§
“Horrible waste of gas,” Murphy quipped to Matt as he watched the convoy that had just arrived in Athelney head off for a return trip to Rochester. However, this time they would be taking all the remaining trucks and supplies. There was now only a skeleton crew left to guard and secure the alien ship, not that Matt or his crew were all that worried. The Lady Merwinna pledged the support of all the men-at-arms in Athelney if needed. Matt accepted her aid with all seriousness, though truly with the walls of the town for protection and a few M18’s to hold them, his men would be safe enough.
Murphy stood at Matt’s side as the large caravan slowly disappeared over the hills to the east, and for the first time since coming to this land they both felt as if they were truly at war. Once the last truck was out of sight, Matt sighed, turned and headed back to the ship. Murphy made to follow but stopped as the Lady Æthelgifu rode up on a chestnut mare.
“So gentlemen, yor magic wagons be off to war,” she said with a smile and both men stopped short, just a little dazzled. She wore a sleeveless, yellow cotton shift over a white blouse. The dress was simple for a noblewoman of the day but it accentuated her dark hair and eyes. Murphy’s breath caught in his throat, though her beauty only made Matt miss Ellyn all the more.
“Who be up for some ridin’ on this fine day?” She asked a twinkle in her eye.
Murphy glanced sideways at his friend but Matt just shrugged.
“I’m sure that damned ship will still be here when you get back,” he said with a smile, shocking Æthelgifu slightly with his language. But she quickly forgave him when she realized he was giving Murphy leave to ride with her.
“I’d love to,” the Captain informed the young woman, “but watch out; I’ve become quite the rider.”
Æthelgifu smiled at the man’s simple pride and spun her horse around. She let the mare walk slowly back toward the barn. Normally outgoing, Æthelgifu was suddenly, inexplicably shy, and Murphy didn’t help matters much by remaining quiet. She cast several furtive glances the Captain’s way but he never once returned them, which she took to be disinterest. In fact, his inattentiveness was beginning to make her mad.
The silence continued to build between them as they made their way through the main gates and into town. Finally Æthelgifu could take it no longer. “Ye be a pylot, surely ye can ride,” she finally blurted.
Murphy laughed but did not look up at the young woman. Truth be told, her beauty made him very nervous, which was not an emotion he was accustomed to around the opposite sex. Normally Murphy was very cool, very in control. He liked women…he liked them very much and in his younger days took great pride in his ability to read and understand them. It was a talent that allowed him to coax more than a few between the sheets. But somehow Æthelgifu was different. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking or what she was feeling because his own nerves were so jittery when she was around, especially when she was looking at him with those dark, enigmatic eyes.
“I’m a far better pilot than rider,” Murphy admitted and then fell silent again.
Thankfully they reached the barn just as Tye; a young ten year old stable hand came running from the relative darkness of the interior. He took three quick steps and slammed into Murphy before rebounding and falling to his backside. Æthelgifu’s mare took exception to the boy’s antics and reared with a snort.
“Hey!” Murphy exclaimed and moved to help the boy but then stopped as the horse reared. He had visions of the large animal throwing the girl to the ground and stomping her lifeless, but Æthelgifu deftly leaned in close and held on tight. Once the animal dropped to all fours she patted the mare’s neck and whispered calming words into her ear. It worked and the horse quickly settled down.
“Sorry sir…missus,” the boy stammered, clearly frightened by the hulking American who stood over him. But after a moment he recognized Murphy and smiled.
“Why were ye in such a hurry? Ye should know better,” Æthelgifu admonished, very irritated.
The lad switched his gaze to the Lady, his eyes going wide, very fearful he was about to get a sound whipping.
“Twas just after some bread and cheese mum,” Tye answered as Murphy reached down and pulled him to his feet.
“Hungry are you?” Murphy asked and the boy nodded.
“Well ye can eat after ye’ve saddle a mount for Captain Giles, eh?” Æthelgifu huffed.
The boy nodded and hurried back into the barn.
“I’ll help,” Murphy said, and without a backward glance strode into the barn leaving a bewildered Æthelgifu in his wake.
‘Now wot?’ She thought, looking about somewhat embarrassed, but thankfully no one was paying her the slightest attention. ‘Mayhap Master Giles is na the man I took him to be.’
She waited impatiently, already very sorry she’d proposed the outing, but finally the Captain emerged walking an enormous but docile gray gelding.
Æthelgifu laughed. “Thee boy chose this mount for ye?” she asked amused. The horse was clearly meant for plowing or pulling lumber carts and not for pleasure riding.
“This is Brymma,” Murphy said with great dignity. “I picked him. I like him best,” he added, liking the sound of her laughter.
“Well he’s surely big enough for ye,” Æthelgifu commented, “but ye’ll win no races with that clod footed beast.”
Murphy grinned and hoisted himself up into the saddle. Brymma stood rock solid as the large man climbed onto his back, then nickered softly, happy to see Murphy and happy to be going out.
They made their way quickly back through town and Æthelgifu noticed that nearly all the people on the street paused to greet the large American, especially the ladies.
“Brymma might surprise you,” Murphy said as they finally made their way through the gates and back out into the open fields which surrounded the town. “He’s very light on his feet for such a big horse.”
“Truly?” Æthelgifu asked with a smile and when Murphy nodded she spurred her own mount, Wlite, which meant “beauty,” into a gallop.
She was ten lengths away before Brymma managed to coax his large body into a run. They raced across an open field and onto a narrow dirt track that lead to the northeast, Æthelgifu laughing and pulling farther and farther ahead. She finally pulled out of the run about a half mile from Athelney and steered her horse up a long grassy hill. There was a large rock formation at the top called “the carriage” because there were four smaller stones lined up in front of a much larger rectangular boulder.
She jumped from Wlite and patted the horse affectionately on the neck before releasing her to catch her breath and graze.
“That was not fair,” Murphy exclaimed as he finally made his way to the top of the hill. He glanced about. “Hey this is great,” he added and dropped from the saddle. Brymma immediately moved over with Wlite apparently unaffected by his loss.
“Tis the carriage,” Æthelgifu explained and used one of the smaller stones to climb to the top of the largest boulder. It helped that there were several deep indentions worn into the rock by countless peasant children that came to the hill to play over the years. After a moment, Murphy followed her up, thrilled to be alone with this beautiful and exciting young woman.
“Merwinna tells that ye plan to go to the very stars,” Æthelgifu said and scooted over as far as she dared to make room for the large man. He was enormous, tall and broad and she had to fight to keep from staring at his hands.
Murphy nodded; glad the subject was already out in the open. He didn’t want to make the same mistake as his flight commander. “If we ever get the ship repaired,” Murphy replied.
“Forsooth? To the stars?” Æthelgifu asked with a laugh, suspecting the man was playing with her. But Murphy just nodded with no hint of mischievousness.
“Forsooth?”
Again Murphy nodded.
“Wot they be…the stars?”
“Suns,” Murphy replied and turned his face up toward his very favorite. “Some like ours
…some not so, but all give off heat and light…a lot of light.”
“The stars be like the sun?” Æthelgifu asked though it was not meant to be a question just testing the idea on her tongue.
“Yes but very, very far away. Most have planets…a few even have planets like this one, with water, able to support life. The Skawps live on such a world around one tiny star in the sky,” he added and his expression darkened.
“Ye enemy?”
Again Murphy nodded. “Our enemy,” he corrected. “They will extinguish all human life.”
Despite the warmth of the day, Æthelgifu shuddered instinctively; before he realized just what he was doing Murphy slid his arm around her and held her tight.
“We’re here to stop them if we can.”
Æthelgifu stopped breathing for a moment and let the big man hold her. She liked his strength and warmth, but was confused by his comment. There was no enemy here, but then suddenly she was afraid.
“They will come here…after ye and yor men?”
Murphy tipped his head. “Yes, they will come here, but not for many, many years. You and your children and their children will long be dead…but they will still come. We hope to be ready for them this time.”
And quite by accident, Æthelgifu understood. “Ye could be of me children!” She exclaimed loudly and for a moment Murphy considered her statement, then he laughed out loud and in short order Æthelgifu found herself laughing along with him. She liked his laugh.
“Yes…I suppose I could,” he finally replied, once he gained control. “Should I call you grandma?”
“Ye best na,” the girl replied. “I be only nineteen, na yet old enough for grandchildren.”
“Nineteen,” Murphy said a little wistfully.
“Yah.”
“And you’re to be an Abbess?”
Now it was Æthelgifu’s turn to frown. “If me father canna have his way…then yah. Better an Abbess than wife of the Fat!” She exclaimed.
Murphy frowned not understanding, so Æthelgifu explained that her father had promised her to Charles the Fat, an ally from across the sea.
“You’ll not marry him then?” Murphy asked and turned to study the beautiful teenager at his side.
“Na, wold ye?”
Murphy chuckled. “Not if he was too old,” he agreed.
“Na…tis said there be too much of Charles,” she replied and held out her arms in the imitation of a great belly. “I’d rather bend me knees to Christ than part them for the Fat,” she added and her cheeks flushed at her own bawdiness.
Murphy laughed but his face colored a bit at the thought of the girl’s bare legs. They fell silent for a time, each considering the act of love with the other, but neither daring to mention it.
“Well,” Murphy said, “I suppose I should be getting back.”
“Yah,” Æthelgifu replied, thinking that if this man did not go to the stars, mayhap she would not have to be an Abbess. The Americans could be great allies against the Danes.
‘Mayhap father wold change his mind.’ She thought then quickly stood and carefully moved past Murphy, lightly touching his right leg for balance before hopping down to the rock below.
“Ye na be too fat,” she commented looking up into his eyes. Murphy nodded blankly then raised his eyebrows as he caught her meaning. He smiled widely, but before he could say anything she was down and gone. She was once more on Wlite before he climbed from the stony formation. She watched him calmly as he mounted his own large horse. They rode back to Athelney at a much easier pace, both comfortably lost in their own thoughts.
§
Once Hersey arrived back in Rochester with the remaining supplies, trucks and men, it took very little time to prepare for yet another departure. They’d be taking near everyone, leaving behind only about a dozen men to hold Rovescester. It would be more than enough if they sat tight and kept the gates closed. There were now eight M60’s mounted on the parapet two on each facing, and these guns alone could hold off any number of possible attackers, at least until the ammunition ran out. But Peebles truly didn’t expect an attack; the people of Rochester were not taking the death of their Earl all that badly. Even so, the men had strict orders to keep inside the fortress…and keep the locals out.
Far more trusting was the General’s decision to reduce the contingent down to six in Somerset, where the alien ship was still located. Major Thane remained with only his flight crew, plus Sergeant Blish who was helping with the frustrating repairs, and Lee Robertson, who was off scouting for oil deposits with a couple of the Ealdorman’s men. The alien ship was their most prize possession in the fight against the Skawps, but Peebles did not consider the strategy to be too risky, even with the very small force left behind to protect it. He fully trusted the Ealdorman and his wife to come to their aid if needed.
The general also reluctantly left behind Dr. Rice at Rovescester. He would have liked to bring the man along, but he was still tending to Sir Ordmere, who was improving dramatically under proper care. However, the muscles on his back and upper legs were so damaged that the doctor put his chances of walking again at fifty-fifty. Rice, however, would do his best to help the man heal. He would not be bored plus he now had Leoforic to help and keep him company. The boy had insisted on making the trip down with Hersey and the others, despite his Aunt’s objections. Peebles almost demanded that Rice accompany him on their trip to see the King, after all, the success of this venture could very well be decided on the man’s first impressions, but in the end he was unwilling to risk the life of Sir Ordmere who he’d come to like and respect. Sir Ordmere was upbeat and jolly even after all that had happened to him, and had sent a happy message to his father, by way of Father Gillian, who had left the previous day to continue on to St. Albans.
In all, eleven of the trucks they’d be taking on the expedition would be fully loaded with gas; they had to be sure there would be enough fuel to reach their destination, fight a long battle, and then return. They would also be taking all fourteen hummers, but they would be leaving two trucks for the men at Rovescester to use in case of a dire emergency. With only one Humvee left in Athelney, they would be heading to war at nearly full strength. They were also taking along both Bots, which were flown down to Rochester by Gardner and Goode. It was the General’s hope that the group in Athelney would soon have much speedier transport, once the alien ship was online, but it was a hope he was beginning to question. The ship stubbornly remained offline for no apparent reason, leaving the repair crews frustrated to the point of tears.
Every soldier was now wired and in full battle gear. The construction of the communications towers would allow the General and his men to be in constant contact with Rovescester and Altheney. If the King gave his permission, Peebles would erect an additional tower at Winchester, which would enable them to communicate throughout lower England.
When all was ready they were off. Three Toes Erdwine, who was over his initial shock, but struggled through another one every other minute or so, was in the lead vehicle and would guide the way. Riding with him was General Peebles, Sadao, who drove, plus Sir Oldalf and Sergeant Moore, who manned the M60 in the rear. Lemay followed in the next vehicle Sir Ceorl, the only local in his group. Sir Elid, their soldier in training, was relegated to the back of a truck, just like the rest of the common infantry, but he happily joined the men. Both Bots were up and scouting ahead and everyone, even the locals were linked through the GBF.
“Methinks this much easier than the way ye came, wot?” Sir Oldalf spouted with a laugh and slugged Three Toes in the right thigh. Erdwine winced then nodded, wide-eyed as he fought not to be sick. He was thankful for the knight’s presence because everyone else was hidden behind the metallic face shields.
‘I’m in league with the ogres,’ Three Toes thought with a wry smile then held on for dear life. They moved quickly, thanks to the presence of an entire network of well preserved stone roads. They were all surprised, however, when they past a narrow white st
one which looked surprisingly like a mile marker.
Peebles commented on this, and Rice, who was still back at Rovescester, answered through their headsets.
“Probably Roman. The Romans had a large presence here and only retreated from the islands a few centuries ago.” General Peebles blessed the Romans many times along the first few miles of the trip, as the conditions of the roads grew better. His gratitude increased when they crossed several well-built stone bridges. Sergeant Moore inspected each bridge closely before declaring them fit for crossing, but even so they unloaded the men and crossed slowly one truck at a time. The bridges saved enormous amounts of time especially when they happened across some of the larger tributaries. They had a long way to go since it was nearly one hundred and fifty miles to Shaftesbury, and even farther if they were to go down the large peninsula lovingly called the Lizard by the locals. But they were able to travel at a good clip through the early part of the journey and averaged nearly forty-five miles an hour. The only stop they planned to make was at Winchester to pay their respects to the Queen, the Lady Ealhswith, who Sir Oldalf and Sir Ceorl maintained was the second most powerful person in all the land.
They made good time, and neither Gardner nor Goode overhead in the planes spotted anything that could be considered even remotely dangerous. There were people about, wagons and pedestrians on the roads and in some nearby fields, but everyone ran either from the Bots flying overhead or from the imposing convoy roaring down the otherwise quiet lane. Near the small village of Seven Oaks they came across an abandoned wagon clogging up the narrow road. It was in a bad spot were the road ran along a high rock face on one side and a steep gorge on the other and there was little room to swing around it. The ancient vehicle had a broken axle and after a moment of indecision Peebles ordered it to be pushed off the road and into the gorge. The General did not make such a decision lightly; he now realized just how much sweat and time it took to build such a thing in this era. But whoever owned the damned thing was long gone and they were very pressed for time.
The Temporal Knights Page 49
