Part 29 (1/2)

”The second time-coin,” the swordwoman said flatly. ”The one you brought back with you. Give it me.”

For a moment Liriel considered trying to bluff. Then, with a sigh, she handed it over. ”But how did you know?”

Vasha smiled thinly. ”You wished to learn about the Rus. What better, more direct way than to travel back through time yourself? Since you gave up the coin so easily, I knew that there must be another.” With that, she shouldered the unconscious runecaster, held up one of the identical time-coins, and spoke the words that summoned the gateway to her own time and place.

A wary silence followed Vasha's disappearance, as the tavern's patrons waited to see what might next transpire.

Liriel recalled the spectacular brawl and returned the hostile glares without flinching. ”Trust me, it could have been worse,” she snapped.

And that, she decided much later that evening, was an excellent summary for the day's adventure. Her encounter with Vasha could have turned deadly in a thousand dif- ferent ways. True, Liriel had not gained the ability to travel through time, but she had acquired a new book of rune lore. And she had learned one more, very important thing: The main problem with the direct approach, magical or otherwise, was that it was just too d.a.m.ned predictable.

EPILOGUE.

Justin interrupted the loquacious author. ”All of those stories are in here?” he queried pointing to the ma.n.u.script.

”But of course,” Volo replied, grateful for the occasion of taking a breath, ”and more.”

”All have been authenticated?”

”I had each source sign the ma.n.u.script pages based on his or her information.”

The publisher examined a page for corroboration, then placed it back on the stack, satisfied. ”Drow princesses, Khelben, Elminster, curses, spells, dimension hopping, dragons, smoke powder.”

”And more,” Volo a.s.sured.

”All the elements of a best-seller,” Justin offered.

”You really think so?” Volo queried, batting his eyes in mock naivete.

”Of course,” the publisher replied. ”We have a deal at our usual terms.”

Volo held up a single finger to indicate a pause. ”I was sort of hoping for a slightly higher advance . . . expenses and all,” the gazetteer replied hesitantly.

”How about a ten percent increase?”

”How about twenty?” Volo pressed. -”'. *

”Done!” Justin replied, extending his hand to his best-selling author.

”Done!” Volo replied, his hand hooking up with his publisher's midway across the desk. As the two drew back to their respective sides of the desk, he added, ”I was really counting on being able to collect my advance funds immediately .. . expenses and all.”

”No problem,” Justin replied, coming around from his side of the desk. ”I hope right after lunch will be all right. I have another pressing engagement, but my secretary should be back by then.”

”Fine,” Volo replied, purposely not trying to sound churlish as he realized he was being gypped out of lunch.

”Say, in about an hour?”