Jenka reassured him. “Oh, hyu izn’t hit too bad. But—” She looked at him shrewdly. “Iz dis the first time hyu faced down an entire army all by hyuself vit a weapon hyu vasn’t sure vas gunna vork?”
“Well…yes.”
Jenka gave a laugh. “Vell den! Dot’s just hyu body bein’ all sooprized hyu ain’t all blowed op and dead!” She gave him a squeeze. “Next time, hyu von’t eefen blink!”
“Next time…” Gil almost swooned at the concept. “I really think I have to lie down now,” he whispered.
Dimo nodded. “Hyup! Vun ‘mysterious dizappearance’ comin’ op!”
Ognian leaned in. “Hokay. Hy sez ve skulks in through de Sneaky Gate and takes him to Mamma Gkika’s.”
Maxim considered this. “I dunno if she gun like dot, brudder.”
Gil waved a hand, almost sending both him and Jenka off balance. “Where? No, get me to the hospital.”
Jenka yanked him back to true. “No vay, sveethot. Looks like ve iz kidnappink hyu a leedle after all. Ve dun vant no vun to see hyu until hyu iz stompin’ around all scary-like again.”
“No! My father must be guarded, and Agatha will be in danger! I can’t stop now!”
Dimo snorted. “Hyu kent protect hyuself right now.”
Ognian leaned in and gave Gil a light slap to the face. Gil’s eyes focused on the Jäger. “Hyu vant to help Mizz Agatha? Den ve takes hyu to Mamma Gkika. She fix hyu op fast and goot.”
Maxim leaned in as well. “Goot enuf, anyvay.” So saying he bounded on ahead to the city wall that now loomed above them, and started rapping on blocks. Ognian hurried over and pointed at the sun overhead. The two got into an argument. Jenka gently deposited Gil against the wall, where he watched Ognian and Maxim with obvious confusion.
Dimo sidled up to Jenka and spoke in a low voice. “He likes Mizz Agatha. Hy ken tell. But Hy dun know if ve should trust him vit dis.” He indicated the wall.
Above her scarf, Jenka’s eyes looked resigned. “Ve gots a Heterodyne back. Voteffer happens, tings iz gunna change. I say ve takes de chance.”
Meanwhile, Ognian had apparently won the argument. He strode over to a different set of blocks, gave one a rap, another a kick, and the section of wall behind Gil slid to the side, causing him to fall over backwards.
Ognian helped him up. “Sorry, keedo. De Sneaky Gate iz like dot.”
Gil stared at the opening wide-eyed. “I know what a hidden door looks like. That was not there a minute ago.”
Maxim shrugged. “Dun vorry about it. It von’t be dere next time either.” He stepped into the passage. “From here iz easy peasy!”
The wagon, perched upon one fat wheel, bumped and clunked down the Mechanicsburg street, its engine popping and chuttering. People saw it coming, recognized the chain-draped exterior, and stepped out of the street, dragging along the occasional clueless tourist. You didn’t want to interfere with the Prisoner Van.
Herr Diamant sat at the controls, easily weaving past the remaining carts that trundled through the streets. He spoke into a brass tube that conveyed his voice back into the prisoner compartment, where Agatha was changing into a properly disreputable suit of clothes that Herr Diamant had given her.
“There are things you should be aware of,” the tinny voice informed her. “The leather case by the door has your papers. They state that you’re in for mass-poisoning.”
Agatha interrupted. “Murder!”
Diamant chuckled. “People are not sent to Castle Heterodyne for stealing a loaf of bread, my lady. These are people that the Empire wants to go away.
“You must be wary. Most of the truly crazy ones die rather quickly. At the moment, there are two you should keep a particular eye out for, a fellow named Snapper, and another named Vasquez. They’re the only really psychotic ones.
“Many of the others are Sparks. They might prove useful, if you can get them on your side. Especially the old-timers. Promise them amnesty, if you must.”
Agatha was surprised. “I can do that?”
A bark of laughter came back through the tube. “Prove yourself the Heterodyne—hold the Castle—and there is nothing you can’t do in Mechanicsburg.”
Agatha considered this as she began fastening buttons. Diamant spoke again. “The red pouch? That contains a map that shows the current floor plan of the Castle. The areas marked in green are considered safe.”
Agatha examined this. “There’s not much marked in green.”
“No,” Diamant admitted. “The area in blue is the Main Library.”
Agatha frowned. “I don’t…I don’t see any way to actually get there.”
“It was never easy. The Castle itself will have to guide you there.”
“Terrific.” She sat down and pulled on the stout leather boots, and carefully did up the side buttons. “So, who’s the Baron’s agent in there? I’m sure he’s got one. I would. I’d want to know as soon as possible if they found anything really dangerous or useful.”
“Of course. That would be Professor Hristo Tiktoffen. He’s a prisoner himself, but he’s also the ‘Man in Charge’ once you get inside. He maintains the records and helps keep the others in line.” The wagon juddered to a halt. “We’re here,” Diamant announced.
Agatha gathered up the rest of her supplies. “Have you found out anything else about that false Heterodyne girl that’s inside?”
Diamant sighed. “No. But remember, your very existence is a threat to her, so assume that she’ll try to kill you. I’d recommend avoiding her at all costs.” He lowered his voice. “Don’t forget to put your manacles on, my lady.”
Agatha found the steel cuffs and, with only a touch of hesitation, snapped them around her wrists. They were connected by about ten centimeters of chain. Agatha took a deep breath. “All right, I’m ready.”
Diamant made a show of throwing open the door and calling out loudly. “We’re here. Move lively! Unload those supplies!” He indicated a pile of boxes and sacks that contained foodstuffs.
As Agatha loaded them onto a small hand truck, a Wulfenbach guard hurried up.
“Herr Diamant! You can’t send someone in today! That damned Heterodyne girl is in there—”
The old man sniffed. “Just another imposter. She won’t last and the others still have to eat.” He hooked a thumb back at Agatha. “Besides, we want this one off the streets.” Agatha glared at the guard.
Diamant pulled a thick ledger off the wagon seat. “But if you don’t like it, do feel free to go over my head. The Baron himself is here in the hospital, I’m told. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you went and asked him about it.”
“Aw, go kiss a construct,” the guard grumbled. “Fine. Send her in then.”
Diamant shrugged and offered the man a pen. “Very wise, I’m sure. Sign here, please.”
The guard laboriously made his mark and Diamant snapped the book shut and retrieved his pen. Then he turned to Agatha and all the warmth left his voice. “Here you are. Take this load to Professor Tiktoffen. He’ll unlock you when he’s checked you in and explained the routine.”
Agatha just glared. Diamant sighed. “You’re being given a chance. A final chance, and more than you deserve, no doubt, but the Baron sees something in you, so a chance you’ll have. Watch your back, work with your fellow prisoners, and good luck to you.”
“Try to escape,” the guard said with relish, “and I’ll shoot you like a dog.”
Agatha picked up the handles of the hand truck and tried to look tough. “Fine. Can I get going now?”
The guard waved her towards the gates. Agatha was interested to note that the “Front Gate” was actually a row of gates of varying sizes, from a small postern gate all the way up to gates the old Heterodynes could have passed siege engines through. To Agatha’s shock, the towering, intricately carved central doors were faced with solid gold. It spoke volumes that the gold was untouched.
The door that she was herded to was smaller than any of the main gates. It was constructed of ironbound wood reinforced with rows of iron studs.