Castle for Rent by John Dechancie Page A

the jungle. And the Bluefaces will be all through there, I bet."
    â€œAnd we saw them on the picnic world,” Linda said. “So much for that."
    â€œWe must have looked into hundreds of portals since we've been here. There are 144,000 of them in the castle. Try to think of one that we can hide out in for a while."
    â€œWell, there's the one with the forest and the waterfall."
    â€œSame problem, it's near the Guest area."
    â€œRight,” Linda said. “I've always liked the one that sort of looks like a Japanese garden."
    â€œDitto."
    â€œOh, you're right. Well, how about—?” Linda was stumped.
    â€œNow, there was one with a little village nearby with nice sorts of native people. Little pale people with big golden eyes. They'd gladly put us up for a spell, I think. Damned if I can remember where the hell the portal was, though."
    â€œI remember!” Linda said.
    â€œShhhh! Keep your voice down."
    â€œSorry. I was just thinking of one. It's not too far from here, if I recall. It's near the castle armory, and—” Her face fell. “Oh, dear."
    â€œThe armory's probably the first objective the Bluefaces took, along with the Guard garrison. You have to remember—"
    Sounds of approaching footsteps came from the direction in which the Blueface troop had marched.
    â€œThey're coming back,” Gene said. “Come on!"
    They ran. At the next intersecting hallway, they took the right branch, running a spell until they came to a stairwell. This they descended one level, where they found quiet.
    â€œHell,” Gene complained. “Look, we need to think, and plan. Let's get to someplace where we can do it, like Snowy's world. There, at least, we won't be bothered, and we can come up with some answers."
    â€œWill we be able to get back into the castle?” Linda said.
    Gene thoughtfully rubbed me stubble on his chin. “Good point. The castle's a big place, but maybe they have enough troops to block every portal. No telling."
    â€œSo, what do we do?"
    Gene shrugged. “Keep moving until we find a good aspect, jump in, and hope the Bluefaces won't follow us."
    â€œBack to square one,” Linda said. She thought awhile, then said, “How about we hide out in the wilder parts of the castle?"
    Gene looked dubious.
    Sheila asked, “What do you mean, Linda?"
    Linda squatted and leaned against a pillar. “Well, some parts of the castle are stable, like the Guest areas. You know, like where the dining hall is? Around there. But other parts of the castle aren't so stable."
    â€œIn fact,” Gene said, “they're absolutely crazy."
    Sheila nodded. Crazy. If what she'd already seen of the place was sane ... Ohmygawd.
    â€œAnd dangerous,” Gene added. “But on second thought, not quite as dangerous, maybe, as what we're facing here."
    â€œMaybe not,” Linda agreed. “I think it might be worth the risk."
    â€œIsn't there some way of ... you know, leaving the castle?” Sheila asked. “Just going outside, the regular way?"
    â€œThere's not much out there,” Gene said. “We've been told that most of the people who live in these parts stay in the castle. I don't blame them. It's pretty bleak."
    â€œOh.” Sheila slumped against the cold stone of the wall.
    Grunting voices came from the right.
    â€œLet's move,” Gene said calmly.
    They ran from the voices, but made it only a short way down the corridor before hearing echoing footsteps ahead. They took the left branch of the nearest intersection, sprinted to the next crossing, stopped, and looked both ways before going on.
    Voices behind them, now voices in front again. They backtracked and went left, ran and then dashed right, only to hear the flapping steps of flat, webbed feet everywhere they turned.
    â€œIt's no use,” Gene said, stopping for breath. “Linda, you gotta use your magic. We have to go either up or down in a