The group made their way out of the building and split up; Hans led Fate into the castle through a little-known back entrance the Prince had used to sneak in and out, Leslie and Maggie took the main entrance since they were expected, and Hezekiah and Max searched for the two missing vehicles.
In a side garden, hidden in a vine-covered wall was a secret door that Hans led the professor to that led into a lower portion of the castle. "We don't have any clothes to dress you like King Hapnick, but if you take off your black cloak and stagger while you walk it should be convincing enough" he said quietly.
Fate removed his cloak and stashed it behind a display of armor. "I'll stagger tonight only when someone is watching" he proclaimed. "If I'm going to fill in as a ruler, it's going to be with a little more dignity from now on." Together, they made several turns, ducking into a side room at one point as approaching footsteps announced someone was ahead. After the sound of footfalls receded they continued on their way toward the King's private bedroom where the King's physician would routinely spend time to keep up the pretense of a sickly monarch. Once again they hid in a side room while they waited for the footsteps to pass, leaving the door open to see the guards leave. However, they stopped and stood patiently at attention just down the hall.
"How good of you to bring Professor Fate to me" a voice said behind them. Fate closed his eyes in dismay - he knew that voice. "I'd restore you to your former position of General, Hans, but I'm afraid that when I'm on the throne you won't be around any longer to regain your former title. I haven't decided on how you died, but I assure you it will be an honorable death."
"The only honor I want is to see you taken care of for good" Hans vowed as he grabbed a nearby sword and charged the Baron. Rolfe brought up a sabre he had in a sheath at the side of this wheelchair and deftly deflected Kuhster's thrust before running the sword through the former general. Hans straightened as the Baron withdrew the blade, looked at his chest in disbelief, and collapsed on the floor. "Care to try me as well, Professor?"
"I'm a scientist, not a fighter" Fate answered, looking at the crumpled body of Hans. "If you want to kill me, you'll have to do it in cold blood."
"Oh come on now; just pretend I'm your arch enemy the Great Leslie. That should get your blood boiling for sure! Have a go; I'm just an invalid in this chair."
Fate walked to a wall to his left and grabbed a sabre from the display and turned back to Rolfe before laughing, causing Rolfe to frown in confusion. "Sorry Baron; I've found that Leslie isn't the enemy I once thought he was. To tell you the truth, I kind of admire the man." He reversed his hold on the sabre and tossed it to the Baron hilt first. "Here, run me through with a clean blade; let me go out in style."
The blade clattered to the side as the throw was off its mark. The Baron shrugged and wiped his blade clean on his tunic. "Cold blood it is then. Have it your way."
"Not very sporting, is it Baron?" a voice came from behind the partially opened door. To the surprise of both men, Leslie stepped in around the door followed by Maggie; her skirt had been shortened immensely and she had nearly bare shoulders.
"How did you get past my guards?" Rolfe asked incredulously.
"Your men aren't nearly as emancipated as they should be" Maggie answered with a note of reproach. "They were easy to distract" she said as she tried to pull up a sleeve unsuccessfully.
"Good help is hard to find" the Baron countered. "So Leslie, we meet again."
"Indeed we do, Baron. As I recall, last time you ran away. I, ah, don't think you'll be doing that again."
Rolfe scowled. "No, not this time. But if you expect me to give up without a fight, you're wrong."
"I would never presume such a thing" Leslie continued as he walked over to the weapon display and pulled a sabre, swishing it as he tested its balance before he held it up in front of him. "En garde."
"You have me at a disadvantage, sir."
Leslie looked around the room until he found what he was looking for. "Professor, if you could help me even the odds please?" he asked as he pointed.
Fate looked along the direction indicated somewhat confused, and then he frowned when he understood. "You have got to be kidding."
"There is no point in sport unless you are sportsmanlike, and that includes fair play. If you would please." Fate mumbled and did as he was told. He crossed the room and picked up a heavy chair with a slight grunt, carrying it over with some effort to sit it in front of Leslie. As he was bent over, Leslie whispered "While I have the Baron engaged in combat, use the opportunity to slip out with Maggie. She knows where to go."
Fate stared at Leslie for a moment and a small smile found its way to his face, hidden from the Baron. He surprised himself by wishing "Good luck" back.
"Now Baron, we have a match. I have stability and you have freedom of movement. Shall we commence?"
Rolfe smiled and nodded his head slightly, keeping his eyes on Leslie. "Let's." He raised his sword in salute as did Leslie, and he rolled toward the seated man, before stopping short and thrusting his blade out. Leslie instinctively countered, to find that their tips were only an inch apart.
"Well met. No standing now."
"I won't if you won't, Baron." The two began to clash as Rolfe would attack or feign, measuring his opponent. He rolled to Leslie's offside and tried again; Leslie quickly shifted his chair. The Baron frowned.
"I didn't stand, but I can shift. Surely you don't intend to stab me in the back?" Leslie asked.
"The thought had occurred. Very well." The two met again and clanged swords as the fight began in earnest. While the Baron was busy adjusting his wheeled chair's position Fate slipped out the door, dragging Maggie with him. He quickly explained what Leslie had whispered; as much as she wanted to be present for the fight, she knew she was best used elsewhere. Together they crept past the knocked out guards and continued their journey while the sound of clashing steel grew fainter behind them through the now closed door.
Ears keenly bent on hearing the slightest sound, they finally made it to the King's door; with a nearly silent patterned knock learned from Hans, Fate waited until there was a sound of a lock being unbolted. The door opened a crack and an older face appeared just beyond. Astonishment splashed across the face before it was wiped off with something more like grim determination. The door opened quickly and the two were admitted into the room before it was closed and locked again.
"My god, you DO look like him" the man said. "Excuse any formality, but I can't help but think of you as the king. I'm Dieder, the king's physician." Fate and Maggie looked to either side of Dieder toward the bed, half-expecting to see a body lying on it. With a bit of relief, they found it empty. The doctor allowed himself a small chuckle and remarked "No, he isn't lying here; I don't think his body would have been very pleasant to be around after this amount of time. He's been prepared but lies in state elsewhere, safely hidden away from the Baron. Where's Hans?"
"The Baron got him" Fate said. "In front of my eyes" he elaborated.
Dieder closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again. "He was a good soldier and friend. We all lived in fear of the Baron; and there's no telling if we might be next."
"Don't be too sure about that; he's dueling my husband right now" Maggie bragged. Dieder furrowed his eyebrows in question.
"Maggie is married to the Great Leslie; I dare say the Baron has his hands full at the moment" Fate explained.
"Amazing. Well, it might buy us enough time to pull this off. Are you with us?"
"It's a fine time to be asking me now!" the Professor exclaimed, then in a normal voice continued with "I am."
"Good. First we have to..." the doctor started, to be interrupted with a scream. He turned just in time to see a woman faint near a doorway. "I forgot about Anna!" He rushed over to the figure on the floor along with Fate and Maggie. "She's my daughter and has been helping me with 'treating' the King. I'm afraid the shock might have been a bit much for her; she was fond of our ruler." He rolled her onto her back and gently patted her cheek while calling her name.
Shortly she came around. "I'm sorry Father, for a moment I..." she started before shushed by Dieder.
"Quiet, my dear. This is Professor Fate, the man I told you about. I agree; he is a remarkable match for our King. Professor Fate, my daughter Anna."
The daughter reddened immediately while Fate bent over. "Phineas, please" he asked although he wasn't sure why.
"And I'm Maggie" the other member said, introducing herself. "Can you get up?"
"I think so - I'm dreadfully embarrassed. I've been training as a nurse, but it was the sight of a live person that took the wind out of my sails."
"And a fine nurse, too" her father boasted. "She'll probably turn out to be a better doctor than I am. She's certainly got the education for it."
"I just really like science" she admitted "and most of its disciplines offer something of interest."
"Indeed" Fate said, although at the moment he knew of no scientific principle that would account for his fuzzy thinking. It was almost like the effects of alcohol.