human
I don't believe in spells, I said.
gpt
And I'm not too sure I believe in this Baron. Who is he?
human
The Baron Trollmaster of Filly. He holds all this country-- the old man made a sweeping gesture with his arm--
gpt
Why was he looking for me? What makes me important?
human
You came from the Forbidden Place. Everyone heard the cries of the Lesser Troll that stands guard over the treasure there. If the Baron can learn your secrets of power--
gpt
Troll, hell! That's nothing but a Bolo on automatic!
human
By any name every man dreads the monster. A man who walks in its shadow has much _mana_. But the others--the ones that run in a pack like dogs--would tear you to pieces for a demon if they could lay hands on you.
gpt
You saw me back there. Why didn't you give me away? And why are you taking care of me now?
human
Who was the rag man you tackled just outside? Why was he laying for me?
gpt
Tonight the dogs will eat him. But forget that. Now we have to talk about your plan--
human
I've got about as many plans as the senior boarder in Death Row. I don't know if you know it, Old Timer, but somebody slid the world out from under me while I wasn't looking.
gpt
You must understand what I tell you. The soldiers of the Baron will find you some day. If you are to break the spell--
human
Break the spell, eh? I snorted.
gpt
I think I get the idea, Pop. You've got it in your head that I'm a valuable property of some kind. You figure I can use my supernatural powers to take over this menagerie--and you'll be in on the ground floor. Well, listen, you old idiot! I spent sixty years--maybe more--in a stasis tank two hundred feet underground. My world died while I was down there. This Baron of yours seems to own everything now. If you think I'm going to get myself shot bucking him, forget it!
human
Things don't seem to be broken up much, I went on.
gpt
It must have been gas, or germ warfare--or fallout. Damn few people around. You're still able to live on what you can loot from stores; automobiles are still sitting where they were the day the world ended. How old were you when it happened, Pop? The war, I mean. Do you remember it?
human
The world has always been as it is now.
gpt
What year were you born?
human
I knew the number once. But I've forgotten.
gpt
I guess the only way I'll find out how long I was gone is to saw that damned elm in two and count the rings--but even that wouldn't help much; I don't know when it blew over. Never mind. The important thing now is to talk to this Baron of yours. Where does he stay?
human
If the Baron lays his hands on you, he'll wring the secrets from you on the rack! I know his ways. For five years I was a slave in the Palace Stables.
gpt
If you think I'm going to spend the rest of my days in this rat nest, you got another guess on the house! This Baron has tanks, an army. He's kept a little technology alive. That's the outfit for me--not this garbage detail! Now, where's this place of his located?
human
The guards will shoot you on sight like a pack-dog!
gpt
There has to be a way to get to him, old man! Think!
human
He fears assassination. You can never approach him.... He brightened.
gpt
Unless you know a spell of power?
human
Maybe I do at that. You wanted me to have a plan. I think I feel one coming on. Have you got a map?
gpt
PENNSYLVANIA 40M:1. Copyright 1970 by ESSO Corporation.
human
This will do, Pop, I said.
gpt
Now, tell me all you can about this Baron of yours.
human
You'll destroy him?
gpt
I haven't even met the man.
human
He is evil.
gpt
I don't know; he owns an army. That makes up for a lot....