[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
considered "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" by AC/DC, decided quickly that one
stanza would cost him control of the duar permanently.
He decided to take a chance with some golden oldies. Maybe a few
of Roy Orbison's songs, even if his voice wasn't up to it. It seemed to work.
Page 52
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
The porcupine lazed back in his chair, obviously content, but still holding
tight to the cord.
Jon-Tom segued into the part of one song where the lyrics went
"the day you walked out on me" and the jailer didn't stir, but neither did the
walls part to let them through. Discouraged, he moved on to "America" by Neil
Diamond. A few faint images of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
flickered fitfully in the cell, but Jon-Tom did not find himself standing safe
at either location.
Then he noticed Mudge. The otter sat back in the shadows making
long pulling and throwing motions. It took Jon-Tom a moment to understand what
his companion was driving at. In the middle of humming "Won't Get Fooled
Again," he figured the otter's movements out.
The porcupine had tied the cord to the duar in order to be able to
jerk it quickly out of Jon-Tom's hands. If they could somehow gain control of
the rope, they might be able to make a small lasso and cast it toward a weapon
or even the big keyring lying on the table.
In order to try that, of course, they had to somehow incapacitate
their jailer. Since he seemed half-asleep already, Jon-Tom softened his voice
as much as possible and sang the sweetest ballads he could think of, finishing
with "Sounds of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel. That particularly apt
selection set the porcupine to snoozing. To make sure, he added a relaxing
rendition of "Scarborough Fair."
I
Carefully, he tugged gently on the cord. Two half-witted eyes
popped wide open and the line went taut.
I told you not to try anything," the porcupine growled.
For an instant Jon-Tom was sure they'd lose the duar along with
their last hope. "I didn't mean anything!" he said desperately. "It's only
that playing in the same position all the time hurts my arms. I wasn't doing
anything else."
Well..." The jailer slumped back in his chair. "See that you
don't do it no more. Please play another song. I never heard anything like
them. Pretty."
Page 53
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Despairingly, Jon-Tom simply sang the first thing that came to
mind, the theme song from one of the Rocky films. Maybe it was his
frustration, perhaps his sudden indifference. Whatever the reason, he almost
thought he could feel the power running through him. He tried to focus on it,
really working himself into the useless song in the hope it might lead to
something better.
A faint smell of ozone began to filter into the air of the
dungeon. Something crackled near the ceiling. Mudge scrambled warily back into
the farthest comer of the cell. Jon-Tom jumped as an electric shock ran up his
wrists. He tried to pull back into the cell, found he was trapped against the
bars by the leather wristcuffs and linking chain.
Oh, shit, he mumbled silently. I've gone and done something weird
again.
Only this time he was trapped up against whatever it was.
Something was materializing in the air next to him. He tugged futilely at the
leather cuffs, dropping the duar in the process. The instrument was glowing
brightly as it bounced around on the floor like a toad at a disco.
The slow-moving porcupine was on his feet and staring. He'd
abandoned the cord in favor of edging 'round toward the rack of weapons.
Selecting a long spear, he aimed it at the cell. Jon-Tom was uncomfortably
aware of the fact that if the jailer so chose, he could run him through where
he stood.
What are you doing, spellsinger? Stop it!"
I'm not doing anything!" Jon-Tom prayed his hysteria was as
convincing as it was heartfelt. "Untie my hands!"
The jailer ignored him, gazing in stupefied fascination at the
slowly rotating cylinder of fluorescent gas that had gathered inside the cell.
"Don't lie to me. Something is happening. Something is happening!"
I know something's happening, you moron! Let me loose!" He
wrenched uselessly at his bonds.
Page 54
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
The jailer continued to keep his distance. ' 'I am warning you,
spellsinger. Put an end to this magic right now!" Keeping his thorny back
against the walls, he edged around until he was standing close to the bars.
From there he was able to prod the prisoner with the tip of his spear. It was
extremely sharp.
I can't stop it! I don't know what I did and I don't know what's
happening."
I do not believe you." The jailer's voice had turned shrill and
he was jabbing seriously with the spear.
Suddenly a loud bang came from the cloud of gas. The glowing
cylinder dissipated to reveal a massive, powerful form at least seven feet
tall standing in the center of the jail cell. It had to crouch to keep from
bumping its head against the ceiling.
Mudge quailed back against the wall while Jon-Tom thought wildly
about his last song. The indifferently sung song which apparently had been far
more effective than all its anxiety-laden predecessors. The theme song from
that Rocky film ... what was it?
Oh, yeah. The "Eye of the Tiger."
Actually there were two of them, and they glared around in
bewilderment. Jon-Tom had never seen a white tiger before, much less one that
wore armor and stood on two legs. Leather and brass strips made a skirt which
covered the body from waist to the knees. Additional armor protected the back
of arms and legs, was secured over the legs with crisscrossing leather straps.
A finely worked brass helmet shielded the head, and an intricate inscription
covered the thin nose guard. Holes cut in the top of the helmet allowed the
ears to protrude.
The huge furry skull glanced in all directions, taking in
unanticipated surroundings. White and black ears flicked nervously as a
quarter ton of tiger tried to orient itself. Paws dropped to sheaths, and in
an instant each one held a five-foot-long sword with razor-sharp serrated
edges.
By all the nine feline demons, what's going on heah? I declare
I'll have some answers right quick or there'll be hell to pay." Slitted eyes
fixed on the bars. She took a step forward and glared down at the quivering
porcupine. "You! What is this place? Why am ah locked up? Y'all
Page 55
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
answer me fast or ah'll make a necklace out of yo backbone!"
G-g-g-guards," the porcupine stammered. It came out as a whisper.
Aware his cry wasn't reaching very far, he raised his voice. "Guards!"
Quit stabling and talk to me." Feminine, Jon-Tom decided.
Thunderous, but undeniably feminine. The conjuration was a she. She turned to
eye Mudge. "Yo theah. Why won't he talk to me?"
You talkin' to me, m'dear?" Mudge inquired reluctantly.
She reached down and lifted him easily off the floor with one paw,
setting her second sword aside but within easy reach. Fully extended, her
claws were nearly as long as Mudge's fingers.
Now, who else would ah be talking to, you little sponge?"
Blimey, m'dear, I ain't considered the possibility."
Guards!" Suddenly it occurred to the porcupine that since he
wasn't having much luck obtaining help with his voice, it might be efficacious
to employ his feet. He raced up the stairs with unexpected speed. "Guards,
help me!"
Hey, yo!" The tigress dropped Mudge, who promptly retreated to
the back of the cell. "Come back heah! Yo heah me?"
He thinks you're a threat to him."
What's that?" For the first time she focused her attention on
Jon-Tom.
Page 56
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
I said, he thinks you're a threat to him. Because you're in here
with us."
Y'all are awfully big fo a human."
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]