James Axler – Keepers of the Sun

WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO IT, Jak was the only one of the group who managed anything like a reasonable meal.

Ryan and J.B. both chose some smoked ham with sourdough rolls and a cup of the imitation Java, even finding that a struggle after the horrific film.

But Jak demolished four rashers of bacon with three eggs over-easy and a mountain of refried beans, following it with two enormous slices of juicy watermelon.

“You sure you’ve had enough, kid?” J.B. asked. “No space left for thirds?”

“I’m fine. And don’t call me ‘kid,’ all right?”

The Armorer nodded. “Sure thing. Sorry. We going to the rooms now?”

Ryan pushed back his chair, looking at Mashashige, again the only one of the Japanese to dine with them. “Thanks for the food. Thanks for everything.”

“You are welcome. You have helped to open my eyes to things that were closed to me, Cawdor-san.”

“Then that’s good.”

“In the morning I would speak with youwith all of youabout Deathlands.”

Ryan nodded. “Sure thing. But we all feel like an early night now.”

“Of course. Sleep well and tight. I hope that the bugs do not bite.”

BY TEN O’CLOCK the castle seemed to be quiet.

Ryan sent Jak to scout around their wing of the building, checking that there was no unusual guard activity. The teenager ghosted back to report that everything was still.

“How we going to do this, lover?” Krysty asked. “Place is sealed tighter than a gnat’s ass.”

“Two ways. One is to force the main gate. Mean some chilling and a lot of noise, and the chance of pursuit coming right on top of us.”

Doc sniffed and wiped his nose on his sleeve. “I am ahead of you on the logistical planning element of our departure, my dear fellow.”

“How’s that?”

“You know how I detest swimming.”

“Only a few yards, Doc.”

“In a lake filled with goodness knows what kind of monstrous predator.”

“Carp, Doc,” Mildred said. “That’s all I’ve seen in there. Big sons of bitches. I’ll grant you that. Maybe a giant eel or two, as well.”

“Thank you for your support, madam.” He paused. “I shall wear it constantly.”

The small joke eased the tension, Ryan leading the laughter. “But you’re right, Doc. Small swim. I’ve worked out our best route away from here. Down into the center courtyard, then head toward the main gates, but stop before we actually reach them. There’s a tower alongside the one with all the weapons and grens and stuff in it. Has a barred window, locked from the inside, just above the level of the moat. Open that and slip through. Not much moon tonight. Won’t take more than two minutes, swimming slow and easy. No splashing, Doc. Out of the water and in among the trees.”

J.B. nodded. “Shouldn’t be any problem. Unless we meet any sentries on the way. What then? Chill them?”

Ryan considered the question. “Rather not. Mashashige’s played the game with us. Take them out if there’s no choice. If we can shut them up for a while, I’d rather do that. In some ways I’d like to stay around here and help against his brother. Then again there’s the problem of their plans to try and break through into Deathlands.”

“His brother might try that, as well,” Krysty said. “Sounds like a nastier piece of work than the shogun.”

THEY TWICE SAW patrolling sec men, in their red-and-white uniforms, carrying rifles under their arms. But they were able to get back under cover and passed by undetected, through the central court, with its Zen arrangement of stones and plants, and along several more passages. They paused a moment when they felt a slight tremor run through the ground, waiting to see if it was going to turn into a full quake. But it stopped after four or five seconds, and they moved on.

They melted back into the deep shadows as half a dozen more sec men walked by, stepping quietly, keeping totally silent.

Once they’d gone, heading toward the main gate, Ryan stared after them, vaguely uneasy. “Something not” he began. “Still, let it pass.”

It didn’t seem to be anything that should concern them.