Robert Asprin: M.Y.T.H.-Interpretations: The Worlds of Robert Asprin

That stung a little.

“Now I know you military types don’t think much of magik or magicians, Big Julie.” I said a bit stiffly, “but it’s what I do.”

“Uh-huh.” he said. “Like fighting is what Buttercup does.”

“How’s that again?” I frowned.

“You should listen to yourself, Skeeve.” the general said, shaking his head. “You’re saying that your only value to anyone is as a magik user. You still think that even though you admit that you don’t really know all that much. Do you really think that’s why you old team gave you their respect and followed your lead? You think I ended up running the army because I’m a rough, tough, invincible fighter?”

That really gave me pause for thought. I had never really considered it, but looking at his frail body, even allowing for age, it was doubtful that Big Julie could go toe to toe with any of the heavyweights I knew like Guido or Hugh Badaxe.

He leaned toward me.

“No, Skeeve. What you did just now, thinking through what’s best for other people…in this case, your unicorn…that’s a rare talent. To me, that’s more valuable than any new magik tricks you might pick up. The world needs more of that kind of thinking.”

Someone, sometime, might have said something nicer than that to me, but if so, it didn’t spring readily to mind.

“So what is it exactly that you’re suggesting that I do? Come out of retirement”

“Exactly?” he smiled and winked at me. “I haven’t got a clue. You’re the thinker. So think about it. Maybe while you’re working on Buttercup’s self image you can do a little tinkering with your own.”