NINETEEN
Avian shrieks and swearing woke Anahita from a sound sleep. She did some swearing of her own as she stuck her head out of the tent into the pre-dawn light, where Merlin appeared to be fighting with the water bucket.
"Surrender, foul foe, or I shall drown you!" came the reedy voice of Philemon.
Merlin's head appeared to be stuck in the bucket. She flapped her wings, lifting herself and the bucket a short distance off the ground, before dropping again.
"I do not jest, minion of hell!"
Anahita strode over to rescue them both. She stuck her hand in the bucket and pulled out the frog, who had his tiny arms around Merlin's head. Again. Sighing, she pried them loose. Merlin flapped away with an indignant squawk, shaking off water.
Anahita lifted the frog up so she could look hi
