Concept date: 14th February, 2018
First published: 21st July, 2018Status: COMPLETED.
Version: STANDARD.
Age Recommendation: 12+
Average reading Time: Approximately 30 Minutes.Revisions: 4. [Last Edit: September 2019]
Angel-in-charge: Margret Team Assigned: Team 74
Human Time: 1521AD-926AH Mission: 633115 - 9 - 8541
MISSION SUMMARY: "There are strange happenings with the conquest of Mexico. The Time-Line is under threat and it appears to centre around a Spanish Captain who doesn't follow the historical norm - Captain Hernando De Plaza, a very different Spanish Conquistador - appears to have gone native! - Mr. Tibbs must investigate before the history of South America changes and with it; the modern world."
NOTES: This episode contains strong language and horror with strong sexual references.
"This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead or actual events is purely coincidental." The Author.
 |
| 45 Min. |
 |
| Book Series 2. |
"THE LEGEND OF CAPTAIN HERNANDO DE PLAZA."
1. THE PRESENT TIME
“People never noticed that small changes had taken place. Most put it down to their memory or old age etc. It wasn’t until the ‘Information Age’ arrived with people chatting together, on Social media, that some suddenly realised, they weren’t the only ones that thought the past was different than it’s reported today.” Alex explained to Owen and shifted her Castle across the board four spaces.
Owen nodded; “So until it became known as the ‘Mandela Effect’ most people thought it was just their memory playing tricks on them.” He moved his Bishop, hesitated a few seconds before removing his fingers from the piece. “They have no idea, that these were small changes to the Human Time-Line that couldn’t be undone?”
Alex smiled and captured his Knight with her Castle, continuing she added; “Sometimes the little changes cannot be undone despite our best efforts and some humans do realise that the present time has changed. But sometimes those ‘little’ changes create big change later down the Time-Line.”
Owen sat back considering his next move; “You mean like what happened with that strange Spanish Conquistador?” he asked and realised that Alex could check-mate him in another couple of moves, if he didn’t really start to concentrate on the game.
Alex nodded and sipped her brandy; “South America and the world generally would have been so different, if that Spanish Captain hadn’t fallen in love and nearly changed everything.” She sighed to herself and remembered that adventure with great fondness and a little horror, if she was really honest.
Jericho returned to the lighthouse just as evening was moving in; his boots crunching upon the gravel as he walked slowly up to the large double, black doors. Mr. Harris pulled them open and slightly bowed; “Everyone has just left for the Dining Room Sir.” Jericho nodded and handed the big man his coat and hat, whilst the delicious smell of hot food wafted around the Hallway.
“Has our guest arrived? I asked Wilson to host him whilst I was with Angel Margret this afternoon.” Mr. Harris nodded affirmative and opened the Dining Room door for Jericho.
All conversation ceased for a few seconds, then Alex rose from her chair and waved at their guest, saying quietly; “Sir, this is Temporal Detective Inspector Jericho Tibbs.” The little man stood and extended his hand to Jericho, who clasped it firmly; “Always a pleasure to greet a Senior Time Controller Mr. Albain, but we’re all totally fascinated that you would call upon simple temporal detectives.”
The little man smiled and adjusted his pebble glasses, then returned to his seat. He accepted a plate of hot soup from young Ruth and dropped his napkin upon his lap, lifting his spoon, Mr. Albain grinned; “I’ve heard the stories about your House-keepers cooking and well, I finally couldn’t resist – especially when all your guests speak so highly of it!”
Everyone chuckled and Mr. Harris smiled, he was always pleased to hear compliments about his wife’s wonderful cooking. Jericho dropped into his chair and Harris placed soup before him; “Brown Windsor – your favourite Sir.” He said quietly and continued around the table, carrying the soup tureen, whilst Ruth dished the hot liquid up. Everyone noticed the large portion poured into young Owens’s plate by the smiling young girl, but nobody commented upon it – they just smiled to themselves.
“I have a feeling that your visit is not entirely a social function Sir.” Jericho sipped his soup and smiled a little. Mr. Albain nodded and placed his spoon down; “Well, Mr. Tibbs you are quite right about that, you see, with have a slight problem with the Aztecs, which left to fester may create unwanted changes to the Human Time Line further down its history.” The little man clasped his hands together and sighed; the smile had gone.
“The problem centre’s around a certain Spanish Conquistador; he’s just not behaving as he should do!” The little man sounded quite frustrated and picked his spoon up, then placed it back down. “He’s being influenced by a young Native man who appears to exercise some sort of control over the man. Before his appearance, Captain Hernando De Plaza was quite normal; he killed and tortured, raped and stole from the local people without any regard for anything. Now, suddenly he’s forgiving people and feeding the starving widows and children. He won’t even burn heretics against the Catholic faith – which is quite unbelievable for that time period!” The frustration of the situation could be felt in the little man’s voice.
“You mean he’s gone native.” Wilson said and slurped his soup. “Yes, yes; that’s quite right Sergeant.” Mr. Albain nodded and resumed his soup, relaxing a little. “If this is allowed to continue the Human Time Line will change and ‘the BOSS’ has ordered that it will not.” He rolled his eyes towards the ceiling and sighed. Everyone knew exactly what he meant.
“What do we know about the young native man?” Asked Alex; sprinkling some salt into her soup. The little man placed his spoon down yet again and stared up at the ceiling, then turned to Alex; “His Spanish given name is Matias, his original name is quite unpronounceable and his behaviour has changed too. Originally, he sold his fellow natives out to the Spanish conquerors because he can speak their language; the Spaniards paid him well for his much needed talents. Then, suddenly he has become St. Matias!”
Mr. Albain slumped back in his chair and gestured towards the ceiling; “He wants an end put to it and the line restored – by any means that achieves that end. Do you understand what that means Mr. Tibbs?”
Jericho nodded and sat back in his chair; direct interference with the natural progression of the Human Time-Line, but what bothered Jericho was the change in personalities of the leading pair: Matias and the Captain. He had an inkling that the ‘Dark Prince’ could be lurking in the shadows of this one and quite a neat job he has done already!
The change to upstanding “Christian’s” by the two men would be a slap in ‘the Bosses’ face alright – using such tactics would not be received too well upstairs – That made Jericho smile a little. But then, ‘the BOSS’ didn’t have much time for the religions that Humanity had saddled itself with, over the centuries of Human existence. Everyone knew that his sister had argued; that he should take a more proactive role with their creation – but ‘the BOSS’ had followed their Grand-father’s approach and kept a ‘hands off’ policy in force – unlike their father.
The BOSSES father had interfered with the fledgling humanity on several occasions: making headlines in the early religious books with thunderbolts, Angels, nuclear type blasts and turning people to sand; which were just some, of his more memorable forays, into the early life of mankind. But his son had other ideas about the creatures inherited from his Grandfather, who had first created them; they were unique from all other living entities: they could think and reason because they had been granted ‘Free-will’.
So the ‘BOSS’ always stated the same answer to his sister’s question; they [Humanity] had been given the privilege of ‘Free Will’ and how they exercised that, were up to them!
So he only ordered direct interference with Human affairs when it was absolutely necessary, like on the occasions that his wayward brother stuck his nose in – maybe this was one of those?
Jericho had enjoyed his soup and dabbed his mouth with a napkin. He had discussed this very topic with Angel Margret that afternoon. His team would initially reconnoitre the problem and then report back to her – Then, undoubtedly she would get a decision and subsequent authority to change the current time-line; from the Boss directly.
The dinner party broke up a couple of hours later with Mr. Albain thanking his hosts for a superb evening and taking some of Mrs. Harris delicious rhubarb pie home in a ‘doggy bag’. The following morning the team gathered for a light breakfast and final briefing before heading to the Light Room and onward travel to Mexico in the year 1521.
The four young natives carried the litter with great skill over the broken path which rose continuously from the steaming jungle. Sister Serenity peered between the curtains and smiled; riding ahead, the young Bishop would be sweating profusely, despite having the privilege of a horse to carry him; from wearing that armour, jerkin and leather boots in this oppressive heat.
She waved the delicate lace fan across her face; it didn’t improve matters much and she fondly remembered the heat of Southern Italy – the summers in Cappanni had always been gloriously warm and clean – not like this sweaty heat of the jungle, followed by the freezing cold of bare mountains at nightfall.
“Apparently another thirty leagues before we reach the outskirts of the encampment; this is slow going indeed my lady.” Diego wiped his face with a soft cloth which was already drenched in sweat, but smiled and adjusted his shirt, which was wet with perspiration, flapping the cloth to allow air around his chest. Sister Serenity grinned; she thought Wilson would be comfortable with such heat; coming from Africa – then realised that he had resided in New York City, the entire time he was alive!
Glancing behind, she could see the long column of Spanish soldiers, in single file, following at a slow pace. Some men already laid upon rough wooden litters, inflicted by heat and fevers, being dragged by donkey’s or their friends.
“Clean water, salt and Paracetamol would work wonders here.” She muttered and then noticed the lone horseman approaching the convoy; the Spanish messenger from Captain Hernando De Plaza no doubt. Sister Serenity and Diego exchanged glances; Diego tapped young Santiago on the shoulder and pointed out the rider; “A visitor from our forthcoming hosts.”
Santiago nodded wearily; he hated being back in a Monk’s habit again, especially in weather like this, and the large wooden crucifix he carried was a real pain in the arse. He heaved the bloody thing upon his shoulder again, like slinging a rifle.
“Why couldn’t he be nailed to a bloody fridge filled with cold beer!” he groaned and that made Diego laugh, then he noticed the strange looks being passed amongst the soldiers nearest to the palanquin. “Stick to old Spanish!” He whispered to Santiago and smiled at the soldiers, some of whom crossed themselves in unspoken fear. The strange, big black man made them uneasy – but he was the Bishop’s personal servant and the Bishop carried the King’s word and that carried the power of life and death – the soldiers kept their thoughts and fears quiet.
The Bishop lifted his right hand and the column of struggling men and beasts came to a slow stop in the shimmering heat. Sister Serenity indicated to her carriers that they may rest and the men gratefully lowered her gently to the rough ground. She stepped from the litter and stretched a little in the hot sunshine, covering her eyes, she viewed the Spanish Knight that saluted her ‘brother’ and bowed a little from the saddle.
After a little conversation, the Bishop turned and ordered the column to rest for thirty minutes whilst he and the Knight dismounted and continued talking. Diego, Sister Serenity and bother Santiago joined them – as did Lord Sebastian Garcia – the Bishop’s Commander of cavalry and his Deputy.
The Commander had no time for fools, he turned to Sister Serenity and grinned broadly; “Has that idiot become normal again and started burning these heretics and collecting the tax owed to the King?” he slapped a hand upon his sword hilt and added; “If he’s not capable, your brother and I will certainly carry out the King and his holiness the Pope’s orders!”
Sister Serenity nodded her agreement, but sighed; she knew exactly what Lord Sebastian had in mind: fire and the sword. He removed his steel helmet and wiped his face and neck; Lord Sebastian was a big man - in size and appetite; he loved women and gold - in any order. He had already made plan his feelings about Sister Serenity's vows as a 'bride of Christ'.
"Fucking terrible waste; now the real fucking sin against God is that a beautiful young woman like you is fucking wasted. You should be in a man's bed and bringing children into this world - not on your knee's praying. The only time you would be on your knee's, if I was your husband, would be when your sucking.." Sister Serenity had walked away at that point. He did apologise a little later - most grudgingly, it should be noted, for he felt he was still right in all he said.
"He has an ego the size of a mountain and talks far too plain. What he thinks he just says - a terrible habit." Father Alfredo had explained to Sister Serenity upon hearing the rumours of what Lord Sebastian had said to the young Nun. Father Alfredo was an educated man for a Priest; he had an interest in Astronomy and the habits of plants. There was another rumour that he had been questioned [as a young man] by the Holy Inquisition over his idea's that the earth and all other planets actually revolved around the sun - it was considered heresy at the time to question anything that the Bible stated. It was said that after torture, the young man recanted and was made to join the priesthood.
The choice between being burnt at the state after further torture or becoming a priest was actually a hard decision for the young man to make. His dear mother's pleadings helped sway him to the Priesthood. Thus thirty years older and far much wiser in the ways of the Church and men; Father Alfredo was in the lands of the pagan Aztec's to convert them to the true path and like him; they faced a similar decision - convert to Christianity or be killed - quite unpleasantly it was promised.
But the good father was actually one of the better Christians for the age and was popular with the common soldiers because he was pious and kind, with an unusual sense of humour for a priest; in that he actually had a sense of humour!
Upon meeting Sister Serenity, he offered the young Nun his litter and native bearers for the journey. At first, she refused, saying the elderly priest would benefit from the ride more than a young person would. She stated that her legs were strong and could do the walking required. The old Father had crossed himself and lifted his eyes to heaven; "Forgive me for talking about a Sister's legs - strong or otherwise!"
Everyone - especially the soldiers - laughed at that and Sister Serenity had accepted his offer of the litter - with a small smile upon her face and the convoy set forth to the world of the Aztec's. The journey north was far more brutal than the Conquistadors could ever have imagined. The jungle trails they travelled were unforgiving with damp heat during the day and cruel cold at night - especially when the expedition crossed the mountain paths.
Several days into the the adventure, the Bishop had almost a third of his fighting men suffering from fevers and sickness - some died and were given decent burials by Father Alfredo and Sister Serenity. At one point they had so many sick that Sister Serenity gave up her litter to the worse cases and walked at their side; attending to the dying men's need for comfort and care. That did not go un-noticed by the common soldiers [and many of the officers] and when ever they encountered the Nun, they would bow and cross themselves "Nestra pequena madre de amor" would be whispered. The young nun was gaining respect with each day of the torturous walk.
Now the column of weary and sick men rested in the hazy sunshine as the bishop held his officers conference with the Spanish knight sent by the now infamous Captain Hernando De Plaza - appointed Governor of this region; for the present.
"So the madman lays dying, truly the Lord works his will into the lives of men." Lord Sebastian grunted and crossed himself. The little conference broke up and everyone returned to the column - including the young Knight; Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez; the captains messenger. He would lead the convoy tomorrow into the city that was now under Spanish control. The Bishop, his sister, the monk Santiago and the Bishop's servant all gathered by the nun's litter and spoke quietly.
Captain Hernando apparently lay dying; stricken with a strange fever that caused hallucinations and visions of Christ and the Devil. The fevered captain had risen from his sick bed on two occasions; announcing the arrival of the 'Queen of Heaven' [the Virgin Mary] and collapsed back into his hammock.
Jericho [the Bishop] didn't smile at the news but admitted that the demise of the captain would conclude the mission quite early and very satisfactorily. Owen particularly liked that idea; "No more humping that bleeding cross about." He smiled and wiped his face and neck - again.
With that little reminder apparently taken on board; Alex went about her mission with the sick - Father Alfredo helping out where possible. Wilson watched the pair and said quietly to Jericho; "Hopefully, our baby sister will heed your words this time - remember what happened in that bloody hospital in that big fucking war?" Jericho nodded; but he did smile; Alex was Alex after all.
3 THE CAPTAIN.
Diego sighed; "It's the same vision all the time Sir; the Virgin Mary." Matias said nothing further but returned to his simple quarters and drank some wine. If his friend the captain died, then the Bishop has the authority to appoint a new Governor and Matias shuddered at the thought of Lord Sebastian Garcia. The Bishops Deputy would be the obvious choice; Matias knew he would have nightmares about that selection and so would most of the native population of the city and surrounding countryside.
The convey started to enter the city just as night was falling. The Bishop and his officers made straight for the rooms of the stricken captain, with a concerned Matias dashing from his quarters to join them. He walked quietly at the rear of the group and encountered Sister Serenity and Father Alfredo. He was not happy to discover that there was no surgeon with the convey, but Father Alfredo championed the healing skills of the young nun. Matias pleaded with Sister Serenity to attend his master; the Captain. She, of course, agreed.
The group gathered around the hammock and the Bishop called for the captain to explain himself. The captain half sat up with rolling eyes and contorted face; "I see you for what you are; minions of the Dark One! You do the bidding of the wrong one!" He collapsed back into his hammock and fell silent. Father Alfredo and Sister Serenity rushed to his aid. But Lord Sebastian grunted; "He's as mad as a bat wearing a hat. The sickness has corrupted his mind and soul. Amen." He crossed himself, as did everyone else; except Matias.
Sister Serenity held his head gently and ran her hand down his face and neck. She almost smiled; but didn't. She stood back and spoke to his faithful servant; "Keep him doused with cold water and make him drink plenty; water that is. He will recover most of his senses within a day or so." Matias just stared at the young nun; how could she male such a pronouncement? What Matias didn't know, was that Alex had seen quite a few cases of Malaria and this was a mild bout of the infection. It had almost run its course. A dose of quinine would reduce it considerably.
She turned and spoke quietly with her 'brother' the Bishop. "He would have recovered with or without us." and smiled a little. Jericho nodded and turned to Lord Sebastian; "Take over from him until he recovers. Let us get the King's and the Holy Father's orders underway." Lord Sebastian actually grinned at that instruction. "Yes your Grace!" He shouted with tremendous enthusiasm and walked to the door, only stopping to say softly to Sister Serenity; "See, your brother is blessed with good sense for one so young. I truly see why our King and Cardinals love him so." Sister Serenity did not reply or smile at his heartfelt compliment.
The sister and Father Alfredo would sit with the captain through the night. Matias fetched a chair and blanket; he sat outside the room all night, catching sleep whenever he could. It was the Captain's servant shouting that woke him suddenly. He leapt from the chair; clutching the blanket like a child. Diego [the captains servant] stood in the doorway and gestured for him to come. He pushed into the sick room and found Sister Serenity feeding the Captain from a wooden bowl with a large spoon. This time he did cross himself.
"Its a miracle Matias, a miracle!" Diego gripped his shoulder and smiled, saying softly; "They say she performs miracles in the name of the blessed Virgin Mary." He rushed from the room to inform the other staff and soldiers of the garrison; of the good news. Matias approached his old friend and took his hand. He could feel the difference. The fever had broken. He turned to Sister Serenity; "Thank you Sister. God bless you." He whispered and gripped his friends hand.
"Don't thank me Matias. Thank God for his mercy." Was all she said and ladled another spoon of warm gruel into the captain's mouth. Father Alfredo was kneeling at the foot of the bed; praying. Matias joined him. The news did not please Lord Sebastian - strangely enough - and he grunted; "Sister Serenity is too close to the blessed Virgin for my taste." He had already managed to torture and hang a couple of natives. He had many more lined up for the same fate.
Lord Sebastian left his quarters and walked to the makeshift prison; he had another long day of torturing and hanging heretic dogs to come. He passed the servant Diego, standing in the doorway of the kitchens; "He was near death and he called out for the Blessed Virgin to help him. Sister Serenity nursed him all night and now he lives, It is a miracle, for she is a daughter of Blessed Mary!"
Diego was happily speaking to the kitchen staff, who stood a little shocked; they were expecting very different news. Lord Sebastian sighed and gripped Diego by his shirt and flung him across the corridor. Diego slapped against the wall and groaned. "Sister Serenity is no closer to the Virgin Queen, than my arse is. If I hear you spreading such stories again; I'll have your tongue struck from your mouth. Do you understand?" He kicked Diego and headed for the prison.
The native servants in the kitchens all crossed themselves - quite vigorously - and many had realised that the 'Gods' of the white demons were far more powerful than the images they had worshipped. Even their feeble women could call the dead back from the 'afterlife'. Diego rose from the floor and dusted himself down. The rumours he had heard about Lord Sebastian certainly were not exaggerations!
the team came together in Jericho's rooms and he explained that; should Captain De Plaza continue on his present course, the future of South America would be very different. As would the present day be. Jericho sighed; "I don't like saying it, but his death would have suited our mission. Now, he is not scheduled to die for another two years and that would be enough time for the changes to alter the future."
Alex sat on a stiff chair and rubbed her feet. "He would have recovered from the fever without us or anyone else's help." She said and accepted a cup of brandy from Owen; he had bought a couple of bottles with him; decanted into wine skins. He smiled at Alex; "Would you like me to do that?" She stuck up a single finger and pulled her boots back on.
Wilson stood by the doorway, arms folded, watching the corridor. "So what do we do now?" He asked and then waved everyone into silence. Matias was walking slowly down the corridor with two other men; both natives. The older of the pair walked slowly; his legs bent from a childhood disease. But the other man was a strapping young fellow with a determined look about him.
Jericho rubbed his face and said softly; "Here we go." Matias stood in the doorway and bowed; "My Lord Bishop; Patkin the elder and his son Astrin would like words with you. Patkin was chief of this city under 'the Aztec' and his son was the War chief, of the city for the same King."
Jericho gestured for both to enter; he asked Matias to translate for him [even though Jericho and all other detectives, had the ability to speak and understand any human language - well, except Scottish probably!]. He nodded for the old man to speak. Patkin bowed and spoke for about a minute, then stopped and folded his arms. Matias clasped his hands together and nervously smiled; "The old Chief asks, if you will allow the natives to keep more of the harvest than last year. What the Spanish took, caused much hardship and some starvation amongst the people; especially the children. Some died."
Everyone glanced at each other and only Owen couldn't restrain a smile. The Chief had declared his hatred of the white demons and had cursed them back to hell. Jericho smiled a little; he had a pretty good idea what game Matias was playing. He nodded and told Matias to tell the old chief that more corn and vegetables would be put aside for them. Matias spoke to the chief and the old man nodded. He turned his back on Jericho and walked from the room. His son stood staring at Sister Serenity, then turned and followed his father. Matias thanked the Bishop and went after the pair.
They had all heard Matias tell the chief; "That the white demons would take what they wanted, any food or women they needed and he should be grateful, that the white Lord hasn't taken his tongue for his words."
Everyone started to chuckle. Wilson picked up his cup and swallowed some brandy; "I think our young friend is either a con artist or a very good diplomat." He smiled and turned to Alex, adding; "I think a native moth has felt the warmth of your flame." Everyone laughed at that.
That's when they heard the striking of the big drums on the wall of their enclosure. An old trooper of Lord Sebastian's Cavalry appeared and bowed, saying quickly; "My Lord Bishop, the scouts have returned. There is a large native army about five hours away. The scouts said they watched them, for nearly a full half day, and still could not count their number in total."
Jericho told the old soldier to inform Lord Sebastian. He turned to the others and shrugged his shoulders; "This could be in our favour. If this fortress falls and all the whites are massacred, then the current time line will roll on." Alex sighed; "Bloody charming. Loads of people have to die for us to succeed." No one could argue with that deduction.
4. THE WAR CONFERENCE.
All the Bishop's officers assembled in the small hall of the enclosure and Matias produced a drawing of the city and laid it upon the floor. Some knelt and studied the drawing with great care. Captain Hernando de Plaza was sitting on a stool with Matias now by his side. He sipped some water, clutching the cup with a feeble hand. He wouldn't be much use in the impending battle; he could just lift a cup, never mind a sword. He sat in silence as the discussions centred on the means of defence.
Lord Sebastian wanted to take his cavalry and some infantry and attack the natives as they appeared. The Bishop shook his head; why give up huge stone walls for an open field swarming with natives? Their two artillery pieces would cause havoc amongst the primitive solders of the 'Aztec'. "We must fight with our strengths; gunpowder and stone walls. In such a small area, horses charging forward would be nearly useless. But if we make a killing courtyard and lure the natives in; we can cut them down in droves."
The young Bishop tapped the two walls which ran to the steps of the enclosure. "To reach us, they must take the entrance of our enclosure. But if these two walls have a cannon placed upon each and good musket fire, then we can funnel them in and kill them in their hundreds. the cannons would be incredibly effective in such a small space; they will cut them up and drive fear into the hearts of those that witness such a terrible sight."
Every officer nodded their agreement - except Lord Sebastian, who just grunted and scratched his lice ridden crotch - Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez tapped the drawing with his dagger tip and smiled; "The Bishop is right. If we kill hundreds with cannon fire and muskets in such a small place, they will have to fight standing on the bodies of their friends!" The officers chuckled at that thought. Jericho glanced at Alex and smiled. He didn't even have to ask; what she was thinking!
Captain Hernando coughed and ran a hand across his damp face; "Should we not find out, what they want first. I mean before we start butchering them?" He handed the cup to Matias and leaned upon his sword; "What harm could a little talking do?" He added and wiped his face again. Lord Sebastian shook his head; "You can't reason with these heretic dogs, they only respect the sword. So I say let then saviour it." A couple of officers nodded their agreement with that statement. But Captain Hernando just chuckled; "Don't you mean that only we know and respect the sword, my lord?" Alex actually smiled at that.
The Bishop held up his hand; "Let us consider all things, if a little talking with the natives buys us time to prepare our defences, then so be it." Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez nodded his agreement; "The Bishop is right. Any delay strengthens us and weakens them." So it was agreed to send an emissary to the native commander and find out his desires for the city and its inhabitants. Matias would have to go - to translate - and Captain Hernando volunteered for the mission, which the Bishop refused. Lord Sebastian would go.
The conference broke up and the officers headed to their assigned posts and duties. Lord Sebastian took hold of Matias by the shirt and whispered close to his face; "Make sure you translate my words totally and completely. Do you understand that boy?" Matias nodded and pulled away. He was shaking a little. "Yes of course my Lord." He muttered and bowed.
Captain Hernando rose - with some difficulty - from his seat and headed back to his rooms. Matias rushed after him. Lord Sebastian turned to the Bishop; "I suspect that there is a un-natural bond between those two. When I find it is so, I will kill the pair - with your permission of course, your Grace - and they can both rot in Hell for their perversions."
The Bishop didn't reply; he was staring at the map, still laid upon the floor. He turned to Lord Sebastian and gripped his shoulder; "Find out their strength, their weapons and how much stores they carry. If they are expecting a quick victory, then a steadfast defence will not suit their purpose or planning, understand?" Lord Sebastian nodded and strode into the corridor, shouting for Matias.
Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez slapped his hand against his sword hilt in salute; "For a man of God your Grace, I am so pleased that the King sent a Bishop who also understands war." He looked to the departing Lord Sebastian, adding - with a smile - "And men." He turned on his heels and went after Lord Sebastian.
With no one in the room but his team; Jericho pulled his mirror out and ran it over the drawing that Matias had apparently drawn, just an hour before the conference. Wilson took up his position by the doorway and Owen asked; "What have you spotted Jericho?" Alex picked up the drawing and then noticed the look on Jericho's face. "What have you got?" She said and lowered the drawing. Jericho held up his mirror; the drawing was almost an exact copy of a drawing that illustrated a Spanish book on the conquest; except it was printed in 1798!
"Owen, can you run a check on young Matias and do the same for the Captain. I smell a time travelling rat here." Jericho smiled and thrust his mirror back into the folds of his jacket. Owen disappeared through the doorway and Alex folded her arms; "So, one or both are visitors here?" Jericho rubbed his face; "I strongly suspect that our dear Captain, didn't just change his spots overnight without good reason and the answer does, I believe, lay with Matias."
Jericho walked to the doorway and stopped; "I suppose, I should tell you about the generous offer Lord Sebastian has made to me about you; should the city fall to the natives." Alex placed her hands on her hips and did not smile; "What bloody generous offer was that?" Jericho grinned; "He has offered to kill you - quite quickly - to spare you being raped by the native warriors. He said that you should go to God, untouched and unpolite, not ravaged by filthy heretic dogs. That was most kind of him, wasn't it?" He said that bit, with some real sarcasm in his voice.
Alex just sighed and said to Wilson; "I'm going to steer well clear of that mad bastard and watch my back." Wilson just smiled; "Believe me baby sister; I won't let the mad bastard get within ten feet of you; if this goes pair shaped." Alex patted his shoulder, smiling; "Thank you my gallant Knight." Wilson chuckled; "If that's the case, then I must be the very original black Knight!" They both laughed at that. Jericho just shook his head and made for the gateway of the enclosure; to see Lord Sebastian and Matias depart.
Owen came back in the chamber and saw Alex and Wilson talking closely together; her hand on his shoulder. They both smiled at him. "I don't know how he does it. Jericho I mean. Young Matias is Phillipe De Sousa. Human Records show him born in 1840 in Portugal. He should have died in 1902, but he missed his departure date; he's a missing soul." Wilson nodded; "What about the Captain?" Owen smiled; "Genuine, he belongs in this time period. He's due to die in just a couple of years. Killed by a rabid dog; not a pleasant death, rabies I mean."
"Remind me never to pat any bloody dogs running about here." Wilson grunted and turned back to Alex, who was staring at the window; she could hear voices and cheering, Lord Sebastian and Matias were heading out to the Aztec army. "Why on earth did Jericho send him?" She asked. Wilson adjusted his jacket and grinned; "Because the mad bastard is a good soldier and officer - despite being a total lunatic! - he'll get the information needed."
Owen sighed - unsmiling; "There's something that you should know - and Jericho, of course -that Matias fled his home country for Spain in 1864. He was about to be arrested and tried for being a Homosexual. It was a crime in those days. Guess who else is of that inclination?" Wilson grunted; "The Captain?" Owen nodded. "That's why he is here. He was given the stark choice by his family; to get out of Spain or face the Holy Inquisition and we know, what a really enlightened bunch of jokers, they were in 1520."
Wilson gestured towards the door; "I think we should search young Matias's room for anything that doesn't belong in this time or place." Alex agreed with that; finding his time portal device - if one existed - would be a priority. If he had stumbled across a natural tear in the fabric of time, linked to this place, then they would have to try and find its location; and close it. Either way, searching his rooms would be a start.
They made for his small set of rooms and were not surprised to find Captain Hernando there; sitting slumped on a chair, clutching a shirt of Matias's with both hands. He clearly had been crying. Wilson stopped Owen from entering the room and said quietly; "I think this is best left to Alex."
5. THE 'AZTEC' HAS ARRIVED.
Captain Hernando De Plaza was utterly astonished that Sister Serenity did not admonish him for his 'abominable sins' in the face of God's commandants. "I have only loved two people - truly loved them - in my life. Matias is one and young Felipe was the other. He was caught and questioned by the Holy Inquisition. He was just nineteen years old and they tortured him brutally. He betrayed all the men who had paid for his attention. But not me. I escaped all inquiry and watched him put to death; burnt in our town square. He had been tortured so badly, that he could not even scream in pain as the flames took him apart. I cannot - I will not - allow young Matias to end that way." The Old Captain gripped Matias's shirt and held it to his wet face.
Alex poured some wine and gave it to the distraught Captain. He accepted it with shaking hands and sipped slowly; "Never again." He whispered. Alex sat with her arm around his shoulder; little wonder he had changed. He would do anything to keep - and please - his young lover. Matias - it appears - had persuaded him to change his administration of the natives. To stop the burnings and torture, stop the stealing of their precious crops and stop the rapes and violations of their women and girls.
She sighed and realised; they had been sent to ensure all those horrors continued. She felt a little sick inside. But the current human time line had to be maintained. If only for all those souls, that would cease to exist, if it changed. She recalled what Jericho always said; "Humanity progresses over the dead bodies of fellow humans." She now saw the terrible, stark truth of his words.
Wilson knocked softly on the door and informed them, that Lord Sebastian was back and the news wasn't good. Alex patted the old man and refilled his glass, without another word, she opened the door and joined Wilson and Owen on the other side; closing the door quietly. They made their way back to the Bishop's quarters in silence; the corridors were packed with panicking native servants and their families. They clearly wanted to escape the city before the armies of the 'Aztec' arrived.
They stood in the room, drinking brandy poured from Owen's goatskins. Lord Sebastian had recounted that the 'Aztec' had about twenty thousand men under his command; but compared to the Spanish soldiers, they were lightly armed. They certainly had no muskets, cannon or horse. They would not 'parley' with the Spanish garrison; they were here to kill them all and take back the city. Any natives found to have 'co-operated' with the Spanish would be put to death - and their families - then, they would pick a hundred young men and sacrifice them at the temple.
Owen wiped his face; "They will hold each one down, over a stone alter, and rip their hearts out whilst still alive." Alex sipped her brandy; "These two sides are as bad as each other in reality." She said softly and Wilson agreed with her. They could hear Spanish voices through the window and knew that the garrison was preparing for battle. "It's going to be a real fucking bloodbath. cannons and muskets against clubs and spears. Jericho's plan is actually a real good one. I wonder where he gained his military skills from." Owen smiled and swallowed down his brandy.
"Just make sure that Alex is never alone with that mad bastard Lord Sebastian." Wilson told Owen, adding; "If you have too, use your bloody mirror. You can say that I ordered you. That will keep you in the clear." Owen nodded; "I fucking would; with or without your orders." Wilson slapped him on the back and grinned; "That's my baby brother!" Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez appeared in the doorway and told them to seek shelter in the inner rooms of the enclosure; the Bishop's orders.
He took hold of Alex by the arm - which surprised her - and whispered into her ear; "If the time comes and those heathen dogs are going to over run the city. I will kill you quickly. They will not lay a filthy hand upon you Sister. You have my word on that." He released her and headed for the walls of the courtyard. Alex sighed loudly; "Why do all these fuckers want to bump me off?" Wilson chuckled; "They certainly know how to sweet talk a lady." The three headed for the inner sanctuary of the enclosure.
They were stopped by the young officer in charge of the cannon - hurrying to the walls - with his two old 'Bombardiers' in tow. He bowed to Sister Serenity and informed her, that should the 'Aztec' take the city, he would personally put her to death - quickly - he never finished his generous offer, because Sister Serenity just waved him aside; "Yes thank you so bloody much. Now clear off." He walked away; in some astonishment. Wilson and Owen really did laugh at that.
They found a passage way and it took them not to the inner rooms, but the East wall. The Spanish troops were lined along the wall top, crouching or laying, muskets ready. Behind them were some young natives, who really didn't love the 'Aztec'. They held spare muskets and were ready to reload. They would hand a fresh musket to their soldier and load the one he just discharged; that way they could keep up an almost constant fire upon the native warriors, who appeared in the courtyard below. They knew not to bother 'throwing themselves' on the 'Aztec's' mercy; he didn't have any.
On their hands and knee's, the team crawled to the walls edge and peered down. Coming through the large gateway were about three hundred native warriors. It was quite a spectacle; they were dressed in vivid and colourful feathers , with shields to match. The men in front of the lines of warriors, were dressed in jaguar skins and carried lethal looking wooden clubs studded with bone or metal spikes. The soldier next to Alex turned and asked her to bless him; he was about twenty years old and visibly shaking. She touched his shoulder; "God is at your side my son." He smiled and wiped his face.
He took her hand and kissed it; "I won't let them take you Sister; My dagger will do its duty and you will be..."He didn't finish. The look on Alex's face was enough to shut him up. He went back to staring at the natives.
"For Christ sake; they all want to bump me off. Why don't they just mind their own fu..."She didn't finish either, because Wilson tapped her shoulder and gestured to the other wall; the Bishop [Jericho] was giving last minute orders to his officers; who rushed away. Lord Sebastian stood by his side, sword drawn. "We need to tell him about the captain and especially Matias." He whispered and laid on his back, operating his mirror. The native sitting behind the young soldier, watched with some puzzlement. Why was the dark man talking into a piece of glass? White or black, these people were really strange.
Jericho stepped back from the wall's edge and read his mirror quite discretely. He looked up and waved at Wilson and Alex; Owen was still flat on the wall's floor. That wave started the battle. The Spanish open fire with everything they had. The noise was deafening and smoke filled the enclosure. When the cannon fired from the East wall; it shook gently and Alex held her hands over her ears.
"Jesus fucking Christ!" She said, as the young soldier and his native loader exchanged muskets. The soldier grinned at her; "That's the best blessing I've heard since joining the fucking army of Cortes!" He turned and fired again. The native was already finishing the reload. Alex crawled back to Owen, with Wilson right behind. "He certainly knows how to start a punch up!" She yelled to Wilson over the noise. The cannon fired again and the wall actually shook this time.
"They're stuffing all types of metal and crap in the cannon. Can you imagine what that's doing to the natives down there; they have no armour. No protection." Owen shouted as an arrow bounced off the floor next to his legs. It was quickly followed by another, then another and soon it was raining arrows. They found a gap in the stone wall, as it joined the building that it ran from; a small shelf. Wilson took hold of Alex and pushed her under it. "Keep you head down!" He shouted.
But she had seen the young soldier, struck by two arrows, laying still and prone. The native was now firing the musket down into the courtyard. She went to give aid, but Wilson physically pushed her back and shook his head; "Not this time baby sister, you are going to sit this one out!" Owen had pushed up against the buildings edge and checked his mirror. "Jericho says get to the fucking inner sanctuary and he'll join us there. They taking the wounded there and you can help, if you want Alex."
An arrow bounced off the wall, inches from his head. "To quote William Fucking Shakespeare; lets get the fuck outa here!" Wilson yelled and they left the wall - in a hurry.
6. THE DEVIL'S HOSPITAL.
They ran down the badly lit corridor and found their way blocked by the young artillery officer, they had met earlier. He had clearly been badly wounded. He had an arrow in one arm and one in a leg. But he held up his sword and panted; "Don't worry Sister, I'll do my duty...it will be quick..." He lifted his sword, but Wilson just grunted and decked him with a single punch. He and Owen then heaved the young man up and carried down to the rooms, which had been turned into a makeshift hospital; by the native women.
"That's the best pain relief he can get - in this time and place - Let me at him." Alex said quietly, as Wilson and Owen placed him on a pile of straw. A native woman handed Alex bandages and water. She also gave her an evil looking pair of thin tongs. Owen pointed to them; "What the fuck are they for?" Alex turned them in her hands; "Well, it will have to do. I should be able to get the arrow heads out with these."
More injured men were arriving. Alex now shouted her orders in the native tongue. That actually shocked the natives more than the terrible wounds on the men. How did the strange white woman suddenly pick up their language; and with such Fluency?
Some of the women crossed themselves, but carried on tending the wounded. Owen stared into the big room next door; there were several dead bodies laid out and he knew that, they would be soon be joined by more of their comrades. "Where the fuck is Jericho?" Wilson muttered, then saw Matias bending over a groaning soldier; his hands were coated with blood. He seemed to know his way around wounded men. The look on his face, when he heard Sister Serenity talking in his native tongue was priceless!
A young native woman was assisting Alex. "I may be a simple woman of the 'Aztec', but you are gifted by the Gods Sister. You have the touch." She poured water over the gaping wound and the soldier groaned loudly. Alex was stitching him up with a rough needle and thread. The young officer opened his eyes and stared at her; "Sweet Jesus! The devil has arrived!" and collapsed back on the straw.
"He's always been around. I know him personally; the bastard." Alex muttered and repeated her treatment on his leg. The native woman chuckled; Alex forget she was still talking in the native tongue. She finished and moved on. Most injuries were caused by arrows. The real nasty - hand to hand - combat had not yet begun. The natives were a also little shocked, to see that, the Sister treated both native and Spaniards without favour to either. They had never seen that before and many crossed themselves in reverence to the nun.
The battle raged above for about an hour and then quiet descended on the enclosure. Owen and one of the young native boys went to find out what was now happening. The rooms of the underground chamber were now filled with injured and dying men. The temporary morgue now had about twenty corpses laid about the stone floor. They had to carry fresh bodies there with some care; the floor was running with blood.
Owen and the boy returned some minutes later; carrying buckets of water; which was gratefully received by everyone. Wilson and Alex pulled Owen to one side and asked about Jericho. "He's fine and so's Lord Sebastian - unfortunately - but a messenger managed to climb over the wall, he's from General Corte's army. He has taken Tenochtitlan and captured the Aztec King; the one here is a brother or uncle or something. They could have overwhelmed us, but they must have received the same news. They have stopped fighting and now are just sitting about."
The noise of fighting, screaming men and horses started to drift down the corridors and the team headed for the walls. They crept along the East wall; there many dead natives and Spanish soldiers sprawled long it. Alex actually turned away from the sight in the courtyard. It had been simply a slaughter; the bodies of the brave, young Aztec warriors were piled two or three deep, the entire length and breadth of the courtyard. The cannons and muskets had done their job with horrific efficiency. There were several Spanish soldiers climbing amongst the bodies; finishing off any wounded men with their swords and daggers.
Jericho jerked a thumb at Owen; "Now, here's a classic. Owen was a brave young Spanish.....Accountant and Tax collector for the King!" He really laughed at that. "Apparently, you would have people tortured and mutilated, if they were a few pence short of the tax demand." Jericho added and finished his coffee. Alex just shook her head; "So its a pile of bollocks - a very old pile of bollocks - but bollocks nevertheless." Wilson nodded; "Yeah, but there was probably no-one around to argue its dishonesty, when it was published."
"I found the book amongst young Matias's possessions in his room. I knew he had brought the journal back from 1865 because of its condition. It may have come, as a bit of a surprise - no, shock - to find that we were not as recorded. He learnt a valuable lesson for a would be 'Time Lord' - History is never really how it is written or remembered!" Jericho chuckled, adding; "He [Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez] even did a hatchet job on poor old Father Alfredo, in the book, he is a fanatical Priest who wants all heretics burned. As for the good Captain De Plaza, well, he did a good job destroying his legacy. He's shown as a psychopath who thought he was Jesus Christ himself!"
Jericho picked up the book and smiled; "Anyone fancy a little bedtime story?"
Captain Hernando De Plaza was put on trial for heresy, devil worship and forbidden carnal acts of depravity. Lord Sebastian was Judge & Jury. The Captain was garrotted to death on top of the Aztec Temple. He was supposed to have died in 1523 - from rabies - but his early passing made few, unacceptable changes to the human time line. His soul was collected and processed. Strangely enough, he is remembered by locals in the region, to this day. The story and legend of Captain De Plaza and his kindness remain alive, whilst the rest are forgotten or remembered with hatred.
Lord Sebastián Garcia remained Governor of the small region for several years. He is credited with murdering thousands. He robbed and stole, raped and killed. The Spanish King rewarded him with a large estate outside Madrid. He retired there in 1529 and married a young wife. His descendants are still nobility to this day. He lived until he was 71 - a very good age for the time - and died in his bed, surrounded by his large family. His soul was collected and processed. He was quarantined until 2100.
Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez, returned to Spain and wrote books and journals about his adventures in the 'New World'. They were mostly - to quote Alex - a 'pile of bollocks'. He became a minor celebrity and married well. He died in 1541 of 'fever' in his grand house. His soul was collected and processed.
Father Alfredo remained in the 'New World' until his death in 1532. He was a kind man and forgiving priest. The local natives mourned the old man and he was buried in the local Churchyard - new in 1532 - but was demolished in the 1930's to make way for new government offices. The priest is now totally forgotten by locals and history. His soul was collected and processed.
Phillipe De Sousa [Matias] had been born in 1840 and had jumped back in time. His time portal device was never discovered and he fled from the city before being arrested by Lord Sebastian. He missed his departure date [death] in 1902 and his soul remains missing to this day. His whereabouts in the current human time line also remains a mystery.
Diego Hermaness [the Captain's servant] survived his master by only a few months. He had been tainted by his loyalty to Captain Hernando De Plaza. He was executed under false charges of treason and witchcraft. They were a little merciful to the old man; they hung him, instead of garrotting. His soul was collected and processed.
Maria Certres [the native woman who assisted Alex] survived the initial Spanish conquest and married a clever native man, who knew how to handle his new 'masters'. They had several children and Maria's story about Captain Hernando De Plaza became the main source of rumour and legend about the man. But it was her stories about the strange and dedicated nun; passed down the generations of her huge family of descendants, that really caught on, amongst the native population. The local nuns convent is known as 'The House of Sister Serenity' and remains there to this day; though few know why it is called so!
Go to the NEXT EPISODE in the series. TO VIEW THE NEXT EPISODE: CLICK HERE!
A FULL VERSION [if available] of this episode is available on the 'CHRONICLES OF INSPECTOR TIBBS' website, which carries only the published Seasonal episodes and Specials. It MAY differ from this original in some aspects. TO VIEW THIS ALTERNATIVE VERSION: CLICK HERE!
There is also a ADULT VERSION [if available] of this episode available on the "ALEXANDRA" website, which is AGE RATED at 18+ and written for an MATURE audience. It contains graphic and strong sexual references. It WILL differ from the original. TO VIEW THIS ALTERNATIVE VERSION: CLICK HERE!
Go to the 'Information Page' [if available] for this particular episode. It contains the background to the episode, written by the author. Click on the icon; this will be take you to an external site. TO VIEW THIS INFORMATION PAGE: CLICK HERE!
Copyright © 2011-2020 Stephen Williams. No reproduction of any part without permission.
“People never noticed that small changes had taken place. Most put it down to their memory or old age etc. It wasn’t until the ‘Information Age’ arrived with people chatting together, on Social media, that some suddenly realised, they weren’t the only ones that thought the past was different than it’s reported today.” Alex explained to Owen and shifted her Castle across the board four spaces.
Owen nodded; “So until it became known as the ‘Mandela Effect’ most people thought it was just their memory playing tricks on them.” He moved his Bishop, hesitated a few seconds before removing his fingers from the piece. “They have no idea, that these were small changes to the Human Time-Line that couldn’t be undone?”
Alex smiled and captured his Knight with her Castle, continuing she added; “Sometimes the little changes cannot be undone despite our best efforts and some humans do realise that the present time has changed. But sometimes those ‘little’ changes create big change later down the Time-Line.”
Owen sat back considering his next move; “You mean like what happened with that strange Spanish Conquistador?” he asked and realised that Alex could check-mate him in another couple of moves, if he didn’t really start to concentrate on the game.
Alex nodded and sipped her brandy; “South America and the world generally would have been so different, if that Spanish Captain hadn’t fallen in love and nearly changed everything.” She sighed to herself and remembered that adventure with great fondness and a little horror, if she was really honest.
Jericho returned to the lighthouse just as evening was moving in; his boots crunching upon the gravel as he walked slowly up to the large double, black doors. Mr. Harris pulled them open and slightly bowed; “Everyone has just left for the Dining Room Sir.” Jericho nodded and handed the big man his coat and hat, whilst the delicious smell of hot food wafted around the Hallway.
“Has our guest arrived? I asked Wilson to host him whilst I was with Angel Margret this afternoon.” Mr. Harris nodded affirmative and opened the Dining Room door for Jericho.
All conversation ceased for a few seconds, then Alex rose from her chair and waved at their guest, saying quietly; “Sir, this is Temporal Detective Inspector Jericho Tibbs.” The little man stood and extended his hand to Jericho, who clasped it firmly; “Always a pleasure to greet a Senior Time Controller Mr. Albain, but we’re all totally fascinated that you would call upon simple temporal detectives.”
The little man smiled and adjusted his pebble glasses, then returned to his seat. He accepted a plate of hot soup from young Ruth and dropped his napkin upon his lap, lifting his spoon, Mr. Albain grinned; “I’ve heard the stories about your House-keepers cooking and well, I finally couldn’t resist – especially when all your guests speak so highly of it!”
Everyone chuckled and Mr. Harris smiled, he was always pleased to hear compliments about his wife’s wonderful cooking. Jericho dropped into his chair and Harris placed soup before him; “Brown Windsor – your favourite Sir.” He said quietly and continued around the table, carrying the soup tureen, whilst Ruth dished the hot liquid up. Everyone noticed the large portion poured into young Owens’s plate by the smiling young girl, but nobody commented upon it – they just smiled to themselves.
“I have a feeling that your visit is not entirely a social function Sir.” Jericho sipped his soup and smiled a little. Mr. Albain nodded and placed his spoon down; “Well, Mr. Tibbs you are quite right about that, you see, with have a slight problem with the Aztecs, which left to fester may create unwanted changes to the Human Time Line further down its history.” The little man clasped his hands together and sighed; the smile had gone.
“The problem centre’s around a certain Spanish Conquistador; he’s just not behaving as he should do!” The little man sounded quite frustrated and picked his spoon up, then placed it back down. “He’s being influenced by a young Native man who appears to exercise some sort of control over the man. Before his appearance, Captain Hernando De Plaza was quite normal; he killed and tortured, raped and stole from the local people without any regard for anything. Now, suddenly he’s forgiving people and feeding the starving widows and children. He won’t even burn heretics against the Catholic faith – which is quite unbelievable for that time period!” The frustration of the situation could be felt in the little man’s voice.
“You mean he’s gone native.” Wilson said and slurped his soup. “Yes, yes; that’s quite right Sergeant.” Mr. Albain nodded and resumed his soup, relaxing a little. “If this is allowed to continue the Human Time Line will change and ‘the BOSS’ has ordered that it will not.” He rolled his eyes towards the ceiling and sighed. Everyone knew exactly what he meant.
“What do we know about the young native man?” Asked Alex; sprinkling some salt into her soup. The little man placed his spoon down yet again and stared up at the ceiling, then turned to Alex; “His Spanish given name is Matias, his original name is quite unpronounceable and his behaviour has changed too. Originally, he sold his fellow natives out to the Spanish conquerors because he can speak their language; the Spaniards paid him well for his much needed talents. Then, suddenly he has become St. Matias!”
Mr. Albain slumped back in his chair and gestured towards the ceiling; “He wants an end put to it and the line restored – by any means that achieves that end. Do you understand what that means Mr. Tibbs?”
Jericho nodded and sat back in his chair; direct interference with the natural progression of the Human Time-Line, but what bothered Jericho was the change in personalities of the leading pair: Matias and the Captain. He had an inkling that the ‘Dark Prince’ could be lurking in the shadows of this one and quite a neat job he has done already!
The change to upstanding “Christian’s” by the two men would be a slap in ‘the Bosses’ face alright – using such tactics would not be received too well upstairs – That made Jericho smile a little. But then, ‘the BOSS’ didn’t have much time for the religions that Humanity had saddled itself with, over the centuries of Human existence. Everyone knew that his sister had argued; that he should take a more proactive role with their creation – but ‘the BOSS’ had followed their Grand-father’s approach and kept a ‘hands off’ policy in force – unlike their father.
The BOSSES father had interfered with the fledgling humanity on several occasions: making headlines in the early religious books with thunderbolts, Angels, nuclear type blasts and turning people to sand; which were just some, of his more memorable forays, into the early life of mankind. But his son had other ideas about the creatures inherited from his Grandfather, who had first created them; they were unique from all other living entities: they could think and reason because they had been granted ‘Free-will’.
So the ‘BOSS’ always stated the same answer to his sister’s question; they [Humanity] had been given the privilege of ‘Free Will’ and how they exercised that, were up to them!
So he only ordered direct interference with Human affairs when it was absolutely necessary, like on the occasions that his wayward brother stuck his nose in – maybe this was one of those?
Jericho had enjoyed his soup and dabbed his mouth with a napkin. He had discussed this very topic with Angel Margret that afternoon. His team would initially reconnoitre the problem and then report back to her – Then, undoubtedly she would get a decision and subsequent authority to change the current time-line; from the Boss directly.
The dinner party broke up a couple of hours later with Mr. Albain thanking his hosts for a superb evening and taking some of Mrs. Harris delicious rhubarb pie home in a ‘doggy bag’. The following morning the team gathered for a light breakfast and final briefing before heading to the Light Room and onward travel to Mexico in the year 1521.
2. A DYING EMPIRE.
The four young natives carried the litter with great skill over the broken path which rose continuously from the steaming jungle. Sister Serenity peered between the curtains and smiled; riding ahead, the young Bishop would be sweating profusely, despite having the privilege of a horse to carry him; from wearing that armour, jerkin and leather boots in this oppressive heat.
She waved the delicate lace fan across her face; it didn’t improve matters much and she fondly remembered the heat of Southern Italy – the summers in Cappanni had always been gloriously warm and clean – not like this sweaty heat of the jungle, followed by the freezing cold of bare mountains at nightfall.
“Apparently another thirty leagues before we reach the outskirts of the encampment; this is slow going indeed my lady.” Diego wiped his face with a soft cloth which was already drenched in sweat, but smiled and adjusted his shirt, which was wet with perspiration, flapping the cloth to allow air around his chest. Sister Serenity grinned; she thought Wilson would be comfortable with such heat; coming from Africa – then realised that he had resided in New York City, the entire time he was alive!
Glancing behind, she could see the long column of Spanish soldiers, in single file, following at a slow pace. Some men already laid upon rough wooden litters, inflicted by heat and fevers, being dragged by donkey’s or their friends.
“Clean water, salt and Paracetamol would work wonders here.” She muttered and then noticed the lone horseman approaching the convoy; the Spanish messenger from Captain Hernando De Plaza no doubt. Sister Serenity and Diego exchanged glances; Diego tapped young Santiago on the shoulder and pointed out the rider; “A visitor from our forthcoming hosts.”
Santiago nodded wearily; he hated being back in a Monk’s habit again, especially in weather like this, and the large wooden crucifix he carried was a real pain in the arse. He heaved the bloody thing upon his shoulder again, like slinging a rifle.
“Why couldn’t he be nailed to a bloody fridge filled with cold beer!” he groaned and that made Diego laugh, then he noticed the strange looks being passed amongst the soldiers nearest to the palanquin. “Stick to old Spanish!” He whispered to Santiago and smiled at the soldiers, some of whom crossed themselves in unspoken fear. The strange, big black man made them uneasy – but he was the Bishop’s personal servant and the Bishop carried the King’s word and that carried the power of life and death – the soldiers kept their thoughts and fears quiet.
The Bishop lifted his right hand and the column of struggling men and beasts came to a slow stop in the shimmering heat. Sister Serenity indicated to her carriers that they may rest and the men gratefully lowered her gently to the rough ground. She stepped from the litter and stretched a little in the hot sunshine, covering her eyes, she viewed the Spanish Knight that saluted her ‘brother’ and bowed a little from the saddle.
After a little conversation, the Bishop turned and ordered the column to rest for thirty minutes whilst he and the Knight dismounted and continued talking. Diego, Sister Serenity and bother Santiago joined them – as did Lord Sebastian Garcia – the Bishop’s Commander of cavalry and his Deputy.
The Commander had no time for fools, he turned to Sister Serenity and grinned broadly; “Has that idiot become normal again and started burning these heretics and collecting the tax owed to the King?” he slapped a hand upon his sword hilt and added; “If he’s not capable, your brother and I will certainly carry out the King and his holiness the Pope’s orders!”
Sister Serenity nodded her agreement, but sighed; she knew exactly what Lord Sebastian had in mind: fire and the sword. He removed his steel helmet and wiped his face and neck; Lord Sebastian was a big man - in size and appetite; he loved women and gold - in any order. He had already made plan his feelings about Sister Serenity's vows as a 'bride of Christ'.
"Fucking terrible waste; now the real fucking sin against God is that a beautiful young woman like you is fucking wasted. You should be in a man's bed and bringing children into this world - not on your knee's praying. The only time you would be on your knee's, if I was your husband, would be when your sucking.." Sister Serenity had walked away at that point. He did apologise a little later - most grudgingly, it should be noted, for he felt he was still right in all he said.
"He has an ego the size of a mountain and talks far too plain. What he thinks he just says - a terrible habit." Father Alfredo had explained to Sister Serenity upon hearing the rumours of what Lord Sebastian had said to the young Nun. Father Alfredo was an educated man for a Priest; he had an interest in Astronomy and the habits of plants. There was another rumour that he had been questioned [as a young man] by the Holy Inquisition over his idea's that the earth and all other planets actually revolved around the sun - it was considered heresy at the time to question anything that the Bible stated. It was said that after torture, the young man recanted and was made to join the priesthood.
The choice between being burnt at the state after further torture or becoming a priest was actually a hard decision for the young man to make. His dear mother's pleadings helped sway him to the Priesthood. Thus thirty years older and far much wiser in the ways of the Church and men; Father Alfredo was in the lands of the pagan Aztec's to convert them to the true path and like him; they faced a similar decision - convert to Christianity or be killed - quite unpleasantly it was promised.
But the good father was actually one of the better Christians for the age and was popular with the common soldiers because he was pious and kind, with an unusual sense of humour for a priest; in that he actually had a sense of humour!
Upon meeting Sister Serenity, he offered the young Nun his litter and native bearers for the journey. At first, she refused, saying the elderly priest would benefit from the ride more than a young person would. She stated that her legs were strong and could do the walking required. The old Father had crossed himself and lifted his eyes to heaven; "Forgive me for talking about a Sister's legs - strong or otherwise!"
Everyone - especially the soldiers - laughed at that and Sister Serenity had accepted his offer of the litter - with a small smile upon her face and the convoy set forth to the world of the Aztec's. The journey north was far more brutal than the Conquistadors could ever have imagined. The jungle trails they travelled were unforgiving with damp heat during the day and cruel cold at night - especially when the expedition crossed the mountain paths.
Several days into the the adventure, the Bishop had almost a third of his fighting men suffering from fevers and sickness - some died and were given decent burials by Father Alfredo and Sister Serenity. At one point they had so many sick that Sister Serenity gave up her litter to the worse cases and walked at their side; attending to the dying men's need for comfort and care. That did not go un-noticed by the common soldiers [and many of the officers] and when ever they encountered the Nun, they would bow and cross themselves "Nestra pequena madre de amor" would be whispered. The young nun was gaining respect with each day of the torturous walk.
Now the column of weary and sick men rested in the hazy sunshine as the bishop held his officers conference with the Spanish knight sent by the now infamous Captain Hernando De Plaza - appointed Governor of this region; for the present.
"So the madman lays dying, truly the Lord works his will into the lives of men." Lord Sebastian grunted and crossed himself. The little conference broke up and everyone returned to the column - including the young Knight; Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez; the captains messenger. He would lead the convoy tomorrow into the city that was now under Spanish control. The Bishop, his sister, the monk Santiago and the Bishop's servant all gathered by the nun's litter and spoke quietly.
Captain Hernando apparently lay dying; stricken with a strange fever that caused hallucinations and visions of Christ and the Devil. The fevered captain had risen from his sick bed on two occasions; announcing the arrival of the 'Queen of Heaven' [the Virgin Mary] and collapsed back into his hammock.
Jericho [the Bishop] didn't smile at the news but admitted that the demise of the captain would conclude the mission quite early and very satisfactorily. Owen particularly liked that idea; "No more humping that bleeding cross about." He smiled and wiped his face and neck - again.
Wilson pointed out - quite discreetly - that little Rosa, the collector was back amongst the expedition and yet another man had died. "Which reminds me; time for my rounds." Alex said softly and rolled up her sleeves. Jericho pulled her to one side and pointed out she was not here to save lives that should pass over - but she could help those who will survive anyway, as much as she wants.
With that little reminder apparently taken on board; Alex went about her mission with the sick - Father Alfredo helping out where possible. Wilson watched the pair and said quietly to Jericho; "Hopefully, our baby sister will heed your words this time - remember what happened in that bloody hospital in that big fucking war?" Jericho nodded; but he did smile; Alex was Alex after all.
3 THE CAPTAIN.
Captain Hernando turned in his hammock and groaned; Diego - his man servant- dipped the cloth into the bowl of cold water and wiped it around the captain's sweating face. Diego turned to Matias and sadly shook his head; "He is not better Sir; he's still burning with fever."
Matias, a young, tall native man, wrung his hands and stared at the old man turning slowly in his hammock, racked with fever and insatiable thirst. "I have asked Sir Rodrigo to meet the Lord Bishop, inform him of our master's plight. Hopefully they will have a surgeon with them, by the grace of God." Both men crossed themselves. Captain Hernando groaned loudly and suddenly sat up, eyes rolling and hands shaking violently; "Our Lady! our Lady! have mercy upon this poor soul, send your daughter to care for my soul!" He collapsed back in the hammock and struggled to sleep.
Matias, a young, tall native man, wrung his hands and stared at the old man turning slowly in his hammock, racked with fever and insatiable thirst. "I have asked Sir Rodrigo to meet the Lord Bishop, inform him of our master's plight. Hopefully they will have a surgeon with them, by the grace of God." Both men crossed themselves. Captain Hernando groaned loudly and suddenly sat up, eyes rolling and hands shaking violently; "Our Lady! our Lady! have mercy upon this poor soul, send your daughter to care for my soul!" He collapsed back in the hammock and struggled to sleep.
Diego sighed; "It's the same vision all the time Sir; the Virgin Mary." Matias said nothing further but returned to his simple quarters and drank some wine. If his friend the captain died, then the Bishop has the authority to appoint a new Governor and Matias shuddered at the thought of Lord Sebastian Garcia. The Bishops Deputy would be the obvious choice; Matias knew he would have nightmares about that selection and so would most of the native population of the city and surrounding countryside.
The convey started to enter the city just as night was falling. The Bishop and his officers made straight for the rooms of the stricken captain, with a concerned Matias dashing from his quarters to join them. He walked quietly at the rear of the group and encountered Sister Serenity and Father Alfredo. He was not happy to discover that there was no surgeon with the convey, but Father Alfredo championed the healing skills of the young nun. Matias pleaded with Sister Serenity to attend his master; the Captain. She, of course, agreed.
The group gathered around the hammock and the Bishop called for the captain to explain himself. The captain half sat up with rolling eyes and contorted face; "I see you for what you are; minions of the Dark One! You do the bidding of the wrong one!" He collapsed back into his hammock and fell silent. Father Alfredo and Sister Serenity rushed to his aid. But Lord Sebastian grunted; "He's as mad as a bat wearing a hat. The sickness has corrupted his mind and soul. Amen." He crossed himself, as did everyone else; except Matias.
Sister Serenity held his head gently and ran her hand down his face and neck. She almost smiled; but didn't. She stood back and spoke to his faithful servant; "Keep him doused with cold water and make him drink plenty; water that is. He will recover most of his senses within a day or so." Matias just stared at the young nun; how could she male such a pronouncement? What Matias didn't know, was that Alex had seen quite a few cases of Malaria and this was a mild bout of the infection. It had almost run its course. A dose of quinine would reduce it considerably.
She turned and spoke quietly with her 'brother' the Bishop. "He would have recovered with or without us." and smiled a little. Jericho nodded and turned to Lord Sebastian; "Take over from him until he recovers. Let us get the King's and the Holy Father's orders underway." Lord Sebastian actually grinned at that instruction. "Yes your Grace!" He shouted with tremendous enthusiasm and walked to the door, only stopping to say softly to Sister Serenity; "See, your brother is blessed with good sense for one so young. I truly see why our King and Cardinals love him so." Sister Serenity did not reply or smile at his heartfelt compliment.
The sister and Father Alfredo would sit with the captain through the night. Matias fetched a chair and blanket; he sat outside the room all night, catching sleep whenever he could. It was the Captain's servant shouting that woke him suddenly. He leapt from the chair; clutching the blanket like a child. Diego [the captains servant] stood in the doorway and gestured for him to come. He pushed into the sick room and found Sister Serenity feeding the Captain from a wooden bowl with a large spoon. This time he did cross himself.
"Its a miracle Matias, a miracle!" Diego gripped his shoulder and smiled, saying softly; "They say she performs miracles in the name of the blessed Virgin Mary." He rushed from the room to inform the other staff and soldiers of the garrison; of the good news. Matias approached his old friend and took his hand. He could feel the difference. The fever had broken. He turned to Sister Serenity; "Thank you Sister. God bless you." He whispered and gripped his friends hand.
"Don't thank me Matias. Thank God for his mercy." Was all she said and ladled another spoon of warm gruel into the captain's mouth. Father Alfredo was kneeling at the foot of the bed; praying. Matias joined him. The news did not please Lord Sebastian - strangely enough - and he grunted; "Sister Serenity is too close to the blessed Virgin for my taste." He had already managed to torture and hang a couple of natives. He had many more lined up for the same fate.
Lord Sebastian left his quarters and walked to the makeshift prison; he had another long day of torturing and hanging heretic dogs to come. He passed the servant Diego, standing in the doorway of the kitchens; "He was near death and he called out for the Blessed Virgin to help him. Sister Serenity nursed him all night and now he lives, It is a miracle, for she is a daughter of Blessed Mary!"
Diego was happily speaking to the kitchen staff, who stood a little shocked; they were expecting very different news. Lord Sebastian sighed and gripped Diego by his shirt and flung him across the corridor. Diego slapped against the wall and groaned. "Sister Serenity is no closer to the Virgin Queen, than my arse is. If I hear you spreading such stories again; I'll have your tongue struck from your mouth. Do you understand?" He kicked Diego and headed for the prison.
The native servants in the kitchens all crossed themselves - quite vigorously - and many had realised that the 'Gods' of the white demons were far more powerful than the images they had worshipped. Even their feeble women could call the dead back from the 'afterlife'. Diego rose from the floor and dusted himself down. The rumours he had heard about Lord Sebastian certainly were not exaggerations!
the team came together in Jericho's rooms and he explained that; should Captain De Plaza continue on his present course, the future of South America would be very different. As would the present day be. Jericho sighed; "I don't like saying it, but his death would have suited our mission. Now, he is not scheduled to die for another two years and that would be enough time for the changes to alter the future."
Alex sat on a stiff chair and rubbed her feet. "He would have recovered from the fever without us or anyone else's help." She said and accepted a cup of brandy from Owen; he had bought a couple of bottles with him; decanted into wine skins. He smiled at Alex; "Would you like me to do that?" She stuck up a single finger and pulled her boots back on.
Wilson stood by the doorway, arms folded, watching the corridor. "So what do we do now?" He asked and then waved everyone into silence. Matias was walking slowly down the corridor with two other men; both natives. The older of the pair walked slowly; his legs bent from a childhood disease. But the other man was a strapping young fellow with a determined look about him.
Jericho rubbed his face and said softly; "Here we go." Matias stood in the doorway and bowed; "My Lord Bishop; Patkin the elder and his son Astrin would like words with you. Patkin was chief of this city under 'the Aztec' and his son was the War chief, of the city for the same King."
Jericho gestured for both to enter; he asked Matias to translate for him [even though Jericho and all other detectives, had the ability to speak and understand any human language - well, except Scottish probably!]. He nodded for the old man to speak. Patkin bowed and spoke for about a minute, then stopped and folded his arms. Matias clasped his hands together and nervously smiled; "The old Chief asks, if you will allow the natives to keep more of the harvest than last year. What the Spanish took, caused much hardship and some starvation amongst the people; especially the children. Some died."
Everyone glanced at each other and only Owen couldn't restrain a smile. The Chief had declared his hatred of the white demons and had cursed them back to hell. Jericho smiled a little; he had a pretty good idea what game Matias was playing. He nodded and told Matias to tell the old chief that more corn and vegetables would be put aside for them. Matias spoke to the chief and the old man nodded. He turned his back on Jericho and walked from the room. His son stood staring at Sister Serenity, then turned and followed his father. Matias thanked the Bishop and went after the pair.
They had all heard Matias tell the chief; "That the white demons would take what they wanted, any food or women they needed and he should be grateful, that the white Lord hasn't taken his tongue for his words."
Everyone started to chuckle. Wilson picked up his cup and swallowed some brandy; "I think our young friend is either a con artist or a very good diplomat." He smiled and turned to Alex, adding; "I think a native moth has felt the warmth of your flame." Everyone laughed at that.
That's when they heard the striking of the big drums on the wall of their enclosure. An old trooper of Lord Sebastian's Cavalry appeared and bowed, saying quickly; "My Lord Bishop, the scouts have returned. There is a large native army about five hours away. The scouts said they watched them, for nearly a full half day, and still could not count their number in total."
Jericho told the old soldier to inform Lord Sebastian. He turned to the others and shrugged his shoulders; "This could be in our favour. If this fortress falls and all the whites are massacred, then the current time line will roll on." Alex sighed; "Bloody charming. Loads of people have to die for us to succeed." No one could argue with that deduction.
4. THE WAR CONFERENCE.
All the Bishop's officers assembled in the small hall of the enclosure and Matias produced a drawing of the city and laid it upon the floor. Some knelt and studied the drawing with great care. Captain Hernando de Plaza was sitting on a stool with Matias now by his side. He sipped some water, clutching the cup with a feeble hand. He wouldn't be much use in the impending battle; he could just lift a cup, never mind a sword. He sat in silence as the discussions centred on the means of defence.
Lord Sebastian wanted to take his cavalry and some infantry and attack the natives as they appeared. The Bishop shook his head; why give up huge stone walls for an open field swarming with natives? Their two artillery pieces would cause havoc amongst the primitive solders of the 'Aztec'. "We must fight with our strengths; gunpowder and stone walls. In such a small area, horses charging forward would be nearly useless. But if we make a killing courtyard and lure the natives in; we can cut them down in droves."
The young Bishop tapped the two walls which ran to the steps of the enclosure. "To reach us, they must take the entrance of our enclosure. But if these two walls have a cannon placed upon each and good musket fire, then we can funnel them in and kill them in their hundreds. the cannons would be incredibly effective in such a small space; they will cut them up and drive fear into the hearts of those that witness such a terrible sight."
Every officer nodded their agreement - except Lord Sebastian, who just grunted and scratched his lice ridden crotch - Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez tapped the drawing with his dagger tip and smiled; "The Bishop is right. If we kill hundreds with cannon fire and muskets in such a small place, they will have to fight standing on the bodies of their friends!" The officers chuckled at that thought. Jericho glanced at Alex and smiled. He didn't even have to ask; what she was thinking!
Captain Hernando coughed and ran a hand across his damp face; "Should we not find out, what they want first. I mean before we start butchering them?" He handed the cup to Matias and leaned upon his sword; "What harm could a little talking do?" He added and wiped his face again. Lord Sebastian shook his head; "You can't reason with these heretic dogs, they only respect the sword. So I say let then saviour it." A couple of officers nodded their agreement with that statement. But Captain Hernando just chuckled; "Don't you mean that only we know and respect the sword, my lord?" Alex actually smiled at that.
The Bishop held up his hand; "Let us consider all things, if a little talking with the natives buys us time to prepare our defences, then so be it." Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez nodded his agreement; "The Bishop is right. Any delay strengthens us and weakens them." So it was agreed to send an emissary to the native commander and find out his desires for the city and its inhabitants. Matias would have to go - to translate - and Captain Hernando volunteered for the mission, which the Bishop refused. Lord Sebastian would go.
The conference broke up and the officers headed to their assigned posts and duties. Lord Sebastian took hold of Matias by the shirt and whispered close to his face; "Make sure you translate my words totally and completely. Do you understand that boy?" Matias nodded and pulled away. He was shaking a little. "Yes of course my Lord." He muttered and bowed.
Captain Hernando rose - with some difficulty - from his seat and headed back to his rooms. Matias rushed after him. Lord Sebastian turned to the Bishop; "I suspect that there is a un-natural bond between those two. When I find it is so, I will kill the pair - with your permission of course, your Grace - and they can both rot in Hell for their perversions."
The Bishop didn't reply; he was staring at the map, still laid upon the floor. He turned to Lord Sebastian and gripped his shoulder; "Find out their strength, their weapons and how much stores they carry. If they are expecting a quick victory, then a steadfast defence will not suit their purpose or planning, understand?" Lord Sebastian nodded and strode into the corridor, shouting for Matias.
Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez slapped his hand against his sword hilt in salute; "For a man of God your Grace, I am so pleased that the King sent a Bishop who also understands war." He looked to the departing Lord Sebastian, adding - with a smile - "And men." He turned on his heels and went after Lord Sebastian.
With no one in the room but his team; Jericho pulled his mirror out and ran it over the drawing that Matias had apparently drawn, just an hour before the conference. Wilson took up his position by the doorway and Owen asked; "What have you spotted Jericho?" Alex picked up the drawing and then noticed the look on Jericho's face. "What have you got?" She said and lowered the drawing. Jericho held up his mirror; the drawing was almost an exact copy of a drawing that illustrated a Spanish book on the conquest; except it was printed in 1798!
"Owen, can you run a check on young Matias and do the same for the Captain. I smell a time travelling rat here." Jericho smiled and thrust his mirror back into the folds of his jacket. Owen disappeared through the doorway and Alex folded her arms; "So, one or both are visitors here?" Jericho rubbed his face; "I strongly suspect that our dear Captain, didn't just change his spots overnight without good reason and the answer does, I believe, lay with Matias."
Jericho walked to the doorway and stopped; "I suppose, I should tell you about the generous offer Lord Sebastian has made to me about you; should the city fall to the natives." Alex placed her hands on her hips and did not smile; "What bloody generous offer was that?" Jericho grinned; "He has offered to kill you - quite quickly - to spare you being raped by the native warriors. He said that you should go to God, untouched and unpolite, not ravaged by filthy heretic dogs. That was most kind of him, wasn't it?" He said that bit, with some real sarcasm in his voice.
Alex just sighed and said to Wilson; "I'm going to steer well clear of that mad bastard and watch my back." Wilson just smiled; "Believe me baby sister; I won't let the mad bastard get within ten feet of you; if this goes pair shaped." Alex patted his shoulder, smiling; "Thank you my gallant Knight." Wilson chuckled; "If that's the case, then I must be the very original black Knight!" They both laughed at that. Jericho just shook his head and made for the gateway of the enclosure; to see Lord Sebastian and Matias depart.
Owen came back in the chamber and saw Alex and Wilson talking closely together; her hand on his shoulder. They both smiled at him. "I don't know how he does it. Jericho I mean. Young Matias is Phillipe De Sousa. Human Records show him born in 1840 in Portugal. He should have died in 1902, but he missed his departure date; he's a missing soul." Wilson nodded; "What about the Captain?" Owen smiled; "Genuine, he belongs in this time period. He's due to die in just a couple of years. Killed by a rabid dog; not a pleasant death, rabies I mean."
"Remind me never to pat any bloody dogs running about here." Wilson grunted and turned back to Alex, who was staring at the window; she could hear voices and cheering, Lord Sebastian and Matias were heading out to the Aztec army. "Why on earth did Jericho send him?" She asked. Wilson adjusted his jacket and grinned; "Because the mad bastard is a good soldier and officer - despite being a total lunatic! - he'll get the information needed."
Owen sighed - unsmiling; "There's something that you should know - and Jericho, of course -that Matias fled his home country for Spain in 1864. He was about to be arrested and tried for being a Homosexual. It was a crime in those days. Guess who else is of that inclination?" Wilson grunted; "The Captain?" Owen nodded. "That's why he is here. He was given the stark choice by his family; to get out of Spain or face the Holy Inquisition and we know, what a really enlightened bunch of jokers, they were in 1520."
Wilson gestured towards the door; "I think we should search young Matias's room for anything that doesn't belong in this time or place." Alex agreed with that; finding his time portal device - if one existed - would be a priority. If he had stumbled across a natural tear in the fabric of time, linked to this place, then they would have to try and find its location; and close it. Either way, searching his rooms would be a start.
They made for his small set of rooms and were not surprised to find Captain Hernando there; sitting slumped on a chair, clutching a shirt of Matias's with both hands. He clearly had been crying. Wilson stopped Owen from entering the room and said quietly; "I think this is best left to Alex."
5. THE 'AZTEC' HAS ARRIVED.
Captain Hernando De Plaza was utterly astonished that Sister Serenity did not admonish him for his 'abominable sins' in the face of God's commandants. "I have only loved two people - truly loved them - in my life. Matias is one and young Felipe was the other. He was caught and questioned by the Holy Inquisition. He was just nineteen years old and they tortured him brutally. He betrayed all the men who had paid for his attention. But not me. I escaped all inquiry and watched him put to death; burnt in our town square. He had been tortured so badly, that he could not even scream in pain as the flames took him apart. I cannot - I will not - allow young Matias to end that way." The Old Captain gripped Matias's shirt and held it to his wet face.
Alex poured some wine and gave it to the distraught Captain. He accepted it with shaking hands and sipped slowly; "Never again." He whispered. Alex sat with her arm around his shoulder; little wonder he had changed. He would do anything to keep - and please - his young lover. Matias - it appears - had persuaded him to change his administration of the natives. To stop the burnings and torture, stop the stealing of their precious crops and stop the rapes and violations of their women and girls.
She sighed and realised; they had been sent to ensure all those horrors continued. She felt a little sick inside. But the current human time line had to be maintained. If only for all those souls, that would cease to exist, if it changed. She recalled what Jericho always said; "Humanity progresses over the dead bodies of fellow humans." She now saw the terrible, stark truth of his words.
Wilson knocked softly on the door and informed them, that Lord Sebastian was back and the news wasn't good. Alex patted the old man and refilled his glass, without another word, she opened the door and joined Wilson and Owen on the other side; closing the door quietly. They made their way back to the Bishop's quarters in silence; the corridors were packed with panicking native servants and their families. They clearly wanted to escape the city before the armies of the 'Aztec' arrived.
They stood in the room, drinking brandy poured from Owen's goatskins. Lord Sebastian had recounted that the 'Aztec' had about twenty thousand men under his command; but compared to the Spanish soldiers, they were lightly armed. They certainly had no muskets, cannon or horse. They would not 'parley' with the Spanish garrison; they were here to kill them all and take back the city. Any natives found to have 'co-operated' with the Spanish would be put to death - and their families - then, they would pick a hundred young men and sacrifice them at the temple.
Owen wiped his face; "They will hold each one down, over a stone alter, and rip their hearts out whilst still alive." Alex sipped her brandy; "These two sides are as bad as each other in reality." She said softly and Wilson agreed with her. They could hear Spanish voices through the window and knew that the garrison was preparing for battle. "It's going to be a real fucking bloodbath. cannons and muskets against clubs and spears. Jericho's plan is actually a real good one. I wonder where he gained his military skills from." Owen smiled and swallowed down his brandy.
"Just make sure that Alex is never alone with that mad bastard Lord Sebastian." Wilson told Owen, adding; "If you have too, use your bloody mirror. You can say that I ordered you. That will keep you in the clear." Owen nodded; "I fucking would; with or without your orders." Wilson slapped him on the back and grinned; "That's my baby brother!" Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez appeared in the doorway and told them to seek shelter in the inner rooms of the enclosure; the Bishop's orders.
He took hold of Alex by the arm - which surprised her - and whispered into her ear; "If the time comes and those heathen dogs are going to over run the city. I will kill you quickly. They will not lay a filthy hand upon you Sister. You have my word on that." He released her and headed for the walls of the courtyard. Alex sighed loudly; "Why do all these fuckers want to bump me off?" Wilson chuckled; "They certainly know how to sweet talk a lady." The three headed for the inner sanctuary of the enclosure.
They were stopped by the young officer in charge of the cannon - hurrying to the walls - with his two old 'Bombardiers' in tow. He bowed to Sister Serenity and informed her, that should the 'Aztec' take the city, he would personally put her to death - quickly - he never finished his generous offer, because Sister Serenity just waved him aside; "Yes thank you so bloody much. Now clear off." He walked away; in some astonishment. Wilson and Owen really did laugh at that.
They found a passage way and it took them not to the inner rooms, but the East wall. The Spanish troops were lined along the wall top, crouching or laying, muskets ready. Behind them were some young natives, who really didn't love the 'Aztec'. They held spare muskets and were ready to reload. They would hand a fresh musket to their soldier and load the one he just discharged; that way they could keep up an almost constant fire upon the native warriors, who appeared in the courtyard below. They knew not to bother 'throwing themselves' on the 'Aztec's' mercy; he didn't have any.
On their hands and knee's, the team crawled to the walls edge and peered down. Coming through the large gateway were about three hundred native warriors. It was quite a spectacle; they were dressed in vivid and colourful feathers , with shields to match. The men in front of the lines of warriors, were dressed in jaguar skins and carried lethal looking wooden clubs studded with bone or metal spikes. The soldier next to Alex turned and asked her to bless him; he was about twenty years old and visibly shaking. She touched his shoulder; "God is at your side my son." He smiled and wiped his face.
He took her hand and kissed it; "I won't let them take you Sister; My dagger will do its duty and you will be..."He didn't finish. The look on Alex's face was enough to shut him up. He went back to staring at the natives.
"For Christ sake; they all want to bump me off. Why don't they just mind their own fu..."She didn't finish either, because Wilson tapped her shoulder and gestured to the other wall; the Bishop [Jericho] was giving last minute orders to his officers; who rushed away. Lord Sebastian stood by his side, sword drawn. "We need to tell him about the captain and especially Matias." He whispered and laid on his back, operating his mirror. The native sitting behind the young soldier, watched with some puzzlement. Why was the dark man talking into a piece of glass? White or black, these people were really strange.
Jericho stepped back from the wall's edge and read his mirror quite discretely. He looked up and waved at Wilson and Alex; Owen was still flat on the wall's floor. That wave started the battle. The Spanish open fire with everything they had. The noise was deafening and smoke filled the enclosure. When the cannon fired from the East wall; it shook gently and Alex held her hands over her ears.
"Jesus fucking Christ!" She said, as the young soldier and his native loader exchanged muskets. The soldier grinned at her; "That's the best blessing I've heard since joining the fucking army of Cortes!" He turned and fired again. The native was already finishing the reload. Alex crawled back to Owen, with Wilson right behind. "He certainly knows how to start a punch up!" She yelled to Wilson over the noise. The cannon fired again and the wall actually shook this time.
"They're stuffing all types of metal and crap in the cannon. Can you imagine what that's doing to the natives down there; they have no armour. No protection." Owen shouted as an arrow bounced off the floor next to his legs. It was quickly followed by another, then another and soon it was raining arrows. They found a gap in the stone wall, as it joined the building that it ran from; a small shelf. Wilson took hold of Alex and pushed her under it. "Keep you head down!" He shouted.
But she had seen the young soldier, struck by two arrows, laying still and prone. The native was now firing the musket down into the courtyard. She went to give aid, but Wilson physically pushed her back and shook his head; "Not this time baby sister, you are going to sit this one out!" Owen had pushed up against the buildings edge and checked his mirror. "Jericho says get to the fucking inner sanctuary and he'll join us there. They taking the wounded there and you can help, if you want Alex."
An arrow bounced off the wall, inches from his head. "To quote William Fucking Shakespeare; lets get the fuck outa here!" Wilson yelled and they left the wall - in a hurry.
6. THE DEVIL'S HOSPITAL.
They ran down the badly lit corridor and found their way blocked by the young artillery officer, they had met earlier. He had clearly been badly wounded. He had an arrow in one arm and one in a leg. But he held up his sword and panted; "Don't worry Sister, I'll do my duty...it will be quick..." He lifted his sword, but Wilson just grunted and decked him with a single punch. He and Owen then heaved the young man up and carried down to the rooms, which had been turned into a makeshift hospital; by the native women.
"That's the best pain relief he can get - in this time and place - Let me at him." Alex said quietly, as Wilson and Owen placed him on a pile of straw. A native woman handed Alex bandages and water. She also gave her an evil looking pair of thin tongs. Owen pointed to them; "What the fuck are they for?" Alex turned them in her hands; "Well, it will have to do. I should be able to get the arrow heads out with these."
More injured men were arriving. Alex now shouted her orders in the native tongue. That actually shocked the natives more than the terrible wounds on the men. How did the strange white woman suddenly pick up their language; and with such Fluency?
Some of the women crossed themselves, but carried on tending the wounded. Owen stared into the big room next door; there were several dead bodies laid out and he knew that, they would be soon be joined by more of their comrades. "Where the fuck is Jericho?" Wilson muttered, then saw Matias bending over a groaning soldier; his hands were coated with blood. He seemed to know his way around wounded men. The look on his face, when he heard Sister Serenity talking in his native tongue was priceless!
A young native woman was assisting Alex. "I may be a simple woman of the 'Aztec', but you are gifted by the Gods Sister. You have the touch." She poured water over the gaping wound and the soldier groaned loudly. Alex was stitching him up with a rough needle and thread. The young officer opened his eyes and stared at her; "Sweet Jesus! The devil has arrived!" and collapsed back on the straw.
"He's always been around. I know him personally; the bastard." Alex muttered and repeated her treatment on his leg. The native woman chuckled; Alex forget she was still talking in the native tongue. She finished and moved on. Most injuries were caused by arrows. The real nasty - hand to hand - combat had not yet begun. The natives were a also little shocked, to see that, the Sister treated both native and Spaniards without favour to either. They had never seen that before and many crossed themselves in reverence to the nun.
The battle raged above for about an hour and then quiet descended on the enclosure. Owen and one of the young native boys went to find out what was now happening. The rooms of the underground chamber were now filled with injured and dying men. The temporary morgue now had about twenty corpses laid about the stone floor. They had to carry fresh bodies there with some care; the floor was running with blood.
Owen and the boy returned some minutes later; carrying buckets of water; which was gratefully received by everyone. Wilson and Alex pulled Owen to one side and asked about Jericho. "He's fine and so's Lord Sebastian - unfortunately - but a messenger managed to climb over the wall, he's from General Corte's army. He has taken Tenochtitlan and captured the Aztec King; the one here is a brother or uncle or something. They could have overwhelmed us, but they must have received the same news. They have stopped fighting and now are just sitting about."
The noise of fighting, screaming men and horses started to drift down the corridors and the team headed for the walls. They crept along the East wall; there many dead natives and Spanish soldiers sprawled long it. Alex actually turned away from the sight in the courtyard. It had been simply a slaughter; the bodies of the brave, young Aztec warriors were piled two or three deep, the entire length and breadth of the courtyard. The cannons and muskets had done their job with horrific efficiency. There were several Spanish soldiers climbing amongst the bodies; finishing off any wounded men with their swords and daggers.
Wilson stared through the gateway - from where all the noise was coming - and could see horses. Lord Sebastian's cavalry had charged the sitting Aztec's with the infantry behind him. Apparently, the native warriors offered little resistance and were slaughtered where they stood or sat. They Spanish were not taking prisoners.
The only thing that stopped the relentless killing of the natives, was the fall of night. It was too dark - and considered too dangerous - to continue in the darkness. Father Alfredo had arrived in the 'hospital' with boxes of fresh supplies and natives carrying much needed clean water and wine. He embraced Sister Serenity like a long lost daughter. "Thank God for sending you my Sister. The men say you are the blessed Virgin herself; returned to give aid and comfort to the Spanish soldiers. I am just a humble priest, but you fill my heart with such pride, that I have given my self a hundred 'Hail Mary's' for penitence!"
Alex just nodded at his praise and said quietly; "There must be burial parties arranged. The heat will soon make this entire city a rotting morgue and then disease and pestilence will soon follow, and the people of the city will become more victims." The old priest nodded and tapped her arm; "I will speak to Lord Sebastian. He must see the sense of that." He turned to go, but Alex grabbed his arm; "Surely My brother - the Bishop - is the man to speak too."
Father Alfredo shook his head; "The messenger that carried the incredible news of General Corte's victory, also brought news that Lord Sebastian Garcia was to assume command of the region. Captain Hernando De Plaza has been arrested and imprisoned by Corte's order. Your brother - quite correctly - has stood aside." He made his way from the rooms, passing Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez, who stood and stared at the wounded. He bowed to Alex and smiled; "For all that Lord Sebastian claims victory here, everyone knows that your brother was the force behind it. But no one can take away your courage, dedication and skill with the wounded. May I kiss your hand?"
Alex held out her hand and he kissed it with some passion and continued to hold for far longer than he should. She actually had to pull her hand away and wiped it on her habit. Rodrigo smiled and bowed again; "Should you ever have need of me; just call, my heart, soul and sword are yours." He turned away, not taking his eyes off her, then left. Wilson just sighed; "You know what I would say, so I'm not saying it!" He chuckled and gestured for them to follow him, adding; "Let's find Jericho and find out what's next."
7. DARKNESS IN THE TEMPLE.
They made their way to the Bishop's quarters; the corridors were filled with Spanish soldiers, drinking and singing. Many stood and bowed as Alex passed by them. many crossed themselves and a couple of much older men, called out to her; "Nestra pequena madre de amor!" The others all cheered. She just smiled at them. Owen chuckled; "I'll start taking names and maybe, a small subscription for your fan club." Wilson laughed at that.
They found Jericho in his quarters; sprawled in a hammock, with one leg hanging out, apparently reading a book. Owen noticed that a goatskin of brandy lay on the small rough table, near the swinging 'Bishop'. Jericho looked up and smiled; "Ah, my trusty troops. Everything OK?" Wilson eased himself onto the stiff backed chair near the window and held up a wooden cup, he gestured to the goatskin bag; "Any chance of some brandy?" Owen sighed and filled up two more cups with brandy; he re-filled Jericho's cup and eased himself down on the floor.
They found Jericho in his quarters; sprawled in a hammock, with one leg hanging out, apparently reading a book. Owen noticed that a goatskin of brandy lay on the small rough table, near the swinging 'Bishop'. Jericho looked up and smiled; "Ah, my trusty troops. Everything OK?" Wilson eased himself onto the stiff backed chair near the window and held up a wooden cup, he gestured to the goatskin bag; "Any chance of some brandy?" Owen sighed and filled up two more cups with brandy; he re-filled Jericho's cup and eased himself down on the floor.
Alex accepted her cup and took a couple of sips. "What's going to happen to the Captain now?" Jericho shrugged his shoulders; "His fate now lays with Lord Sebastian; the new Governor of this region. I doubt if Captain Hernando De Plaza will interfere with the human time line any more and that means our job here is done." He sipped his cup and swung his free leg back and forth, adding; "Our dear Lord 'let's murder everyone' Sebastian, will also deal with young Matias. He suspects that the good captain and he [Matias] are having a homosexual affair and that's punishable by death in this time and place. Since he now has total authority; his suspicions are good enough to have both condemned."
Wilson grunted his agreement; "But Matias will be a lost soul and we shouldn't really allow that." Alex agreed with Wilson and stretched; she was quite stiff from bending over all those wounded men. Wilson grinned at her and jumped up from the old chair. "You better rest those legs of yours girl." Alex smiled and gently eased herself down on the seat. "Thank you my gallant black knight." She whispered and drank some more brandy. Both her and Wilson chuckled. Owen just sighed; "Knight my arse."
Jericho leaned back in the hammock; thinking. He slapped the book down on the small table and rubbed his chin; "Wilson is right about that; if Matias is put to death here; he's soul will be lost and we certainly should prevent that - if we can - but the question is; how?" Diego [the Captain's loyal servant] appeared in the doorway; he didn't look happy - he looked terrified - and bowed, removing his hat. Jericho told him to speak.
"My Lord Bishop, they have taken the Captain, to the temple and chained him up like a dog, in a room there. Please help him my lord. They say that he has been working for the devil and fornicating with young Matias. Lord Sebastian has ordered his trial and they will find him guilty, even though he is innocent of worshipping the evil one. They say, that when he is found guilty of such crimes; they will garrotte him on top of that accursed place."
"Good Spanish justice." muttered Owen with plenty of sarcasm in his voice. Jericho slipped from the hammock - most reluctantly - and straightened his jacket. "Where is Matias now?" He asked the trembling man, who bowed yet again; "He has fled the city my lord. Gone. He has left the captain to face this alone." He wiped his face, he was crying for his good master.
Jericho sighed; "I'll see what can be done. Thank you. Your loyalty to your master is most admirable. Go now." Diego almost smiled and bowed again saying 'thank you' several times and was gone. "Well that throws a spanner into the works. How can we help the twat [Matias] if he's not bloody here." Wilson said and sipped his brandy. That's when Father Alfredo appeared in the doorway looking terrified as well. "Now what?" Owen whispered and finished his drink.
The old priest looked behind him several times and spoke quickly; there was total disbelief in his voice. "You must get her out of the city my Lord, even your position will not save her from the flames!" He gestured wildly at Alex, who rose slowly from her chair. He gasped a couple times and gripped his crucifix with both hands that trembled. "Lord Sebastian has heard that Sister Serenity spoke in many tongues and performed surgery on the wounded men. A woman cannot do that; its not allowed. He says that the devil must have given her such skills. He says a demon has taken her and she now serves the dark one, and all of you will be tainted by her closeness to yourselves. You must go!"
Jericho calmed the old man down and said quietly; "The bastard is getting rid of anyone who witnessed that I commanded and won the battle. He's using Alex to for that end. It's actually me, he wants out the way." The priest pointed to Wilson; "The artillery captain, who she saved, has given testimony that your black servant struck him. Knocking him to the floor. A black man cannot touch a white man. They will garrotte him for that alone. You must flee; now!"
He ran to the door and called back; "Soldiers are coming. They come to arrest you all for witchcraft and devil worship, you must go...." He turned back and saw that the room was empty. He slowly kissed his crucifix and slid down the wall; the old priest had fainted. He clearly knew, that he had been fooled by Satan himself and his minions, dressed up as members of the Church.
Father Alfredo lay groaning on the floor, with a dozen, half drunk soldiers standing over him. They asked him several times about the 'Bishop' and the witch. He just lay moaning and so, they dragged him up and took him to Lord Sebastian.
"Ungrateful bunch of bastards." was all Alex said as they walked back to the lighthouse. That made Wilson chuckle. "Maybe in the future, you won't have such a soft spot for the living." Owen scratched his arse and swore blind that he had caught lice from some dirty bugger in that period. "They washed less than a desert scorpion." He muttered. Jericho walked ahead, swinging that book he had been reading, whilst laying in the hammock.
"What is that damn book about?" Alex asked - still a little angry at the treatment she had received from the Spanish - and it showed! Jericho held the book up; it was an old leather bound volume with no titles printed upon it. He shouted back; "Its a journal actually, written about 1537. It's in a mix of old Spanish and Latin." He jumped up the steps and Mr. Harris took his coat and hat. Alex was intrigued, she turned to Wilson; "Where did he get hold of that? We were in the year 1521. That's some sixteen years before the bloody thing was written." Wilson shrugged his shoulders; he was now intrigued too.
Owen was too busy moaning about his arse to pay much attention to the conversation. But he did mutter: "How can it be from 1537 and yet, its well worn and old? How can it be in that condition in 1521 [they year Jericho was reading it] It should be quite new; unless someone bought the damn book back with them from some future date." Wilson and Alex exchanged a glance; Young Owen may have his faults, but his mind was razor sharp!
They laid about the study; waiting for dinner to be called. Mr. Harris served everyone coffee and finally Alex had to ask: "What is the Significance of that damn book you were reading, whilst swinging in the hammock?" Jericho chuckled and placed the book on the coffee table and eased back in his chair.
"It's the rambling recollections of a young Spanish Nobleman who took part in the conquest of Mexico in the 1520's. It had been lost for many centuries, but was discovered in an old library in Madrid, about 1865. Then, just as authorities got all excited about its finding; the bloody thing disappeared. Some bugger had nicked it." Jericho picked the book back up and opened the first page; there was a self portrait of the writer. Everyone stared hard at the drawing. Alex smiled: "Bloody Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez." She said simply and finished her coffee.
"Apparently he made more money from this, than he ever got by looting the Aztec Empire of its treasures." Jericho chuckled. He tapped the cover; "Your mentioned in it Alex, as is Wilson, Owen, me and Father Alfredo. They're all there; a real cast of characters. He makes it plain - without actually spelling it out - that you and he were lovers! In his 'recollections' your not a nun, but a beautiful Spanish Courtesan [prostitute] and I'm a surgeon, who demands money from the wounded and sick before he does anything for them! - Thus history records Lord Sebastian as the victor of the battle and almost Saint like in character!"
"A bloody big cover up and written to favour the victors." Muttered Wilson, adding; "Winston Churchill always said that history was written by the bloody victors." Owen coughed; "Well, he may have quoted it, but no-one really knows who actually said it." Wilson shrugged his shoulders; "Don't matter who said it first; it's bloody true!"
Jericho chuckled; "That's why I said it fine to help the wounded Alex; you had already done so. Even if, in the book you were a tart. The fact is, that it happened; so you would have to help or the time line would change because you didn't." Jericho explained. Alex nodded; she had wondered why Jericho said it was ok.
They sat in silence for a few moments, then Alex exclaimed: "He's a bloody lying little shit bag!" She needed a brandy - and walked over to the drinks cabinet. She knew that, she didn't even have to ask the others; if they wanted one. Jericho continued; "The big black man was a Christian Moor, who's favourite pastime was playing hangman for Lord Sebastian [the only character he represented almost accurately] and spent his leisure time raping native girls and praying for their heathen souls." Wilson just shook his head; "What a fucking little shit!"
"A bloody big cover up and written to favour the victors." Muttered Wilson, adding; "Winston Churchill always said that history was written by the bloody victors." Owen coughed; "Well, he may have quoted it, but no-one really knows who actually said it." Wilson shrugged his shoulders; "Don't matter who said it first; it's bloody true!"
Jericho chuckled; "That's why I said it fine to help the wounded Alex; you had already done so. Even if, in the book you were a tart. The fact is, that it happened; so you would have to help or the time line would change because you didn't." Jericho explained. Alex nodded; she had wondered why Jericho said it was ok.
They sat in silence for a few moments, then Alex exclaimed: "He's a bloody lying little shit bag!" She needed a brandy - and walked over to the drinks cabinet. She knew that, she didn't even have to ask the others; if they wanted one. Jericho continued; "The big black man was a Christian Moor, who's favourite pastime was playing hangman for Lord Sebastian [the only character he represented almost accurately] and spent his leisure time raping native girls and praying for their heathen souls." Wilson just shook his head; "What a fucking little shit!"
Jericho jerked a thumb at Owen; "Now, here's a classic. Owen was a brave young Spanish.....Accountant and Tax collector for the King!" He really laughed at that. "Apparently, you would have people tortured and mutilated, if they were a few pence short of the tax demand." Jericho added and finished his coffee. Alex just shook her head; "So its a pile of bollocks - a very old pile of bollocks - but bollocks nevertheless." Wilson nodded; "Yeah, but there was probably no-one around to argue its dishonesty, when it was published."
"I found the book amongst young Matias's possessions in his room. I knew he had brought the journal back from 1865 because of its condition. It may have come, as a bit of a surprise - no, shock - to find that we were not as recorded. He learnt a valuable lesson for a would be 'Time Lord' - History is never really how it is written or remembered!" Jericho chuckled, adding; "He [Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez] even did a hatchet job on poor old Father Alfredo, in the book, he is a fanatical Priest who wants all heretics burned. As for the good Captain De Plaza, well, he did a good job destroying his legacy. He's shown as a psychopath who thought he was Jesus Christ himself!"
Jericho picked up the book and smiled; "Anyone fancy a little bedtime story?"
EPILOGUE:
"This mission was deemed a success because the time line was restored with very few - and acceptable - changes. The only concern was the disappearance of the timer travelling 'Matias' and failure to capture his time portal device."
"This mission was deemed a success because the time line was restored with very few - and acceptable - changes. The only concern was the disappearance of the timer travelling 'Matias' and failure to capture his time portal device."
W.A.S.
CHARACTERS:
Captain Hernando De Plaza was put on trial for heresy, devil worship and forbidden carnal acts of depravity. Lord Sebastian was Judge & Jury. The Captain was garrotted to death on top of the Aztec Temple. He was supposed to have died in 1523 - from rabies - but his early passing made few, unacceptable changes to the human time line. His soul was collected and processed. Strangely enough, he is remembered by locals in the region, to this day. The story and legend of Captain De Plaza and his kindness remain alive, whilst the rest are forgotten or remembered with hatred.
Lord Sebastián Garcia remained Governor of the small region for several years. He is credited with murdering thousands. He robbed and stole, raped and killed. The Spanish King rewarded him with a large estate outside Madrid. He retired there in 1529 and married a young wife. His descendants are still nobility to this day. He lived until he was 71 - a very good age for the time - and died in his bed, surrounded by his large family. His soul was collected and processed. He was quarantined until 2100.
Rodrigo Silvio De Rodriguez, returned to Spain and wrote books and journals about his adventures in the 'New World'. They were mostly - to quote Alex - a 'pile of bollocks'. He became a minor celebrity and married well. He died in 1541 of 'fever' in his grand house. His soul was collected and processed.
Father Alfredo remained in the 'New World' until his death in 1532. He was a kind man and forgiving priest. The local natives mourned the old man and he was buried in the local Churchyard - new in 1532 - but was demolished in the 1930's to make way for new government offices. The priest is now totally forgotten by locals and history. His soul was collected and processed.
Phillipe De Sousa [Matias] had been born in 1840 and had jumped back in time. His time portal device was never discovered and he fled from the city before being arrested by Lord Sebastian. He missed his departure date [death] in 1902 and his soul remains missing to this day. His whereabouts in the current human time line also remains a mystery.
Diego Hermaness [the Captain's servant] survived his master by only a few months. He had been tainted by his loyalty to Captain Hernando De Plaza. He was executed under false charges of treason and witchcraft. They were a little merciful to the old man; they hung him, instead of garrotting. His soul was collected and processed.
Maria Certres [the native woman who assisted Alex] survived the initial Spanish conquest and married a clever native man, who knew how to handle his new 'masters'. They had several children and Maria's story about Captain Hernando De Plaza became the main source of rumour and legend about the man. But it was her stories about the strange and dedicated nun; passed down the generations of her huge family of descendants, that really caught on, amongst the native population. The local nuns convent is known as 'The House of Sister Serenity' and remains there to this day; though few know why it is called so!
 |
| SOME OF THESE OPTIONS MAY BE CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE. |
This will return you to the PUBLISHED SEASONAL EPISODES LISTING PAGE of the series. TO VIEW THIS PAGE: CLICK HERE!
To EXIT from the website 'THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF JERICHO TIBBS!' CLICK HERE!
 |
| "William Alexander Stephens." |
Copyright © 2011-2020 Stephen Williams. No reproduction of any part without permission.
