/* /*]] */ Dlands 34 - Stoneface Ryan felt Hellstrom's mind reach out to touch him.

 

The leader of Helskel leaned back in his chair, his eyes opened wide. "I underestimated you," he said quietly. "Consider yourself lucky."

 

"You're the lucky one, Lars. Most people who have underestimated me are sitting on the knee of Father Death."

 

Hellstrom eyed him for a long minute, then threw back his head and laughed. "You're a treasure, Cawdor. Helskel needs a man like you."

 

"Rather have you replace the tires of my wag, and we'll be on our way."

 

"Ah, well, that's the rub, isn't it? We need you, and you need tires. Can't we help each other?" Hellstrom grinned, his face taking on a cadaverous, skull-like aspect. "Because if you won't help me, you and your people will die in a manner far less spectacular and far more agonizing than the late Zadfrak."