Piers Anthony - Man from Mundania (Xanth Trilogy, No 12)

I hey walked along the familiar enchanted path. Within a day they would reach Castle Roogna, especially if she Enhanced Donkey again so he could carry them swiftly. But Ivy intended to spend one more night on the road, because she was afraid of what would happen when they arrived. She saw that Grey and Donkey were tiring, and that was natural. She had Enhanced them before so that Donkey could carry them rapidly and Grey could fight off the gob lins, but that had to be followed by a period of rest, and they hadn't had enough. There's a nice coven-tree near here, she said brightly.

Let's camp for the night. The two were happy to agree. Perhaps they had their own doubts about the encounter at Castle Roogna. The coven-tree was off the enchanted path, but was it self enchanted to be safe for travelers, and it served as a way station. Indeed, it served as a place of exile for those out of favor with Queen Irene; they had to remain there until she suffered a change of heart, which might not occur swiftly. Ivy had spent more than one night here when she pushed her luck too far, and Dolph had often been sent here for trying to peek into Nada's room at night.

He would change into something small, like a spider, and try to crawl through a crack, hoping to catch her in Panties. The truth 158 Man from Mundania was that he had seen her without her clothing often enough before she ever came to Castle Roogna, but now she was a Guest of the Estate, and he was Underage, so the sight of her panties was forbidden. Ivy thought the whole busi ness was funny, but her mother took it more seriously. The tree was enormous, with a huge spreading top that was watertight, and large curling branches that made ex cellent supports for pillows. The temperature within its environment was fairly constant; it cooled some at night and warmed some by day, but not as much as the outside forest did. There were numerous fruit and nut trees nearby, and edible plants such as sugar beets and honey suckles.

It was an excellent place to camp, when a person wasn't sent here as punishment. They foraged for supper, then harvested some pillows and went to niches in the separate branches. No branch was large enough for two people to use together, unfor tunately, but they were very comfortable for single occu pancies. By unvoiced common consent they did not talk about the morrow; it would come too soon. So it was, on that soon morrow, they arrived in ner vously good order at Castle Roogna. Grey and Donkey were rested and clean, and Ivy had brushed out her hair with a bottlebrush from a bush as well as she could.

Now what was to happen would happen. They were expected, of course. Ivy knew that her little brother would have been tracking her via the Tapestry, once she entered Xanth proper. It might have taken him a while to locate her, because she had been out of Xanth for so long, and he would not have known exactly where to look, but probably within a day or so he had found her. Had they not succeeded in getting clear of the goblins on their own, help would have come. Why hadn't her parents sent out a party to fetch her in sooner? Ivy knew why: because they had seen her with Grey and wanted to study the situation.

She had been aware that someone was probably watching when she teased Grey and kissed him so ardently; she wanted them to have no doubt about the nature of her relationship with Grey. Man from Mundania 159 This was in fact her first truly major act of defiance of her parents: taking up with a Mundane. It was bound to send shock waves of scandal reverberating throughout Castle Roogna and the length and breadth of Xanth. Of all the mischief she might have gotten into, this was just about the most treacherous. The Princess and the Mun dane! This was going to be no fun session coming up! Dolph came out to meet them at the bridge over the moat. "I am glad to discover you safe. "I am glad to discover you safe.

Ivy," he said formally. Thank you, Dolph, she said as formally. She turned to her companions. "This is Donkey Centaur, who helped me escape a problem with goblins. And this is Grey, my Betrothed." I am so happy to meet you both, Dolph said, ex tending his hand to each in turn. Then he leaned close to Ivy.

Whew! You really did it this time, dummy! he said confidentially. "Mom's fuming! If you thought I was in hot water when I came home with Nada and Electra, wait till you feel yours!" Tough tickle, squirt, she replied in the same low tone. "You better back me up, if you know what's good for you!" He pretended to consider. ' 'Weeeell ..." I'll tell Mom about that time you I know what's good for me! he agreed hastily. Then they both laughed. Ivy knew that her little brother was thrilled to see her with boy-trouble, after his three years of girl-trouble.

There was never any doubt about his support. Then Nada and Electra came out, as befitted juvenile protocol. Both were nicely dressed and mannered, for this occasion. This was normal for Nada, but not for Electra. This is Nada, Princess of the Naga, Ivy said, and saw both Grey and Donkey take stock as Nada smiled, for she had become beautiful recently. And Electra.

Elec tra was merely cute, to her perpetual annoyance. "My brother's Betrothees." 160 Man from Mundania Which one? Donkey asked, evidently having missed this nuance of the situation before. Both, Ivy explained. "He hasn't chosen between them yet." That was an oversimplification, but it would do for now. They walked on into the castle. "They're in the throne room, Dolph said unnecessarily.

You better have your lines rehearsed before they throw you in the dungeon!" Ivy did not dignify that remark with a response. She rehearsed her lines, mentally. They trekked to the throne room. King Dor and Queen Irene were there, gravely awaiting them. Their faces were contrivedly neutral. Ivy gulped.

Let me do the talking, she whispered to Grey. Fat chance! the tile she stood on retorted. Grey looked startled. My father's talent, Ivy explained quickly. "Talking to the inanimateand having it talk back. And does it ever talk back! Some of his magic collects where he goes often, like this doorway." Any idiot knows that! the tile sneered.

Shut up, you deadwood, or I'11 stomp you! Ivy whis pered fiercely. Yeah? I'd like to see you try, pudding-brain! Ivy lifted a foot threateningly. With a lady slipper? the tile demanded. "Get on with you, or I'll blab what color your panties are!" Don't you dare! Ivy snapped furiously. I'll stomp it, Grey offered. "I'm wearing thick hard soled Mundane shoes." The tile was abruptly silent.

I think you have a way with these things, Ivy said, smiling. Then she squared her shoulders, set her little chin, and marched on into the throne room. Grey followed, and Donkey. Silently they took their places before the two thrones. Ivy's parents surveyed them for what seemed like half an eternity. Her father was not a large manin fact he was about Grey's sizebut was horrendously regal in his crown Man from Mundania 161 and royal robe.

Her mother was stunning with her green hair and green gown. Ivy had always been secretly jealous of Irene's generous proportions; Ivy herself was relatively modestly endowed. But her mother's eyes were narrowed: a sure sign of mischief. At last King Dor spoke. "Welcome home, daughter. "This is Donkey Centaur, whom we rescued from the Goblinate of the Golden Horde, and who in turn protected us from recap ture by carrying us clear of that region. "This is Donkey Centaur, whom we rescued from the Goblinate of the Golden Horde, and who in turn protected us from recap ture by carrying us clear of that region.

I hope he will be welcome at Castle Roogna." King Dor focused on Donkey. "Are you of good char acter, Donkey?" Of course. Your Majesty. "Then you are welcome here. You may use the orchard freely, and one of the castle staff will show you the prem ises. I shall assign" Queen Irene nudged him.