[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

settled?
 Which one? There have been two of them in this century.
 Oh. Well, I forget just who the major combatants were. Actually I never cared
much for that world.
 It s lost a lot of its charm in recent years, Incarnadine said.
 A shame. You re rather fond of the place, aren t you? Without waiting for an
answer, he went on to ask,  I say, is Trent still living there?
 Yes, I found him, at the same location, in fact.
 Well, that s & good, I suppose. Hm. All this time and not a word from him.
 He seems totally uninterested in maintaining any family ties.
 I thought as much, Deems said, shaking his head disapprovingly.  A contrary
bastard, that one. Always was.
Deems image began to waver. Incarnadine made a few quick hand passes to
correct the interference.
 What s wrong? Are you breaking off?
 No, Incarnadine said.  If you remember, the Arts are somewhat of an iffy
proposition in this world. I m still
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20kruisw...ncie%20-%20Castle%2002%
20-%20Castle%20for%20Rent.htm (31 of 104)19-2-2006 3:49:04
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20kruiswijk/Mijn%20d...John%20DeCh
ancie%20-%20Castle%2002%20-%20Castle%20for%20Rent.htm working the bugs out of
some new methods. Complicating things is the fact that the energy potential
between the various universes has shifted over time. I m still dealing with
the implications of that.
 Ah, yes, I do seem to remember there was a very good reason why I didn t like
New York and its provinces. No magic at all. Which made it an unacceptable
alternative to Perilous, which fairly oozes with the damnable stuff.
 You never took to the Arts in a big way. Did you, Deems?
Page 41
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
 Never cared for hocus-pocus, Deems said with a shake of his head.  Never
wanted any part of it. Makes me nervous.
 Although you need it occasionally.
 Occasionally, Deems conceded.  As do we all. He rubbed his belly and
sighed.
 You ve put on weight, elder brother.
Deems laughed.  Tell me something I don t know, little brother. I eat too much
and drink even more. The Arts
I ll have none of; the Vices, every one. He laughed heartily again, revealing
large white teeth. When he was done he said,  What are you up to, Inky?
 Something s going on at Perilous, I don t quite know what. I suspect
meddling. If that s the case, I haven t a clue as to who s the guilty party.
 What sort of meddling?
 A few of the spells sealing off some of the more troublesome aspects are
completely gone. It could be that they deteriorated and simply fizzled out. It
could also be that someone canceled them.
 And you suspected & whom?
 Trent, first off. One of the reasons I came here. I ve been trying to detect
evidence of major magical activity in this universe. So far the data are
inconclusive. If Trent is responsible, however, he may have taken great pains
to cover his tracks.
Deems nodded.  And you suspect me?
 Brother, you re at the bottom of the suspect list. Everyone knows you could
have had the throne, but turned it down. Why then would you conspire now to
take the throne from me?
 I know of no reason, Deems said flatly.
 Nor do I.
There was a pause before Deems asked,  Then why this communication?
 I wondered if you had any ideas. If you d heard anything.
 From who?
 Ferne, for one. Have you seen her recently?
 I haven t seen Ferne in a god s age.
Incarnadine nodded.  And Trent has never communicated with you in all this
time?
 I would have told you, just out of courtesy, Deems said.
 Just making sure, Deems. Trent says he wants to be left alone, and I have no
reason yet not to take him at his word. But all the same, I have to be sure.
 I can assure you that I am not in league with our little brother Trent.
Page 42
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
 I didn t say you were, Deems. In fact, I said I wanted your help.
 I ll do anything I can.
 Thank you. Ferne always liked Albion. Would you cast about and see if you can
locate her there?
 I d be happy to, though I doubt she s here.
 Nevertheless, if you find her, please tell her I wish to see her.
 I will, Deems said.  Anything else?
 Do you have enough Art to attempt calling Trent from your world?
 No, I doubt it.
 Then, are you up for a short trip home?
 Not exactly, but I will come if you insist.
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20kruisw...ncie%20-%20Castle%2002%
20-%20Castle%20for%20Rent.htm (32 of 104)19-2-2006 3:49:04
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20kruiswijk/Mijn%20d...John%20DeCh
ancie%20-%20Castle%2002%20-%20Castle%20for%20Rent.htm
 Then do, and be my guest. When you are here, use the Universal Projector to
call him and sound him out. Tell me what you think. I need a second opinion, a
second reading, if you will.
 Very well. I hope I can remember the spell that works that old contraption of
Dad s. I haven t used it in years.
 Go to the library and look it up. Osmirik, the new librarian, will help you.
 It will be good to be back at Perilous again. I could use a change of scene.
Deems scratched his black beard.
 But won t Trent instantly suspect you put me up to it? I mean, calling him
out of the blue, after so many years?
 He may. I think he most probably will think I put you up to it. In fact, you
can tell him I did. I want everything to be aboveboard, for now.
 As you wish. Do you suspect everyone? Dorcas as well?
 Hardly Dorcas.
 Well, that more or less leaves Ferne, Trent, and me  and you say I m out of
the running.
 Ferne and Trent. Yes. They might be in it together. I find that not
improbable. They always got along well together. In fact, Trent was the only
one of us who was at all close to Ferne.
 It would seem a simple case, then, with only three possible solutions. It s
either Ferne alone, or Trent alone, or both together.
 Or someone else entirely.
Page 43
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Deems scowled.  Who?
 An outside force or agent of some sort.
Deems pursed his lips and looked pensive.  Hm. I suppose it s possible. Castle
Perilous has never lacked for enemies.
 True.
 But see here. What s the game? What does this unknown conspirator mean to
accomplish by opening up dangerous aspects and letting the boogeymen out?
 The unknown may have struck some bargain with these boogeymen. They invade me
castle in return for spoils he has promised.
 Which he can t deliver, unless he knows something I don t, Deems said
sourly.  Out of 144,000 worlds, there isn t a single damn one that has any
easy money in it. And I include the one you re in at the moment.
Incarnadine gave a chuckle.  Don t you remember all the time we spent panning
for gold in Hyperborea, back when we were kids?
 With not a penny to show for it.
 Now, I remember making enough to buy a very small sailboat, Incarnadine [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

  • zanotowane.pl
  • doc.pisz.pl
  • pdf.pisz.pl
  • supermarket.pev.pl

    •