Time's Children

by D. B. Jackson

  Tobias walked to the spot the Binder indicated. Gillian positioned herself in front of him, her pistol hand unwavering.

  Filt stowed his weapon, produced a length of rope, and looped it around Tobias’s wrists.

  Before he could do more, Mara threw herself off the pallet with a violent contortion. Gillian turned. Filt’s gaze snapped that way as well.

  Tobias jerked his hands out of the Binder’s grasp, and twisted his hands free of the rope. Filt grappled with him, trying to rip the rope away. When that failed, he reached for his weapon. Tobias pounded a fist into the Binder’s side. Filt grunted, folding in on himself.

  By the time Gillian recovered from her surprise, Tobias had the rope around Filt’s neck, and the man’s pistol in hand. He pressed the barrel against the Binder’s temple. Filt struggled to get free, but he couldn’t match Tobias’s strength.

  “Put down your weapon,” Tobias said.

  Gillian shook her head. “I don’t think I will. Kill him, and I’ll kill you.”

  Tobias tightened the loop of rope, eliciting a choked gasp from Filt. “I don’t have to shoot him to kill him.”

  She shifted her aim to Mara. “Is this a trade you’re willing to make?”

  “I could ask the same of you. If I kill him with the rope, I can still shoot you. Now put your weapon on the floor and kick it away.”

  “By the Two, Gillian–”

  “Shut up!”

  The minister’s brow furrowed. Perhaps she wasn’t as devoted to the Binder as Tobias thought. She and Filt were going to have an interesting conversation when all of this was over. If they both survived.

  At last, muttering a foul curse, she set her pistol on the floor and kicked it beyond her reach.

  “And the knife.”

  She regarded the Binder with disgust. But she pulled out the bloodied blade and tossed it to the floor. Tobias pushed the Binder forward, intending to toe the knife beyond Gillian’s reach. Filt struggled against him, slowing him.

  Gillian spun and ran, darting through the narrow gap in the canvas. Spitting a curse of his own, Tobias hammered the side of his pistol into the back of Filt’s skull. The first blow staggered the Binder; the second rendered him unconscious.

  Tobias cast a glance at Mara, but followed Gillian, pausing at the opening in the cloth, in case the minister waited on the other side. He peered through the gap, searching for her. He saw nothing, and eased through, his weapon raised. She was gone. So was the cage holding the messenger pigeons.

  He ran to the shelter’s entrance and out onto the stone shelf. Seeing no sign of her, he cursed again and returned to the back room.

  Filt hadn’t moved. Blood oozed from an egg-sized lump on the back of his head. Mara had raised herself into a sitting position on the stone floor. Tobias hurried to her and untied the gag.

  “Thank you,” she said, her voice a rasp.

  He worked to untie the knot in the rope binding her hands. The skin on her wrists was chafed raw.

  “We have to hurry,” he said. “The minister is gone, and she’s taken the messenger pigeons. She’s probably sent word to Orzili already.”

  “Who is that?”

  “The man who killed Hayncalde’s sovereign.”

  He finally untied her hands. While Mara worked her ankles free, he used the first piece of rope to truss the Binder’s limp hands. Mara joined him and tied Filt’s ankles. Tobias shoved the gag in the man’s mouth.

  He stood and helped her up. For a fivecount, they remained like that, gazing at each other. The cuts on her cheek and neck still bled, a dark match for his own scars.

  “Those need to be cleaned and bandaged.”

  “Later. I’m all right.”

  Still he stared at her. Her face was leaner than he remembered, but the eyes, the hair, the lips…

  “It’s really you, isn’t it?”

  She nodded.

  “I didn’t know you could Walk.”

  “Neither did I. We should leave.”

  Her words jolted him into motion. He retrieved his pack from the front room while Mara went back for Filt’s pistol. He took her hand and led her out of the shelter and back toward Kaarti’s inn.

  “Where are we going?”

  “To get the rest of my things. And… a friend.”

  They walked quickly. The blood on Mara’s face drew stares, but Tobias didn’t dare stop. He wasn’t sure how long it would take Orzili to get here, but he didn’t think they had more than a bell to get away. Less if the assassin and his men Spanned.

  “Did you notice if that woman took the tri-device?” Mara asked, half-running to keep up with him.

  Tobias steered them among the people on the path, weaving in and out like a woodland hawk gliding among trees. “The what?”

  “The tri-device. I think it was a tri-sextant.”

  He stopped to consider her. “A tri-sextant,” he repeated, thinking of the golden object Filt tried to hide when first he entered the shelter, and of the odd devices he had seen in the hands of Orzili’s men and with the assassins in his own time.

  “Yes. It allows Spanners to bring others with them and–”

  “And to carry objects, weapons. To remain clothed.”

  “That’s right.”

  “They don’t exist in our time.”

  “They do in mine.”

  “Yours? I don’t understand.”

  “This is the first time I’ve met you, Tobias.” A faint smile touched her lips as she spoke his name. “You weren’t in my time, at least not the one I remember. The world has changed.”

  He nearly asked her in what ways it was different, but the question died on his lips. He didn’t have to ask. His arrival in this time had coincided with upheavals that would have had ramifications through history. Daerjen was already in chaos, and he was certain Oaqamar was responsible. The Sheraighs owed their newfound power to the autarchy and would do their bidding. Oaqamar would soon be the dominant power between the oceans.

  He had come back – Mearlan had sent him back – to change history. He’d succeeded all too well. They had been arrogant fools to believe they could shape a future to their liking.

  “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” he said, knowing the words were empty.

  “I know, and I came back to help you make it right again.”

  More arrogance, though he kept that thought to himself. “Do you know how? Because I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

  “We’ll figure that out. First we need to get away from here.”

  Right. He started forward again, reaching for her hand. Glancing her way, he stumbled. Beyond her, in the distance came several men in blue uniforms.

  “Already?” he whispered.

  She looked back. “The messenger pigeons. And the tri-sextants. It wouldn’t take them long.”

  Tugging on her hand, Tobias broke into a run. She followed. Shouts and screams echoed behind them. Within a spirecount, the pathway was choked with men, women, and children fleeing their shelters. It seemed residents of the Notch lived their lives with one ear to the ground.

  Tobias and Mara fought through the crowd, but progress came grudgingly, in fits and starts, until Tobias wanted to scream his frustration. The path widened at the marketplace, where peddlers were already packing up their goods. Tobias and Mara skirted the space, and ran to Kaarti’s establishment.

  Tobias shouldered the canvas door aside and entered. Kaarti stood in the center of the common room, a musket raised to her shoulder. She lowered it upon recognizing him. Sofya sat on the floor at her feet, playing with her doll and chattering happily.

  “Who’s this?” Kaarti demanded.

  “A friend from home.”

  “I heard shouts, people yellin’ about soldiers. Figured it was your fault.” She grinned, softening the words.

  Tobias lifted the princess into his arms. She stuck her thumb in her mouth, clutching the doll in her other hand. He grabbed the pile of swaddling and carried Sofya into his ch
amber to reclaim his few belongings.

  When he reentered the common room, he found Kaarti watching the entrance and gripping her musket. Mara held herself still, as if waiting for the woman to turn the weapon on her. She had cleaned the blood from her face. The cut on her cheek was livid, the marks on her neck less so.

  “You’re all right?” he asked her.

  “For now, yes.”

  Kaarti eyed them, but didn’t lower her weapon.

  “That’s a fine way to get yourself shot,” Tobias said.

  “I won’t allow Sheraigh blue to set foot in here.”

  “I understand. But…” He shook his head, knowing he would never convince the matron of anything. “I’d just hate to see you hurt.”

  “Yous are leaving,” she said.

  “Yes. We need to get away from here.”

  “Those soldiers really looking for yous?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  She appeared surprised by his candor. “I might be able to hide yous.” She jerked her head at her sleeping chamber. “There’s more to this place than one might think.”

  “I’m sure that’s true, but we’ll be safer far from Hayncalde.”

  “Why? Who are you?” She indicated the princess with a raised chin. “Who’s she? Why are demons and soldiers so interested in yous?”

  “It’s best you don’t know.”

  “Aye, probably. Where will yous go?”

  “I don’t know. Back to the wharves, I suppose.”

  “Most folk will be goin’ the other way. To the caverns. Yous’ll stand out.”

  “Going deeper into the Notch is too dangerous. Our one chance is to reach the wharves. Before we came here, the temple bought us passage on a ship. Maybe we can find another one tonight.”

  “Tonight,” Kaarti repeated, breathless. “Of course. I should have remembered. Yous know what tonight is, right? Or what tomorrow is?”

  “This isn’t the time for riddles, Kaarti.”

  “I know that,” she said, sounding more like her usual cross self. “This is the last day of Sipar’s Settling. Tomorrow is–”

  “Kheraya’s Emergence,” Mara said.

  “That’s right. Some of them ships on the gulf might be sending dories to land. Most go to the city, but a few always come here, especially ones that don’t want attention from the royals. Go farther south from Outer Notch. You’ll find them there.”

  Tobias blinked with surprise and hope. Perhaps they could get away after all. “We’ll try that. Thank you.”

  Kaarti looked at the princess, her expression softening. “Such a beauty. She’s almost…” Her cheeks went white, comprehension widening her eyes at long last. “I’ve been a fool, haven’t I?” She shifted her gaze to Tobias. “Sipar bless you and keep you safe. All of you.”

  Tobias answered with a sad smile. Notwithstanding her abrupt manner, he liked the woman. “Goodbye, Kaarti. Again, my thanks.” He crossed to the entrance and peered out, beckoning to Mara as he did. He saw no soldiers.

  “If they ask me, I won’t tell them yous were here. I won’t tell them nothing. Sheraigh bastards.”

  He cast another smile over his shoulder and stepped out, Mara close behind. Pausing just outside the boarding house, he adjusted his pack and started toward Outer Notch, walking against the flood of people who crowded the walkway. He tried not to appear in too much haste, but if Mara’s efforts to do the same were any indication, he probably failed. They hadn’t gone more than a few paces when a soldier stepped into view in front of them, his musket at eye level.

  They halted. Others continued past, eyeing the soldier, eyeing them, but content to walk on if it meant no trouble would come their way. Tobias couldn’t blame them.

  “If either of you so much as twitches a hand in the direction of your belt or your pack, I’ll put a ball in your skull. Understand?”

  Tobias held up one hand; with the other he cradled Sofya. Mara sidled closer to him, her hands raised.

  The soldier’s bayonet shone with sunlight, and a smug grin exposed crooked yellow teeth. “I was hoping I’d be the one to find yous. A shit-skinned Northisler and his shit-skinned baby. There’s a bounty for you. Fifteen gold.” He flicked a glance in Mara’s direction. “I don’t know what I’ll get for you, but even if the money ain’t good, I might get a bit of sport out of it.” He grinned again.

  “We have gold,” Tobias said. “Let us go, and it’s yours.”

  “Pretty sure it’s mine anyway. Funny thing. No one ever told us if they wanted you alive or dead. I’m guessing it don’t matter.”

  Tobias felt the blood drain from his cheeks.

  The man chuckled. “Nothing to say, eh? Good. My colonel hinted there’d be an extra reward for the one what caught you. A bottle of somethin’. Looks like I’ll be drinkin’ to the two of yous tonight.”

  “Did yous get him?”

  The soldier glanced toward the shelter, but kept the barrel of his weapon trained on Tobias. Kaarti stepped out of the boarding house. She had left her musket inside, and instead leaned on a crooked wooden cane.

  “You know him?” the man asked.

  “Do now. Showed up here a few nights ago. Strangers in the Notch are always curiosities, but this fella – and his woman – they was more curious than most. Acted odd, claimed to be on the run from a coin monger. I don’t believe them, but what can I do? I’m lame and old and I don’t want trouble. But I knew them for liars all along.”

  She hobbled closer to the man, watching Tobias and Mara, contempt on her wizened face.

  “He’s worse than a liar,” the guard said. He sighted Tobias with his weapon. “He’s a spy. Haven’t decided yet whether to shoot him or let him hang.”

  “Ah, that’s fine,” Kaarti said. She stopped a pace or two short of the soldier. “That’s just fine.”

  Tobias never would have believed an old woman could move with such speed. One moment she leaned on her walking stick. The next she straightened and swung the cane up in a tight arc, catching the man full in the groin. He grunted, doubled over, his eyes bulging, the musket dropping from his hands and clattering on the stone. Before he could fall, she swung the stick a second time, striking him at the base of the neck. A sickening crack echoed in the cavern. The guard dropped to the ground and moved no more.

  People streamed past, gazes drawn by Kaarti’s attack. They said nothing. A few grinned.

  “I think I might have killed him,” she said mildly, looking down at him.

  Tobias stared at the soldier. His back rose and fell. “No, he’s breathing.”

  “Well, I suppose that’s good.”

  “There are more coming,” Mara said, voice low.

  Tobias saw them as well. The soldiers hadn’t spotted them yet, but they would.

  “Let me hide yous,” Kaarti said. “It’s the only way.”

  “What about him?” Tobias said, gesturing at the unconscious soldier.

  The innkeeper grinned. “It’s all right. They’ll never think to look here. Who would beat a soldier senseless and then stay?”

  “Aside from you, you mean?”

  “Right. Aside from me.” She shuffled back inside, gesturing for them to follow. Mara claimed the soldier’s fallen musket and she, Tobias, and the princess retreated into the shelter.

  Chapter 38

  30th Day of Sipar’s Settling, Year 633

  Kaarti led them through a small bedchamber and into an alcove formed naturally by the cavern. At the back of this, they found a second alcove, also small, though spacious enough to accommodate all of them. A candle burned here, illuminating a cluster of water skins and several bundles that Mara assumed must hold food. The air was chill and stale, but it was as comfortable a haven as they could have hoped to find.

  “There’s enough here to keep us for days,” Kaarti said in a whisper. “But we shouldn’t have to wait that long.”

  The princess talked gibberish in a voice loud enough to make Mara cringe. Tobias walked her in a tight cir
cle, bouncing her gently in his arms and singing to her in a low voice. She quieted, and soon slid her thumb into her mouth, her eyelids drooping.

  Mara watched them, thinking they could easily be father and daughter.

  “He’s good with the wee one, isn’t he?” Kaarti asked, breathing the words. Mara heard pride in the question.

  “He is.”

  “How is it yous know each other?”

  She hesitated, wondering how much Tobias had revealed. “We’ve been friends a long time.”

  “That’s not quite what I asked.” She held up a hand forestalling another response. “It’s all right. It’s not my business.”

  The princess fell asleep. Tobias continued to walk with her, setting his feet with care, making no sound. None of them spoke. They listened for noises in the common room or the other bedchambers. At one point Mara thought she heard someone. At the same time, Kaarti stiffened and cast a warning glance Tobias’s way. He had already stopped, but when the princess stirred, he resumed his circling. Footsteps echoed outside the alcove – at least two pairs. Canvas rustled, plates and pots clattered. Kaarti picked up her musket, and Mara shouldered the one they’d taken from the soldier, drawing a nod of approval from the woman.

  Tobias moved closer to Mara and pulled out a pistol with his free hand. He stared at the canvas that concealed them, a haunted look in his eyes.

  Mara allowed her gaze to flick over his scars, though she took care not to let him see. From what she’d heard in the minister’s shelter, she guessed that he’d been tortured. He wasn’t as beautiful as he’d been in that vision Droë offered. He was older, marred. He carried burdens now that he hadn’t before. She didn’t care. She had Walked back for him, not because he was handsome, though he still was, but because he cared about her, and because he needed her help. None of that had changed.

  He glanced at her, and she forced herself to look away. She rubbed the aching, red skin on her wrist. Both of them had been marked by their journeys back in time.

  The noises from the common room continued. Something shattered. Wood cracked. But no one disturbed the cloth directly in front of them.

  After a few more spirecounts of this, the footsteps retreated and silence gripped the shelter once again. They remained in the alcove, unwilling to risk revealing themselves. Mara sat, the musket resting across her thighs; Tobias circled with the princess. Time dragged by.