that nothing affected the timeline enough to change the state of the world in present times.
At any given moment the future is a complex mix of infinite possibilities and each potential future can be achieved as a result of what happens in the present. If any past event were to be changed then a future pathway could be altered enough to lead to a major change in the world as we know it. Gramps could only surmise that this had something to do with Charlie’s interaction with the people in this time because Charlie was the only person that he knew of who was currently travelling in the past, either with the express permission of the Time Line Commission or as an Interloper. Interlopers are those who travel in time illegally.
There are seven Northern Time Portals and eight Southern Time Portals, at least, that is the numbers that have been discovered to date. The Portals are guarded at all times by a group of individuals known collectively as the Guardians. It is the job of the Guardians to protect the time line by preventing unauthorised access to the past by use of the portals. The existence of the portals is known only to a highly select group of people who refer to themselves as the Time Line Commission. It is this group that draws up the rules and regulations of the portals, appoint the Guardians and monitor the entire portal network. The discovery of the first portal occurred three hundred years ago in Italy and the discoverer was, by chance, a young scholar; Giovanni Berlusconi. It was Berlusconi who discovered the basic properties of the portal and worked out how to travel back and forth through the fissure in time. He eventually took a small, carefully chosen group of men into his confidence. They worked with him to understand the portal and what it meant to be able to travel into the past, what laws governed its use and how it should be guarded.
In time, the group were able to determine the properties of the portal and what geographical and geological circumstances gave rise to its existence. Using this knowledge they predicted the potential locations of other portals and, sure enough, found two more, one in England and one in Russia. As time moved on the original group of men, who by now had formed a covert commission, acquired more members and eventually they discovered a total of fifteen portals. They formed, funded and equipped a series of expeditionary parties which they dispatched to the four corners of the globe and, as they located each portal, they appointed a Guardian. His (it was only men who were appointed then-women
were not admitted until as recently as fifty years ago) role would be to disguise the portal by whatever means deemed most appropriate and to stand guard over it to prevent irresponsible use.
The Time Line Commission is now based in Italy and is the most secret organisation in the world. If it were to become general knowledge that time travel was possible, the consequences would be unimaginable. It is possible that it would lead to a breakdown of world order. There would be a constant temptation to travel into the past to try change events and influence the present. People would try to gain knowledge, wealth and power. They may even misguidedly try to do good deeds by going back in time to, for instance, assassinate Hitler or prevent the Titanic from sinking. What they would not realise is that the current state of the world is shaped by every single event that has occurred in the past and that the causal lineage in interwoven on many levels. Even the changing of one single, seemingly innocuous, event in the past could return you to a future that is completely different to the one you left.
The Time Line Commission was formed to keep the portals secret and to appoint and manage the Guardians and so far it had managed to keep the temporal order intact. That order was now threatened and the Citadel was warning Gramps that history could be changed with significant implications for modern times.
Gramps snapped closed the cover of the Citadel and, once again, mounted Searcher. He guessed that he had about twelve miles to cover to bring him to the castle of Sherebrook and he hoped that he would be in time to take Charlie out of this environment and to allow history to take its proper course. Matilda’s plan to kidnap the king must fail and Stephen must continue to rule as the King of England. He spurred Searcher on and the horse leapt forward as if eager to be on its way.
THIRTY-THREE
Matilda’s entourage had reached Sherebrook castle. In the vanguard were ten knights, each suited in half armour and mounted on a warhorse. The heavy hooves pounded the ground and made their approach sound like approaching thunder. They rode two abreast in front of Matilda’s carriage, which was pulled by two heavy black Percheron horses that were covered in purple and gold drapes. The carriage was constructed of oak, with thick oak wheels rimmed with iron and it had a canopy of white canvass stretched over a square framework. Inside the carriage was Matilda. She reclined on piles of luxurious cushions made of finely woven fabrics that were embroidered with scenes of hunting, jousting and feasting, all in vivid colours. Two ladies in waiting, Freya and Rosanna, Gwendolyn’s friends who had been in Matilda’s bedchamber when she had sent Gwendolyn to Richmond prison, attended her.
Behind the carriage rode Sir Robert of Gloucester and behind him rode ten more knights in two columns of five. Behind the knights came a supplies cart to keep Matilda’s food, clothing and goods. She insisted on these being with her wherever she went.
A message had reached Matilda that Gwendolyn had escaped along with the young ruffian that had so intrigued Sir Robert. She had taken the news silently at first, but that was the calm before the storm. Gradually her faced turned redder than a boiled beetroot and her blood pressure increased so much that a boil on her ugly face spontaneously burst, oozing pus and blood onto her cheek. She let out a sound that mixed a wail of agony with a banshee like howl of anger. She picked up a large earthen flagon of wine, which was at hand, and launched it across her bedchamber where it shattered against the wall splashing red wine all over an expensive French tapestry. Her ladies in waiting, and several
courtiers who were in the room, fell silent and cast their eyes to the floor hoping that if they remained absolutely silent and motionless they would not be noticed and would thus avoid drawing attention to themselves.
She screamed for Sir Robert of Gloucester and when he came to her room she launched into a ghastly spittle laden tirade of questions.
“How did the little brat escape? Why didn’t you just hang him when you had the chance? Where would they have gone? How many men do you have looking for them? Has the jailer been hanged?”
She calmed down a little as she reached the end of her furious questioning.
Sir Robert was used to this and remained quiet until Matilda had finished her rant; he knew that interrupting her would only make angrier. His inscrutable demeanour did not once falter in the face of her wrath.
“My Lady,” he began calmly, “I am shocked by this turn of events. The jailer was fooled by the boy and ended up in his own dungeon. I will deal with him later. I know also how much it meant to you to have the girl in prison and I can assure you, my Lady, that we will recapture her, and the boy, and have them back in captivity very soon. I have detailed three of my finest knights to go after them and bring them back. I expect good news within a matter of hours. In the meanwhile, I suggest that we make for Sherebrook immediately. Although I do not believe that the boy knows of our plans, or who I am, he is the squire to Sir Geoffrey de Lancie and that decrepit old fool will listen to his story and may realise that something is afoot. I have also sent a swift messenger to alert my spy within Sherebrook to be vigilant for the return of the boy.”
“You expect them to make straight for Sherebrook then?” Matilda had been soothed somewhat by Sir Robert, whose manner was always one of implacable calmness.
Sir Robert treated all people equally, friends and enemies, it was his way of keeping people off guard. He felt that losing one’s temper was a waste of emotional energy, and he loathed Matilda’s rages. To him they were a weakness that betrayed insecurity and he was right.
“I think that is where the boy will go
. I cannot say for certain if the girl is travelling with him but they escaped by stealing just one horse and it is my estimation that they will remain together.”
“Hmmm… and what makes you think that your knights can catch the boy before he reaches Sherebrook, Sir Robert? They had a several hours head start and it is not that far to travel.”
“Yes, I have thought of that, and under any other circumstances I might council the abandonment of our plan but the escapees will be unable to travel openly on the road. They must be aware that they will be pursued. It is my guess that they will try to travel off the road and will be, therefore, a great deal slower than my knights. I think that they will be overtaken long before they reach the castle.”
“I am not sure that I share your confidence in your men, Sir Robert, but perhaps you are right. I too believe that we should continue with our plans but mark my words well. Your men have already let this little scrap of a boy escape once, if they let him through their hands again, and we are thwarted, I will see them all swinging at the end of a stout rope, along with you!”
“Fortunately, my Lady, I do not believe there will be any cause for hangings in this matter.”
Sir Robert bowed low and asked for permission to leave Matilda’s presence. She granted this with a dismissive wave of her hand. They agreed to depart within the hour and he left to ensure that the entourage was ready to receive her.
Sir Robert was seething; he was on the verge of losing his placid demeanour for the first time in his life. Matilda had crossed what he believed to be the boundary in their relationship. He was, after all, both a nobleman and her half brother. To threaten him with the gallows over such a trite affair was beyond the pale and he resolved never to forget or forgive the insult. He would still support her in her bid for the throne but as soon as the opportunity arose he would snatch it away from her and put her revolting black heart to the sword. No one would mourn her passing and he estimated that he would probably be considered something of a people’s champion for disposing of her. Sir Robert was a circumspect man and knew that he could not legitimately challenge a well-liked king such as Stephen but if he let Matilda do it for him, he could then step in and more easily take the throne from her. This damned Charlie of Watts was
an inconvenience and nothing more.
Sir Robert drew his steed to a halt, dismounted and walked to Matilda’s carriage. He opened the rear flap and dropped down a small step that he used to enter.
“I have the excellent news that I expected, my Lady. My knights have apprehended the squire, Charlie Watts, and your former lady in waiting. A swift messenger caught up with us a few moments ago and relayed the news to me. We are free to pursue our course of action with no fear of being found out.”
Matilda actually smiled.
“That is indeed good news, Sir Robert. It seems that your confidence was well placed. Where are they taking the two prisoners?”
“Both are being taken back to Richmond jail and believe me when I say that they will not escape again.”
“I believe you, Sir Robert. Now let us make for the castle and get our mission over with as soon as possible. I do not want to carry on this charade for longer than I need to and the sooner we have Stephen at our pleasure, the sooner I can declare my sovereignty.”
“I agree, my Lady.”
Matilda’s party started to move again. They were already in the outer village of Sherebrook castle and had begun to make their way up the hill to the main gates. They came to a halt in a small clearing, about fifty metres from the drawbridge. The main party of knights stopped to make their temporary encampment whilst Matilda’s carriage continued on up to the gates, flanked by two knights only, as agreed under the terms of the truce. It trundled over the drawbridge and brought the inner village to a standstill. Everyone knew who was coming and they were all desperate to catch a glimpse of the Lady of The English People, Matilda. Most were merely interested in seeing if the tales of her legendary ugliness were true.
The flanking party of knights, whose horses were accompanying the carriage at walking pace, looked around with nervous anxiety dancing in their eyes. They had been fighting on the side of Matilda for several years and now they were in the very midst of the men against whom they had fought on more than one occasion. It was not unheard of for truces to be broken in a heartbeat and for hostilities to be resumed when an enemy was perceived to be at his or her weakest. This could present just such an opportunity. The crowds kept their distance and stared quietly
at the party as it made its way up to the central keep of Sherebrook castle, straining their necks this way and that to adjust their view of the carriage. At one point an occupant of the carriage lifted a small flap of canvass and a murmur ran through the onlookers. It closed again quickly before anyone had a chance to catch a glance at the interior or the passengers.
Finally, they reached the inner gates that led to the keep and there they came to a halt and waited. There was a small commotion from within the keep courtyard and the guards suddenly stiffened and came to attention as the king emerged into the sunlight. He was flanked on one side by Sir Richard Baldock, the owner of the castle, and on the other by Thomas Thomasson, the deputy captain of the guard. Sir Richard had been most displeased to find that Sir Geoffrey had deserted his post to go looking for his squire. His displeasure, however, was tempered with a degree of satisfaction for the knight would not be around to foil the planned abduction. Sir Richard Baldock knew his own future was balanced on a knife-edge and that if the plot failed, for any reason, and it became known to the king that he had been involved, then he could expect no mercy. Execution would be his only reward.
Matilda’s knight escort remained mounted as she stepped down from the carriage and emerged into the daylight. The king, Sir Richard and Thomas all imperceptibly winced when they saw her. Matilda’s skin was prone to outbreaks of boils and today she had a particularly malicious set of giant ones on her right cheek. This, coupled with the fact that she was ugly anyway, made for a distractingly vile appearance.
King Stephen, instantly remembering the propriety of the situation and the gravity the meeting, stepped forward to greet Matilda and very gently inclined his head towards the woman. Stephen was king of England and was not required to show subservience to Matilda but it was his nature to make people feel at ease and he often did more than was required.
“My Lady. I welcome you to my court.”
Matilda seemed to appreciate the small gesture but in her heart she despised the small show of weakness.
“Your Majesty,” she replied, also inclining her head though she felt that the man in front of her was a false king and that only she had the right to claim the throne of England.
“I trust that your journey was not too arduous?” enquired Stephen.
“It was as comfortable as one would expect, at least we have clement weather.”
They were both being courteous despite their mutual dislike and distrust of one another. At this point Stephen gestured with his hand and body that Matilda should accompany him and she followed on behind as he walked toward the entrance of the castle tower. Her knights began to follow behind her but she held up her hand. “Sir Knights, I feel that I am entirely safe here with my Lord, the king, and I will have no further need of your escort, for the time being. Return to the encampment and return for me in one hour.”
They hesitated at first but then dutifully bowed and turned and began remounting their horses.
“Take my carriage also and return here for me at the same time,” she said to her driver who immediately obeyed and urged the two Percherons into a wide circle in the courtyard and marshalled them out through the main gate.
She looked enquiringly at Stephen, who took his cue from her and turned to Sir Richard Baldock,
“Sir Richard, I shall have no further need of your able armourer and you for the
next hour. I will lead my Lady Matilda myself, to our meeting hall.”
The king did not wait for an answer but forced a small smile onto his face and pointed it at Matilda who returned an equally weak smile and they both walked off, side by side.
Sir Richard turned to Thomas and said, “You heard my Lord the King. He will require no further guarding for the time being.”
Thomas looked uneasy about this, it was not usual for the king to have no security whatsoever but he reasoned that with only Lady Matilda in conversation there was no likelihood of any incident that would require armed intervention. He resented the fact that Sir Geoffrey was not around to take command. His resentment, however, was tinged with a small but growing concern for the old knight. He had expected to see Sir Geoffrey return by now but there was no sign of him. He understood Sir Geoffrey’s concern for his squire but no squire should cause dereliction of duty at such an important and momentous event. As if guessing Thomas’ train of thought Sir Richard said, “And when Sir Geoffrey returns from
his quest to find that damned servant of his, tell him to report to me immediately.”
“Of course my Lord,” said Thomas bowing.
“And have this courtyard cleared completely. I expect to see no armed men either here, or within the castle keep, until my Lady has returned to her encampment.”
This request surprised Thomas. A guard was permanently stationed within the courtyard and at the entrance to the keep. Sir Richard, however, was so emphatic with his request that Thomas obeyed and thought no more of it. He ordered the courtyard guards out and then ordered the inner gates closed until further instruction.
Sir Richard waited until the courtyard was clear and then flicked a glance over to the kitchen’s entrance where Longhaired Nick was skulking in the shadows just inside the door. Nick saw Thomas Thomasson disappear through the gate and then saw the gate being closed and that was his cue. He scuttled out into the sunlight with the speed and movement of a striking spider and hurried to Sir Richard’s side.
Charlie Watts and the Rip in Time Page 19