Space For Hire (Seven For Space) by William F. Nolan

Author:William F. Nolan [Nolan, William F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction
Publisher: Park Hill Publishing
Published: 2010-03-12T06:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

Usually, when you make a run for it, you wait until dark. But it was no use waiting for dark in this case, since Mercury's day is twice as long as its year. We'd have to chance a sunlight run.

No alarms had gone off or the place would have been swimming in guards, so we still had a fair shot at clearing the castle before anybody discovered the three stiffed synthos.

I used the heavy brass key from the doorguard's belt to lock up behind us as we left. A locked door might buy us some extra time.

Esma was wobbling, leaning on the wall for support. But she managed the steps down okay. I'd found a guardsman's silk cloak for her to wear and she looked regal in it. Esma was a beautiful example of Venusian womanhood but this wasn't the time or place for me to do anything about it.

I was reminded of the lewd Venusian joke which was taglined: "and that's why three heads are better than one." I was nine the first time I'd heard it, on Earth, and it didn't mean much back then. Now I chuckled, remembering it.

"What's funny?" Esma wanted to know.

"Nothing," I told her. "Keep moving."

On the floor of the castle, with the steps safely behind us, I realized we were lost. "How do we find our way back to the gate?"

"Didn't you just come from there?"

"Sure" I said. "But a tin soldier led me. I sent him packing."

"Ask another guard to help us. They don't know anything's wrong."

"Can't," I said. "Not with this crooked beak. They'd begin to ask questions I wouldn't be able to answer. I'll try and retrace the way back."

"Do you think you'll be able to?"

"I've gotta try. Let's go."

We began moving through more of the castle's endless arched hallways. I thought the ones we were taking seemed familiar but I couldn't be sure since each stone hallway looked just like every other one in this damned place.

"I think we're doing all right," said Esma. "I remember they took me through here. I'm sure we're headed for the gate."

She was steadier now and had regained much of her strength and spirit; tripleheads are a tough breed.

Then I spotted the courtyard just ahead.

"Our luck is holding," I told her. "I remember how to go from the courtyard."

We crossed it quickly. Most of the jousting guards had drifted off and only a half dozen remained, banging at each other with battle axes which rang like bells against the guards' bronze shields.

"They're too busy to notice us," whispered Esma's nearest head.

She was right. We made it across without incident.

"I'm starved," sighed Esma, as we neared the great dining hall of the castle. "Couldn't we take a detour in there?"

"I could use some grub myself," I said.

The dining hall was deserted. The long table was stocked with bowls of ripe, tempting fruit. While Esma packed apples and pears into the flared pockets of her cape I filled two fat crystal goblets from the wine barrel near the end of the table.

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