Castle for Rent

Twenty-eight Castle

“How’s it look out there?” Barnaby whispered.

Deena poked her head out of the niche and looked up and down the corridor.

“Okay. I don’t see any of ’em.”

“Let’s move.”

Cautiously they exited the niche and inched along the wall, their eyes wide and fearful. A demon howled somewhere close, and they froze.

Deena pushed her face against Barnaby’s chest. “They gonna get us,” she whimpered.

“No!” Barnaby said. “We’re going to get out of here. Let’s move.”

Deena dried her eyes and crept on.

Barnaby stayed behind for a moment, looking back down the passageway. Deena reached back for his hand, couldn’t find it, and halted, turning her head.

“Barnaby!”

“Shh. Hold it.”

“C’mon!”

Satisfied that they weren’t being followed, he started forward. Deena took a step, bringing her head around in time to see a human hand growing out of the wall.

She screamed and jumped back.

The hand grew an arm, which in turn got connected to a shoulder. Then Kwip stepped out of the wall like a ghost in the flesh.

The two were dumbfounded.

Kwip put a finger to his lips. “It’s me peculiar talent. I’m glad to find you.”

“How did you get away from that … thing?” Barnaby asked.

“The demon? By the method you just saw. I’ve the Creator to thank that wall-walking’s a talent they lack.”

“Can we still get to that aspect of yours? Do you know where we are?”

“Approximately. Methinks we’d best hide out awhile. A blind chamber, preferably with something to eat and drink in it, a wine and cheese cellar, perhaps. But any room with a locked door will do.”

“Sounds good to me,” Deena said.

“Aye. Now, do exactly as I say. Come here, lad.” He drew Barnaby to him by the hand. “Take hold of the back of me shirt and hang on for dear life. Join hands with your ladyfriend, and whatever you do, don’t let go of her, either. Am I clear?”

They nodded.

“Good. Now, follow me, and hesitate at peril of your life.”

They lined up, Kwip in front facing the wall.

A hellish screeching came from the left. They turned to see a demon rushing down the passageway at them.

“Follow me!” Kwip shouted, striding forward. He merged with the stone and was absorbed into it. Unbelieving but unwilling to be left behind, Barnaby and Deena followed.

The passage through the stone was like walking in water. Mercifully the experience was of short duration. They emerged into another hallway.

“That was weird,” Deena said.

Kwip glanced around. “And again.”

They ghosted through the opposite wall. This time they came out in a book-crammed chamber lit by a single candle that had almost burned itself out.

Kwip barked a shin against the tome-littered table that filled most of the floor space. “Gods of a pig’s arse!” Rubbing his leg, he looked around. “Well, food for thought, at any rate. This will do, I suppose. No demon will get in here.”

They heard a disgruntled moan. It had come from beneath the table.

Kwip drew his saber, knocking over a stack of books. Then a head appeared above the tabletop. The glazed eyes of a slight, balding man regarded the intruders.

“Greetings.” The man belched. “If you don’t mind my asking, how in the name of all the gods did you get in here?”

“It’s the librarian,” Kwip told his companions.

Osmirik squinted at him. “Kwip. Ah, Kwip, my good man.” Osmirik struggled to his feet. Tongue a trifle thick, he licked his lips, scratching himself. Smiling, he said, “I’m glad for a little company. It was getting a bit lonely in here.”

“Hiding out, then?” Kwip asked, sheathing his sword.

“Quite so. Ah, I see I have more than one guest.” Osmirik smiled.

Barnaby introduced himself and Deena.

“Enchanted, my dear lady,” Osmirik said, overdoing a bow. He was obviously a bit drunk.

Deena giggled, but enjoyed the scribe’s elaborate gesture.

He continued, “An honor, goodly sir. Welcome to my humble lodgings, such as they are. There is food aplenty, if you wish refreshment, but I’m afraid I have nothing to offer you to drink.” He held up the empty wine bottle and regarded it with much puzzlement, as if there were some question as to how the contents had disappeared.

“Thanks. We’d love some food,” Barnaby said. “Is it safe here? Have you seen the demons?”

The librarian’s face blanched. “I’ve seen them, sure enough.”

“Here?”

“Not here. Those foul blue hellions won’t get through that wall. It’s as thick as a —”

“Blue hellions?” Kwip said.

“The demons. Blue creatures with intensively redundant dentition. Didn’t you —?”

“Those ain’t the demons,” Deena said. “You obviously ain’t seen no demons yet. When you see one you’ll know.”

Osmirik sat down, looking grave. “I will?”

“Other beings have invaded the castle,” Barnaby said. “These things are indescribably worse.”

“Indescribably …?” Osmirik paled and reached for the wine bottle. Spying the dregs at the bottom, he upended the bottle into his mouth. He wiped his lips. “Demons or none, my duty is clear. I must venture out and get the volume.”

Kwip looked at him incredulously. “Gods of a spavined nag. How the devil can you think of books at a time like this?”

“I must have the spell to give to my liege lord, Incarnadine.”

“What spell?”

“The spell that will close up the demons’ aspect. Seal it off, so they can’t get through. I need the book that contains that spell.”

Kwip nodded, rolling his eyes in appreciation. “Aye. Now, there’s a book worth considerable thought. Whereabouts is it?”

“Out there,” Osmirik said, pointing to the wall sealing off the arch.

“The library?”

“Aye, down in the open stacks. I must fetch it, be there demons or be there none.”

“Well, there’s but one way to decide aye or nay. I’ll have a look-see.”

“Be careful, they may see you!”

Kwip gave a wry smile. “I’m a man who doesn’t fancy being seen. Never fear.”

He drew up to the section of wall within the arch, stopping just short of touching it with his nose. He leaned forward, and his head and the top half of his torso disappeared into the wall.

He remained in this paradoxical state, half in and half out, for a longish moment. Then he pulled back.

“Something’s up,” he said, a strange expression on his face. “Abide. I shall return shortly.”

He walked through the wall and was gone.