“The Time Train? Have you finally lost every last little bit of your senses, Eddie? You can’t use the Time Train! It’s far too dangerous!”

“By all means, try it,” Harry said generously. “Either way, we win.”

“Smugness is very unflattering, Harry,” I said loftily. “I know what I’m doing, Uncle Jack.”

The Armourer snorted loudly. “Be the first time. Well, if you must go . . . be sure and bring back as many future weapons as you can.”

“Deathstalker,” said Roger Morningstar. “Hell of a name.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN - About Time

CHAPTER ELEVEN

About Time

When it came to my using the Time Train, the Inner Circle was right behind me. Fortunately, I was able to shake them off thanks to some fast running, and my superior knowledge of the Hall’s shortcuts and side passages. They really should have known better than to order me not to use the Time Train, under any circumstances. I’ve always had this problem with authority figures, even now that I am one. I left their raised voices behind me, and headed quickly for the rear of the Hall, and the old hangar where the family keeps those past mechanical marvels we have more sense than to try and use nowadays.

I reached out with my thoughts through my silver torc, and made mental contact with Strange.

“Hi there!” said Strange. “Did you know the Sarjeant-at-Arms is looking for you? And the rest of your Inner Circle?”

“The fact has not escaped me,” I said. “I need you to run a diversion for me. You game?”

“Of course! I could use a little fun. Your family is all very worthy, Eddie, but a lot of them really are very solemn.”

“Trust me; I had noticed. All right, I need you to broadcast the news that everyone in the family is to get their new torcs. The Inner Circle and I just decided. You still okay with that?”

“Oh sure; the more the merrier, I say.”

“Good. Then spread the good news, and tell everyone they need to come to the Sanctity right now.” I grinned. “That should block the corridors nicely, and keep the Circle from interfering with what I’ve got planned.”

“Oh dear,” said Strange. “Are you about to do something desperate and dangerous again?”

“Of course. Mind the store while I’m gone, Strange.”

“Please, call me Ethel.”

“Over my dead and lifeless body.”

To my surprise, when I finally got to the rear of the Hall, avoiding the main corridors that were already filling up with cheering family members, Molly was already there waiting for me. She greeted me with a fond embrace and a smug smile.

“How did you know I was going to be here?” I said.