John DeChancie Castle 04 Castle War

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Castle War
Sir Gene sheathed his sword. There s nothing left to do but go back to the
world of the black cloud and wait.
There s nothing for me to do there, Linda said. I m going to try to make it
to Sheila s world. She might be back from her trip. If so, she can help out.
That s as good an idea as any, I suppose, Sir Gene said.
Shouldn t you be directing the battle?
I ve no control over what s happening. If I had a hundred duplicates of
myself
We re not going to try that again, even in the castle.
I m not suggesting we try it. I find the existence of even one doppelganger
intolerable. Where is this
Sheila and her world?
Isn t there a Sheila in your castle?
No. Not that I ve met, anyway. There are any number of Guests who are
strangers to me.
Sheila s aspect is on a level about midway between the Guest Residence and
the laboratory, here in the castle keep.
Then let s drop to that level and hope there are no skirmishes in the area.
There s fighting going on all over the keep, Linda said, thanks to you, but
there s always hope. Hit the fifty-first-floor button.
Sir Gene searched the floor selection panel, found the correct button, and
depressed it. This contraption is well equipped.
Your typical medieval elevator.
The conveyance descended, humming and whirring appropriately. After a half
minute it slowed and stopped. Sir Gene drew his sword and held it at the
ready.
The doors opened to silence.
Sir Gene poked his head out and looked. It s clear.
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Castle War
They exited into a dim hallway and proceeded right, keeping to the left-hand
wall, which was punctuated by numerous alcoves suitable for ducking into. They
passed a sitting room, complete with heavy oak furniture and tables. No one
was about. They came to an aspect, a doorway leading to a forest scene.
We could hide in there, Sir Gene said.
Linda shook her head. I want to see Sheila. It s just down the hall and to
the left.
They passed along more dim hallway before encountering an unused dining hall,
dark and gloomy.
I m reminded that I m still hungry, Sir Gene said.
Want me to whip up something for you?
No, I can wait.
The food is good at Sheila s hotel.
She discovered this world?
She and Trent, Lord Incarnadine s brother.
Didn t know he had a brother.
Linda said, I m beginning to see that there are lots of differences between
our castle and yours.
Does seem that way. Is it much farther, this aspect?
Just down this hall, about
Having just rounded the corner, Linda stopped in her tracks. Her jaw dropped.
Walking toward her, flanked by two anti-Guardsmen, was what could have been
her twin sister were it not for some differences. The quasi-twin s teeth were
crooked and stained, her complexion sallow. Her hair was a fright wig, dyed a
bright red. There was something wrong with the eyes; they were ringed with
dark circles and had a strangeness in them.
The anti-Linda smiled and said, I thought I heard voices. Well, well, well.
My counterpart, Lady Linda the dishwater blonde. How can you wear it that
color, dear?
Linda closed her mouth, took a deep breath. Then she said calmly, I was born
with it, that s why.
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Castle War
And that outfit. Cute. Like a pixie, little tights and everything. Oh, nice
boots. Get those at
Bloomingdale s?
Linda looked at the horror of a white lace gown that draped her twin. Early
Bela Lugosi movie would have been the appropriate period, and the kindest
capsule description. She decided to refrain from commenting. She did say, Why
don t you go back where you belong?
The anti-Linda took a step forward, sudden anger boiling in her strange eyes.
Look, honey, I don t take orders well, not even from Incarnadine, let alone
from some castle tart playing Glinda the Good Witch.
So, get your bitchy lips off me, all right? Her expression and manner
shifting abruptly, almost jarringly, she turned to Sir Gene with an
inexplicable smile. Put that sword away, Gene, sweetheart. I ve no grudge
against you.
Sir Gene grunted and lowered his sword, but kept it out. That would be a
radical change.
Gene, Gene, how many times have we worked at cross-purposes? Weaving our
separate strands, always warp-to-warp, never warp-to-woof.
Charming metaphor.
But I mean it. I could have aided you in your last bid for power, but you
chose not to include me in your lovely little conspiracy.
You ought to be grateful. It failed miserably.
Because I didn t help you. We never were the best of friends, Gene, but that
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shouldn t have prevented us from becoming business partners.
I like to work alone.
It takes two to conspire, darling. She batted her eyelashes sweetly. But no
matter, you had your chance. And now Incarnadine s appointed me regent of this
new castle. Oh, yes! It ll be practically like ruling Perilous itself. Wait a
minute. How silly of me. It will be exactly like ruling Perilous. This is
Castle Perilous, after all.
How fortunate for you, Sir Gene said. I suppose I ll be a nonperson here as
well?
The anti-Linda shook her head. Don t leave on my account, dear. I won t give [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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