Barnaby climbed through the window and jumped down, falling to his knees in soft shoe-high grass. He got up. They were in a wide clearing; the surrounding woods were thick, but almost no underbrush grew between the tall, slender trees. The sky was soft blue, shading to yellowish white toward a bright sun directly overhead. The air was warm, and there was the smell of green and growing things in the air.
“Nice,” Deena said.
“Yeah,” he agreed.
They wandered together for a few paces, then went off separately, she to examine a bed of wildflowers, he to find a place to take a leak. He didn’t want to go off very far, but the only cover nearby lay among a grove of tall bushes at the edge of the clearing. He wished something better were available, but duty called, so he struck off for the woods.
Glancing about nervously, he relieved himself. It was one of those extended sessions, long delayed, that never seem to stop. Finally it did, and he was zipping himself up when he heard Deena yell for him. He dashed out from the bushes.
The clearing was full of animals that looked somewhat like lions, were it not for me elaborate coral-colored, antlerlike organs that blossomed from their shaggy heads. Their coloring was tawny, lionlike, but their legs and bodies were longer and thinner, and they had no tails. There were about eight of them, and one was advancing toward him, growling with saber-teeth bared.
Deena was standing near the spot where the floating window had been, but there was no chance of her escaping. The aperture now hung a good ten feet off the ground. Apparently it had drifted.
Four of the creatures had her encircled, and several more were stalking into position to do the same to him. There was nowhere to run, even if he could have run, which was hardly his strong suit.
“Deena?” he called in a tremulous voice.
“Yeah,” she answered. “We in deep shit now, baby.”
Fifteen
164 East 64st Street
He was doodling with some field incantations that were proving especially thorny when he noticed a blob of light dancing in mid-air a little to the right of the dinette table. He recognized it for what it was, and answered the “Are you receiving visitors?” query by tracing a simple pattern with his finger.
The blob of light wafted closer, drifting over the carpet. It stopped and grew brighter, suddenly unfolding and spreading out to take the shape of a human figure, that of a beautiful woman.
“Hi, Ferne.”
“Incarnadine.” His sister’s greeting came with a cheery smile.
He sat back and took her in. She was as pretty as ever, dark of eye and delicate of face, her hair a dark waterfall spilling to her shoulders. She wore a crimson velvet gown, ornamented in gold filigree. The garment left her shoulders bare. Her skin was very white, very pure, totally unblemished. There were wild highlights in her eyes, and over them an ironic, skeptical downturn to her brow.
“Where are you?” he asked.
“The castle. Deems told me where you are, and I can scarcely believe it.”
“It’s about time somebody did something about re-establishing the gateway to Earth.”
“Yes, it was long overdue,” she said.
“I haven’t done it yet, though.”
“No?” One dark eyebrow rose. “But you’re close?”
“Another few days. The problems have been tricky, but I think I have most of them solved.”
“Good. Then we’ll be seeing you soon.”
“I hope. You said Deems told you. Were you in Albion?”
“Yes, I just happened to drop into my estate there. I’m having the house remodeled, and I had to consult with the master carpenter.”
“Odd. Deems appeared to be unaware of your having any permanent residence in Albion.”
“Is he? He should be aware. I’ve never made any secret of it. But, then, I rarely tell Deems my business. May I sit down?”
“I’m terribly sorry. I’d offer you a chair —” He smiled. “ — But of course, you’re not really here.”
“Don’t trouble yourself.” She reached out and made as if to grasp something, pulling it near. She lowered herself to a sitting position. What she sat on was completely invisible. She arranged the folds of her gown and leaned back. “There. Now we can have a nice chat. As I was saying, my estate isn’t exactly in Deems’ kingdom, it’s in the Protectorate of Westphalen — next door. These days it’s only nominally a protectorate, and Deems has little power there, aside from receiving an annual tribute. I’ve had the place for years, and I don’t visit as often as I’d like.”
“How did Deems find you?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I got a message from him by special courier this morning. The note said you had requested that I call you immediately on the Universal Projector. It sounded important, so I threw a few things in a bag and got to the portal as fast as I could. And here I am, back at the castle and on the line to you, just as you requested. What’s all the fuss?”
“I’m afraid Deems made it sound more urgent than it really was. I merely wanted to talk with you, Ferne.”
“Well, I’m delighted, of course, and it’s been much too long since we last had a nice, cozy chat.…” She batted her long eyelashes at him. “But there must be a little more to it than that.”
“A bit more, I have to admit. Before I get to it, do you mind if I slide a chair under your image? I find it strangely unsettling to have unsupported bodies levitating about.”
“Feel free.”
He got up and fetched a dinette chair, positioning it so that it looked convincing in the part. “That’s a little better,” he said, resuming his seat. “Now, what I wanted to ask you is this. Somebody’s been fooling around at the castle. Is it you?”
Her face remained expressionless for a moment. Then she threw back her head and laughed. “Oh, Inky, the word ‘blunt’ was invented for you. That’s always been your favorite tactic, hasn’t it? You always lay your cards right on the table. No bluffing, no subtlety, nothing.”
“Yes, at first. When the tactic fails, as it usually does, then I get sneaky.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed over the years that this is your usual opening gambit. But why, if it usually avails you nothing?”
“I didn’t say it availed me nothing. I can get a lot out of reactions. I like to read them, weigh them. The emotional overtones to any reaction, however insincere or pretended, are always very interesting. And very informative.”
“Really? Fascinating. And my reaction — just now?”
“Oh, very interesting indeed.”
She smiled. “And informative, I hope.”
“That laugh spoke volumes.”
The smile faded. She seemed concerned. “And what did it tell you?”
He crossed his legs, chuckling.
She frowned. “I think you’re making it all up.” She studied his face. “Yes, you’re bluffing. Making me think you have one up on me already, and we haven’t even really begun to bargain.”
“Bargain? Are we at odds, in some way?”
She lifted her delicate shoulders. “Haven’t we always been?”
He considered it, nodding. “Well, yes, it does seem to me that we’ve butted heads one or two times over the years. Just why, I can’t imagine, because I’ve never had anything but the fondest regards for you, dear sister.”
“And I for you, dear brother.” Her expression hardened. “Now let’s cut the crap and get down to business.”
He laughed. “I really didn’t know we had any business.” He laughed again. “I suppose I can totally discount the first two minutes of this conversation. All that stuff about getting a message, coming to the castle. What exactly have you been up to, Ferne?”
She sat up and looked straight at him. “Never mind that. Listen to me. Your castle has been invaded. Successfully, I might add. What remains of your Guardsmen are prisoners or deserters. Most of them are of the latter category, having fled through sundry aspects.”