EPISODE PROLOGUE:
"In the year 958AD Viking raiders are attacking the North of England. They kill, pillage, rape and rob English villages and towns with little regard to anyone. But there is one strange Viking Chieftain raiding the North that doesn't quite fit the historical stereotype; Frode is accompanied on his raids by a dark-skinned stranger called Seth - who is rumoured to have dark powers of sorcery - and appears to be searching for someone or something. But Jericho is on scene because souls are going missing where the pair raid. Alex gets herself involved with some hunky men in skirts with horns on their helmets!"
This story can be found in "The adventures of Alexandra" BOOK SERIES 3 - Episode 8.
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The old man was gasping and panting as he ran through the thick undergrowth of the woods and his heart was thumping like a drum. He reached the edge of the village, and his strength was done, he screamed as best he could; “The devil is here! The devil is here! Oh, sweet Lord have mercy!” The effect on those that heard his words was immediate, pure fear and panic. Everyone began running about; grabbing up young children and whatever important and precious possessions they could carry.
Through
the tree line came the Vikings in scattered groups. The old man – unable to run
anymore – fell to his knees and prayed hard. Bjars simply walked up and brought
his battle axe down upon the old man, cleaving through his thin shoulders and
ribs. The blood spurted in the air and the screaming old man was dead, sprawled
in the thick grass. Gorm slapped his big friends back; “I see the Saxon dogs
false God didn’t hear the old man!” Bjars smiled; “It never does.” The two men
now ran forward, being joined by several of their shipmates and the Viking
raiders were now in the village. One of the villager’s went for Bjars with his
pitchfork, but – laughing – Bjars shattered the implement with one swing of his
axe, leaving the young man holding a piece of wood. He did the wise thing and
threw it down, running like a rabbit into the dark woods.
Leif and Njat dragged a woman from a burning hut; infant in her arms and threw her to the ground. Njat ripped the dress from her and forced her onto the ground as she screamed after her child who Leif picked up by the feet and threw against a tree. They both raped the sobbing hysterical woman as Bjars sat on a tree stump with Gorm and watched. “Why didn’t she run? Hiding in the dam hut was no good. These Saxon women are quite stupid; had it been my Gudrun, she would have come out with spear in hand. Like she does when I have been drinking too much.” Bjars muttered, scratching his beard. Gorm was leaning on his battle-axe watching two other men burning the village’s big hut. Two bodies lay outside. “Same for those two idiots, the old man gave plenty of warning to run and they didn’t. A strange people Bjars, I don’t know if they are brave or stupid.”
Sten dragged a screaming youth from a hut and held him face down in the mud with his foot and swung his axe; twice. Cleaving an arm each time and left the boy twitching and spurting blood. He couldn’t even scream anymore. Sten cradled his axe in arms and shouted to Bjars and Gorm; “I’ve seen poor villages in this shithole, but this one is the worse. Not a single fighting man to be found.” He gestured to the dying boy; “They don’t even attempt to fight; just knell and call for their God. It makes me sick. I might as well stay at home and arm wrestle the wife.”
Bjars and Gorm laughed; you could always rely on Sten to make you laugh; he was their long ships joker. In modern parlance Sten would be called a psychopath; a very dangerous one. But to his crew mates; he was a real laugh.
Bjars tapped his friend’s arm and said quietly; “He’s here.” They stood and watched as Seth walked by; his black robes sweeping the ground. He was over six feet tall [incredibly tall for the age] with – again unusual for the time and place – a completely shaved head. He was walking slowly looking carefully about. He was joined by the Viking Chief Frode carrying his battle axe over his shoulder; he was totally disappointed in the meager haul of plunder from the village but was happy that he hadn’t lost any warriors getting it. “Anything to interest you, my friend?” he quietly asked Seth who shook his head.
Big Ulf came past the pair with a struggling young boy under his arm and a fat adolescent girl held by her long blond hair. Frode gestured to the boy; “What, by Odin’s boots, have you kept him for?” Big Ulf grinned; “The little bastard tried to stab me; twice. He’s worth keeping and this little wench will blossom into a big strong woman who’ll keep my winter bed warm. Liv [his wife] will be happy with such a prize.”
Frode just nodded and turned back to Seth. Currently his raid on the English coastal villages had not produced much gold and silver; just a dozen captives – mostly women – four goats and several bags of wheat. The best prize had been two barrels of beer taken from a little church. The priest was a clever man; on seeing the Vikings approaching, he rolled the two barrels at them and ran for it. They didn’t bother chasing him and stole the alter silver and burnt the church down.
As Sten put it; “Now that’s a man with real faith in his God.”
With smoke and ash floating around the wrecked village and nightfall just hours away, Frode decided to return to the long ships in the small, sheltered cove that Seth had directed them to. The Vikings packed up their plunder and headed back to their ships. Seth stood by the edge of the dark forest, knowing that he was being watched by the villagers hiding in there. He slowly raised his arms and shouted in Saxon; “I am Seth the destroyer of souls! I will find where you dogs have hidden my most precious possession and your God will not stop me taking bloody revenge on anyone who kept it from me!”
He dropped his arms and pulled something from beneath his robes and laughing; threw it into the dark wood. It exploded with flame and smoke, illuminating the darkness briefly. He turned and walked away; joining his friend Frode who just sighed; “Don’t waste your magic on those dogs my friend. Just by farting I could put the fear of their useless God into them!” That made Seth chuckle and they walked away talking softly.
Young Godwin slipped down from the tree where he was hiding and watched the Vikings disappear into the woods. He wiped his face and hands on his rough tunic and fumbled in his pockets; pulling a small metal box from it and opened it. He smiled and headed for the track in the forest towards Doitwhich Abbey. It would take him three days to reach the King’s castle and leave his message for Mister Jericho Tibbs under the round stone in the Eastern turret.
The Vikings cooked on the beach – well the captured women actually did the cooking – and enjoyed the two barrels of stolen beer. They had no fear that the English King who ruled this part of the Anglo-Saxon lands would show up. Frode cradled his tankard and watched the sparks and flames flying from his fire.”I don’t understand this Saxon King Æthelred; his father would be crawling up my arse upon hearing of such a raid. Yet he does nothing.” Seth sat on a chest next to him and just nodded, then smiled; “They say he made a treaty last summer with a powerful Northern Earl who gave him his daughter as Queen.” Seth actually laughed; “She was twelve years old and now good King Æthelred spends all his time in bed and cares little for his kingdom or its people.” Frode sipped his beer and shrugged his shoulders; “What pleasure can a girl like that give a man? A woman is a woman made to please man. A child is a child made to play and grow until she too becomes a woman. I don’t understand such a man.”
Seth suddenly stood and stared about, placing his tankard down. “We’re being watched my friend and I don’t think it’s the Saxon dogs.” He spoke quietly and stared into the forest that surround the small cove. Frode called for his men to keep their wits about them; he knew full well that if Seth said they were being watched; they were. They would cast off immediately and the men quickly filled the two ships and pushed them from the beach and climbed aboard. Torches were placed on the stem and Seth stood by them. A rope was cast to the following ship and tied fast. Seth stood on the stem and guided the boats through the darkness. Bjars and Gorm – pulling hard on their oars – were always amazed how the sorcerer could see through the darkness of night. “Must be part bloody cat.” Bjars whispered and Gorm chuckled.
Sten and big Ulf – rowing in the seat behind them – both laughed with Sten grunting; “If he was such a great magician he would be at the stern; robes pulled up and farting a wind that would push us along like geese on a lake. Now if he could do that I would be impressed.” They all laughed; yes, Sten was quite a joker.
The priest and the small boy emerged from the woods and watched the Vikings depart; “That is impossible Godwin. No man can see through darkness, He must be the devil’s own spawn; God help us.” They both crossed themselves and made for Doitwhich Abbey road. “They are not heading north – to return home – and so must plan to raid again. The Abbot will be interested in that.” He patted the smiling boy, and they found a big tree to sleep in - unlike Seth – they couldn’t see at night.
The other figure slipped through the trees; having watched the Vikings depart and carefully looked about as night gathered around him. He pulled a slim, little black box from his pocket and spoke slowly; holding it up. The figure was gone.
2. OF KINGS, KNIGHTS AND BISHOPS.
Old Sidney Teal gripped the loose railing and made his way up the well-worn steps into the old stone tower; the guide smiled broadly at him; “Back again Sidney, you really do love this old tower!” Sidney just smiled and wiped his brow as the place started to fill and the guide announced the start of the tour. Sidney watched as the other tourists gathered around the guide who was telling the early history of the castle, which was now a single stone tower which dated back nearly a thousand years to Anglo-Saxon times.
Sidney
shuffled towards the arrow slit window and found the round stone which sat at
its base. Keeping his eyes on the visiting party he slipped his fingers under
the gap and actually gasped a little; there was now a little box squeezed in
there. This was his third visit in a year and the first to yield something. He
carefully extracted the box and pushed it quickly into his trouser pocket. The
guide called everyone to follow him up the staircase to the upper rooms and
didn’t actually notice that old Sidney had gone.
Sidney made his way quickly to the car park and eased into his Morris Minor and started the engine. He needed to find a phone box and remembered he had passed one as he drove through the village. “By the damn Butcher’s shop.” He muttered under his breath and passed bill posters working on the huge billboard by the pub; they were slapping up posters for the premier of the new film everyone was excited about; ‘South Pacific’. Sydney pulled up outside the phone box and checked his pockets for change. He opened the door and lifted the receiver; the phone was working and so he carefully dialed Zero, Zero, Zero and then nine. The phone rang and a woman’s voice asked for the message; “It’s Sidney Teal; tell him it’s a positive for Godwin’s Tower. It’s the little silver relic box so it’s the boy.” He slowly replaced the phone and sat back in his car and wiped his face. He remembered how happy he was last year when he pulled the small medieval crucifix from under the stone; he knew that was Lady Abigail calling from the fourteen hundreds.
Sidney started the car and then smiled; he patted his trousers pockets and felt that the little box had gone. Jericho had received his message.
Alex
was pacing the stone floor; holding her dress up a little. She was not a happy
Alex. The two guards by the door hadn’t taken their eyes off her; they hadn’t seen
such a beauty in a long time; a very long time. The only time they didn’t stare
at her was when they stared at the Moor; he was big and unsmiling with a
knight’s armour and sword. They both whispered that even a bloody Viking would
think twice before taking him on.
Jericho told her to calm down and even more important; keep her voice down. Alex folded her arms and with real restraint in her voice said softly; “So, we are going to stand here and do nothing whilst that perverted pig abuses a twelve-year-old child?”
Jericho
shrugged his shoulders and repeated for the third time that it was part of the
customs in this time and place, and they certainly couldn’t interfere. He didn’t
like it but that certainly wasn’t their job here. He pointed out that the King
wasn’t that much older than his wife. He stared at Owen when he agreed with
Alex and just sighed. The King’s Chamberlain appeared, and he wasn’t smiling
either; apologizing for his sovereign and handing Jericho a rolled-up scroll;
now signed and sealed by the King who couldn’t even be bothered to get out of bed
and greet them.
Jericho bowed and gestured for the team to leave; they had a long journey to Doitwhich Abbey ahead of them and had to meet their King’s Escort in the castle yard. “A knight and six soldiers to stop a Viking raid? Why not just send some flowers?” Wilson muttered to Jericho as they made their way back to their wagon and horses. Young Godwin leapt from the wagon’s seat and grinned; removing his rough hat and bowing to Jericho; “Are we leaving master?” he said with real boyish enthusiasm and Jericho nodded. “You’ll ride in the wagon with Lady Alexandra. Is your sister Alice here yet?” The boy nodded; “She’s just finishing packing her bag. You know women master; they want to take everything including the bed!”
Owen slapped his back and said he could ride up front with him and that really made the boy smile, and he was back on the seat in an instant. Jericho was helping Alex into the back of the wagon when young Alice appeared dragging a big bag and she smiled at everyone; “I packed everything a great lady might require on such a journey, and I’ve had a wash.” She announced and wiped her nose with her sleeve. “With clean warm water.” She added.
Godwin tapped Owen’s arm and said with real amazement; “She really did and it’s not even her birthday!” Owen tried not to laugh but failed. Wilson simply had to walk away and check his saddle.
Alice was about thirteen and skinny; she actually looked like Godwin’s brother in a dress. But she had a very pleasant disposition and was utterly overjoyed at playing a lady’s maid to a real lady. It could stand her in good stead to find a permanent position in the future. It had to be better than being a laundress. Her bleeding hands already looked a hundred years old. Alex sorted that out with some hand cream which Alice thought was an actual magic potion!
Robert
Stoneman was a King’s man who held lands north of Doitwhich Abbey and a battle
veteran; he had already fought in two battles for the King and had encountered
the Vikings before. He was just twenty-three. He rubbed his chin and stared at
the motley crew he was to escort. He turned to his old sergeant-at-arms and
didn’t smile; “Apart from the big Moor I would have thought I was escorting a
party to church.” The sergeant gripped the reins of his horse and nodded; “I
thought the King was going to go after the bloody Vikings, but apparently, he’s
after another truce. Probably will pay the bastards off.”
Robert sighed and walked up to the wagon and shouted at Owen; “Boy, is your master about?” Owen nodded and shouted into the interior for Jericho who jumped from the back of the wagon and bowed. Robert didn’t smile; “Are you ready to leave sir?” Jericho said yes quietly and walked away from the wagon and gestured for Robert to join him. They stood talking for a few minutes and Robert returned to his men and told them to mount up. He said quietly to his old sergeant; “You were right again John; it’s all talking again. Our king wants to pay the bastards off.” John just sighed and yelled for the men to mount and ensure the donkey was attached to them; it carried their food and beer so he knew they would look after the beast like it was their grandmother.
Jericho and Wilson mounted, and the little convoy left the castle walls slowly and onto the mud track that fraudulently called itself the ‘Doitwhich Road’. Robert was really surprised to find that there was a lady and her maid on board. John - riding next to him – stated that he had been told by one of the castle’s servants that the lady had been bought along because she had an incredible skill which would be most important and useful to the mission. Robert was now intrigued and asked what that could possibly be. John chuckled and wiped his face; “Apparently the good lady speaks Viking sir!” Robert was impressed and wondered how the hell a lady of quality had learned such a language. He would be even more impressed when he actually met her.
That’s when they heard shouting behind them, and Jericho held up a hand to call a halt. Everyone stared back at the young priest sitting upon a mangy old donkey, flicking it with a thin stick. “It’s Father Cuthbert master!” Godwin shouted at Jericho who slapped a hand over his face. The priest caught up with the wagon and smiled at Jericho; “Sir, I understand you are travelling to the Abbey. May I accompany you good sir. Even a man of God is not safe on the roads these days.” Jericho reluctantly nodded and Wilson muttered; “What bleeding roads?”
Robert just shook his head and the old sergeant laughed outright saying; “By the sweet lord sir; you have a formidable army to tackle the Vikings with!” Jericho – taking pity on the poor old donkey – told the smiling priest to ride in the wagon with the ladies; being a man of God that was a totally acceptable custom in these days. If the donkey could talk it would have sang Jericho’s praises. The priest tied him up behind the wagon and climbed in with Lady Alex and Alice who knew the good priest; as did her brother.
With the wagon flap open, that was when Robert caught sight of the widowed Lady Alex of Sedd for the first time. The old sergeant really smiled at the look on his young master’s face. “The King could stop the war in one move John.” Robert said quietly and John nodded; “Aye master; give Frode that woman and he wouldn’t bother coming back for simple gold.” They both laughed at that but Robert knew it was probably true; a woman like that was worth serious plunder and would give a Viking Lord real status.
But now, he would have to kill Robert first.
The two horsemen – their armour hidden under their riding cloaks – waited a few minutes and then rode from the castle and they too made their way onto the Doitwhich Road. They were Bishop Ley’s men, and they would shadow the King’s mission as ordered. The bishop was not a happy man either; he was plotting against the King with several Baron’s and Earls who wished to replace the weak and ineffective sovereign with his half-Cousin; Prince Arthur who had fought more battles than most men had relieved themselves in the privy. He was banished from the Kingdom and now brooded in his big castle on the border with the Scots [now called Alba under King Malcolm II].
The bishop wanted bloody full-scale war against the Viking invaders and now had his own militia forming. He wanted Prince Arthur on the throne and the weak king dead or banished. Being a true man of God, he hoped it would be the latter; but he really didn’t mind.
3. ABDUCTION!
They camped at the Jorvic crossroads and Alice showed off her cooking skills by making vegetable stew which actually was quite reasonable. Robert joined them for dinner and Alice was a little smitten by the brave young knight. Owen asked him about the old Viking settlement which was now the city of York. It had been recaptured by the English some thirty years ago and still contained many Viking sympathizers. “It is said that pagan worship of the Old Norse gods still happens in secret locations around the city. Hunting them down is a particular hobby of Bishop Ley. He really does harbor hatred for such souls; I mean for a Christian man of God. He gives them a chance to repent and convert; if they refuse, he has their heads struck from their bodies and hung on poles. As I say; odd for a committed man of God.” Robert chuckled at that and finished his stew which he had really enjoyed. Young Stephen – one of his soldiers – usually did the cooking when on the march and it was universally agreed that eating pig shit would probably taste better. But it was better than no hot food; but only just.
Jericho was interested in Bishop Ley and quietly asked Owen to check on the man when the chance presented itself. But it was Father Cuthbert’s story that really caught Jericho’s attention. The good Father was scrapping every last drop of stew with his wooden spoon when he recounted his story around the timid fire. “It’s gossiped that Bishop Ley – when just a boy – was captured by Odger – Frode’s father – in a raid and was mistreated. But he managed to escape and return to England where he was placed in a Monastery for care and education. He became a priest and quickly rose in the church ranks. The monastery that raised him was destroyed in a Viking raid and all the good brothers murdered. It is also said that the Vikings murdered his older brother who was captured with him as a boy. But it is the boy’s mother that is subject to much legend; she was known to be a Wicce [witch] with real dark powers. Nothing is known of her fate in the hands of the Vikings and the Bishop will never discuss the matter; ever.”
Alex lowered her bowl and spoon and said quietly; “What was the Wicce’s name Father?” The priest wiped his mouth on his sleeve and stared into the fire; thinking. “Her married name was Lady Margret Goodfellow. Her husband was Lord Albert Goodfellow who held a manor for the old King near the mouth of the estuary [the Father is probably talking about the River Thames] she and her two sons were taken in a raid there and Lord Albert was killed by Odger. That was many years ago; I believe the bishop is almost thirty now and his brother would be some two or three years older; had he lived.” Alex nodded her thanks and then asked; “What was the source or story about her witchcraft Father?”
The priest sighed; “Apparently, she sold her soul to the Dark One for real powers. It was rumoured that she made the rain fall during a drought and cured several sick children during an outbreak of the ‘sweating sicknesses’. The woman could heal almost anything it was rumoured. All against God’s will of course.”
Alex just nodded again, finishing her stew. She whispered to Owen; “That’s some strange witch or follower of the Dark Prince. Helping people with her powers I mean.” Owen smiled and managed to scrounge a refill of his bowl from Alice, who just listened to the campfire conversations with her mouth open a little. Her brother was already curled up by the fire; sleeping. He had a full belly for the first time in several days, so sleep came quickly and easily. Jericho gestured towards the boy and smiled; “We have an early start in the morning. We leave at sunup, so I bid you all a goodnight.”
Robert thanked Jericho [and Lady Alex] for their hospitality and returned to his men who were already settled down, save one who would stand the first guard of the night. Wilson scooped the boy up and placed him in the wagon where his sister covered him with a blanket. Owen settled under the wagon and discretely checked his mirror; he had some urgent research to do. Wilson joined him and wrapped himself in a rough blanket and was soon asleep. Owen could see Jericho by the edge of the woods; standing arms folded, staring into the dark woodlands. But tiredness came over him and he pushed the mirror into the folds of his cloak and slept against the wagon wheel.
The night guard was rubbing his tired eyes and didn’t even see or hear his killer who rammed a dagger through the back of his neck as he leaned against a big tree. He slid down gasping a little and died with very little sound. His assailant wiped his blade on the dead man’s shirt and moved with little noise towards the wagon. He lifted the flap at the rear of the wagon and saw the two girls folded in their blankets and boy at under the seat at the front. He smiled broadly and nodded to himself; there lay a fortune in gold from Frode. He pulled a little glass bottle from the folds of his cloak and looked about again.
He gently and carefully heaved himself into the back and leaned over Alex who was breathing deeply in her sleep and smiled again; perfect he mused and wrapped the thick cloth around his mouth and chin. He removed the stopper and placed the little bottle next to Alex’s nose and mouth, then sat back. He stared out the wagon at the dead guard and knew that he wasn’t due to be relieved until sunrise. He checked Alex; she still had colour in her cheeks so he sat back. He had nerves of steel and the patience of a cat waiting at a mouse hole. He looked at the young girl and was sad that he couldn’t carry her too; she would be worth some gold to Viking looking for a young maid. He checked Lady Alexandra of Sedd again and wiped his brow; the colour had gone from her face. She would sleep soundly for some hours now. He moved carefully and dropped through the flap and with some strength - holding her legs – pulled her from the wagon and she flopped over his shoulder. He may have been small, but he was powerfully built and carried Alex easily from the encampment into the dark woods.
He tied her hands and feet and slung her – gently – over the donkey and making sure she was secure; he mounted his horse and headed deep in the woods which he knew well; the donkey held by rope which he tied to his left leg. He found the small stream and they splashed into it; the water was only six or eight inches deep in summertime. He would follow the small stream for some miles until it passed below Black Raven Hill and then he would be able to speed up. They [Alexandra’s people] would not be able to track him in the water. He wiped his brow and reached down for his goatskin bag and drank some wine.
He looked back at the precious bundle on his old donkey and smiled; this one assignment would set him up for life. He could buy that empty tavern at Peek’s Wood Crossroads and marry young Susan. He took another swig at the wine goatskin and settled in his saddle. The moonlight was strong enough for night travel without carrying a torch. He sung softly to himself; not a bad nights work so far. He only stopped for a short time to release a pigeon from the basket the donkey also carried. Frode the Viking had supplied two birds; trained to return to him alone. He watched the bird disappear into the dark sky and checked Alex. Satisfied she was undamaged, remounted and continued on to ‘Hanging Hill’.
Alice jumped from the wagon and looked about; she asked Owen if had seen her Mistress. He shook her head suggested she was relieving herself behind a bush. Alice nodded, but still went searching for her lady. She still felt strangely tired despite sleeping soundly all night. Godwin helped her but the pair found no trace of Lady Alex. Finally she found Jericho talking with Robert and the big moor and nervously interrupted them.
That’s when the alarm was sounded; the sergeant- at - arms had found young Jeb’s body behind the big tree. “Bloody murder!” He shouted a couple of times, and the camp was in uproar until Robert took charge and calmed his men down.
A quick search by everyone found no trace of Lady Alex.
Jericho
sat in the back of the wagon and called Alex’s mirror; it was online, but she
didn’t answer. He was now concerned. He did a body search and found she was
seven miles away heading towards peek’s Wood, where three ‘roads’ intersected.
He grunted and jumped from the wagon straight in front of Robert. He didn’t
paint a pretty picture; someone had entered the wagon and abducted Alex after
killing the young man on guard.
They formed a plan of action quickly; two men would remain behind to bury young Jeb and stay with the children and the wagon. Father Cuthbert would also stay with the wagon, and he was needed for the burial service of the young soldier. Robert and his men would search for Alex on horseback. Jericho agreed and said that he, Wilson and Owen would accompany him. Owen could use the dead soldier’s horse. Jericho informed Robert that Wilson would do the tracking. Robert nodded; he had heard that men from the Dark Country could track a mouse in a field. They quickly mounted up and Wilson discretely checked his mirror. He could now follow Alex’s mirror [and Alex] as long as the mirror stayed online.
Godwin tried to comfort his weeping sister to no avail. Finally Alice wiped her face and sighed; “First bleeding time I get a position I really want, and someone steals my lady from under my bleeding nose!” They both watched – unmoved – the burial of the young solder; they didn’t know him and had never spoken a word with him. Despite being young; they had seen many burials including their mother and father. They did attend the burial service conducted by Father Cuthbert and of course, didn’t understand most of what the good father said; it was mostly conducted in Latin.
Tom Newfield passed by Peek’s Wood’s crossroads; he was actually avoiding the roads and navigating his way through the woods. With Alex groaning now he had to stop – reluctantly – and pull her from the donkey. She vomited and he gave her the wine goatskin to have a drink. He was really surprised to find how calmly she took the news that he had abducted her to sell to the Viking Chief Frode. He quickly pushed her back onto the donkey. This time sitting up and set off again. He had made one big mistake; he hadn’t searched her.
He kept turning as she spoke softly, but not to him apparently. The bloody woman was talking to herself! He shouted at her to shut up or he would gag her. She fell silent and strangely enough smiled at him!
Jericho quickly pushed his mirror back into his riding cloak’s pocket and nodded at Owen and Wilson. This was some turn up for the books; Alex’s abductor was leading them straight to their quarry; Frode. “It couldn’t be better if I had planned it.” He whispered to Wilson who nodded her agreement. They wouldn’t worry too much about Alex; all the time she could access her mirror she would be safe.
4. PLANS WITHIN PLANS.
Frode sat by the fire and warmed his hands, watching the dark pot bubbling. The messenger bird brought good news by its arrival in camp; Tom Newfield had acquired the prize he was seeking; an aristocratic lady of real beauty and if, the gossip at the English King’s castle was correct, one who could speak Norse! Frode was a happy man. He ordered his men to finish their breakfast and prepare to move out. They would follow the river until it reached the place the English called the Hanging Hill and wait there for Tom and his precious prize. The Englishman had a reputation for completing his given tasks successfully. So if he managed this one; Frode would use him again. That meant actually paying out gold and not just killing the man. But if that’s how it unfolded then so be it.
Bjar’s
reported to him that Seth had left just before dawn. He just nodded and
returned to the fire as his men packed up their camp and boarded the longboat.
He watched the flames flickering, consuming the wood and wondered how Seth had
acquired such powers. He laughed to himself; he bloody well knew if he was honest
with himself. He also wondered if Seth’s younger brother had acquired them too.
His thoughts were interrupted by Sten shouting that the boat was ready. Frode
stood and kicked the pot of water onto the fire and told Bjar’s to bring the
damn pot and they headed for the boat.
Robert was impressed with the big moor who followed the stream closely; stopping every now and again to swish his hand in the waters. The abductor was clever using the shallow river to leave no tracks, but the moor was following him without too much difficulty. “He’s heading for Black Raven Hill and then I strongly suspect Hanging Hill; that’s the only place a Viking boat could reach without grounding itself.” Robert informed them and Jericho agreed with his reasoning.
What concerned Jericho [and the team] was the strange man who accompanied Frode on his raids; Seth. Was he a minion of the Dark prince? If so, that would explain the souls that have gone missing in the previous two raids by Frode. If he was, that presented a real problem for them [the team] – would he [Seth] know that the Dark Prince wanted Alex for himself? If so, that would mean rescuing Alex almost immediately. If Seth didn’t know; then the plan could proceed.
Robert pointed out that they would have to reach Alex before she reached Hanging Hill because if the Vikings were waiting; then they simply didn’t have enough fighting men to take on thirty odd Vikings and win. Jericho really was impressed with young Robert; he thought clearly and with good reasoning. That’s when John, the sergeant-at-arms dropped his little bombshell. He had lived around this part of the woods as a boy and knew there was an old traders pass that cut through Joana’s Wood and emerged just beneath Hanging Hill. He believed it might take three or four hours off the journey to the hill by the river. It was agreed to take that route.
Jericho – now knowing where his quarry would be [Seth] – sent a message to Alex to try and delay her journey so they could get ahead of her and arrive before the Vikings. She replied that she would try. Robert of course, was not privy to any of these communications with Alex.
Alex smiled to herself and shouted at the man; “I’m so sorry but this lady needs some time to herself. Can we stop for a couple of minutes?” He turned – unsmiling – and simply said; “No.” Alex smiled at him and said, “I really need to stop. I need to go, do you understand?” He turned again and stared at then sighed; he understood. He slid from his horse and walked back, gently pulling her from the donkey and said, “I’m not untying your hands; you can manage your dress and you don’t leave my sight, do you understand?” Then he smiled. Alex just nodded and took a few steps away and squatted down. She slowly rolled up her dress and petticoats revealing her leggings and boots. He stood watching really carefully as she continued to pull her dress and Petticoats right up. She stared right back at him and started to piss. She knew he could see her thighs and fanny.
He rubbed his chin and gestured to her crotch; “Never seen one shaved before, do all ladies do that?” He asked and Alex smiled; really smiled at him. She said softly; “I don’t know about other ladies, but it stops bloody lice finding a new home!” and stopped pissing. He laughed and walked straight up to her as she slowly stood; making no effort to pull down her dress. He ran a hand over her face and said quietly; “Lady, I think I really do understand what you really wanted to stop for.” She said nothing. He pulled the rope from around her hands and smiled.
He was quite a rough man and pushed her onto the grass and lay between her legs, tugging down his dirty woolen leggings and pulling up his shirt. She pulled her dress well up, so he didn’t dirty or damage it. She watched as he held his erecting cock with one hand whilst he fingered her vagina with the other. Then he lifted that hand and sniffed his fingers. “Good you’re clean and not poxed.” He said and licked his fingers. He spat on his hand and rubbed her fanny for a few seconds. “That’ll do, being a widow woman, you’ll know how to take cock.” He then pushed his cock into her and lifted her legs up a little. He started to fuck, slowly and gently at first, and then he speeded up and went deeper.
“No foreplay then?” She asked with some sarcasm, and he shook his head: “Nah, I only drink good English beer. I’m not one for those fancy French wines. Now be a good woman and shut up, lay still and let me enjoy your honey pot.” Alex just sighed.
Supporting his weight on both hands, he thrusted with real power and commitment. Alex – up on her elbows - lay watching his cock disappearing in and out of her cunt without comment. She guessed he wasn’t one for small talk, even in the middle of fucking. He had her for a few minutes and then told her that he would ‘shaft’ her like a dog. He pulled his cock from her, and Alex turned over onto all fours and he pushed his cock roughly back inside her as she held her dress with one hand off her back.
“That’s better.” He
murmured and really started to fuck her hard, deep and fast. Alex was a little
surprised that he hadn’t made her take her breasts out; he had clearly admired
them under her blouse.
“Do you want me to take my tits out?” She asked him and he chuckled. “Nah, but thanks for offering; I’ll have them for a sweet when I’ve finished with your honey pot.” Alex shrugged; well, that’s different she thought. He took his time and really did enjoy fucking her; he gripped her hips and fucked like his life depended on it and Alex stifled some groans as her vagina was now really reacting to his thrusting cock. She gripped her dress with one hand while the other grabbed at the grass, she couldn’t stop herself having a couple of small orgasms with his rough fucking and he loved that.
“Good girl, it’s nice when the woman enjoys it too.” He said and gave her arse a real hard slapping. He just cussed a little as he came inside of her, and she felt him spurt three or four times quite powerfully. He remained kneeling in her and took a couple of breaths; “Sweet Lord in Heaven, I enjoyed that. I haven’t emptied my sacks in a couple of weeks. Now I’ll have my desert.”
He pulled his cock from her and pulled her around to him and they were now both on their knees. He pulled at her blouse and bodice and scooped her big breasts out gripping each one with a hand. “Hold still girl.” Was all he said and stuffed one into his mouth. Alex actually winced a little; he was using his teeth as well as his tongue. He wasn’t gentle with her tits, and she told him twice that he was hurting her. He only left her tits once to tell her to ‘shut up or get his belt across her arse and back’. She knew full well that he meant it and placed a hand over her mouth to cut off any small screams or bad language. He feasted on her big tits and nipples for some minutes. Then simply dropped them and stood up, wiping his mouth.
Alex held her breasts and wasn’t happy; they had little bites and small bruises were forming. They clearly showed fingers marks and her nipples were sore. She watched as he jerked his cock a couple of times which was erect again and he grabbed her hair and lifted her head; “Open your pie hole girl. I’m going to fuck your mouth and you will drink down my seed.” With that comment he pushed his cock into her mouth and started to thrust. He grunted with satisfaction; “When I shoot, I want to hear you swallowing it down, no fucking spitting or puking it up or you get the belt. Do you understand?” She could only nod; her mouth was full of cock.
Thankfully, fucking Alex’s mouth was quite a turn on for him and he soon ejaculated, holding Alex’s head firmly so she couldn’t do anything except swallow, which she did quite noisily much to his delight. He patted her head; “Good girl. I’ll take a piss and you can have a drop of wine for being a good girl.” He yanked his cock from her mouth and really grinned. She yelled in surprise and disgust as he pissed over her face and tits. She jumped back but he took hold of her hair and held her firm until he had finished pissing. He let Alex go; now sobbing. “You’ve been a good girl, so I won’t take me belt to you. Now get back on the bloody donkey. We have a fair way to go.” He walked back to his horse pulling up his leggings and straightening his dirty shirt.
She climbed slowly on the donkey and the pair set off in silence. She wasn’t happy that he hadn’t satisfied her or even bothered to try, but what did she expect; it was 958AD after all. But what did annoy her was the fact that he didn’t throw the goatskin bag full of wine back to as promised!
She fumbled under her cloak to discreetly message Jericho and almost panicked; her mirror was gone. She stared back at the little clearing and suspected it had fallen from cloak whilst having rough sex with the taciturn man riding ahead. She groaned with bitter disappointment and some trepidation; she would have to survive without it.
John – the sergeant-at-arms – spurred his horse down a slight embankment and gestured to part of the woods where the trees grew thickly and were almost touching each other. This part of the forest almost seemed darker than the rest and colder. Robert pulled his cloak about his shoulders and gripped the hilt of his sword; which Jericho noticed. “A dark and forbidding place, no mistake about that.” He said to Robert who nodded; “They call it ‘Wicce Woods’ on account that a mad old woman resides there who is suspected of being a witch. The locals leave her be and she leaves them alone. I suspect she’s just that; a mad old woman and a poor creature that should be pitted and not feared.”
Ahead, John gestured them forward and they followed him into the semi-darkness of Joana’s Wood despite it being early morning with the sun now up.
Seth knelt by the hearth and poked the modest fire with a stick and checked the small pot that was suspended above it. He smiled at the old woman wrapped in her thick shawl; her grey hair tied with a girlish red ribbon. She rubbed her arthritic legs through her dark dress and smiled back; “You are better to your mother that ‘the other one’ – at least you visit when on a raid – the little serpent doesn’t even bother to send a scrawny chicken to his old mother, and he lives here!”
Seth chucked and poked the fire into greater life; “He’s full of pomp and ceremony and his ego flies above all else. But enough about ‘the other one’ I have need of your council and Seeing Eye.” He sighed and dumped the big canvas bag at her feet. She quickly pulled it open with some anticipation and clapped her hands together.
“Cheese, smoked meats and wine! You are good to me Seth my ‘First One’. Yes, good to me!” She declared with a big toothless grin. Seth patted her leg and leaned back a little, watching the wisps of smoke disappearing through the roof thatch. She examined a big round cheese covered in dark cloth that had been waxed and sniffed at it. “So, you have been raiding the Franc’s again, they are always good for wine and cheese….and beautiful feisty women.” She cackled and held up the smoked ham, sniffing it with some gusto and smiling. She replaced everything and shifted on her stool. “I know what you want, I’ve already seen.” She laughed and tapped the side of her head. “Oh, yes, I’ve already seen what you fear.”
Seth nodded; he guessed the old woman would know the reason for his visit so early in the summer. Very little passed her all Seeing Eye. She ran a boney hand over her well-worn face and tapped fingers against her chin. “A dream during the day whilst hanging out the damn washing; it made me tired, and I had to rest afterwards but I saw. Oh yes, I saw them.” Seth leaned forward and just nodded.
She sighed and scratched her hair, cussing about the damn lice and the cruelty of a supposed loving God. “There are five of them here. Four are but one team and the fifth – whilst one of them – is not one of them and watches over them and you. Beware of the beauty my son; to mortal men she is a Goddess, and many would kill just to possess her. But beneath the beauty and promise of heavenly intercourse lies a serpent with a fatal bite. She is most deadly because she can deceive with a smile and loving touch. The big dark man can be controlled, as can the dumb looking younger one who is – in reality – both man and woman. But he is clever when in either form. The real problem lies with their master; he is cunning, intelligent, brave and totally devoted to his masters. He will hunt you down and destroy everything you are trying to achieve. They are close my son; very close.” The old woman finished speaking and patted her son’s face, adding; “Even as we speak together, they come ever closer, but one is missing. The beauty that Frode desires has been indulging in her carnal pleasures again and has made a terrible mistake and now is vulnerable. Strike fast my son and present Frode with a gift, so that your control over him continues and you find what you….we seek.”
Seth eased himself up and kissed his mother, pulling his travelling cloak around himself. Without another word spoken between the two he swept from the modest little cottage and returned to his horse. He mounted quickly and galloped from the clearing towards Hanging Hill and the two Long Ships of his ‘friend’ Frode. He smiled as he rode; he would present his old friend something that will make him amicable to any plans that he produced [Seth that is] and then he needed to deal with the agents of the unloving and uncaring God.
A little distraught at losing her mirror, Alex gripped the rope that controlled her donkey with both hands and watched her abductor eating an apple as he rode. She cursed her carelessness at losing her mirror and looked around for a way to escape. That’s when she saw the figure on horseback emerge from the thick woods in front of them. He was very tall in the saddle, dressed in a dark cloak with knee-length riding boots and with a completely bald or shaved head. What she did notice that was very strange for a man of these times [apart from priests] was that he carried no sword. She also noticed that he was olive skinned and must be Spanish or southern French in origin.
Alex noticed that her ‘abductor’ had seen him and pulled his sword from his side and was ready with it. As the other horseman approached, he dropped the rope that tethered Alex’s donkey to his boot. The pair faced off some yards from her. The stranger bowed a little in the saddle and addressed the man in his native tongue. “I have come for the woman. I will pay you in gold pieces and not English pennies. Do you accept a solid pound of gold from the Franc’s as payment?”
He pulled a small sack from his saddlebag and shook it, then threw it carefully at the man who caught it with some agility, He peered inside and wiped his brow; the stranger had not lied. The little bag was at least a pound in weight, and it was full of Franc gold pieces. Seth smiled; “Frode would pay only half that amount my friend as you well know, so do we have a bargain?” the man stared back at Alex and shrugged his shoulders; “Sorry my dirty little lady - though I use the title lady loosely – I must accept the strangers generous offer and you are his now. But thanks for your generosity.” He pushed the bag into the sack that hung at his saddles’ side and galloped off, leaving Alex with her ‘new master’.
She folded her arms and stared at Seth; “And who the hell are you?” she asked, a little angry that she been abducted and then traded like a fine horse. Seth edged his horse up to her and smiled, patting his mount. “You are indeed as beautiful as Frode said and believed and I will now take you to his impatient arms.”
Alex was puzzled by that; “If you work for Frode and the price was half a pound of gold, why on earth did you just pay the man a full pound; that doesn’t make sense.” Seth grinned; “Ah, but I will be presenting you to Frode and not some grubby little peasant and my standing with the Norse Prince will be cemented forever and he will give me whatever I desire. Just plans within plans my little serpent.” He rode up close and took hold of the donkey’s rope; “Now my little gift, we best be going; your friends approach through Joana’s Woods and I suspect they will follow the trail of the happy peasant and not ours!” He spurred his horse and headed towards Hanging Hill Woods with a very concerned and unhappy Alex in tow.
5. HANGING HILL ESTUARY.
Jericho’s mirror showed that Alex’s mirror was moving back towards Peek’s crosswords; away from Hanging Hill and where the Viking long ships would be. He shook his head and whispered to Wilson – who rode next to him – “Something’s amiss here, Alex is showing that she’s heading back to Peek’s Crossroads and that’s not right. Something has happened to her.” Wilson – now concerned – nodded. This incident called for a major and urgent change of plan and Jericho had his hands tied with Robert and his men in close company. He dropped back to speak with Owen and informed him of the crisis they now faced. Owen actually surprised him with quite a good idea and Jericho agreed with the plan. He was really impressed; Owen was thinking like a proper temporal detective now! Jericho rode back to Wilson and informed him of the new plan. He was also impressed and nodded his respect at Owen. They had passed deep in Joana’s Wood when they came across the small cottage with wisps of smoke rising through the thatch. The old woman appeared to be waiting for them, leaned on a stick with a huge black cat at her feet. Owen decided the time was right for his plan and called out to Jericho – dismounting – and checking his horse’s rear legs. The old woman held up and hand; ”Good morning young Robert Stoneman, I see you keep strange company.” Robert didn’t smile and asked if she had seen a beautiful lady with maybe one or more men.” The old woman shrugged her shoulders; “I have had only one visitor this good morning; my eldest son bringing food and wine for his old mother.”
Wilson was discretely checking her against Human Records on his mirror and he tapped Jericho and spoke really quietly; “Lady Margret Goodfellow of this time and place; her dispatch date is September next year when she dies of pneumonia. She had two sons….” He saw Robert turning to them and hid his mirror. “I think its best we head on to the Estuary and keep the advantage of cutting through Joana’s Wood.” Jericho nodded and they were interrupted by Owen saying that his mount had gone slightly lame and that a day’s rest should do the trick. Jericho agreed and they left him behind – to catch up later – and headed for the Estuary.
The old woman smiled at the young man and said nothing as he fussed over his horse. She slipped back into her cottage and Owen walked the horse back into the woods. He remounted and operated his mirror to take him straight to Alex’s apparently lost mirror. It was a good job that he still held his mirror in his hands when he appeared – still mounted – next to Tom Newfield who was drinking from his goatskin of wine. He threw the goatskin down and grabbed for his sword. Owen was faster and stunned him with his mirror and Tom tumbled from the horse and lay on the grass.
Owen realised that Alex was not here and that really concerned him. He leapt from his horse and searched the still Tom and really groaned in despair when he pulled Alex’s mirror from inside the man’s shirt pocket. He sent a message to Jericho immediately that their worst fears were confirmed. Alex was missing and had no mirror to protect her. Owen walked back to his horse and before remounting, slapped Tom’s horse across the backside and the beast ran off, snorting and whining into the woods and disappeared. “That’s for nicking Alex’s mirror you twat. I hope you enjoy the walk.” He shouted at the unconscious Tom and jumped upon his horse and operated his mirror. Tom woke some half an hour later and felt like he was suffering a hangover. He almost panicked when he saw that his horse and its precious cargo were gone. But he kept his head and almost heartbroken started to walk towards the woods and the track that would lead him to Peek’s Crossroads.
Thomas Newfield trudged through the woods, cussing with his head down and his sword resting on his shoulder. He was desperately looking for his horse and of course; the bag of gold that the beast carried. But the alternative to the horse running off was quite unthinkable for Tom; that the young man who appeared from nowhere had taken his horse and would discover the gold. He cussed several times and walked on in utter despair.
Seth stopped suddenly and stared into the sky, then the dark woods that lay ahead and cussed loudly. He turned to Alex and didn’t smile; “There’s a storm coming and it’s a bad one. I don’t think my friend Frode will be sailing anywhere tonight or on the morrow.” Alex looked about; she could see no signs of any storm. “Are you sure?” she asked and patted her donkey.
He nodded and spurred his horse on still cussing about the bloody Saxon weather. Alex turned on her donkey and just caught sight of the figure standing in the trees behind them. A man – possibly – dressed in black from head to boots. He was standing arms folded, watching the pair carefully. The figure faded from view as they skirted a small ridge and plunged into the woods ahead. She wondered if Seth had seen him.
It started with small droplets of rain as the sky dramatically darkened, they quickly turned into a waterfall of rain and the wind picked up considerably. Seth had been right, and the storm hit with some force. Alex pulled her cloaks hood up and gripped the donkey’s reins as they were battered by wind and rain. Both she and Seth knew they would have to find shelter and fast.
Moving quickly through the torrential rain, Seth shouted back; “There! By the rock wall, it’s the ‘Black Shadow’ caves! Let’s go!” He spurred his horse on and Alex did the same with the donkey. They disappeared into the darkness of the big cave, and both dismounted, shaking water from themselves like dogs from a river swim. “By Christ you were right about the storm, how did you know the weather would change so violently?” Alex sounded impressed. Seth just slowly smiled; “If I told you lady, you would consider me mad or a liar of epic proportions.” He said quietly.
Alex shook her cloak and said softly; “Try me, I’ve heard that the truth is far more bizarre than any campfire tale.” Seth chuckled; “Now, that is true my lady.”
Sheltering under some huge trees, Wilson pulled Jericho close and whispered; “That old woman has two sons, one is the bishop who hates Vikings with a passion and little wonder. They killed his father and abused him as a child. But the other brother is a missing soul. He’s called Seth and missed his departure date in 971AD. There are numerous flags against him by Operational Intelligence; he’s a notorious time jumper. But – apparently – not a follower of the dark side. He has been in this time and place for almost two years now, so it must be important to him or….” Jericho rubbed his chin; “Or he’s lost his time portal device and that’s why he’s searching high and low.” Wilson nodded; he had made the same conclusion.
“Time to lose our bodyguards I think.” Jericho muttered and called Robert over as the rain eased a little. He explained if they split into two teams, the search would be quicker. Robert reluctantly agreed to the logic of that. With only light rain falling now, Jericho and Wilson watched the good captain depart. He quickly pulled out his mirror and said quietly; “Time for a body search.” Wilson agreed and pulled out his mirror as Owen trotted up through the tress. “Body search.” Was all Jericho said to him.
The
trio split and disappeared into the damp forest.
Seth and his reluctant travel mate skirted the small ridge and made for the Viking encampment. There were several groups of men standing around cooking fires and not one raised their hands in salute [as was the custom] as Seth rode into camp. Then they saw the ‘prize’ he was carrying. They gathered around a grinning Frode who slapped his friend with genuine warmth. “By Thor what a fucking beauty! You never fail me my friend and what you wish will be done!” Frode shouted, very roughly helping Alex down from her donkey. He walked around her, like he was examining [and admiring] a fine horse. He scratched his beard and nodded several times, “Not too skinny and not to fat. Nice big milkers and a fine round arse. All in all, quite a woman and she speaks our tongue?” he spoke to Seth, but it was Alex that answered him – in Norse – “Thank you for your compliments, Prince Frode but you’ll make far more gold if you hand me back to my brother. He’s a very rich merchant from London and will pay well for my return: unharmed. He will pay far more than just a pound of Frankish gold. Much more.”
Frode nodded and smiled; “So I hear my lady, but you are worth far more to me than gold. Far more. I am currently a Prince of Vikings, but my ambition lies with the King of Vikings and such a great king will need a great Queen.” He smiled and patted her face, adding; “That’s you by the way.” She felt a strange tingle with his touch and stared at him. He seemed strangely familiar but that was impossible. He ordered one of the Saxon women to attend ‘his lady’ and settle her in the long boat. The woman – called Gwen – just nodded and gestured for Alex to follow her. They were helped aboard by Bjars who grinned and winked at Alex; “I shouldn’t wander too far from your cabin woman. Most of the men here would strangle their beloved grandmother to fuck you.” He chuckled and bowed a little. Gwen told him to ‘fuck off’ in Saxon and pulled the rough curtain across the small room, which normally held the plunder and stores. She almost smiled at Alex; “They’re fucking animals, two have already had me. Better to the let the bastards fuck you than have your head opened with an axe. They don’t last long and know nothing about women, my old grandfather fucked me better.”
Now that revelation did leave Alex a little speechless. She eased herself down and could feel movement of the boat and could hear the men singing as they pushed out the longboat. There was little wind, so the men rowed – again singing with each stroke – and the two long ships left the safety of the small harbour, heading for the mouth of the estuary. Alex gripped a bundle of cloths and shook her head; “Where the hell are you Jericho Tibbs, when you’re really needed.”
6. THE CALVARY?
Seth was not a happy man: he sat at the bow of the slow-moving boat and watched the riverbanks. Yet another mission to these lands had proved fruitless. He cussed and wiped spray from his face and then sat bolt upright. On the eastern bank, standing amongst the trees was the ‘man in black’ as Seth called him. With some cheek, Seth raised a hand to him in mock salute and to his surprise, the figure raised an arm back. “If you have my precious little thing, I’ll tear your entrails out and make you eat them with your dying breath!” He stood and yelled at the figure who simply folded his arms. Frode tapped his shoulders and asked with some concern, who he was yelling at. Seth stared at the riverbank and saw no-one there. He just shook his head and managed a smile. He and Frode sat at the bow and talked quietly together, watched through the filthy curtain by Alex. She now wondered about the connection between Seth and the ‘man in black’. She laid back against the bundle of cloth and stared up at the fragile wooden timbers of the ‘room’s’ roof. Gwen sat opposite, scratching her arms and legs, and managed a smile. “Bleeding shouting at the devil don’t do any good. Only makes the bastard laugh. He’s after that evil bugger’s soul all right.”
Alex sat up; “You saw the man in black too?” she asked, and Gwen nodded. “Seen him the woods before those bastards [the Vikings] turned up. Heard from a couple of villages that were raided, the man in black showed up there too. He’s after that one’s soul, no mistake.” Alex peered across the stern and watched the riverbank disappearing behind her. That’s when she saw the three horseman on the ridge. She didn’t need a telescope or her mirror to recongnise her colleagues, even at this distance. Now that did make her smile.
Jericho lowered his mirror and cussed; “She’s on board. Now this does require a bloody cunning plan.” Wilson nodded and ran a hand over his face, then tapped Jericho’s shoulder; “I think we have company and I think you know him.” They watched as the ‘man in black’ strode between the tree’s towards them. Wilson was right, they didn’t need their mirror to identify him: it was Jericho’s brother Alistair. [See episode, ‘Alexandra’s dirty weekend in 1970’s Brooklyn.]
“Nice costume Alistair.” Was all Jericho said as his brother patted his horse. “Ah, Jericho, I thought you would like it. I think it makes me look quite dashing, a sort of dark Errol Flynn.” Jericho just grunted and asked what he was doing here, in this time and place. Alistair smiled and waved a hand around; “On a case of course dear brother, on a case.” Owen scratched his head and asked outright [as usual] “What case?”
Alistair chuckled; “The joys of youth hey Jericho, just comes out with it. Wonderful.” Jericho nodded; “Well, what are you doing here, I mean, what’s here that could remotely interest a Special Agent of the almighty.” Alistair gestured towards the departing Longboats. “They are my dear little brother, they are. Or rather who’s aboard one of them.” Jericho ran a hand other his face; “So you have the character called ‘Seth’ on your radar too?” Alistair shook his head [which surprised the team]”Oh no, he’s just a rogue time jumper, that’s your specialty. He searches for his daughter he had by a local woman. She ran off with another man and took her. He knows she around here somewhere and that’s why the fellow hasn’t jumped for a couple of years. Apparently, the girl is a ‘passer’ like her grandmother. You’ve met her of course, she warned Seth about you and your motley crew. Oh yes, she’s quite genuine.”
Jericho, now a little puzzled, asked his secretive brother who was he after on the longboat. Alistair sighed; “Oh my dear little brother, I thought you would have worked that one out easily. I am disappointed.” Jericho just grunted; “Just tell us, if it’s no great secret Alistair, who are you after.”
Alistair sighed; “Well, for your information I’m saving your wayward Alexandra from a supposed fate worse than death. I’m shadowing our equally wayward prince of darkness on his brother’s direct orders. Basically, a surveillance mission.” The team all exchanged a really concerned glance and Jericho spoke quietly, “You mean Frode has acquired Alex for the dark prince?”
Alistair shook his head and sighed again; “Oh Jericho, you are so not on top of this. Frode IS the Dark Prince in one of his human disguises. When he said that Alexandra will be a Queen, he actually meant it!” Owen wasn’t happy with that revelation; “That’s fucking shit! What the hell are we going to do about it?”
Wilson took a deep breath and muttered; “Now that’s a fucking good question baby brother.” Jericho stared at the longboats, now almost at the mouth of the estuary. “Well, what are WE going to do about it?” he directed his question to his smiling brother. Alistair patted the horse again; “Well, the dear prince never reveals his true self whilst amongst living humans – just like his brother – so that gives us a huge advantage. We also have another huge advantage: me. Of course!” Jericho just sighed at that; his brother’s ego would make Mount Everest look like a mole hill. “So, what’s your plan Alistair.” He asked slipping from his horse. Alistair just gestured to the riverbank, “That’s it.”
Wilson
and Owen dropped from their horse’s and stood staring at the riverbank. Even
Owen couldn’t say anything for a few seconds, then blurted out; “It’s a fucking
U-Boat!” And he was right. [UB-44 appears in the ‘Temporal Detectives’ episode;
‘UB-44 and the battle for Atlantis’ which is currently unpublished.]
“Come on, Captain Franz Wagner is an old friend of mine.” Alistair led the amazed trio down the gentle riverbank’s slope. “We’ll wait until they’re on open water before enacting my plan which I have modestly called ‘How Alistair Tibbs saved the reluctant Lady of Cappanni from a fate that IS actually worse than death because she’s already dead’. Catchy little title wouldn’t you say?” All three just sighed; loudly and obviously. Alistair just muttered; “Suit yourselves, I thought it was clever and succinct, like me.” Owen made the ‘wanker’ gesture behind his back and Wilson really found it difficult not to laugh outright. Jericho just nodded his agreement but was quietly amazed at what the Supplies Department could conjure up!
The longboats were now on the sea [well, the English Channel to be precise] and Gwen was heaving up over the side, being held tightly by a concerned Alex. The longboat was rocking, dipping and rising with the waves. The rain was falling in rough gusts with the growing wind and the single sail was now filling, and the boat seemed to speed up dramatically. Seth stood holding the dirty curtain up, he was certainly impressed by Alex’s fortitude in such a rough sea. “I used to sail with my brother Charlie.” Was all she said, when Seth asked about it. She didn’t mention – of course – that was some thousand years in the future!
Seth came straight to the point for his visit; he pulled a drawing from his pocket and held it out; “Have you ever seen this girl? She must be about twelve or thirteen now. You have travelled the miserable Saxon lands and may have seen her.” Alex took the drawing and stared hard it and slowly nodded. Seth now stepped in, full of interest. “Where woman? Where have you seen her!” he shouted with unrestrained excitement in his voice.
Alex lowered the drawing and managed to smile; “Back at the King’s castle, she was working as a Laundress, she and her brother were hired for my brother’s mission to strike a treaty with the Vikings. She was to be my Ladies maid and her brother help with the horses. I assume they are still with him.” Seth clasped his hands together in joy, snatching back the drawing and hurrying from the ‘cabin’. ‘What a bloody turn up for the books’ Alex thought, then her attention was drawn back to poor Gwen. If puking was an Olympic sport, then Gwen would be a gold medal prospect. The ensuing storm didn’t improve her condition and she was quite ill. Alex was amazed to see some of the ’sea toughened’ Vikings heaving up over the sides. She could also hear the argument between Seth and Frode above the noise of the storm. Seth, it appears wanted to return to the Saxon lands immediately and Frode was against that.
7. SEX & STORMS.
Alex had managed to settle Gwen down and she was having a troubled sleep as the longboat dipped and rolled with the rough waves, but Alex was coping with the bad weather really well. She sat with a blanket around her in the darkness of the makeshift cabin. She yawned and lay back against a roll of cloth to sleep but the curtain was pulled back and Frode slipped in, he appeared totally unaffected by the angry sea and dropped next to Alex, placing his sword down. He ran his fingers through his beard and gave Alex’s arm a gentle tap. “Woman I have need of my new wife’s body. How do you wish this done? Don’t protest or scream or shout or try to fight. You and I both know that it will end in me fucking you. So, it depends on whether you want to be beaten before sex or not. Decide now.”
Alex
just stared at him and sighed. “Well my dear husband, that’s the most loving
and romantic way I have ever heard a man ask for sex from a woman.” And folded
her arms. Frode laughed and ran both hands through his long hair. “Oh dear woman,
you fill my dark heart with joy. Now, how do you wish to submit to me?” He was
pulling down his leggings and removing his fur jacket. Alex sat back and
weighted her options: she had none. Except to let her ‘new husband’ have his
way with her. She certainly knew that he would beat her into submission so
fighting would be pretty stupid, painful and dangerous. If he became very
violent, a big man like him could easily kill her and then her soul would be
lost to the darkness, and she would be truly dead. So with her deliberations
done Alex pushed the blanket off and rolled up her skirt and petticoats, opening
her legs and lay back staring at the dirty canvas ceiling.
Frode chuckled, “That’s good woman. You are intelligent as you are beautiful. I will now take you. Unlace your bodice, those hidden beauties now belong to your husband, and he wants them.” Sighing, Alex unlaced her bodice as commanded, her magnificent breasts spilling out. Now Frode did smile and wipe his mouth, “Oh my dear lady, you are going to warm many cold nights in my grand longhouse. Now dear wife, can you handle this as is, or do you want me to grease it?” Alex leaned up on her elbows and stared at him and what he was holding. She now ran a hand over her face and said quietly, “My dear husband, you really need to wet that.” Frode, the Prince of Vikings had a cock that was more suited for a King of Vikings. It was big, very big indeed. He gripped his equally huge balls and chuckled, “These are full of seed and ache to be emptied. Your pot of honey is the perfect place for them. And being a good and gentle husband I will spread chicken fat on my manhood for your sake.”
Alex shook her head: ‘bloody chicken fat! Welcome to the dark ages Alexandra Cappanni’. She watched him fumble in the sack that he had carried in and produce a little stone jar and popped the cork. He spread some of the grey jelly carefully around his cock and grunted, replacing the stopper, and dropping it back in the bag. Alex waved a hand about her face, the smell of foul and grease was overpowering. “For Christs sakes! I will smell like the bloody hens after the Cockrill has visited them.” She said and shook her head. Frode laughed, “No my dear one, the smell will be like you’ve been visited by a bull!” He knelt between her legs and smiled again. “My beloved Odin I give thanks for this little Gateway to Valhalla and the battle I’m about to fight. Let this woman be blessed with sons who carry my blood or daughters in her image.” He then threw back his head and shouted, “skål! Skål! Skål!” Then mounted Alex without another word said and he wasn’t too gentle about it. He fucked Alex the way she actually enjoyed the most: hard and fast. He expertly balanced his body on one hand whilst the other enjoyed her breasts and his mouth, those big nipples. He started slowly at first, pushing a little more cock in with each slow thrust, then speeded up and didn’t stop!
Gwen peered from under her blanket and rubbed her eyes, she simply couldn’t believe a so-called ‘Lady’ could fuck like a common whore. “Sweet Jesus! That bastard Viking must have Satan’s cock to make her behave like that!” She pushed her hand between her legs and vigorously rubbed and caressed her dirty vagina. It was quickly joined by the other hand, and she masturbated like she had never done so before. She couldn’t take her eyes of the couple fucking with such unbridled passion and quickly had an orgasm which made her dizzy. Strangely enough, her sea sickness had disappeared – for now – and she rubbed her leaking fanny with real passion. She orgasmed again, watching the pair fucking back in the missionary position.
Finally Frode came with a great deal of cussing, moaning and thanking Oden for his benevolence. The pair collapsed beneath the blankets and cloths, kissing slowly. Alex lay back, gasping and taking deep breaths as Frode ran a hand over her trembling stomach. He managed to say, ”I think wife, our first child is on the way.” And they both laughed and stared to kiss again. He ran his hand over sweating tear-stained face, “Can you manage it again? I last much longer on the second run.” Alex just shook her head, for the first time in a very time, she was tapped out.
Frode turned his head and shouted at Gwen, now sitting up, still masturbating wildly under her blanket. “Woman! Get over here, your master needs you.” Alex simply couldn’t believe it, Frode was gripping another big erection! Gwen crawled over as the boat rocked, she was pulling off her simple dress and blouse. “Yes sir!” was all she said and Frode – to Alex’s utter amazement and shock – mounted Gwen and started to fuck her: hard and fast! Alex collapsed back on the blankets and took more deep breaths, then managed to prop herself up on her elbows and watch the pair fucking on the bare boards and Gwen was cussing and moaning from the intense fucking she was receiving. Alex never saw the finish of that particular sex session in the stormy sea. She had fallen into a deep sleep, curled in a ball between the bails of cloth.
The morning was to bring much calmer weather and a huge surprise for everyone. Gwen and Alex lay – both stark naked – in each other’s arms until Frode shook Alex and kissed her forehead, saying that he would be back and that he would send food and wine to them. He chuckled; “I see you like the touch of another woman, when I return, I will watch you two playing together, then I will fuck you both. It will pass the morning.” He left and Alex rose and grabbed her clothes, she really, desperately needed a bath. But that was impossible, so she washed as best she could, in a bucket of cold water. She still couldn’t believe what had passed between her and Frode during the rough night. She could hear Gwen muttering about ‘bloody chickens’ and Alex had to laugh quietly.
Alex dressed and tucked Gwen up in her blanket and thought about Frode: she didn’t really know what had happened, but certainly didn’t regret it.
8. NJORD’S SEA MONSTER.
Gwen was filling a little better and managed to drink some beer but couldn’t face cold fish for breakfast. Alex had managed to pull some of the wood back at the rear of the cabin and watch from the stern. That’s when she really stared at the sea. There was something just below the surface, following the boats at some distance. She rubbed her eyes and cursed again at losing her mirror. Yes, there was something there, she could just make out the shape but wondered what the hell it could be in this year of 985AD. That’s when she heard all the shouting on deck; the lookout had sharp eyes too.
Alex eased herself up and made for the deck, joining Seth and Frode, both staring at the dark shadow beneath the waves. Frode seemed quite calm about its appearance, but Seth was shouting and waving his arms about, trying to tell the men not to fear the machine. But the shout: “Njord’s sea monster!” was going up and most of the crew took up that shout, cursing their luck for upsetting – in some way – the Norse God of the sea. Frode attempted to calm them down, but the Vikings were a superstitious people and feared their violent and unpredictable Gods. Alex could see the other longboats crew were also in chaos and fear.
Alex really had to discipline herself and not smile as the U-Boat started to rise, “I take my bleeding hat off to you mister Jericho Tibbs!” she muttered under her breath. Everyone [except Alex and Frode] watched in amazement as men appeared and rushed to a grey metal box with a tube pointing out. “Here we go!” Was all Alex said: she knew what was about to happen. The foredeck gun of U-44 fired a single shot which tore through the sail and part of the mast came down, causing hysteria amongst the normally brave and solid Viking warriors. She turned to speak with Frode and found he had gone. The sudden disappearance of their chief fueled real fear in the men, and they were now in a complete panic. They wouldn’t listen to Seth who was trying to shout orders. Alex carefully pulled off her shoes and pulled off her long skirt and petticoats. Some of the men stopped shouting and cussing to watch in amazement and some real pleasure. Alex simply slipped over the side and dropped into the water with a small splash. It was bloody cold, and she struck out for the U-Boat with her teeth chattering.
Captain Wagner ordered the inflatable boat over the side with two crew men and had another shot fired over the longboats for good measure and to keep the panic up. Jericho had to smile as he watched Alex – in just her underwear – dragged onto the small inflatable boat. “They say a cold dip in the morning does wonders for a woman’s complexion.” Alistair said with a broad grin and chuckled at his own supposed humour. Jericho turned to him and asked; “How the hell are you going to square this with the angel? I mean, a bloody U-Boat attacking Viking longships a thousand years before they were even invented?”
Alistair smiled and tapped his shoulder; “No explanation necessary my doubting little brother. Scandinavia is full of legends about sea monsters: the Vikings were a sea-faring people and so their culture is littered with tales and legends about sea monsters attacking ships. I dare say, I have just started another legend today. Except this one was factual, but who the hell will believe it!”
Jericho had to nod his agreement with that. He was mainly concerned about Alex, now wrapped in a seaman’s jacket, being helped aboard. Captain Wagner smiled and gestured to the dripping wet lady; “Quite a beauty Alistair, little wonder our Dark Prince has designs on her.” Alistair nodded; “Not today my old friend, not today.”
Jericho jerked his thumb down the hatchway as Alex joined them in the conning tower; “Get below and dry quickly. There’s hot coffee and brandy. There’s a lot to brief you on.” Alex didn’t argue with that order and disappeared below, really anticipating a hot coffee laced with brandy. She was welcomed with hugs and broad smiles by Wilson and Owen. Sipping her coffee, she managed to say; “What the hell is the other bloody Tibbs doing here?” Owen just took her arm and they headed for the captain’s cabin where she could dry and change into some warm clothes. “I’ll explain, but he actually saved your bacon in a big, big way.” Alex nodded and now was intrigued. She had dried and changed into a seaman’s uniform and jacket when Jericho stuck his head around the curtain that was the door. “You had a real lucky escape there Alexandra, Frode was the Dark prince in one of his many human disguises. Alistair was sent to keep him under observation and came up with this.”
Alex took a deep breath and sighed; now she realised what she felt when his hand touched her face; unbridled power. “We’re headed back to the estuary, do you see what’s Seth’s time device was?” Jericho asked as Owen joined them and handed Alex her precious mirror, which she kissed and gripped tightly. She shook her head; “No, I didn’t see it and didn’t have my mirror to check.” She shrugged her shoulders and pushed her mirror into the jacket pocket. “But I did find out what Seth is searching for…” Owen interrupted her; “Yeah, his daughter. Alistair told us.”
Alex sighed; “I bet know it all Alistair didn’t tell you we all know her.” Jericho ran a hand over his chin; “We know her?” Alex nodded; “It’s only bleeding young Alice, he showed me a drawing and it was her alright.” Jericho – with a big smile spreading that could prove interesting and rewarding.” Wilson appeared with another cup of hot coffee and handed it to Alex but spoke to Jericho; “Captain Wagner will drop us off at an isolated spot in the estuary where we can jump unseen.” Jericho shook his head; “Our gallant comrade has just imparted some information which means we can tie this mission’s loose ends up quite nicely.”
Owen sat on the single bunk; “Well, we solved the cases of missing souls; they joined the Dark Side. Who would refuse the prince himself, especially if they didn’t want to face the judgement of the angel. Remember the saying ‘better dark than judged’. And I bet the buggers had done some things to merit a harsh judgement.” Wilson agreed with that but also agreed with Jericho; “If we can get Seth’s time device off him, then his traveling days are over. Now that’s what I call a good ending.”
Alex joined Owen on the bunk and sipped her coffee, “I’m no geneticist but Alice is pale as milk and Seth is clearly olive skinned, you wouldn’t have said he was her father in a million years. So, there’s a story there too.” Owen nodded; “Come to think of it, Seth’s mother is white as milk too. I’ll check my mirror for his father, a Lord Albert Goodfellow if I remember rightly.” Wilson joined in; “Don’t forget that his brother the bishop must be white too, after all a dark bishop would be mentioned, wouldn’t it? I mean in this time and place.”
Owen looked up from his mirror and smiled; “Heads up people, according to Human Records Seth Goodfellow’s father is a certain Spanish navel captain! The bishop is Lord Albert’s only real son by blood. Their mother was clearly a bit naughty in her younger days. Little wonder there is very little brotherly love between the pair.” Jericho rubbed his chin and smiled a little; ”According to Alistair, both the mother and grandmother were ‘passers’ and so Alice has a strong possibility of being one too. Maybe that’s why Seth is so keen to locate her. Her grandmother warned him about us, so we know she’s the real deal. Maybe he needs to use her talent when poor old granny passes over.”
Alex nodded slowly; “Didn’t both Godwin and Alice say they buried their parents? I suppose they must mean their mother and stepfather.” Owen agreed and stated that Godwin had told him that.
Jericho shrugged his shoulders; “Well, it’s back to the mission. We’ll use Alice as bait and when Seth shows up, we’ll grab his damn time device. Simple really.” Owen groaned; “I wish you hadn’t said that Jericho, now the bloody wheel will come off for certain.” Everyone chuckled, but knew it was usually true!
9. OH, OF THE PLANS OF MICE AND MEN……
The two knights watered their horses in a fast-moving stream and passed a goatskin of wine between themselves. They stood in silence watching their mounts drink until Hubert of Greenfield finally took a deep breath; “How the fuck do we explain about the metal ship that can breath under water? The bishop will not hear of such things, you know what a prick he is, either it’s in the bible or it’s blasphemy!” Hubert stared at the river then added; “If we persist in telling him about the metal boat, he’ll call for the Inquisition and they won’t listen either. Fucking bastards….” Hubert slapped his mount and took a real deep breath. Roland simply nodded, he still hadn’t fully recovered from seeing the metal ship that can sink and rise again with all its crew still living. He patted his horse and wondered – who exactly – the wealthy merchant and his team actually were. He took a swig from the goatskin and passed it back to his colleague. “I have a strange feeling that they could be some sort of…servants or messengers…agents, for….” He really didn’t like to say it and it took some inner strength to just come out with it. “I think they are working for God.” Hubert stared at his friend and lowered the goatskin, the wine didn’t taste so good now. Both men stood in silence for a full minute or so, then Roland sighed. “Let us return and report everything we have seen except the metal monster. We will not lie to a bishop, but merely leave certain parts of the truth out. Then we, we have not lied, just not told the whole truth.” Now Hubert smiled at that and agreed.
“What about Father Cuthbert? He is so far up the bishop’s arse you can see his feet when his grace sits down!” Hubert chuckled, tying the goatskin to his saddle. Roland rubbed his rough beard; “The priest never saw the metal monster so all he reports will simply match what we say. There won’t be any fucking Vikings there to disagree!” Hubert nodded at that, and the pair quickly remounted and galloped off into the dark forest.
The team were dropped in a quiet inlet and after thanking Captain Franz Wagner and his crew [who really liked Alex – no surprise there!] the U-Boat slipped away and vanished. Alistair turned to Jericho and patted his shoulder; “I’m off now dear brother, if you ever need more help just call.” Jericho just grunted in reply, but Owen heard him mutter “Help my arse.” Under his breath and wondered what the real problem was between the two brothers. He quietly asked Alex about Alistair since she was his bloody sister-in-law too, with Jericho having been married to her sister Elizabeth.
Alex
shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t know really, the first time my family met him
was at the wedding and he was Jericho’s best man. They seemed like normal
brothers, you know, close. Lizzie seemed to like him too, so I don’t know what
happened because I met bloody Count Henri and….well, you know what happened
there.” Owen nodded, but he knew Alex really well now and knew that she wasn’t
quite being honest and that intrigued him more. When he asked Wilson about his ideas about the
trouble between Jericho and his brother, Wilson just shrugged his big shoulders:
“Maybe their ego’s got between them.” Now that did make Owen smile: the big man
was quite succinct in that observation he believed.
Supplies had provided a fresh outfit for Alex which she was disappointed with, it was just a copy of the old one! When she complained to Jericho he just muttered; “Continuity my girl, bloody continuity like in the moving pictures. Less bloody explaining to do. Where the hell would you have got a new dress in the middle of a forest?” Alex didn’t smile as she slipped behind Jericho on his horse. “The Vikings could have stolen some women’s dresses….” She didn’t finish because of the look he gave her. Owen chuckled; “Yeah, I can really see big hulking, blood thirsty Vikings stealing women’s dresses.” Wilson – laughing – had to agree with him. They set off to rejoin Father Cuthbert and the King’s Knight, but more importantly – to Jericho’s plans – young Alice and her brother.
Seth strode up the riverbank towards the forest and didn’t even look back as the longboat pulled away. Bjars gripped the rail and turned – unsmiling – to Gorm who stood watching, arms folded. “I am relieved to see the back of the sorcerer if I am honest with myself. You and I both warned Frode that he would cause disaster for us. Now Frode sleeps at the bottom of sea for all his ambitions. The God’s have always punished humans who get above themselves.” Gorm nodded slowly and shouted to the rowers ‘to dip oars!’ He had been elected captain of the boat and would return – with the other longboat – home. There would be feasting and drinking to mourn the passing of their chief Frode.
Sten joined them and scratched his rough beard; “There will be fighting to replace our chief. The Balich brothers will lay claim and they will have the King’s support, so it’s a done thing that one of them will lead us.” Gorm nodded again and unfolded his arms. “Yeah, but which of those bastards will it be?” Bjars smiled a little; “Does it matter my friends? They are like two peas in a cup, whichever it is means more fighting and rowing and I now seem to miss my wife and bed more these days.”
Sten laughed and slapped his shoulder; “Come on Bjars, you’re not ready to start farming and telling tall tales for meat and beer!” The trio all laughed, oh yes, you could always depend on Sten for a good laugh…..
Jericho’s mirror took the little gang straight to the wagon which was trundling through the dark woods escorted by the knight Robert Stoneman and his men. Alice was overjoyed to be back with ‘her lady’ and Alex took the girl to one side and asked about her father Seth who now travelled with the Vikings. Alice just wiped her face and said quietly; “Mother was afraid of him and his old crone of a mother. She believed he had sold his soul to the devil for powers and was cursed by God and his saints. I never speak of him and always say that John the farmer was my father. I just want him to leave me and Godwin alone. I don’t want any part in his ambitions.”
Alex nodded as the pair sat on the wagon’s rear step watching the woods passing behind them. Owen who was driving the wagon slowly eased the wagon to a halt and quietly shouted back; “We have company. Yell for Jericho.” Alex gestured to Jericho who was riding with Robert, talking quietly together. They rode up to the front of the wagon and found Seth standing there, arms on hips. He threw back his dark hood and shouted; “You have something which belongs to me. Hand her over.”
Owen rubbed his face; “You have to admire his balls, confronting us, a knight and six men at arms and his not even carrying a bloody sword.” Alice hid behind Owen and whispered; “That’s because he doesn’t need a bloody sword!” That’s when Seth lifted his arm and held the grey object aloft. Robert and his men didn’t know what it was and so weren’t intimidated by it, but Jericho and the team knew what it was: a bloody hand grenade!
“Hand my daughter over strangers or I will call down thunder and death from the heavens!” Seth’s nimble fingers pulled the pin and allowed it to drop but kept the small lever depressed. Wilson held his mirror below his cloak and then realised what it was saying. “He’s not carrying a time device because he IS the time device, just like old Wolfgang Leitcher and Judea of Thebes!”
Jericho sighed and ran a hand over his face, now that revelation was a real turn up for the books. There was little that they could do about Seth’s time travels now. But they needed to get Alice well away from her ‘doting’ father and quickly. Jericho sat back in the saddle and slowly pulled his mirror from his tunic. He stopped time – quite reluctantly because there were witnesses about – and slowly dropped from his horse. “Get the bloody grenade Wilson and do it really carefully!” Wilson wiped his face and hands, slowly picking up the discarded pin. He then took hold of Seth’s arm and prised open his fingers. He pulled the grenade free and with some calm courage, pushed the pin back in. He really did take a deep breath and shoved the dangerous little bomb into his cloak’s pocket.
Jericho searched Seth and found two more grenades in his old leather shoulder bag and a small automatic pistol, which he handed to Wilson with a wry smile; “Doesn’t know the rules of time travel yet.” Wilson collected the objects together and handed them to Owen who stored them in his own shoulder bag. Jericho held up a business card that he had found in Seth’s jacket pocket, “Doctor Gordon Juppe, Haybron House, North Turning, Yorkshire. Telephone Turning 212.”
Owen already was checking the details on his mirror, but Alex said quietly; “North Turning in Yorkshire, that rings a bell people, didn’t we have a mission there?” Wilson nodded; “Yes we did, that time jumping priest who couldn’t leave the women alone.” Jericho grunted and pushed the card into his tunic pocket. Owen didn’t smile; “According to Human Records, the only Gordon Juppe who has ever resided in North Turning lived there from 1947 to 1951. When he was called up for service in the Korean War as a Military Surgeon. He had served in that capacity in the latter stages of World War II and he…..” Owen looked up from his mirror. “He’s a missing soul! Disappeared from the human timeline in 1952 whilst serving as a doctor just behind the front lines. No trace of him was ever found. The British authorities showed him as ‘MIA’ until 1959 when he was declared dead. But no soul has ever been collected and he missed his departure date in 1976.”
“Well, that can wait. Let’s get this done.” Jericho said and operated his mirror, taking Seth with him. Wilson wiped his face; “Come on, we have only minutes left to move Alice and Godwin to a safe place.”
Robert stared about the quiet forest and shook his head and turned to John [his sergeant at arms] and rubbed his face; “What the hell happened there John? I mean, what the hell are we doing on the Droitwitch Road? Aren’t we supposed to be escorting some visitors of the King?” The good sergeant just shrugged his shoulders and looked about; “I have no bleeding idea sir. None.” Robert sat for a full minute and shook his head again. “Come on, let’s head back to the King’s castle. This is just plain stupid, sitting in the middle of the forest with no fucking idea why we are here.” John agreed with that, and the little party headed back to the castle, none the wiser for their strange experience. They had been taken back to the day they were supposed to escort Jericho and team 74 to the Vikings. That would now not happen, so they returned to barracks and enjoyed their lunch. Robert was informed that some Vikings under chief Balich [the elder] had raided villages on the coast and taken several women and children as plunder. It was understood that bishop Ley was not happy about the King’s indecision over the Viking raids: yet again.
Lady Rose Murray was more than happy to welcome Alice and her brother to her manor house in Northumberland. Her and Alex chatted for a few minutes, and she then showed her new ‘lady’s maid’ to her rooms, whilst the house steward showed the boy his new job in the stables. Godwin was over the moon: he loved horses. Lady Rose was a wealthy widowed woman who spent her leisure [and spare] hours as an agent for a certain Jericho Tibbs!
Seth found himself standing on Brighton beach with his arm raised much to the amusement of the hundreds of holiday Seth found himself standing on Brighton beach with his arm raised much to the amusement of the hundreds of holiday makers that packed it, this warm summer bank holiday in 1988. Some shouted at him about his ‘costume’ and others suggested he ‘fuck off’ before he scared the children. Seth strode from the beach leaving the laughter and catcalls behind. He cussed Jericho Tibbs soundly as he disappeared down the ’Men’s toilet’ on the seafront. Finding an empty cubicle, he calmed himself down and jumped back to 985AD, but he knew that Alice had probably been moved far away. He would visit his mother in the forest for advice. “You’ve not the heard the fucking last of me mister Jericho Tibbs!” was all he muttered as he strode through the forest towards his mother’s ramshackle house.
She was waiting, arms folded, and Seth didn’t have to explain much: his mother had already seen it.
CHARACTERS
Frode
[Viking Chief] was – in fact – the bloody Dark Prince in one of his many
human disguises. He really does love interfering in human history and playing ‘interesting’
humans, like a character called Frode the Viking Chief. He loved this
particular charade because he almost scooped up Alex as a bonus. There is no
doubt he’ll play such a game again. The Vikings on the longboat explained his disappearance
by saying he was lost overboard in the confrontation with ‘Njord’s Sea Monster!
Alistair Tibbs is a 'Special Agent' for God and his file is currently 'classified' - sorry about that!
Seth [Goodfellow?] was indeed a follower of the Dark Prince who had been granted ‘powers’ by the prince, like his mother had many years before. Whether he knew that ‘Frode’ was the Dark Prince is unknown. Like a certain Wolfgang Leitcher, Seth had the ability to jump in time without a time device. His current whereabouts is unknown, but Jericho knows that – like old Wolfgang – he will make a re-appearance, devotedly serving his Dark master.
Bjars [Viking Warrior] was killed – along with many of his crewmates – when their longboat sank in a storm in late 987AD. He had two wives and nine children who mourned the big man dearly. His soul was collected and processed, receiving fifty human years in quarantine for the odd murder and rape.
Gorm [Viking Warrior] survived the wreck of the longboat and was washed ashore in what would become Denmark. He joined King Harald I’s army and lived in North Jutland until his death in 1002. His soul was collected and processed: it spent fifty human years in quarantine before being allowed to re-join the human lifecycle.
Sten [Viking warrior] in modern parlance would be called a psychopath; a very dangerous one. He killed without a single shred of remorse [or guilt] and found a dark humour in it. He killed, dismembered, and tortured with no feelings whatsoever. He was drown – along with most of his crew-mates – when their longboat was caught in a bad storm off what is now the Danish coast in 987AD. His soul was collected and processed, being quarantined for nearly two human centuries before being allowed back into the Human Lifecycle.
Ulf [Viking Warrior] didn’t survive the wrecking of his longboat and drown in the stormy sea off Jutland. He was twenty-four and married with two small children. His soul was collected and processed and re-joined the human lifecycle immediately.
Father Cuthbert was – basically – an agent of the bishop’s and reported everything back to his ‘master’. Bishop Ley rewarded him with a good parish far away from Viking raids. The father died there in 1015. His soul was collected and processed.
Godwin Littleman was not Seth’s son, he was by his mother’s second husband, John the Farmer, who was a human agent for a certain Mister Jericho Tibbs! Godwin took that role on after his father’s premature death. He was later to join the local Abbey and devote himself to God. He was a very much loved and respected Brother in Christ. He died in 1021 and his soul was collected and processed. He was offered a Collector’s position but chose to jump back immediately into the Human Lifecycle.
Alice Littleman was Seth’s daughter by his wife who ran off with a farmer and took her along. Alice’s mother and stepfather both died when she was eleven and so, Alice made a living as a Laundress to look after her young stepbrother. She was to marry a farmer and have five children. Her eldest daughter Katherine possessed the ‘gift’. Alice died in 1011 and her soul was collected and processed.
Robert Stoneman [English Knight] became ‘Under Sheriff’ for this area in 992AD and the King’s representative. He married a local wealthy merchant’s daughter and had six children. He now held several manors in the King’s name and was to die a wealthy and powerful man in 999AD. His soul was collected and processed.
John Blacksmith [Sergeant-at-arms] was killed on his 40th birthday at a tavern in Canterbury during a large drunken brawl. He had been sent with soldiers to quell the disturbance and was stabbed in the back by a drunken candle-maker. John was married with five children and his soul was collected and processed. The murderous candle-maker escaped during the melee and was never caught.
Thomas Newfield was a clever and resourceful ‘rogue’ who dreamed of a pub of his own and a young wife. He never realised either. He never recovered the gold that Seth paid him for Alex and so, on his travels’ ended up at Sheffield castle and worked in the kitchen’s. Unfortunately for Thomas, he was caught thieving cutlery and selling it. H was hung on what would become St. Valentine’s Day in 989AD. His soul was collected and processed.
Gwen Thatcher spent the remainder of her life as a ‘slave’ of the Viking’s. She was subject to regular beatings and sexual abuse until her death in 992AD from influenza during the harsh winter of that year. She was thirty-one and had three children by her ‘masters’. Her soul was collected and processed. She jumped immediately into a new life and hopefully, a much better one.
Lady Margret Goodfellow [the old ‘witch’ in the woods] succumbed to pneumonia the following winter and died alone calling for her son’s. But it was Bishop Ley that arranged and paid for her Christian funeral. He really shouldn’t have bothered! No soul was collected and Temporal Intelligence reports that a new Tier Three female demon has appeared. Now called ‘Lamia’ Lady Margret is back, serving her beloved master!
Hubert of Greenfield left the bishop’s employ the following summer and returned home to his father’s manor and estates. He was to die that very summer quite mysteriously, being found half naked in a field with no obvious marks upon his body. He had never married nor had children. His soul was collected and processed. It was quarantined for half a human century for two killings in the service of Bishop Ley.
Roland Tewkesbury, the bishop’s knight reported – with his companion – the whole tale about the Vikings, the abduction and miraculous rescue of the lady. Except, they left out the metal sea monster. Roland was to remain the bishop’s man until Bishop Ley died. The new bishop had his own knights. Roland ended up in York working for the archbishop. He married twice and had five children. His great-grandson [also called Roland] was to die on the Hastings battlefield in 1066AD which ended Saxon rule in England. Roland’s soul was collected and processed.
Bishop Edward Ley’s hatred of the Viking’s was well known, and he maintained a small army to defend the coastline but was constantly frustrated by the King’s appeasement with the Vikings. He died in 994AD from a local fever that swept the town and his palace. He had never married but fathered four children by his two mistresses. His soul was collected and processed. It received half a human century in quarantine for ordering various killings, all carried out in the name of Holy Mother Church.
