18 quotes
As part of my current charge I have been instructed to provide an occasional journal of my recent activities*.
Today summoned painfully to earth by a short fat English magician with a dangerous stammer*.
The temperature of the room dropped fast.
The Amulet of Samarkand (2003)
Perhaps he'd want me to conjure up an illusion. That might be fun: there was bound to be a way of misinterpreting his request and upsetting him†.
The Amulet of Samarkand (2003)
No magical alarm sounded, though I did hit my head five times on a pebble†.
The Amulet of Samarkand (2003)
Together, we must advance unafraid into the modern age!
No attack yet by Archmage. Wish he'd hurry up.
When I landed on the top of a lamppost in the London dusk it was peeing with rain.
The Amulet of Samarkand (2003)
In the middle of the lawn was a lake adorned with an ornamental fountain, depicting an amorous Greek god trying to kiss a dolphin.†
The Amulet of Samarkand (2003)
So I departed, leaving behind a pungent smell of brimstone. Just something to remember me by.
The Amulet of Samarkand (2003)
A better plan would be to head straight for Bart's Guide to London, since that's hugely entertaining and witty, i.e. written by me.
"H-he is a messenger for you. H-h-he brings a message."
"You stagger me, Simpkin! A messenger with a message! Extraordinary."
The Amulet of Samarkand (2003)
"Too much hate is bad for you," I ventured.
"Why?"
"Um..."
The Amulet of Samarkand (2003)
The boy shrugged. "I've forgotten it," was all he said. And then, "I guess I wasn't taught well enough."
"I'm Martha. And you are...?"
A small snuffle, a smaller voice. "Nathaniel."
The Amulet of Samarkand (2003)
"I order you, Bartimaeus, to reveal whether you have diligently and wholly carried out your charge-"
"Of course I have - what do you think this is, costume jewelry?"
The Amulet of Samarkand (2003)
The old pain had started up again, throbbing in my chest, stomach, bones. It wasn't healthy to be encased in a body for so long. How humans can stand it without going completely mad, I'll never know.†
The Amulet of Samarkand (2003)
Maybe I'd better call a halt to the journal for a bit. Until something crops up, that is, which it hopefully won't for a couple of decades. In the meantime: farewell, enjoy your futile lives, etc. This is Bartimaeus, care of The Other Place, signing off.