Deathstalker 07 - Deathstalker Return

triumph before darting inside and calling to Emma to follow her. The Paragon backed away from the army, step by step, not daring to turn her back on any of the soldiers still threatening her. And then a fusillade of disrupter fire opened up from behind her, blowing away the nearest troops like chaff on the wind. Emma laughed in the faces of the shocked approaching troopers, and then turned and walked unhurriedly into the castle. She had to show contempt for scum like this, or they'd walk right over her. She nodded her thanks to the dozen Deathstalkers standing in the doorway, and they bowed respectfully in return. The great gates slammed shut, and the Deathstalker Standing was secure again.
    Nina was leaning against an interior wall, alternating between hyperventilating and trying to cover
    everything with her camera. Emma gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder, and looked around for someone to talk to. A squat muscular man in full body armor was giving quiet orders to the others, so she settled for him. He turned as she approached and gave her an amused smile. He had a friendly face and a great leonine mane of silver hair.
    "Welcome to Castle Deathstalker," he said. "Any enemy of the Durandal is a friend of ours. Your reputation precedes you, Paragon Steel, and I'm pleased to see it isn't at all exaggerated. May I ask how the hell you got here?"
    "We have friends," said Emma. "We're here to cover what's happening. My friend over there, trying hard not to throw up on your flagstones, is actually a very experienced reporter. Her camera is broadcasting everything live, so watch your language. We've been assured that the camera's signal can't be jammed or censored. In the hope that the Durandal won't dare do anything too obviously nasty while everyone's watching."
    "I wouldn't put money on it, Paragon. I am Roland Deathstalker, current head of the Clan."
    "An honor to meet you, sir. That… Nina, put your head between your knees and breathe deeply, dear… that is Nina Malapert. I think we need to talk, Sir Deathstalker."
    "I think so too," Roland said dryly. "This way, if you please."
    Emma went and collected Nina, whose eyes were finally focusing properly. She was still clutching her big gun.
    "I'll be fine!" she said, just a little too loudly. "Fine! Did you see that army? There was a whole army coming right at us!'
    "Come with us for a nice little sit-down," said Emma, taking her by the arm. "You'll feel a lot better after a nice little sit down, and a medicinal brandy."
    "Get me a bottle," said Nina. "Hell, get me two."
    Roland Deathstalker led Emma and Nina to the great hall of the castle, a setting so huge and baroque and stuffed with items of historical interest that Nina brightened up immediately, and began an excited, muttered, running commentary to her camera. Emma left her to it, and went with Roland to meet his wife, Laura. She stood proudly before the great open fireplace, a tall, elegant blonde in full battle armor. She smiled kindly at Emma, and spoke sternly to the two big black dogs dozing at her feet. They got up good-naturedly, sniffed at Emma a few times, and then lopped off to make way for her. Nina hurried over, not wanting to be left out of anything. She trained her camera on Laura, and then suddenly got all bashful and tongue-tied. Standing side by side, Roland and Laura Deathstalker had a powerful commanding presence.
    "I understand you worked with our son, Lewis," Laura said to Emma. "Could I ask you for your…
    impression of him?"
    "A good man, and true," Emma said immediately. "Best Paragon I ever partnered. And I don't care what anyone says; he was never a traitor."
    "We never thought he was," said Roland. "But the press have said some terrible things…"
    He looked at Nina, who blushed furiously. "That's Finn's work. The Champion. He controls the media these days. They say what he tells them to say, or they don't get to say anything. But there are still a few of us, trying to get the truth out."
    "I never did trust Finn," said Laura. "Lewis often brought him here for short holidays, and of course we made Finn welcome because he was Lewis's friend. But I never liked him. I always thought he was too good to be true."
    "Now, Mother," said Roland. "That can wait. Paragon Steel, how much support can we expect from other quarters?"
    Emma shrugged helplessly. "These days, the Empire goes according to the Durandal's wishes. He is Emperor now, in everything but name. James is just a front. The