"What a damn bloody time to uncover
something like this. We have the bloody Queen's visit to cope with [as part of
her Silver Jubilee celebrations] and now the press is all over us because of that damn woman and her damn books!" Lord
David Price was not a happy man; he was responsible for
overseeing the cathedral's part in the forthcoming National celebrations of her
majesty's Queen Elizabeth II's twenty five years on the throne. Now he had this
to deal with. His assistant and Press Officer walked slowly by his side and
retrained from smiling. Miss Jenifer Sallies had little time for her 'Boss' and
the way he treated women; even one's that had been dead for almost six hundred
years. No, that wasn't quite right; she had clearly been murdered almost six
hindered years ago.
The pathologist's private &
confidential report was quite specific; the woman had starved to death; bricked
up behind that wall, Left to die horribly in a small room surrounded by her
writings and books that condemned her to death some 600 hundred years ago. But
why had they done such a dreadful deed in such a holy place; a house of
Jesus? To young Jenifer that was the real question to answer. She tried to
placate her boss, before he has a nervous breakdown and she gets
lumbered with even more work and problems.
"The Arch Bishop has arranged for a team
of experts to look at her [the bricked up woman] and try and find out what
happened and hopefully; why." She spoke quietly to Lord David, who just
grunted; "I thought we had enough of them crawling over the bloody woman
already."
Jenifer sighed, but managed to smile;
"Apparently they are real experts in medieval times and have a
Doctor on the team, with an American expert on 'cold case' crime scenes - from
New York - and the Professor is an acknowledged expert in medieval crime and
justice. He'll be accompanied by his young assistant."
Lord David stopped and folded his arms, staring
down the corridor towards the Arch Bishop’s small office in the Cathedral that
had been set up for the Queen's Visit.
"Well, if it takes some of the bloody heat
off me; then I'm fine with that. He [the Arch Bishop] does run the place - well
in name - and what he says; goes." He said and almost smiled; but didn't.
The pair walked on and Jenifer knocked on the door and did smile to herself;
this could be really interesting. They entered when told to do so.
Jenifer sat in her car and stared at the
cleaning team; sprucing up the ancient stonework of the grand doorway.
She fumbled in her big bag and pulled out the brown file. She really didn't
like viewing the pictures - especially of the long dead woman - but made
herself. It was apparent that the 'experts’, who had been called
initially to the scene, weren't too concerned about the woman's
horrific death. They were in a frenzy over her manuscripts and papers;
especially the two 'forbidden' books [forbidden by the medieval
Catholic Church; the cathedral had been a Catholic place of worship
then]. Everyone had long believed that no copies existed anymore; burnt in bonfires
by the Holy Inquisition at the time.
In those turbulent times, any book that
went against the Bible's explanation of existence was considered
heresy and like human heretics; was burnt. She stared at the pictures and
flicked through the various reports from the 'experts'. The woman had -
apparently - worked out that the planets revolved around the sun; including the
Earth. That was heresy back then; the Church taught that the Earth was the
centre of the universe and everything revolved around it and God's supreme
creation; man. "Supreme creation my bum." She muttered to herself.
That probably went up the Church's nose - at the time - especially that
such incredible discoveries had been made by a woman; using mathematics',
rational thinking and logic. Little wonder the ignorant bastards murdered her.
She slowly closed the file and placed it back
in her bag. The Church had issued no official statement about what her papers
had contained and certainly didn't mention the forbidden books. Jenifer sighed
and stared back at the workman, now packing up for the day. The major papers
had all concentrated on the sensational finding of the woman's body in the
ancient cathedral; few mentioned her books or why she was murdered. The Church
still had very powerful friends; even in 1977.
Jenifer had one thing to smile about; she had a
quiet drink with John Kennedy last night - he was a reporter for a local paper
- about the mysterious woman and the lack of coverage about why she was
apparently murdered. He loved the thought of a story about the Church - any
story - and agreed to start digging around; about why the Church Authorities
were so reticent about the woman. He was a good dedicated reporter and
knew immediately that there was another story behind the bizarre finding.
He promised to keep her up to date with his findings and - of course - he would keep her
name out of it. He always protected his 'sources'.
She slapped on her seatbelt and started her
little Ford Escort car and drove from the private staff car park and headed for
home; hoping that the new team of experts had more balls than the other's who
had looked at the scene. She was really interested in meeting the team's
doctor; apparently a hardnosed, sassy, no nonsense woman. She actually grinned;
that will get right up Lord Price's nose. She turned into her normally quiet
street and found it packed with police and fire engines. She pulled over and
jumped from her car.
A young constable was stopping traffic and
turning vehicles back, his little 'Panda' car parked across the roadway. She
walked straight up and asked what was going on. He sighed and pushed his cap
back; "Big fire at a house down there. Went up like a bonfire; it could be
arson, so this is now a crime scene Miss. You'll have to move on."
Jenifer stared down the road and could see a
huge plume of dark smoke. "Which house was it?" She asked, adding;
"I live down there at number 23." The constable stared at her and
reached for his radio. "Delta 71 to Incident Control, come in please.
Urgent message, over." A voice replied to go ahead. He said;
"Incident Control from delta 71. I have the owner of the property with me
now. She says she's lives at number 23. Over."
Jenifer just couldn't believe it; her
bloody house was ablaze!
He held the radio close to his ear and didn't
smile; "I'm sorry Miss, but can you stay with me. Some CID officers are on
their way to speak to you." Jenifer, still in a state of shock just
nodded. The young constable lowered his radio and asked if anyone lived with
her. She shook her head and said that she lived alone. The constable sighed and
stared back down the road. He turned back to her and didn't smile; "So, whose
body was found in the upstairs bedroom?"
Jenifer staggered back; someone had been found
dead in her bloody bedroom! Two men approached her and flashed Warrant Cards;
they identified themselves as Detective Inspector Gary Meadows and Detective
Sergeant William Turner. The Inspector asked Jenifer to confirm her name and
address, which she did.
The Inspector didn't smile and took hold of her
arm; "Miss Jenifer Sallies, I am arresting you on suspicion of murder and
arson. You don't have to say anything, but whatever you say will be taken down
in writing and may be used in evidence. Do you understand that and do you have anything
to say?"
Jenifer just stared at him and whispered;
"Fucking murder and arson. You must be fucking Joking!" The two
detectives weren't joking and took an arm each and walked her to their large
blue Rover car. With Jenifer secured in the back with the Inspector, the
sergeant pulled away heading for the police station.
They stopped at the next turning, which had a
police car parked up with two uniform officers sitting in it. The young woman
constable walked over and swapped places with the Inspector, who jumped in the
front passenger seat. The sergeant set off again. The Inspector picked up
the handset of the 'Westminster' radio and called the station; "We're
coming in with the suspect now." Was all he said. Jenifer couldn't believe
her ears; she was the bloody suspect in an arson and murder inquiry!
2. THE SUSPECT FOR THE
NEW MURDER.
Jenifer sat in front of the big uniformed
sergeant and was shaking a little. She had actually never been in a police
station; never mind the Charge Room. The sergeant laid out a large sheet and
picked up his pen. He started to fill out the large form without comment. The
Inspector told her to tell the sergeant her full name, date of birth, place of
birth and current address. She whispered and was told to speak up which she did.
She was taken to a cell by the young police woman and searched. The woman
officer called out to her Inspector; "House and car keys Guv. She has a
car somewhere." She held up the keys and the Inspector - standing in the
doorway - asked Jenifer where her vehicle was. Jenifer told him quietly. He
took the keys and walked away.
The woman officer packed all she had taken from
Jenifer into a large plastic bag and walked to the door. She slowly closed the
cell door and locked it. Leaving a little 'wicket gate' open. Her face appeared
at it; "I'll fetch you a cup of tea. How do you take it?"
Jenifer stared about the dismal little room; bare apart from a wooden bed
and toilet. She told the officer how she took her tea
and slowly eased herself down on the hard bed.
The unsmiling face disappeared. Jenifer sat - head in hands -
and cried.
Jericho and Team 74 waited patiently at the
small reception area of the Cathedral and watched the middle aged lady
nervously make several phone calls. Finally, she replaced the receiver and
almost smiled; "There appears to be a real problem locating Miss Sallies,
but Lord Price, her immediate Boss is on his way down." She eased herself
down into her seat and almost smiled again. The team gathered together some
distance away and waited. Owen discretely checked his mirror behind Wilson's
broad back. The other's heard him curse and he placed the mirror back into his
coat pocket. He whispered to the others; "It appears that Miss Jenifer
Sallies murdered her boyfriend and burnt the body in her own house. Apparently
she even tortured the poor bastard before setting him alight. I've asked the
Collector who attended to call us, see what he [the dead man] said about his
homicidal girlfriend."
Jericho just nodded; "That's bit of a
bloody co-incidence isn't it? They find the woman bricked up here and suddenly
one of the main witnesses to it all gets arrested for murder and arson. You
know I don't believe too much in co-incidences. Something is not right
here."
Wilson nodded; "I smell a big rat. The
papers found around that woman will cause a huge outcry - even 600 years later
- and yet, nothing has appeared in any of the papers, or TV stations. They just
all cover the current Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations. Now that is fucking
strange."
"The Church in these times still has
powerful connections with the 'Dark Side' and what the woman discovered all
those years ago couldn't have been revealed then or now. As Wilson said; I
smell a big rat. A dark big rat." Jericho spoke softly to the others and
they waited; for some time they waited. Finally Lord Price arrived, looking
grim. He gave Jericho and team no help whatsoever - in fact - he gave them
the 'bum's rush' and said their assistance in the matter was no longer
required. He didn't even apologise or say 'goodbye', he simply walked away.
They headed back to the van and sat in the car
park, watching the preparations for the Queen's visit. They agreed on one
thing; they all smelt a 'cover-up.
Owens’s mirror buzzed and he answered it
quickly; it was Helena, the Collector who had collected the murdered man's
soul. Owen listened with some interest and thanked her. He wiped his face and
sat back in his seat, clutching his mirror. He sighed; "We were right. The
dead man was a journalist who had been contacted by Miss Jenifer Sallies
over the lack of coverage about the dead woman. He had made some enquires with
his 'contacts' and suddenly, he's bundled off the street by three big men. They
beat and tortured him in a derelict garage; even pulling out his toe and
fingernails. They 'water boarded' the poor bastard until he told them who had
passed the story onto him. They then injected him with something and that was
all he remembered until his soul was collected from the blazing house by
Helena. He did say that the three men clearly knew what they were doing.
Professional hit men."
Jericho nodded; "They're covering
everything up again. They obviously mean business. They killed one poor bastard
and have 'fitted up' his contact with his murder and as a bonus - for them -
burnt her house down to destroy anything she may have hidden there. They are
definitely professionals. Probably work for the Government of this time. There
are plenty of 'Dark Side' devotee's in both the church and Government here and
now."
Wilson turned to Owen; "What happened to
Miss Sallies?" Owen checked Human Records on his mirror; he didn't smile.
"Poor bloody cow was found guilty of murder and arson at the Old Bailey in
January 1978. She served 22 years in prison and was released - on license - in
2000. She seems to have disappeared, but her soul was collected and processed
in 2009." He lowered his mirror and shook his head; "Fucking
bastards."
There was silence in the van and finally Alex
said quietly; "Is that it? Are we going to do fuck all about this?"
Jericho ran a hand over his face and stared out the windscreen at the
magnificent old building. "You know we're not authorized to interfere with
Human miscarriages of justice. She wouldn't be the first person to rot in
prison for something she never did." Alex flopped back in her seat;
"So that's fucking it. We do sod all!"
Jericho patted her arm; "I said we're not authorized.
I didn't say we couldn't interfere a little bit with certain parts of this
shitty story." He smiled. The team chuckled and Wilson started the van and
they pulled away. He noticed immediately that they were being followed. Owen peered in the drivers wing
mirror and grunted; "Three men in a black Rover car and I bet we know who
those bastards are."
"They are going to have some fun, checking
the plates on our van." Jericho chuckled. Owen looked puzzled; "I
always wanted to know who Supplies register the vans to in different time
periods?" Jericho turned and smiled; "They have just found out that
his Holiness Pope Paul VI owns this particular van." Now that did
make everyone laugh. Jericho sighed; "People, we now work for the
'Prayer of Liberty' Department of the Holy Roman Church and I know just the
man, who we can call on for semi-official assistance; Father Paradise
Adams."
They booked into a very nice hotel; constantly
watched by the men in the black Rover car. The first thing they did was to book
dinner and find out if the bar served decent brandy; it did. The team sat by a
window table and enjoyed their drinks. The waiter would call them, when
their table was ready. Owen was really interested in the night's menu - no
surprise there - and was impressed. "I'm having the roast lamb, new potatoes
and fresh mixed vegetables. Then the chocolate pudding and cream to
follow." He looked up from his menu and smiled; "Those three
murdering bastards have just sat at the table by the door."
Wilson couldn't help but laugh quietly; he had
just noticed that Jericho had suddenly acquired a 'dog' collar. He was now
Father Jericho Tibb's of the Vatican's 'Prayer of Liberty' Department.
"Let's see how intelligent and subtle our
murdering friends are." Jericho said quietly and called the waiter over;
he whispered in his ear and the young man disappeared behind the bar.
Alex sipped her most welcome brandy and smiled
at Jericho; "What are you up to?" She watched as the young waiter
approached the men's table with a tray. He carefully placed three glasses upon
the table and lit them with a match. "Fucking Sambuca's! Now that is one
fucking subtle message Jericho!" The three men downed their
drinks and raised their glasses at Jericho. They slammed them down and walked
out.
"We stay together tonight and take turns
on watch. I don't think they're very happy that we damn well know who they are
and what they did." Jericho muttered and everyone agreed. Alex immediately said; "I'm the only lady here.
I should have the bed - if you really are gentlemen - so
there!" Owen groaned and smiled; "What bloody lady?" The team
laughed and was called for dinner. The meal was excellent.
3. THE CORPSE.
Dr. Frank Gardener peered through the small
window of the morgue and stared at the little group sitting in the waiting
room. The pathologist turned to his young assistant and sighed; "The
bloody Pope still carries weight around here despite old King Henry." The
assistant just smiled. Frank walked back to the tray and nodded to the door;
"Well, show them in." Peter walked to the door and pushed it open; he
stuck both hands in his white coat and said - without smiling - "This way
please; the pathologist is ready for you." Everyone rose and walked in,
assembling around the tray. Frank jerked the clean white cloth off to reveal a
neat set of old bones.
"Exactly how old are these remains?"
Father Adam's asked, pushing a hand through his thick grey hair; the other
clutched his notebook and pencil. Frank gestured to them; "Give or take
ten or fifteen years, the remains are about six hundred years old;
approximately and from the state of the bones, I would say that she probably
starved to death."
Owen peered closer and pointed out that the
left leg appeared a little smaller than the right. Frank nodded - a little
impressed - and said; "She appears to have suffered Polio as a child and
would have had a pronounced limp as an adult. It was a common aliment six
hundred years ago."
Jericho rubbed his chin; "How old was she
when she died?" Frank folded his
arms and shrugged his shoulders; "Maybe mid twenties. But we do know that
at some point, she had given birth." Alex looked sadly at the remains;
"So she was someone's mother." Frank nodded; "Yes, but I found
something that does made her special and probably a little unique." He
smiled with a little satisfaction. Father Adam's placed his thin glasses on and
took a close look. He nodded, pointing to the larger leg. "You can see
where the damn limb healed."
Frank was impressed again; "That's right
father; at some point she broke her leg and it healed. Quite incredible for the
time she lived in."
Father Adam's turned to the others; "Six
hundred years ago, if you broke your leg, it was normally, well always,
amputated."
Frank shrugged his shoulders; "Medical
care wasn't much in those days. If you splintered a bone, it had to come off.
Otherwise you surely died of Sepsis - blood poisoning - they had no
antibiotics." He actually chuckled; "They had sod all really; just
plants and some magic." He pointed to the skull; "The teeth are in
good condition; just two missing. No sugar in the diet." He asked if there
were any more questions and Owen held up a hand; "I take it she was white
European Sir?" Frank did smile; "You’re on the ball young man. I am
impressed. She was actually from the Middle East in origin. A chemical analysis
of her teeth revealed she had a Middle Eastern diet - since childhood - and
this is only speculation, but I would say Egypt or possibly Syria. Around there
somewhere."
Alex pushed her mirror back into her coat
pocket and smiled at the young assistant who gave her a strange look; he may
have seen her mirror. Frank threw the sheet over the remains and that was the
end of the session and everyone gathered outside; talking quietly. Jericho said
softly to Alex; "Who was she?" Alex looked about; they were the only
people in the waiting room.
"According to Human Records those bones
belonged to Ester Clemencies; a woman who was a mix of Jewish and Arab blood.
She was born in Jerusalem in 1352 and there is no time of death; she is a
Missing Soul. Now that's incredible because she died in her own time period and
should have been collected."
"Unless she had sold her soul to the 'Dark
Side' and they collected her." Wilson grunted, adding; "There are
only two explanations for a missing soul; the 'Dark Side' owned it or you died
out of your natural time period." Jericho nodded at that; "So, she
died within her scheduled time, which means she was a follower of the 'Dark
Prince', That makes this very interesting, especially with the rumours about
her manuscripts and books. I smell something wrong here."
Father Adams finished scribbling in his
notebook and replaced the thick elastic band that held it together. He removed
his glasses and placed them back in his jacket. "I have to agree with
Jericho. Something is wrong here. According to the pathologist she died in her
mid twenties, which means being born in 1352, she could
have died around 1377 or thereabouts. Now
that's some co-incidence; she died on the year that would have been an
anniversary of the cathedral's consecration. Then exactly six hundred years
later her remains are supposedly found in the Cathedral." He sighed;
"Found with her books that call into question the Church's behaviour in
those times to science and women. This could be a wonderful little incident for
the followers of the Dark Prince to exploit."
Everyone agreed with that assessment; there
were too many 'convenient' co-incidences to really be co-incidences. "It
was planned to ask serious questions about the Church; back then and possibly
now." Jericho muttered and the team headed for their van in the car park.
Sure enough; the black Rover was there. Cheekily, Owen and Alex gave the men
sitting in it; a cheery wave. Father Adam's admitted, that he had been
contacted by the Cardinal as soon as his plane landed at London Airport [now
Heathrow Airport] demanding updates and assessments of the 'incident'.
"Whatever the reason for this; it has already
stirred up a hornet's nest, Cost a journalist his life and thrown an innocent
woman in prison, so it is serious." Jericho reminded everyone; especially
Owen and Alex, who ruefully smiled.
Jericho sat in the front seat and stared at the
big black car and turned to Owen; "There must be more to this woman; find
out about her family. The pathologist said she had given birth, so find out if
there are any descendants and how many are on the Dark Side." Owen
nodded and pulled out his mirror; "This may take some time." He said,
tapping away. Wilson chuckled; "We're Temporal Detectives, we have all the
time in existence!" Now that did make everyone laugh.
Father Adam's turned to Jericho;
"What languages were her books in?" Jericho shrugged his shoulders;
he didn't know. Owen looked up from his mirror and mumbled something. Father
Adam's smiled and asked him to repeat what he said. Owen sighed, lowering his
mirror; "They were all written in Latin except one; which was written in Hieratic
script."
Father Adam's just stared at him, then wiped
his face with his hankie; "Are you sure Owen that it was Hieratic
Script?" Owen nodded. Father Adam's sat back in his seat and wiped his
face again. "That doesn't sound right. Hieratic
Script was a simplified version of Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. It
was dead and forgotten by the First century AD. It was originally used to write
letters keep records and accounts. Then suddenly in the 1300's, a woman starts
writing a manuscript in it - about scientific and technical subjects apparently
- That doesn't make sense. No sense or logic at all."
Jericho rubbed his chin; "It's not the
right language a well educated woman of the Middle Ages would use?"
Father Adam's nodded; "Not by a long way. In the thirteen hundreds, she
would have written in her native language, old English or Latin. That's it.
Writing a single book in Hieratic Script would seem so strange and probably
impossible at the time."
Alex leaned forward; "So those books could
have been written hundreds of years before the woman was even born?"
Father Adam's nodded and whispered; "I wonder if she even knew what those
so called books of hers; actually said. Especially the one in the old Egyptian
script." Jericho gestured for Wilson to start the van and head back to the
hotel. "I think we may have to pay a visit to Ms Ester Clemencies and take
a look at her library."
Owen coughed and lowered his mirror;
"According to Human Records she had a son called Adam. His descendants are
around today; scattered around Great Britain, America, Australia, Canada and
New Zealand. No one is particularly important to the time line. But in this
time & place, there is just one descendant of any note. A Professor Allan
Fordham, he claimed to have discovered the vaccine that would cure both types
of Diabetes. He was found hanging in his garage; no suicide note. The
interesting thing is that his family claimed he wasn't suicidal, but overjoyed at
his discovery. But the Coroner at his inquest ruled - death by suicide -
and said that all his missing research papers and reports had been destroyed by
Fordham, to cover a massive fraud that he was preparing. Well, that's the
official story; anyway."
"Wait a minute, his family says he wasn't
suicidal and all his research just disappeared. That sounds a bit strange to
me." Wilson shouted back as he turned into the hotel
car park.
Alex grunted with some contempt; "Come on
people, switch your brains on. Some brilliant scientist says he found a cure
for diabetes and is found hanging; all his research
gone. He was bloody murdered by the big Pharmacy companies. They make billions
every year keeping people alive; but not curing them. It doesn't make economic sense to lose that sort
of income by offering a cure. For Christ sake, it's like
having the bloody poacher's looking after the rivers and everyone wonders where
the bloody fish went!" No one could argue with her.
Owen rubbed his face; he liked the logic and
rationale of Alex’s deductions and would take a further look at the case; when
he had time.
4. PILGRIMS TO
CANTERBURY; ENGLAND 1377.
The Supplies truck was waiting in the car park
for the team. Old Joe smiled at everyone and gestured towards the big black
Rover car; "Friends of your Inspector?" He asked a bemused Jericho,
who enquired about what he had brought. They followed him into the truck. Like
the lighthouse; it was enormous inside with fitting rooms, props and equipment;
including Owens’s favourite donkey; 'Freddie.' Jericho smiled at Owen - who was
fussing over the donkey - and told Anna [the teams regular Costume Designer] to
kit Owen out as Alex's 'Lady Maid'. "No lady of quality would travel
without one in the period we're heading for. We can't call on young Ruth; she's
on her Collectors Course." He explained to Wilson, who just grunted;
"Well, on your head be it. If he goes strange, it’s partially your
fault." But did smile.
When everyone was dressed, Jericho operated his
mirror and they disappeared to England in 1377, some miles from Canterbury
cathedral. They gathered in the dark woods - despite the morning being sunny
and clear - and Jericho briefed the team. "I'm Lord Tibb's, [no surprises
there....] a powerful merchant who is on a pilgrimage to Canterbury,
accompanied by his widowed sister and her maid. Wilson is Omar; a Christian
Moor from Spain, also on a pilgrimage. Father Adam's is, well, he's Father
Adam's! Our spiritual adviser and guide."
Everyone really admired the old man; jumping
back in time with the team. As a living human, Jericho had to get special
permission from Angel Margret. She didn't hesitate; the priest's qualities were
well known to her; she admired the man greatly - as did most people - and told
Jericho to look after him.
She was quite specific; "If anything
happens to him and his soul is about to be lost to the Darkness; you call for a
Knight - immediately - you have my permission to do that." Now that did
really impress Jericho; few humans could boast having a Knight of God on
standby! But it was very necessary; if the old priest died outside of his
ordained time period, then his soul would be lost the darkness of real death.
Only A Knight could recall his soul from there and restore him to life. Jericho had
explained this very serious danger to Father Adam's and he still
volunteered to go. "You and your team take that risk on nearly every
mission you carry out for God. So I think I can just this once." The old
priest smiled and that was that.
Their wagon set off for the cathedral; Wilson
was driving, with Lady Alexandra Cappanni and her maid bundled in the back. The
damn thing had no springs and they felt every rut and hole on the supposed
road. Jericho rode a fine mare and Father Adam's walked with the donkey; feeding
him carrots - purple carrots - and 'Freddie' really did like the old priest.
They made their way through the forest and were surprised to find another wagon
on the edge of the forest. Jericho halted his little convoy and rode over to
the others; they were gathered around their wagon; talking quietly amongst
themselves.
All their possessions were piled on the grass;
chest's blankets, clothes and pottery. There was even a very old suit of
armour; but beautifully maintained propped up against a small tree. It was
clear that their wagon was stuck in a very deep hole. Jericho introduced
himself and asked if he could be of assistance. The old Knight rose from the
chest that he was sitting on and wiped his face; "Good Sir, we have
emptied the damn thing, but still it won't budge. I'm afraid we don't have the
strength between us to lift it from the damn hole." He cussed the wagon
and his old age, in equal measures. Jericho noted that the old Knight's party
considered of the knight, a small boy called Simon accompanied by his 'nurse'
Alice [a middle aged woman with a very pock marked face] and the knights young
Squire; a thin young man who smiled at everyone and was called Leofric.
Jericho waved his team over and Wilson jumped
down and joined him. Sir Robert De Morse really stared at Wilson and crossed
himself. Alice grabbed the boy to her and backed away. The young squire just
smiled. Jericho smiled broadly and introduced Omar; the Christian Moor from the Spanish
Kingdom of Castile.
With the young squire's help; Wilson and
Jericho heaved the wagon out as Sir Robert encouraged the horse to pull. They
all stood around smiling and were joined by Father Adam's, Lady Alex and her
'maid'. The young squire really did smile at the girls; especially the young
maid.
Sir Robert thanked Jericho and insisted that
dinner and drinks were on him, when they reached the next tavern.
Jericho smiled and whispered to Wilson; "Bloody perfect. Now we are real
pilgrims on a Canterbury pilgrimage with a real Knight to accompany us; it’s perfect
cover." Wilson had to agree with that.
Young Leofric was really impressed with
Jacqueline [Alex's maid] - and a little surprised - as she helped lift the
heavy chest back into the wagon, with little effort. She smiled at him;
"I'm stronger that I look. A farm girl originally, so I'm use to hard
work." He just nodded - and smiled of course - he was in love; again. He
seemed to fall in love with most pretty young girls he met in the good Knight's
service. He wanted to write poetry for her, but couldn't afford parchment or a
quill. So he would have to recite it; which he promptly did until told to shut
up by Sir Robert.
"Bloody young twerp loses his heart every
bloody ten minutes." He sighed, but did smile a little, as he spoke to
Jericho.
Sir Robert confided to Jericho that Simon [his
grandson] was all the family he had left after three wives and five children
and three grandchildren. They were all dead except the boy. "That's why
I'm on this bloody pilgrimage at my age. My last wife; Gwen had insisted - on
her death bed - that I take the boy and together; pray for her soul at the
great cathedral. She was most devoted to her devotions to God and Jesus."
He just shrugged his shoulders and shouted at Leofric to be careful replacing
his armour in the wagon. "I feel sorry for 'Thunder' my old war horse;
pulling a bloody wagon at his age and after all the good service given to me on
the battlefields of the King." He clearly loved his horse as much as Owen
adored 'Freddie' the donkey.
Wilson just grunted at Jericho; "What is
it with you English and their bloody animals?" Jericho didn't answer and
the convoy headed up the 'Canterbury Road' - slowly - they would have to stop
overnight at the Pilgrim Tavern called the 'King's Horn'.
Sir Robert told Jericho that the Inn-Keeper was
an old soldier called Richard Catchpocket and they knew each
other well from the Kings wars.
"He's a good man. He was a man to stand
with when the fighting was fierce. Really good with an axe; could cleave open a
Frenchman's chest with one swing; even if the bastard was wearing armour!" Jericho just smiled;
somewhat disturbed by that thought, but knew that Medieval
battlefields were no playgrounds.
They reached the tavern at dusk; everyone was
more than happy to see the tavern appear. Especially Alex and Jackie who moaned
constantly about their backsides! Medieval journeys were hard on the arse - by
horse or wagon - and the girls were really glad to jump from the wagon and
stretch. Young Leofric stood staring at the pair and really needed to write
more poetry; well, recite it anyway. He had delicious daydreams of jousting for
their honour in the old Knights armour astride 'Thunder'. He grimaced at the
thought of trying to mount 'Thunder'; the damn horse didn't like him and always
tried to take a bite, even when he fed and groomed him.
Richard the Inn-Keeper greeted the old knight
like a long lost brother and they embraced warmly. Sir Robert introduced his
new friends and Richard welcomed them too, shouting for his serving girl - Mary
- to bring ale. They stood and drank from leather jugs; the 'ladies' were given
much smaller cups and both Alex and Jackie weren't too happy about that! But
they kept those thoughts to themselves. They trooped into the tavern and were
immediately served pies, cheese, bread and apples. The old knight and the
Inn-keeper sat talking about the old days. Mary - the young serving girl -
showed Alex and her maid to their bedroom; it had one bed. Both giggled at
that. "The bloody big chair for me then." muttered Jackie as Alex
bounced upon the bed; well, she didn’t bounce – the bed was like a stone. “I
think you’ve the best bed Jackie, Should we toss for it?” Jackie just grinned
and shook her head and patted the chair.
The evening meal was roast chickens, leeks,
carrots, bread and plenty of beer followed by cheese and apples. Everyone ate
with their knives and fingers. The entertainment was a scruffy looking
'minstrel' who sang ballads about battles and the gruesome killing of
Frenchmen.
"Bloody charming. Does he actually know
any happy songs?" Alex asked, sipping her rough beer. Jackie whispered;
"There are romantic ballads about in these times, but clearly hadn't
reached here yet." She quite enjoyed the beer; but it did remind her of
the dark days in the monastery.
A big Welshman sang with a stunning voice and
received much applause and some pennies for his efforts. He was on the
‘Pilgrimage’ too with his family and liked the look of Alex; he was a widower
and asked Jericho several times about the status of his ‘sister’. At one point
he slapped a bag of gold coins upon the table and whispered with Jericho. Alex
was not impressed to learn later that he had offered serious money for her hand
in marriage.
“I could have bought a decent house and a
couple of horses with the coin offered in this time. He appears to own a large
chunk of what will become Cardiff. “Jericho told her with a small smile. The
big man made sure that Alex knew he had donated his ‘earnings’ [and a small
amount from himself] to the local priest for the orphans of the city. She still
wasn’t impressed and – politely – told him that she was wealthy widow in her
own right and would decide for herself who her next husband would be.
The fact that she would make her own decision
shocked the Welshman deeply; he had never heard of such nonsense! He wandered
off a very disappointed man.
The evening finished with a toast to the new king
and everyone headed for their rooms. Jericho and Wilson sat chatting with
Richard. Jericho asked if anything important was happening at the Cathedral. The Inn-keeper nodded and didn't
look happy. He lowered his voice despite the place being empty
apart from them three, sitting by the dying fire. He pulled them close and
sipped his beer, there was a trial underway of a high
born foreign woman; charged with heresy, blasphemy and
denying the teachings of the church. Now that really did interest Jericho and
Wilson and they encouraged Richard to explain further.
5. THE BOOKS OF ESTER
CLEMENCIES.
"Apparently she told the local priest - an
ill educated man for a damn priest - that parts of the bible were wrong. Now
that takes real balls; especially for a woman." Richard sipped his ale and wiped his rough face. "She told him that
she could prove - with mathematics - that the earth and all the other planets
revolved around the Sun and that the earth was just one of many such balls in
the darkness; special only by having life on it."
He poured more ale from a huge clay jug and
chuckled; "The dumb priest ran to the Bishop and told him everything the
woman had said. She was arrested by the Bishops men the following afternoon.
They took all her books and locked her up in a small room in the
cathedral." He leaned back and sighed; "The Bishop ordained a trial
was necessary and so, two other senior churchman were called. Some justice;
having your case heard by three men who apparently believe every word of the
bible is absolute truth."
Jericho nodded; "What has happened to
her?" Richard poured more ale and folded his arms. "She could find no
man willing to defend her or speak for her. So she wanted to defend herself,
but the three apes wouldn't allow a mere woman to address the court.”
The entire prosecution evidence of her guilt
was the priest producing his bible and reading from it! She kept interrupting
him and so the Bishop ordered her gagged in court. They wouldn't let her
produce any of her papers - they had confiscated them, calling them works of
the Devil - and so the farce proceeded.
But they did produce some papers, found in her
house that contained writing no one could decipher or understand. The Bishop
declared that the writing was in the devil's own hand and so unreadable to
humans!
“Utter bollocks!" He finished his ale and
stood; "The final day of trial is tomorrow; unless she can find some
learned man to represent her; she'll burn at the stake."
Richard grunted; “They want to rush the trial
through before the celebrations of the new King’s Coronation
[Richard II]. They don’t want any evil lingering about the place. Now that has
made me laugh. There is a real stench of evil about the place; the Archbishop
has stood well back from the trial.”
He left Jericho and Wilson finishing their
ale and went to bed.
Wilson rubbed his chin; "Well, we know
that she was never burnt at the stake for her supposed crimes. So I wonder what
happened at the trial." Jericho emptied his leather tankard and wiped
his mouth. "Maybe she found someone to take on the Bishop and his
cronies?" He really did smile and Wilson just sighed. He knew that look on
Jericho's face well. "I keep forgetting that you were a bloody
lawyer." He muttered and the pair retired to their room for the night.
The group of pilgrims arrived in the city the
following afternoon. The major topic of conversation was the coming coronation
and subsequent celebrations for the new King. Sir Robert managed to secure
lodgings in a big tavern by the North Gate. The tavern owner; Percival Parish
was also an ex-soldier. He was a big man with no hair, few teeth and one good
eye. A jagged scar down his face bore testament to fighting on the old King’s
battlefields. But there was something about the man that local women liked; it
was rumoured that he had several ‘bastard’ children about the city.
Apparently killing Frenchmen wasn’t his only talent!
He welcomed the old knight like another long
lost brother. Percy took an immediate liking to Alex and especially to Jackie.
His one eye ran over her and he smiled broadly. He asked the knight about her on
several occasions. His interest caused quite a giggle amongst the team – except
Jackie – and the old inn keeper made sure he hung around Jackie. Whatever the
young girl wanted she could have; he instructed his servants.
Wilson asked Alex if she was a ‘little miffed’
by ‘Jackie’ stealing her thunder; men usually fell about her feet. But Alex
just grinned; “No, I’m fine. Jackie can certainly have old Percival. I’m more than happy about that.” And she meant it!
Jericho with Wilson in tow made discrete
inquires about Mistress Ester Clemencies and wasn’t too happy about what he
discovered. Apparently she had arrived in the city just last year; a widow woman of some means, she had purchased
a fine house in the city and employed no less than nine savants. It was
rumoured that it had taken a full day to unload her passions from several
wagons. The number of books she owned drew real comment. Books were very, very
expensive items in medieval times and she appeared to own a King’s ransom worth
of them.
That fact alone would make the church
authorities notice. A woman with books wasn’t considered a good thing!
Jericho rubbed his chin as the team sat for
their evening meal; “Maybe I’m a cynical old git; but I get the feeling that
Mistress Ester wanted to come to the notice of the Church authorities. Now
that’s not good since we know she’s a follower of the Dark One.” He spoke
quietly to the others and Father Adam’s pushed his chicken stew about with a
spoon and sighed.
“I still don’t understand why they bricked her
up in the Cathedral as punishment; normally they would just burn her and her
books at the stake, why such a different punishment?” He threw the question out
to the group. Wilson broke the crusty bread with his big hands and nodded; “If
they had burnt her, then we wouldn’t have a mission.” Jericho leaned back on
his rough chair and smiled; “I think our big friend has hit the nail on the
head there.”
Jackie dabbed her mouth with a hankie and
leaned forward; she spoke quietly. “I think we should really take a look – a
close look – at those books of hers. Find out what they really contain and
perhaps who actually wrote them.” Jericho agreed with that. Alex tapped the
table with a slender finger and smiled; “Our Jackie discovered from old
Percival that the books are under lock and guard in a small antechamber; near
where the trial is taking place. The guard is a bored young fellow who believes
he’s bit of ladies man. I think Jackie and I could get a look at them.”
Wilson chuckled; “You two together could get
the guard on Fort Knox to unlock.” Jericho leaned forward and smiled; “Let’s
have a look at that those forbidden books; over to you ladies.”
The boys lay about the big bedroom and Wilson
checked his mirror whilst Jericho and Father Adam’s played chess with a couple
of flickering candles for light. There was a soft knock and Wilson jumped up,
pushing his mirror into a pocket. It was a giggling Alex and Jackie. They crept
in and Jackie held up her mirror and managed to stop herself smiling.
“It took exactly three minutes to persuade the
boy to let us take a look. He actually thinks he’s bloody Casanova of the dark
ages.” She said and tapped her mirror. Alex flopped on the bed and chuckled;
“We’re suppose to meet him at a wonderfully named tavern; The ‘Horse’s Rump’ tomorrow night
for drinks and other things!” Jericho just nodded and gestured
to Jackie’s mirror; “What have we got?”
Jackie eased herself down on a rough chair and
didn’t smile; “The covers are wonderful fakes and the contents are bloody
photocopies!” She consulted her mirror; “Copies of 16th and 17th
century books about nearly everything; astronomy, witchcraft, medicine, even
one about resurrecting the dead and curing plague with boiled dog testicles!
But we know that Ester has not time travelled; so who gave her the damn books?”
Father Adam’s tapped Jericho’s arm; “That
doesn’t make sense. The books discovered with her, were the genuine articles,
experts took a good look at them and they would certainly have spotted bloody
photocopies!” Jericho nodded; “I’m beginning to think that the little bricked
up room didn’t originally contain a dead woman. Just books that someone
desperately tried to save and preserve.”
Father Adam’s lowered himself on the bed next
to Alex and wiped his face and neck; “I think we need to discover why those
books – the original and genuine books – are so important and who hid them
away.” Wilson looked up from his mirror and said simply; “Someone switched the
fake ones for the real things just before the room was discovered. Since the
only way into the room had been bricked up for hundreds of years, it was done
at the time of the discovery or….” He smiled and added; “Or we have a time
traveler who had the ability to jump into that room after the woman died and
replace the fakes with the genuine articles. But again; why?”
Alex sat bolt upright; “Now that does make
sense. All those original books are rare, but known about. Copies have survived down the centuries; so which one was unique and
the only copy – apparently – in existence. If there is such a book, then that’s
the key to all this.”
Jackie agreed; “All we have to do is compare
the books that were found – all originals – and the fakes we’ve just seen.” She
started to tap her mirror with some determination.
“That young man…woman is going to be a fine
temporal detective.” Father Adam’s spoke quietly to Jericho who smiled and
replied; “I would have thought you would have disapproved of men dressing and
acting as women.” Father Adam’s grinned
and shrugged his shoulders; “We’re all God’s
creatures Jericho.” Jericho patted the old priests arm and smiled broadly; now
he knew why he really did like and admire this man of God.
Jackie held up her mirror; “Singulari vitae interdum Anebos Thebarum sacerdos
et propheta by the great Josephus, apparently written about 71AD. It’s genuine and we
all know who bloody Anebos was.” [See episode; ‘Tomb ES-42’ Series 2 – Episode 9] Father Adam’s sighed; “And we
all know who Titus Flavius Josephus was. He was actually writing just after the death
of Jesus Christ. He’s works are accepted as some of the best about the first
century AD.”
Jericho groaned; “Bloody Anebos again. I thought we had laid that bugger
to rest. This spells trouble if that book is translated and exposed to the
world of 1977.” Alex folded her arms;
“So it’s genuine – the book I mean – about the Christ like prophet from ancient
Thebes; a forerunner of Jesus by about a thousand years.”
Jackie lowered her mirror; “Probably got the damn story from some old
Egyptian priests; there were still some around in the early first century. I
wonder why the early Christians didn’t comment on it, coming from such a
respected writer.”
Jericho sat on the bed and didn’t smile; “Josephus book was slung out,
along with several others at the Conference in 325AD which formed the basis of
the modern bible. The strange story of Anebos wasn’t wanted; they had Christ.
The Emperor [Constantine I] was a bloody pagan and yet he had direct input into
the books of the Christian faith. Gospels by Judas and Mary Magdalene were also
thrown out.”
“Owen, sorry Jackie, find out who are the three judges sitting on this
case. There’s someone of real power operating in the background here and we
need to find out who they are.” Jackie nodded and returned to her mirror. There was a loud and frantic knocking
at the door and Wilson opened it slowly, hand on his sword hilt.
Young Leofric spilled through the door distressed and shouting. Jericho
calmed him down and he blurted out his story. Jericho just groaned loudly; this
was a turn up for the books. Apparently the old knight Sir Robert had attended
the ongoing trial and had suddenly interrupted proceedings by taking a bloody oath in front of everyone to defend the woman; with trial by combat!
Jericho just shook his head; “The daft old bugger will have to fight
another knight – chosen by the church – to the death and if he wins, the church
will have to free her. They consider the outcome of such a fight a decision by
God.” He asked Leofric when all this will happen.
“Tomorrow at noon in the city’s main market place; my master will face
Sir John Gavell, the churches most fanatical knight, who likes to hunt down
witches in his spare time.” The young man accepted some beer from Alex and sat
on a rough chair; he knew that his old master stood no chance against the dark
knight.
Jericho folded his arms and said simply; “Oh fuck!”
6. TRIAL BY COMBAT.
The big tavern was packed that night. Jericho got nowhere trying to
convince the old knight to drop his insane idea. Sir Robert steadfastly refused
and drank his beer and sang songs from his youth. It was Alex talking quietly
with Mistress Alice who uncovered the truth about the knight’s sudden desire to
defend a woman he had never even met.
The team gathered in Jericho’s big room just after midnight - once young
Jackie had managed to escape the amorous attentions of the tavern owner – and
Alex told the whole sorry tale that Alice had confided in her. After several
flagons of ale; all purchased by Alex of course.
Alice confided that her master was suffering from a ‘blood disorder’ and had been told by various ‘surgeons’ that it would end in
death; a very unpleasant death. So the old knight had decided to go out on his
own terms; sword in hand fighting for a good cause. From the details that Alice gave of the actual illness, Alex
believed the old man was suffering from bowel cancer; totally untreatable and
incurable in the time period. He would die a terrible death with a great deal
of pain and suffering.
The team listened in silence until Wilson muttered; “Brave old bugger. I admire
a man who intends to go in the way he wants.”
No-one could disagree with that sentiment. It was a very subdued team
that went to their beds that night.
It appeared most of the town had gathered in the small field that warm
morning; they stood in little groups and spoke quietly amongst themselves. The
trial judges sat on a hastily constructed podium on decorated chairs. They were
surrounded by several guards and the three men sat in silence until the
prisoner was brought from her cell and held between two burly soldiers with
chains about her feet and hands.
She was still gagged to prevent her calling for the Devil’s assistance or
disrupting the proceedings. Jericho noted that she didn’t appear too happy
about the mad old knight leaping to her defense. He wondered what the
significance of that was. Jackie whispered to him about what the amorous pub
owner had told her; he had it on good authority from one of the Church guards
that Ester had demanded the court ignore the obviously crazy old man and continue
her trial.
Jericho wondered why she had done that. Jackie almost smiled;
“Apparently, if the good knight dies in her defense then the court will know
she’s guilty and they have to pass the correct sentence required by law;
burning at the stake with her cursed books thrown onto the flames to join her
in hell.” She looked about to make sure she wasn’t overheard; “If old Sir
Robert hadn’t interfered they would have been merciful – she chuckled at that –
and just bricked her up to die. I wonder if Sir Robert has – unwillingly –
messed up the Dark Side’s plans.”
The pair was joined by the rest of the team and Father Adam’s told
Jericho that the old knight refused to change his mind despite the last minute
plea’s by his staff [Alice and Leofric] and himself. “He’s set his mind to die with dignity and honour this day.” Father Adam’s said softly and wiped his face. He had managed to see
the book about ‘Anebos’ and confirmed to Jericho that it was e copy – fake –
but a very good fake.
Jericho sighed; “Well that confirms that someone swaps the fakes over
after Ester is bricked up; to be found centuries later by experts and scholars
who will declare them authentic and that will change history, expose the church
to more scandal and judgment. A very clever plan indeed by the Dark Side.”
A couple of shabby trumpeters sounded their horns and Sir John Gavell
appeared in full armour; his helmet held in one hand and his sword in the
other. He knelt before the three judges and held up his sword, swearing to defend Christ, the Church and Justice. He
received little support or applause from the crowd. They knew this evil man by
reputation and deeds. When he wasn’t defending ‘mother church’ his was seeking
out young girls to rape and burn as witches. He also liked to collect the taxes
owed to the church authorities by torture and murder. He was growing wealthier
each year and now owed houses and estates in both Kent and Essex.
Most people said his heart was as black as his armour.
The crowd cheered and applauded enthusiastically as Sir Robert appeared.
They were ordered to be silent by the leading judge who blessed Sir John. There
was no such blessing for a quiet Sir Robert who pulled on his helmet. Alex
noted the smile as his face disappeared beneath the iron helmet.
Jackie gripped Jericho by the arm; “The head judge is Bishop William of
Winchester and a known supporter of the Dark prince. The two other judges [a
rich merchant and a local Baron] are both clean. It’s also known that the
bishop is a collector of ancient manuscripts. Apparently it’s rumoured that his
collection contains several works that the church has outlawed. That’s our man,
I think.”
Jericho nodded and had a pretty good idea where Ester had received her
copies from. “Check if there are any breeches of the time line around him.” He
said quietly, But Jackie stopped and gestured to the two knights; the fight was
on.
Leofric helped his master mount ‘Thunder’ and handed up his lance. The
old knight patted the boy and said something, then slammed down the visor on his helmet. Sir John’s squire had done the same
for his master. The two knights stood at the edges of the field and waited for
the ‘Herald’ to call for the fighting to start. The Herald rode into the centre of the field carrying
a lance with a single black flag attached. He held it up and shouted if both
men were ready. Both Sir John and Sir Robert lifted their lances to signal that
they were.
The Herald waved his lance up and down, shouting; “By God’s grace, let justice be done!” He lowered his lance until the tip touched
the grass. Both knights spurred their mounts and thundered towards each other,
lances at the ready.
They came together almost exactly in the middle of the field. The crowd
screamed and shouted as the lances crashed against the opposite knights small
shield. The two passed each other – both apparently unharmed – and the pair
turned to face each other again. The pair came together again and there were
more screams and shouts as Sir Robert fell from his mount and lay still on the
grass. Sir John threw down his broken lance and slipped carefully from his
horse; pulling his sword from the saddle.
The crowd almost held its breath, but broke into cheers as Sir Robert
staggered up and called for his faithful horse to come. Thunder – limping badly
– pulled up next to his master and Sir Robert grabbed his sword. Just in time
because Sir John was almost upon him. The two swords met in mid air and caused
little sparks to fly. Sir Robert was forced down on one knee and only just
stopped Sir John’s sword from crashing down on his exposed shoulder.
He pulled himself up and the two men circled each other; swords at the
ready. They came together with real brutality and violence. But young Sir John
was the stronger and he managed to catch Sir Robert across the left knee and
everyone could see blood running freely down the his leg. But the old knight
struck back with strength found from somewhere and caught Sir John a telling
blow across the shoulder. They both staggered away from each other and then Sir
John came again. He wouldn’t be stopped this time and with his sword gripped in
both hands drove the blade down and caught Sir Roberts injured leg.
Sir Robert fell awkwardly on his back and Sir John seized his chance and
standing above the prostrate knight brought his sword down on his left shoulder. Everyone could hear the screams across
the field as Sir John repeatedly drove the sword through the old knights
shoulder and finally just below the neck of the helmet, causing a big spurt of blood to cover the old knight. Sir
John stepped away and held his sword aloft shouting his victory.
Few of the crowd applauded his bloody victory. Sir John walked over to
Thunder and drove his sword through the horse’s neck, the huge blood spurt
covered his helmet and chest armour. The horse collapsed next to his dead master.
Normally, the vanquished knight’s horse would be kept as a prize by the
victor; but Sir John had decided that the old - and now lame – horse was of no value to him.
Now that did turn the crowd against him. They were booing and screaming
with anger. Church soldiers had to confront them with swords draw and spears at
the ready. The head judge jumped from his chair and ordered the field cleared.
Jericho wiped his face and stared at his mirror discretely; the fight had
taken less than six minutes. Only the Temporal detectives could see Kate the
Collector and Sir Robert’s soul disappear into the light.
There was now sporadic fighting amongst the town’s people and the church
soldiers. Percival Parish told the team to follow him – especially young
Jackie! – And take cover in his tavern. Everyone pushed into the quiet pub and
Percival bolted the doors and covered them with two big wooden seats; aided by
Wilson.
Percival asked for silence and everyone could hear the shouting; “A
bloody night curfew until dawn, anyone found outside will be arrested. They’re
shouting that the witch and her books will burn tomorrow at noon.”
Jericho slumped onto a rough seat by the shuttered window and didn’t
smile; “If Ester and her books burn tomorrow, then that’s the end of this
mission. If she dies in the flames then she won’t be found bricked up. End of
story.” Alex sat down slowly next to him and nodded; “That brave old man [Sir
Robert] has saved us a lot of trouble.”
Jackie had managed to escape old Percival [who went to fetch bread, cheese and beer] and joined them at the table. “Not quite over I
think. All they will burn is fakes; who has the originals and where are they
now? Don’t we need to find them? Especially that bloody book about Anebos.”
Jericho nodded at that and rubbed his chin, smiling as Father Adam’s
joined them. Wilson was by the door; keeping watch through the gap’s in the
wood. He shouted over; “The church soldiers have cleared the streets, it
appears all quiet now.”
Percival had appeared with a tray laden with beer flagons, bread and
cheese. He served Jackie first – with a big smile – and told Jericho that it
was on him. He smiled again at Jackie, who just sighed and sipped her beer while Alex managed to restrain some giggles
which desperately wanted to escape.
Jericho asked Percival if there were any strangers hanging around the
trial who seemed odd or strange. Percival laughed at that and nodded; “Yeah,
that’s easy; you lot!” he laughed to himself and swilled his beer with some
enthusiasm. He then stood slowly and raised his flagon. His was quite solemn.
“Here’s to gallant Sir Robert, a true Knight.” Everyone rose and lifted their
tankards in memory of the old man.
They sat in silence for a few minutes and then Percival tapped the rough
table with his empty tankard; “You say odd or strange Sir?” Jericho nodded and
leaned forward as Percival did the same. “Well, there is one that comes to
mind. He turned up the day they dragged Mistress Ester before the magistrate. A
big tall fellow with a scarred face; well dressed, like a merchant but carrying
a good quality sword and dagger; he looks like he knows how to use both. Paid
for his board and lodging in silver coin, asked old Tom the Blacksmith to
re-shoe his big dark horse. Asked lots of questions about Mistress Ester did
he.”
He rose from the table and went to fetch more ale. Jericho called after
him; “Did he give anyone his name and why he was in the town?” Percival stopped
in the doorway and nodded; “Said he was called Ralph Coldhands and he trades in
books.” He disappeared into bar to fetch another tray of beer. Everyone looked
at each other and Jericho smiled, saying quietly; “Well, I think we’ll have a
little chat with this Mister Ralph Coldhands.”
7. THE BOOK TRADER AND THE BISHOP.
Just after dawn, the team made its way towards the cathedral [lost
amongst the crowds of pilgrims] and they noted the church soldiers out in force, guarding certain points around the town. They
stopped in the market square and watched several men driving a big wooden stake
into the ground and placing plenty of wood around it. That made Alex shudder a
little; Ester may belong to the Dark Side, but no woman should suffer such a
horrific fate. The team hurried pass
into the cathedral.
There was an early morning mass under way and the team sat right at the
back. Father Adam’s had disappeared from the cloisters and into the inner
sanctum of the cathedral, where only
church people went. It was old Percival slipping onto the pew next to
Jericho that delivered the news they had been waiting for. In the tavern, ‘The
Horse’s Rump’, the Bishop and a certain mister Ralph Coldhands were having a
full breakfast and clearly enjoying each other’s company.
He then whispered to Jericho certain news that he wanted to keep from the
ladies; it appears that several of the church soldiers guarding Ester had got
drunk and raped her, only stopping when their relief turned up, who were all
sober and didn’t approve of what was going on. Apparently the Bishop had
forgiven the men and just fined them a few pence for being drunk on duty!
“She was badly injured and will be carried to the flames on a litter. Her
books have been bundled into a bag which has been painted with tar to help it
burn. When the flames are high enough, the Bishop himself will throw the bag of
books into the flames.” Percival crossed himself – which he didn’t do often –
and smiled broadly at Jackie.
Jericho whispered his thanks and the team gathered outside. He bought
them up to date with Percival’s news. “I have a strong suspicion that the
Bishop and the book trader are discussing who pays what for the books which
will never been tossed on the bloody flames. They certainly won’t be in that
bag he [the Bishop] throws into the fire.”
They were joined by Father Adam’s, wiping his face and neck. “I’ve found
the little antechamber that was bricked up. Take a guess what it’s used for at
the moment.” He muttered with a little smile. No one knew. He smiled broadly;
“It’s the bloody Arch-Bishop’s privy!” That caused a little ripple of laughter amongst the
group. The old priest continued; “They’re building him a lovely new one in his
private apartments here and I expect they will simply brick it up, if they
can’t think of a new use for such a small room.”
Wilson rubbed his face; “Perfect opportunity for someone to place the
books in there, so they’re found in 1977 when the restoration works are carried
out.” Jericho nodded; “I suspect it will be our book trader or the Bishop that does that. Alex and Jackie; get over to
that bloody tavern and find out who the book trader really is.” Both girls nodded and were surprised to be joined by Father Adam’s. “You two ladies will be much safer if accompanied by a man
of God.” He waved his wooden crucifix about his neck and added; “This does
actually carry real authority in this time and place!”
The three set off for the tavern – arm in arm – whilst Jericho and Wilson
set off to find Leofric and the others of the old knight’s retinue. They found
Leofric and the boy Simon heading towards the south gate. It appears that
Mistress Alice had disappeared during the night, abandoning the boy to his
fate. Leofric told them that several tradesmen and merchants of the town had
gathered together and would pay for the old knight to have decent burial in a
local parish church.
Jericho asked Leofric about the boy. He sighed and patted the boy on the
head; “I’ll take him back to my father’s farm. He can live with my family until
he’s grown, then he can decide for himself what he does.” Jericho slipped
Leofric a small bag of silver coins and thanked him for his kindness and
loyalty to his old master. Leofric didn’t smile, but took the coins slowly. “I
know he [the old knight] didn’t think much of me as his squire, but I adored
the old sod. I’ll look after the boy until he’s grown, that’s my duty now.”
Wilson and Jericho watched the pair disappear through the busy south gate
onto the London Road. “Now he probably would have made a real knight.” Wilson
said softly and Jericho could only agree. They headed back to the cathedral,
where they had agreed to meet up with Father Adam’s and the girls.
They passed a couple of ragged beggars rolling in the mud; apparently
fighting over some bones thrown out of nearby kitchen. A couple of equally scruffy dogs joined in; they won.
They turned from the strange – and a little humorous sight – and were now
facing Mister Ralph Coldhands, standing right in front of them; clutching three
or four books. By his shoulders were two burly church guards. Jericho and
Wilson bowed a little and stood to one side. Ralph stared long and hard at the
pair; especially Wilson and walked away hurriedly, looking behind him several
times.
Wilson rubbed his chin and didn’t smile; “That bugger looks familiar, but
I don’t why.” Jericho shrugged his shoulders; he had only recognized him by his
scar, clothes and books. There couldn’t possibly be two men of that odd description in Canterbury at the
same time. But Jericho knew one thing for certain; ‘Ralph’ had certainly
recognized Wilson from somewhere and that could mean he was the time–traveler
they were after.
They joined the girls at the strangely named tavern and asked where the
good father was. “He was joined by two local priests who insisted he join them
for breakfast and mass. He couldn’t resist taking part in a bloody medieval
mass for some reason.” Alex explained and Jackie couldn’t wait to inform them
about what her mirror had discovered about ‘Ralph Coldhands’. Jericho sighed;
“What’s the real identity of our time travelling friend?” He asked a surprised
Jackie.
“I won’t even ask how you always know these bloody things, but your
right. He’s real name is Giovanni Romano and he was born in 1884, in Naples. My
mirror picked up a time portal somewhere on him. He’s a missing soul; he missed
his dispatch date in 1933.”
Wilson sighed; “I remember him now. I was the Detective Constable on
Stella Longstreet’s team and we dealt with a bunch of Satan worshippers in 1910
that was run by a woman from 2028. He [Giovanni] was a seller of rare books at
the time; mostly on the occult and witchcraft. But we got her and most of the
Coven, but I know that Giovanni was one of a pair that escaped. He must have
jumped, but I’m sure we located the time portal the woman was using and closed
it.”
Jericho just sighed and folded his arms; “That bloody complicates matters
now. We need to close his portal and return him to his own time to meet his
departure on time.” He stared across the square and saw that little groups of people were gathering to watch the witch burn. “I take it nobody wants to watch the show. Let’s go people.”
Everyone agreed with that and Jericho slipped the taverns serving girl some pennies to inform the old priest that his friends had
returned to their lodgings. That’s when Father Adam’s appeared - walking
quickly – from the cathedral. He gestured from them to follow him and bloody
quickly. They did so without questions. They followed the panting old priest to the huge stable complex at the rear of the cathedral and gathered around him. “You’ve been
exposed by that fellow Coldhands. He’s informed the Bishop that he recognized
Wilson from a previous witch trial and you’re here to try and the save the
witch. It appears that the Bishop is only involved in this to sell Ester’s
books. He just wants the money. He’s ordered your arrest; that’s you and Wilson,
with the girls of course.”
“Fuck!” was all Jericho said and that’s when they saw smoke billowing up
from the square. Father Adam’s crossed himself and gestured to the stable that
contained their carriage, horses and of course; Owens’s favourite donkey;
Freddie. “I think we best get off the streets. There will be church soldiers
all over the place, once they finish the burning.” Everyone disappeared into
the stable complex. The place was empty; everyone was at the witch burning.
Jericho pulled open their carriage door and stood on the step; “Right,
everyone but me and Jackie will jump back to the lighthouse. Wilson will get
Father Adam’s home. Now me and Owen will change and tackle that bastard
Giovanni and close his time portal. No one will recognize Owen dressed as a
young man now. They certainly won’t recongnize me; I’m a master of disguise
when the time calls for it.”
Everyone said their goodbyes and vanished. Owen had to chuckle at the
disguise that Jericho wore. He was now a travelling minstrel complete with lute
and funny hat. Owen was dressed like any young man of the period and carried a
small drum and flute. They made their way from the stable and passed several church soldiers; stopping groups of men who had ladies with them. They
weren’t having much success and fights almost broke out. Jericho actually went up to a couple of soldiers standing by the Baker’s
and asked directions to Percival’s tavern. The solders told him to ‘piss off’
and went back to talking about the witch and her gang of accomplices. “The big
black man will be easy to find; unless he paints himself white!” The older one
laughed loudly at his own words. The younger one just grinned and scratched his
lice ridden crotch with some vigour.
Jericho and Owen reached Percival’s tavern without being stopped by a single church soldier or officer. They passed a couple of
town crier’s ringing their bells and shouting about a reward of several silver pieces for the gang of warlocks and witches. They sat in the tavern and drank some beer. Little Helen, the
serving girl told them that the landlord [Percival] was always looking for
entertainment in his tavern and food was included with the lodging. Jericho
strummed his lute and leapt to feet. Owen could only watch in amazement as the
normally restrained Jericho sung and danced on the table top!
Owen had to restrain himself from laughing out loud; Jericho was singing
the ‘Good Ship Venus’ – the very naughty version! - The crowd loved it;
shouting and applauding. Owen shrugged his shoulders and jumped on the table;
joining in with his drum. Percival stood in the doorway grinning; this pair of
minstrels were certainly worth their lodging and beer. They would get their hat
filled with a few coins tonight.
They lay in front of the small kitchen stove and warmed their feet. Owen
held up his hat and giggled a little;”We made four and a half penny tonight.
That is really good money for this time and place; maybe the equivalent of
sixty or seventy pounds.” He dropped the hat down and wriggled his toes,
enjoying the heat. Jericho was consulting his mirror; “The time line has
reverted to its original course. Ester’s body was never discovered, but her
bloody books were. Our job’s still not done yet.”
He pushed the mirror into his shabby but colourful jacket and sighed;
“Now, how the hell do we get into the cathedral inner sanctum and empty that
bloody room of those damn books?”
Owen shrugged his shoulders; he didn’t know. That’s when the door to the
kitchen swung open and both stared at the church officer standing in the doorway. Jericho’s finger hovered above the emergency travel icon on his mirror.
The big man grinned; “Do you two buggers want to earn a silver thrupence?”
Jericho pulled himself up and nodded. The Captain of the church guard smiled;
“The Bishop is giving a little private party tomorrow night in his chambers at
the cathedral. You two seem to know the songs he likes. Be at the kitchens
after Evensong. There will be plenty of beer and food.” He gave the surprised
pair a little wave and was gone. Walking down the small corridor, deep in
thought about the failed apprehension of the witches and their accomplices; he
never heard the pair of minstrels laughing.
8. SHOWTIME.
They stood by the doors of the huge kitchens, packed with cooks and
assistants. There was an entire pig roasting on a spit, with several big
chickens cooking alongside it. The captain dropped a silver coin into Jericho’s
outstretched hand and smiled; “You can be rude as you like, sing about anything
naughty; this is a stag evening, the only women here are harlots and whores.
You’re on after the bloody Jester.” He slapped Jericho on the shoulder and
pointed into the big dining room. “Just behind the statue of St. Peter, you can
doss there, watch the show and perform when the Jester has finished.” He
wandered off, swigging a flagon of beer.
Owen stood with his mouth open as a big girl approached the pair with a
tankard in each hand, “Here you are boys. Helen [the girl from Percival’s
tavern] said you’re bloody rude and funny. I can’t wait, if you want any more
beer or grub just shout.” Jericho nodded and his took his tankard. Owen
accepted his very slowly and the pair watched the girl walk away. She was
completely naked apart from a small black leather apron that covered very
little.
Jericho sipped his beer; “Do you know that I always thought senior clergy
spent their evenings in quiet contemplation of God and praying a lot. How wrong
can you get?” Owen just smiled as another naked serving girl walked pass,
carrying four tankards in her hands. “Now that’s real skill.” Jericho pointed
out with a small smile.
Owen just groaned and followed Jericho; they sat on the floor behind the
statue of St. Peter and watched the party get underway. A fire-eater received
some applause, but only after he had set his beard and shoulders alight; he ran from the room screaming
and plunged his head into a bucket of water. He wasn’t happy; the bucket was
used by kitchen staff to relieve themselves.
The jester was on next; a big fat man with a high squeaky voice. He waved
his colourful sticks about and jingled his bells. He told jokes about the King,
the Queen, Welsh people, the French and mostly about the Scots. He was as funny
as having your penis cut off with a rusty blunt axe. The crowd threw anything
they could grab at him. He fled the hall as couple of daggers thudded into the
stone floor. He passed by the two minstrels shouting for God and his mother.
Jericho and Owen leapt to their feet and Jericho strummed his lute while Owen
banged his drum. They marched out with Jericho singing ‘The Good Ship Venus’
again. The crowd loved it. Again.
He followed up with several well known ‘Rugby Songs’ [well known in
another century of course!] and the appreciative audience screamed for more. He
finished with ‘Lydia the tattooed lady’ and there were shouts for more. The
pair did two encores before the audience let them go and settled back to watch
two young girls rolling about the floor on a rug; having hard lesbian sex with
each other and several wooden toys.
The captain staggered past them and they followed him into the corridor.
They watched as he pissed through an open window and then rejoined the party.
Jericho was following his mirror’s directions and they found the Arch-Bishops
little privy. The door was already bricked up half of its length. Jericho shone
his torch in; there was nothing but the privy seat and a disgusting looking
bundle of cloth.
“Nothing to read?” muttered Owen, then saw the remains of several pages
on the floor; he peered closely and grunted; “The Gospel of St. Mark.
Charming.”
That’s when they heard the footsteps in the dark corridor and could see a
small light appearing. Jericho operated his mirror and the pair was cloaked
from living humans. They watched as Giovanni, holding a small lamp with a
bundle of books under his arm appeared. He looked about and threw the books
into the privy, chuckling a little to himself. They watched him carefully as he
placed the lamp on the floor and looking about again, pulled a small watch from
a pocket.
Jericho checked his mirror and found that it was indicating a free flowing time portal. He raised his mirror and operated the defense app,
stunning Giovanni, who collapsed on the floor.
“Get those bloody books!” Jericho shouted and Owen climbed over the
bricks and pushed the books into his bag. Jericho pulled the watch from
Giovanni and stuffed it into his pocket. When Owen re-joined him they lifted
Giovanni up and Jericho operated his mirror. They disappeared just as the
captain staggered into the corridor. All he saw was Giovanni apparently
floating in mid air then vanish completely.
The captain sighed and shook his head; fucking roast pig did it to him
every time. He had sworn to give it up, but he loved it dearly. He groaned and
stumbled away. The Bishop’s party drew him back with the star turn about to
perform; Big Kate and her donkey Malcolm.
Jericho and Alex watched from the crowded street as the royal cars passed
them, heading for the main doors of the cathedral. They watched as Lord price
welcomed the Queen, next to the Arch-bishop of course. Just behind the pair
stood a smiling Jenifer Sailles. “I love the idea that she’ll never know how
different her fate would have been, had the dark Side succeeded with their
little scheme.” Alex grinned and waved a small plastic ‘union jack’ flag.
Jericho just grunted and stood with his arms folded. “Demon Ingress
reports that Ester has become a minion of the Dark Prince; he loved her scheme
and we all know that he can spot real dark talent when he finds it.” Alex
chuckled; “I understand from Owen that you’re quite some talent yourself with a
lute!”
Jericho almost smiled; “Come on, let’s get back to the lighthouse. Mrs. Harris
has knocked up a hot beef curry; one of my favourites.” The pair found a quiet
shop doorway and simply vanished.
EPILOGUE:
“This mission was considered a success for Jericho and Team
74. The original human time line had been restored and the clever plot by the
Dark Prince thwarted. His minion – Ester – was to become a formidable foe against the teams of light.”
WAS.
CHARACTERS:
Lord David Price had his moment of glory when
her majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited the Cathedral during the Jubilee
celebrations of 1977. Unfortunately Lord David was diagnosed with Cancer in
1980 and subsequently died. His soul was collected and processed.
Miss Jenifer Sallies fate was changed by the
actions of the temporal detectives and never was imprisoned. She left her job
with the Church of England and wrote children’s books for a living. She married
in 1983 and had three children. She lived to be 97 and died surrounded by her
large family in a Kent Hospice. Her soul was collected and processed.
John Kennedy never died in the house fire in
1977 and continued his career as an investigative journalist. He wrote several
books about organized crime. He was shot dead on his doorstep as he returned
home from the pub. No one has ever been arrested or charged with his murder. It
remains unsolved to this day. His soul was collected and processed.
Detective Inspector Gary Meadows accidently
drowned whilst on a family holiday in Greece during the summer of 1984. He left
a widow and two children. His son [David] was to follow in his father’s
footsteps and join the Kent Police. Gary’s soul was collected and processed.
Detective Sergeant William Turner was involved
in an incident with two young women who made serious allegations against him in
1981. Whilst nothing was proved, he left the police and was last heard of
driving Lorries around Europe. He died in 2021 and his soul was collected and
processed. It was quarantined for 250 human years for abduction, murder and
rape of several young women and girls. He may have escaped human
justice; but he couldn’t escape Divine justice!
Dr. Frank Gardener worked as a Pathologist
until his retirement in 1991. He took up gardening and his flowers
won several prizes in local shows. He died in 2002 from lung
cancer – he was a heavy smoker – and his soul was collected and processed.
Professor Allan Fordham’s fate interested Owen.
Whilst not connected with this particular mission Owen looked up the Collector
who had dealt with the dead man’s soul. Owen was shocked to find that Alex had probably
been right. The professor claimed he had been strung up by three rough men
after they destroyed his papers on his breakthrough vaccine. Diabetes remains
uncured to this day and currently costs just the NHS a staggering £10 BILLION
each year! It appears Alex was more right than she would ever know………
Sir Robert De Morse lived up to his title as
‘knight’ defending a supposed innocent woman against charges of ‘Devilry and
witchcraft’. His family was disgraced and his lands confiscated by the Church. He
had been killed in very unequal combat and his soul was collected and
processed. He now works as a Collector.
Simon De Morse, the old Knight’s young grandson
lost all his grandfathers lands and titles. He had no other living relatives.
Had the boy not been taken in by Leofric, he would probably have starved to
death in the hedgerows. He grew into a big strong man and worked his new
family’s farm. He married and had six children by two wives. He died in 1444
and his soul was collected and processed.
Mistress Alice Field abandoned the boy [young
Simon] immediately after his grandfather’s death. She worked as a house maid
for a local merchant and died of the ‘pox’ in 1386. Her soul was collected and
processed.
Leofric Sailmaker remained loyal to the De Morse
family after the knight’s death and took the boy Simon into his home. He worked
as a farmer and raised the boy like his own son. He died in 1398 and his soul
was collected and processed.
Richard Catchpocket [Tavern Owner] died in his
sleep after suffering an unspecified fever in 1381. His funeral was attended by
several of his old comrades from the former King’s wars. He has no less than five hundred descendants
living today! His soul was collected and processed. It was quarantined for a
full human Century for some serious acts of murder and
rape committed whilst a young solder of the old King.
Mistress Ester Clemencies was burnt at the
stake and her books were snatched by Jericho. Thus history never recorded or
noted her ‘remarkable finds or discoveries’. The
current human time line had been restored by the temporal detectives. She went
to her master – the Dark Prince – a failure. But the prince knows dark talent
when he sees it. She is currently a Tier Two Demon and is heading for the top.
Team 74 will encounter her again.
William Courtenay
[Archbishop of Canterbury – 1377] distanced himself from the trial and ensured
he wasn’t involved. He was a pious man and perhaps didn’t have the stomach for
a ‘show trial’. He died in 1396 and his soul was collected and processed.
Percival Parish died in 1392. He was found face
down in a local pond. The magistrate decided he had died – by drowning – after
a drinking session. Percival had, in fact, been murdered by his mistress Gwen
and her brother Henry. The pair disappeared with his life savings of several
pounds and fled to York where they opened a tavern together. Having no family,
the tavern was sold to a wealthy merchant from Kent in 1393. It survived until
1658, when it was destroyed by fire. In the modern era, where it stood is now
just part of a parade of shops. Percival’s soul was collected and processed.
Sir John Gavell was made a Baron in 1380 and married three times – all
young girls – and had nine children. He died in 1409 a very rich old man
surrounded by his large family. His direct descendants still have power to this
day and most are followers of the Dark Side. Unsurprisingly, no soul was
collected. He is now a Senior Minion of the Dark Prince and Demon Ingress
believes he could soon be a Tier Two Demon. He’s also headed for the top in
that organization, he’s great friends with the demon Ester; they make a
wonderful dark couple.
Ralph Coldhands; aka Giovanni Romano was returned to his own time period
by Jericho and Owen. The time portal he used had been closed by Jericho. He
died in 1933 and his soul was collected and processed. He received no sanction
for his time travelling escapades which surprised Team 74.
The Captain of the Church Guard; Edward Bellman died in 1380 of a strange
fever and his soul was collected and processed. He left a wife and seven
children. Some of his descendants still live in the area today.
