Gene, Linda, and Snowclaw approached the door to Gene’s room.
“I think we should make some systematic effort to search for their portal,” Gene was saying. “Find out where they’re coming from.”
“Track ’em,” Snowclaw said.
“Yeah, that’s it. We follow a couple of them. Eventually they’ll go back to their world and we’ll at least know — oh, damn it. The maid must have locked my door. I don’t have my key, either.”
Linda asked, “Want me to materialize it?”
“Yeah, sure.”
A key appeared in Linda’s hand. “Is this it?”
“We’ll find out.”
Gene fit the oversize key into the keyhole and turned it. The lock clicked open. “Anyway, we have to keep a close watch on them, that’s for sure,” he continued, shouldering the door open and going in. He stopped in his tracks when he saw the naked woman dash away from the door and dive into the bed.
Linda bumped into him, then saw the strange female in Gene’s bed.
“Oh, excuse me,” Linda said, then turned and left.
The woman was peeking over the covers, eyes as round as half-dollars. Gene stood there gawking for a moment. Then he called over his shoulder, “Linda? Hey, wait —”
Snowclaw came in, and the woman shrieked and disappeared under the sheets.
Gene said, “Uh, don’t be afraid. He won’t hurt you.”
“Who’s your new friend, Gene?” Snowclaw asked.
“Never saw her before. Uh, Miss —?”
There came a frightened mewling from beneath the covers.
Gene laughed. “You know, that’s a line right out of an old Bela Lugosi movie. ‘Do not be afraid. He will not hurt you.’ Snowclaw, do you mind leaving the room? I think I can handle this.”
“I gotta find a room for myself, anyway. Darned if I know how I’ll ever get used to sleeping on those soft bouncy things you humans like. See you later.”
Snowclaw left.
“Uh, Miss? Or Ms., or whatever. You can come out now.”
“I don’t have any clothes!”
“Yeah. I’m aware of that. Uh, I mean, you can look out, if you want.”
“Oh my God. Oh my God.”
“Now, calm down. Take it easy.”
She was a redhead with green eyes. Pretty, too.
“He’s gone,” Gene said.
“What …was that?” Sheila asked in wide-eyed wonder.
“I don’t know the name Snowclaw’s species goes by, but obviously they’re humanoid, intelligent, and probably descended from ursine stock rather than anthropoids, like we are.”
“Huh?”
“Bears. Polar bears.”
“Oh. He didn’t look much like a bear.”
“No, not much. Looks ten times more ferocious.”
“Oh my God.”
“I’m Gene Ferraro.”
“Huh? Oh. Sheila Jankowski.”
“Hi, Sheila. You want some clothes?”
“Yes. Yes, please! Thank you.”
Gene went to the wardrobe, opened it, and rooted. “Here’s a tunic that’s a little too small for me. It’s just a one-piece thing. Linda can whip up a nice outfit for you anytime. I’ll be in the john, there, so you can dress.” He threw the garment on the bed.
When he came out of the bathroom, she was dressed and standing by the window looking at him sheepishly, apprehensively.
“I’m sorry I messed your bed up,” she said. “Sorry I used your room. But, you see, I didn’t know —”
“I don’t mind in the slightest,” Gene said.
“I heard you at the door,” she said, “and I ran to see if I could bolt it. I … I didn’t know —”
“Forget it. You’re probably confused, right? You’re probably wondering what the hell this place is, and what you’re doing here, and why the hell I’m wearing something out of a bad old Tony Curtis movie — you know, the ones where he strikes a heroic pose and says, ‘Yonder is da castle of my fodder.’ Right?”
“Well, what you’re wearing looks … interesting.”
Gene rapped a knuckle against the leather cuirass that covered his chest. “Not much protection in a swordfight,” he said, “but chain mail’s too heavy and armor is ridiculous. I like to be able to move.”
“Do you get a lot of use out of that?” she asked, pointing at his broadsword.
“It’s saved my life any number of times.”
“I see.” She didn’t see at all. Not at all.
Gene grinned. “Welcome to Castle Perilous.”