Rising, M. DuQuesne said, 'Good idea.'
'Let's go, Colonel-sahib,' Dalton said with a squeeze to Thaxton's shoulder.
'But my coffee-?'
'We'll drop into the dining hall for a late snack,' Dalton said, looking at his watch, 'or actually tea, to be more precise. It's about five P.m. castle time.'
'I could eat again,' Deena said. 'Count me in.' Thaxton in tow, they all trooped into the hotel, making a ragged beeline for the elevators.
'Well, I wasn't being nasty at all, so far as I can see,' Thaxton was arguing as they all emerged from the lift and stepped into the stone stronghold of the castle keep. 'Just asserting my rights.'
'You were downright beastly,' Dalton scolded, 'and I'm calling you on it.'
'See here, that's hardly a fair characterization of the incident,' Thaxton said, the hint of a petulant whine to his voice.
'Let's drop it.'
'I'm more than willing.'
'This group better stay away from alcohol,' Deena said as they walked along the corridor. 'You guys and booze don't mix.'
'Demon rum,' Gene mused.
'Yeah, that ol' demon'll getcha every time.'
They passed through an intersecting corridor. No one saw the odd gnomish creature as it crossed behind them, broom in hand.
'Actually, I rarely drink,' Gene said. 'Just on social occasions.'
'I like bein' social.'
'A social drinker. Actually, I'm a socialist drinker.'
Deena shot him a curious look. 'What the hell's a socialist drinker?'
'One who believes in the collective ownership of the means of distillation.'
'Damn, there he goes again. Talkin' crazy.'
Dalton said, 'Quite a novel political concept you have there, Gene.'
'Yeah, but I don't advocate the violent overthrow of the existing distillation system. That's what separates a gradualist like me from-'
Gene stopped in his tracks at the sight of the approaching apparition: a broom-bearing gnome in bib overalls. Everyone halted with him.
They all stood watching as the creature passed. It moved with a curious bobbing gait, head swaying, its misshapen eyes averted.
When it turned a corner and was gone, Deena said, 'What the hell was that?'
Dalton rubbed his sharp chin. 'You know, I've seen all manner of strange critters in this place. But there's something about that one, something odd.'
'Yeah,' Barnaby Walsh said. 'What do you think it was?'
'A homunculus,' Gene replied. 'Horrible little malformed thing. Reminds me of a film producer I once knew.'
'Dwarf, gnome,' Dalton offered.
'Hobbit?' Gene ventured. 'No, its feet weren't hairy.'
'No, you're right. `Homunculus' is le mot juste.'
'What's the problem?' Thaxton wanted to know. 'As you said yourself, Dalton, old boy, not a day goes by when we don't see some abomination in the castle. Frightful beasties at every turn.'
'But that thing is passing strange,' Dalton insisted.
'Wouldn't have given it a second thought if you hadn't-' Yet another homunculus, pink and bald and dressed in blue bib overalls, turned the corner ahead and came toward them.
Dalton said, 'You were saying?'
'Bloody hell.'
As before, the creature shambled by without giving them so much as a passing glance.
'Weird shit goin' on here,' Deena muttered. 'I'm goin' to bed. Good night, y'all.' She hurried down the corridor.
'Wait, we'll walk you,' Gene called after her.
'My room's right down the hall,' Deena told him as she paused at the next intersection to peer around the corner. She checked both directions before heading left.
The rest of the group turned right toward the Queen's Dining Hall.
'Well, it's probably nothing,' Thaxton said. 'A few stray creatures fallen in from one balmy universe or another. God knows there are enough of them in this place. Balmy universes, that is.'
'Nothing to it, huh?' Dalton asked as yet another homunculus crossed their path.
Thaxton stopped and put his fists to his hips. 'Something is going on.'
'Why brooms, do you think?' Gene wondered.
'Brooms,' Dalton pondered. 'Haven't a clue.'
'Could they be a new type of servant?' Melanie asked.
'Now there's a rational explanation,' Dalton said. 'Maybe the Chamberlain knows something.'
'Let's go up to Edwin's quarters and ask him,' Gene suggested.
'We should ask Tyrene,' Thaxton said. 'If the Captain of the Guard doesn't know about this, he should be informed.'
Dalton began, 'I do believe-' but was interrupted by a shout.
'What's the matter?' Gene called to Deena as she came running up the corridor.
'They're in my room!' she cried out. 'Little guys!'
'In your-?'
They all rushed to Deena's quarters. The door was wide open.said, half
'They're in there… cleanin'!' Deena wailed. 'They're sweepin' up my goddamn room!'
'Maybe they're supposed to?' Dalton suggesting, half-disbelieving.
'I sure as hell don't want 'em to! Ain't I got any say in it?'
They all peeked around the doorjamb. Sure enough, inside were four of the curious creatures, furiously but efficiently tidying up the bedroom, brooms whisking, rags snapping. The faint scent of lemon oil arose from the place.
'Damnedest thing,' Thaxton said.
MYKOS
The gate to the city was an imposing structure topped by two stone lions confronting each other. The gate itself consisted of immense bronze doors that opened onto the main avenue of the citadel. The walls of Mykos were made of great blocks of stone, fitted one to another with extreme precision. From afar the buildings and temples of the city looked modern. No columns crowned with acanthus, no friezes. No statuary save for the lions. This was not a classical age. The city within the gates was the stronghold of a warlord.
The gatekeeper was a spear-carrying soldier wearing a helmet made of segments of ivory-probably boar's tuskssewn together and stitched to a leather lining. He wore bronze greaves and a leather breastplate over his red tunic. 'Halt and state your name and your business.'
'I am Trent, brother of Inkarnases the magician. Here is his signet to prove it. I am here at the behest of His Majesty the king.'
The guard took one look at the ring. 'You are expected, Honorable. Please enter. If it please you, an escort will be provided to the royal palace.'
'It pleases me. I thank you kindly.'
Trent was waved through the gate. Inside, he was met by two more spear-carriers who bade him follow them. This he did, and found himself touring the citadel by foot.
