>>29703511The gargoyle guffawed. “Well, that’s a new trick. I bet you’re a hit at children’s parties.” It shifted its grip on the spear, drew its arm back, and gave me the finger for the third time. “It’s been fun, berk, but playtime’s over.” It hurled the glowing spear. I held my staff in front of me and cringed in a most masculine fashion. I felt a jolt that shook my arms, and then was pleasantly surprised by the complete lack of spike in my heart. I dared to open one eye. There was the spear, still crackling with some kind of magical juice, hovering in midair three feet from my chest, in a fashion notable in that it is not, characteristically, what thrown spears do. The gargoyle looked utterly confused. I, on the other hand, looked entirely calm and not at all like a jumped-up jackass who has just voided himself of dignity (among other things).
The tableau held like that for a few seconds. I cleared my throat. The gargoyle fidgeted. “So, uh, that’s never happened to me before,” it said.
“Well, that makes two of us.” I took a timid step forward, reached out, and gingerly touched the tip of the spear. The amber light flashed blindingly bright. By the time my vision cleared, the spear was entirely gone, replaced by a cloud of glimmering dust motes. The gargoyle looked utterly put out by the entire exchange. “Erm…” I floundered, at a loss for words, “sorry about your stick.” I wasn’t.
