gargoyle by Piers Anthony

amazed.   He knew of illusion, but this was so much more than he had imagined that it was daunting.   The withered old harridan was making all this? It seemed so real!
     
    "Pleased to meet you, gargoyle, I'm sure," the Queen said, seeming not sure at all.
     
    "Likewise, your majesty," Gary said with similar conviction.
     
    "Of course I am to transform him to manform for the occasion," Trent added.   Iris looked relieved.   "And Humfrey left me some youth elixir to delete seventy years from your physical age, my dear, when the time came.   It has come."
     
    Iris looked delighted.   "I will be twenty-three again!"
     
    "I wish I didn't have to be transformed," Gary said.   "But at least I can return to my natural shape after the quest is done."
     
    "I assure you that such transformation will improve your-um, that is, that you will get used to it," Iris said, evidently making an effort to be polite.
     
    "I have the impression you don't very much like me," Gary said.   "I assure you that the feeling is mu-"
     
    "Impressions are transitory," Trent said quickly.   "It is wise not to judge by anything other than direct experience."
     
    Iris nodded.   "I apologize for being prejudiced, Gary Gargoyle.   I had a bad experience some time ago, with which a gargoyle was associated, but actually the creature didn't do anything, and anyway I'm sure you're not like that."
     
    "I hope I'm not," Gary said cautiously.
     
    "Just what is the quest?" Iris inquired.   "I have to tutor a child."
     
    "A child of merfolk?" she asked.   "I understand that gargoyles know something of water."
     
    "It is the little daughter of Grundy Golem and Rapunzei," Trent explained.   "A tyke they call Surprise."
     
    "I didn't realize that they had a baby delivered," Iris said.   "It must have been after my time."
     
    "Yes, it was," Trent agreed.   "She was delivered to them a year and a half ago."
     
    "A squalling baby!" Iris said with distaste.   "What kind of tutoring could a gargoyle give her? Swimming lessons?"
     
    "She is six years old," Trent said.
     
    She turned to him.   "Are you teasing me.   Magician? I distinctly heard you say she was delivered a year and a half ago."
     
    "Delivered at the age of five years," he explained.
     
    Both Gary and Iris stared at him.   So great was the Sorceress' shock that the illusion palace developed fuzziness.
     
    "But that is not the most remarkable thing about her," Trent continued blithely.   "She has an impossible talent."
     
    "Nothing is impossible," Iris said, getting a faltering grip on her manner and her illusion.   "Except that any person have more than a single talent."
     
    "She seems to possess an indefinite number of talents," Trent said.
     
    "How can you know this?" she demanded.   "It must be illusion."
     
    "I met her in the course of my own quest, when I was helping Gloha Goblin-Harpy find her ideal husband."
     
    "Oh, is there a male flying goblin?" she asked.   "I thought she was unique."
     
    "There is now.   I converted him from an invisible giant."
     
    "She married a giant? However did they come together?"
     
    "That is a story for another tome.   This story is about a remarkable child who I think will be a handful like none other.   Why she should require the special attention of a gargoyle I have no notion, but I suspect it will be an adventure finding out."
     
    Iris sighed.   "I should have known there would be a stiff price for youthening.   But I would give half my soul to be young again in body, and this seems to fall within that range.   Let's get on with it."
     
    "As you wish, my dear.   First let me transform Gary Gargoyle, since this is his quest."
     
    "Oh, I'm satisfied to wait," Gary said, being as uneager to change his form as the Sorceress was to change hers.   But even as he spoke, something truly awful happened to him.
     
    He found himself standing on his two hind legs, while his front legs changed their orientation, becoming