The Automaton

"Um, thanks," said Fred, somewhat taken aback by what Astra had done. He definitely didn't want to have anything to do with this woman from now on. He could only imagine what she might do to him if he got her angry. If he ever found a wishing potion again, he'd wish for a billion gold, and he'd be able to have any woman he wanted, as well as a bigger castle. He wanted to get up, but found himself cringing and quivering.

"Are you getting up or not?" said Astra archly. "I'd rather not let an innocent man die, even if he is an idiot, but if you want to die, I don't have any objections."

"All right, all right." Fred pulled himself upward. By now, he was feeling pretty nauseated--probalby a combination of the stench of this prison and having drunk down that stupid potion in one gulp.

"Sssssh," said Astra. "We don't want any of the other guards to notice us."

"Well, that one didn't seem like much of a challenge." Fred picked up the guard's sword, as Governer Gilder had taken his away.

"Perhaps those guards were overconfident for a reason. This prison may have other defenses."

"Like wha--" Then, Fred heard the clanking of metal on stone. It had been stupid of him not to realize. The Hespaniards are internationally famous--or infamous--as makers of automatons. One of them was coming their way. It was somewhat taller and wider than a man, its head almost scraping the top of the corridor. It was made of shining adamantine steel, with a few stains of what was probably blood. Its oblong head was featureless save for two telescope-like eyes. It bore on its chest the crest of Gilder. Its hands had cruel, sharp blades instead of fingers, and on its left arm was mounted a crossbow.

Fred was transfixed with fear. Astra leveled her dagger. "You hold it off!" she shouted. "I'll go for the eyes!"

1. Fred clumsily tries to fight the automaton.
2. Fred is overcome by fear and runs as fast as he can in the opposite direction.

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