Stork Naked Read Online Free PDF

pun-intended matchless at annoying folk in any of her guises.
    The Good Magician uncorked a small vial and let its swirling candy-colored vapor waft out. “So be it. Remain as you are, for the duration, match child.”
    All sniggers and snorts were abruptly stifled.
    Woe looked alarmed. “Oops! I smell a stasis spell.”
    “That will keep you as you are for the duration, as agreed,” Humfrey said with grim satisfaction. “You weren't going to renege anyway, so it makes no difference, does it, waif?”
    “No difference,” the tyke agreed woefully.
    “There remains the peeve,” Surprise said. “It may be obnoxious, but shouldn't be thrust into danger.” As she spoke, the disreputable bird appeared.
    “Keep your yap shut, woman,” the peeve said politely. “It can't be as dull as Hell.”
    “The centaur awaits you,” Humfrey said, returning his tired gaze to the tome. They had been dismissed.
    Sure enough, Che Centaur was appreciating the Gorgon's half-stoned cheese. He was a handsome winged stallion. “I did not realize that I was to have Companions on this dangerous quest,” he was saying as they entered the room.
    “A nice young woman, three naughty children, and an irascible bird,” the Gorgon agreed.
    “But that's ridiculous! This is not a mission for innocents.”
    “Who are you calling innocent, hoof-nose?” the peeve demanded. “I have served in Hell.”
    “And soon wore out your welcome there,” the Gorgon said fondly.
    The centaur turned and saw them, recognizing them all instantly. “Oh, my. Surprise, you do not belong with this motley crowd.”
    “The stork took away my baby,” Surprise replied evenly.
    Che nodded. “Now I understand.”
    “Well, I don't. What is so dangerous about going to the Stork Works to demand that they correct their mistake and give me my baby?”
    “Your baby has probably gone to the same place the Simurgh has. Otherwise the Good Magician would not have put us together. He demanded no Service?”
    “No Service,” she agreed. “How did you know?”
    “Because the mission is the Service, and it is extremely disproportionate to the Answer.” He frowned. “Surprise, you are such a nice girl, this is hardly fair to you. You must decline.”
    “Never!”
    “I feel guilty, but I can certainly benefit from the support of your myriad talents. Yet your chances of recovering your baby may be unconscionably slim.”
    “Why? Why is everyone so negative? What is it I don't know?”
    “Let's get on our way to the Stork Works, and I will explain,” Che said with regret.
    They assembled outside the castle. Che had saddlebags full of the Gorgon's cheese and cookies, guaranteed to keep the children and bird occupied so that the two adults could talk on the way. Surprise transformed into a bare-breasted centaur mare and carried Monica and Woe Betide on her back, while Che carried Ted and the peeve. She pretended that she felt perfectly at ease, as centaurs had no shame in being natural, as they put it, but she did feel awkward without clothing. Suppose someone stared at her front? In fact Ted was already doing so, the nasty boy.
    They nicked their tails to make themselves and their riders light, spread their wings, and took off. In two and a half moments they were flying high above the forests and fields of Xanth. This was fun, actually, though Surprise knew she would not be able to become the same kind of centaur again unless she fathomed a different spell to accomplish it. She was glad she was flying beside Che, who knew the way, because she would probably have gotten lost at the outset. She was not used to flying, having saved her abilities for future need. Now that future had arrived.
    Che wasted no time in incidental discourse. “As you know, I tutor Sim Bird, the Simurgh's chick. Thus I am privy to aspects of the Simurgh's existence that may not be generally known.”
    “I know Sim is guarded by Roxanne Roc, so is quite safe,” Surprise said. “His destiny is