Castle War! by John Dechancie Read Free Book Online Page A

care of it. One of his duties is looking after Guests.”  
    â€œYou're right. The servant probably reported to him. I should have, too, though, just in case.” Linda smacked her forehead with a palm. “I've got to get my brain working. Looks like we have another crisis on our hands. But I was so worried about you.”  
    â€œNo need.”  
    Sir Gene looked around. So far, so good. But the oafish Gene might appear at any minute, unless he was lost to some strange Earth. Happy thought, that.  
    He said, “I'm hungry. What say we—?”  
    â€œSnowy's probably back in the dining hall. You'd better go there right away.”  
    Hm. “Snowy,” indeed. He didn't relish dealing with the beast, but it looked unavoidable. What's this, now? She was looking at him strangely.  
    He asked, “Anything wrong?”  
    She knitted her brow. “Did you cut your hair or something?”  
    â€œAh ... no. Why?”  
    â€œYou look different somehow. I see you changed back into castle duds.”  
    â€œDuds? Oh, yes.” He smoothed the doublet he had filched from the mundane Gene's room.  
    â€œAre you worried about Vaya?”  
    Vaya? Careful, careful.  
    â€œNo ... not particularly.”  
    â€œI'm not worried now that I know you're safe. I just hope Mr. Dalton and Thaxton get back all right.”  
    â€œI'm sure they'll be fine. Why don't we go to the dining hall?”  
    â€œI'm going to elevator up to the laboratory and talk with Jeremy. I want to see exactly what Incarnadine had to say. Jeremy should have recorded the conversation.”  
    â€œFine. Until later, then.”  
    â€œSee you.”  
    Linda went off down the hall. Sir Gene watched the way her buttocks shifted under her brown tights. In this universe the Lady Linda was more demure and somewhat more desirable. The one he had known was foul-mouthed and had bad teeth. In more ways than one, this was the better Castle Perilous.  
    He was famished! Snowclaw or not, he had to visit the dining hall. Ambition could wait. He strode off to satisfy a more natural hunger.  
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    Fifth Hole—Par Four
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    The ball described a precise curved path across the green and dropped into the cup. Dalton straightened up and smiled.  
    â€œThat's a birdie three.”  
    Thaxton was holding the flag. “We really should have a caddy.” He looked forlornly around the course. “Haven't seen a soul so far.”  
    â€œMust be a holiday.”  
    â€œNonsense. There's something wrong. Besides the landscaping, I mean. Bloody insane.”  
    The course had changed radically over five holes. Gone was the forest, replaced by pink rocks and stands of palm trees. The sun was hot, and desert breezes dried the sweat.  
    â€œOh, I need a drink,” Thaxton lamented.  
    â€œOf course you do. So do I, but we're playing golf, are we not?”  
    â€œRight. Sorry. Here, hold this, will you?”  
    Thaxton placed his ball and picked up the coin marker. He took his putting stance.  
    Dalton stood by and watched.  
    A bead of sweat dripped off Thaxton's brow. He stood motionless. Then he drew back the putter, brought it carefully forward, and gave the ball a delicate tap.  
    Thunder sounded, and the ground shook. Thaxton's ball was perturbed from its path and missed the cup. The ground continued to sway for thirty seconds, then subsided.  
    â€œA tremor! Look at that, it spoiled my putt!”  
    â€œTough luck.”  
    â€œI get to take that over. I mean, really!”  
    â€œDon't know the club's rules.”  
    â€œYou mean I should have to lose a stroke?”  
    Dalton replaced his putter. “Oh, go ahead if you want to.”  
    â€œIt's only fair.”  
    â€œBe my guest.”  
    Thaxton put his hands on his hips. “No, you're right.