amusement .
"I imagine," the B ust began , speaking more hurriedly than before , " that you are considering wha t it would take to silence me– no doubt with little consideration for my welfare. Be aware ," it continued , "that it would be difficult for you to succeed , and certainly impossible for you to destroy me before I could summon help from the wizards working on this floor. "
Hemlock was annoyed. The B ust was talking very loudly and she had , in fact , planned to try and smash it. But apparently it was cunning enough to make a rational argument for self - preservation. She knew that she couldn’t risk any sort of alarm.
" I’m listening ," Hemlock replied coldly , " but can you keep it down a little , please? " she asked glancing left and right quickly. Both hallways curved out of sight , so she knew that she couldn’t be seen by anyone at the moment , but she would have little warning if someone or something came down either one of those hallways . And she was concerned that their conversation might be heard by someone well beyond the limits of her vision. She knew that t hat would be a problem.
" Anything for you ," cooed the Bust at a more discreet timbre. " Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve seen a beautiful woman? " it continued with an emphasis on the word long.
" What , the wizards haven’t conjured up a female Bust for you to fawn over ? "
" There may be venom pouring out of your mouth , but I’m just watching your lips move–so distracting. I’m not even sure what you said . I’m in a state of bliss just looking at you. Do tell me your name, won’t you? " the voice took on a mock begging tone as it completed.
" As fla ttered as I am to have a lusty book end as an adm irer, I have to get out of here. W hat’s the best way to reach the third floor? " she asked in what she intended to be a level tone.
" Your name , please. Otherwise, I might have to yell for the wizards," t he Bust responded lightly.
"Megan."
" Well , Megan , I can tell you how to get to the third floor using the back stair way which will, no doubt, aid in your aim to travel through the tower undetected. I can also tell you where the wizards are. " The voice turned contemplative then : " Of course you’ll still have to cross the workshop somehow – but you seem resourceful. "
" Yes, and let me guess ," responded Hemlock cynically , " you want something in return ?"
" Well… " and the stone eyes flared for a moment . " I can only imagine the possibilities , were I not a gentleman. Fortunately for you , I am. We will share a drink , you and I. The wizards don’t often let me drink– they’re a boring lot of humdrum bookworms. Go and get two glasses and a bottle of rum. Don’t worry–you will not be discovered– I know the comings and goings of the wizards and their minions ."
" You are a minion , aren’t you? " questioned Hemlock skeptically.
"Not exactly– the bane of my existence is boredom. T he wizards torment me with it– leaving me in empty rooms with nothing going on. All I can do is sing to pass the time. If I sing for them and serve as a communication mechanism for them with my twin brother, then they teach me new songs or let me watch the experimental magic spells. That keeps me going and it keeps me cooperative , for the most part. But this ," the Bust continued , " this is a rare ple asure. We must drink a toast, you and I. Go on Megan–get the rum and let’s celebrate– if just for a moment ."
Hemlock glared at the Bust. I t was persuasive , and she felt chagrined that it had succeeded in casting itself in a sympathetic light. On the other hand, she considered how she would feel in its place. If what it said was true, then it probably was under the sway of the wizards much more th a n it was letting on. She considered that it could be trying to trap her in some way.
Why would it risk their wrath to help me?
" Why do you
"I imagine," the B ust began , speaking more hurriedly than before , " that you are considering wha t it would take to silence me– no doubt with little consideration for my welfare. Be aware ," it continued , "that it would be difficult for you to succeed , and certainly impossible for you to destroy me before I could summon help from the wizards working on this floor. "
Hemlock was annoyed. The B ust was talking very loudly and she had , in fact , planned to try and smash it. But apparently it was cunning enough to make a rational argument for self - preservation. She knew that she couldn’t risk any sort of alarm.
" I’m listening ," Hemlock replied coldly , " but can you keep it down a little , please? " she asked glancing left and right quickly. Both hallways curved out of sight , so she knew that she couldn’t be seen by anyone at the moment , but she would have little warning if someone or something came down either one of those hallways . And she was concerned that their conversation might be heard by someone well beyond the limits of her vision. She knew that t hat would be a problem.
" Anything for you ," cooed the Bust at a more discreet timbre. " Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve seen a beautiful woman? " it continued with an emphasis on the word long.
" What , the wizards haven’t conjured up a female Bust for you to fawn over ? "
" There may be venom pouring out of your mouth , but I’m just watching your lips move–so distracting. I’m not even sure what you said . I’m in a state of bliss just looking at you. Do tell me your name, won’t you? " the voice took on a mock begging tone as it completed.
" As fla ttered as I am to have a lusty book end as an adm irer, I have to get out of here. W hat’s the best way to reach the third floor? " she asked in what she intended to be a level tone.
" Your name , please. Otherwise, I might have to yell for the wizards," t he Bust responded lightly.
"Megan."
" Well , Megan , I can tell you how to get to the third floor using the back stair way which will, no doubt, aid in your aim to travel through the tower undetected. I can also tell you where the wizards are. " The voice turned contemplative then : " Of course you’ll still have to cross the workshop somehow – but you seem resourceful. "
" Yes, and let me guess ," responded Hemlock cynically , " you want something in return ?"
" Well… " and the stone eyes flared for a moment . " I can only imagine the possibilities , were I not a gentleman. Fortunately for you , I am. We will share a drink , you and I. The wizards don’t often let me drink– they’re a boring lot of humdrum bookworms. Go and get two glasses and a bottle of rum. Don’t worry–you will not be discovered– I know the comings and goings of the wizards and their minions ."
" You are a minion , aren’t you? " questioned Hemlock skeptically.
"Not exactly– the bane of my existence is boredom. T he wizards torment me with it– leaving me in empty rooms with nothing going on. All I can do is sing to pass the time. If I sing for them and serve as a communication mechanism for them with my twin brother, then they teach me new songs or let me watch the experimental magic spells. That keeps me going and it keeps me cooperative , for the most part. But this ," the Bust continued , " this is a rare ple asure. We must drink a toast, you and I. Go on Megan–get the rum and let’s celebrate– if just for a moment ."
Hemlock glared at the Bust. I t was persuasive , and she felt chagrined that it had succeeded in casting itself in a sympathetic light. On the other hand, she considered how she would feel in its place. If what it said was true, then it probably was under the sway of the wizards much more th a n it was letting on. She considered that it could be trying to trap her in some way.
Why would it risk their wrath to help me?
" Why do you
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