Mort - vizier

“I…must…congratulate your…Personage on such…consideration,” said the Vizier, and fell forward into a dish of boiled soft-shelled crabs.

“I had an excellent teacher,” said the Emperor.

ABOUT TIME, TOO, said Mort, and swung the sword.

A moment later the soul of the Vizier got up from the mat and looked Mort up and down.

“Who are you, barbarian?” he snapped.

DEATH.

“Not my Death,” said the Vizier firmly. “Where’s the Black Celestial Dragon of Fire?”

HE COULDN’T COME, said Mort. There were shadows forming in the air behind the Vizier’s soul.

Several of them wore emperor’s robes, but there were plenty of others jostling them, and they all looked most anxious to welcome the newcomer to the lands of the dead.

“I think there’s some people here to see you,” said Mort, and hurried away. As he reached the passageway the Vizier’s soul started to scream….

***

Mort - 167