Wilson couldn't help but laugh quietly; he had
just noticed that Jericho had suddenly acquired a 'dog' collar. Apparently 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 pushed some pound
notes into his hand: the now happy young man disappeared behind the bar.
Alex sipped her most welcome brandy and smiled
at Jericho; "What are you up to?" She closely watched as the smiling waiter
approached the men's table with a tray. He carefully placed three glasses upon
the table and lit them with a match. "Shit! Fucking Sambuca's! Now that is
one fucking subtle message Jericho!” The three men downed their drinks and
raised their glasses at the teams table. 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." Canterbury City Morgue, Wednesday June 8th 1977.
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 of old King Henry."
The assistant just smiled. Frank walked back to the tray and nodded to the
door; "Well, show them in." Peter strolled to the door and pushed it
open; he stuck both hands in his white coat pockets 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 darkened 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 twenty years, the remains are just over six hundred years old
approximately and from the state of the bones, I would say that she probably
starved to death. That would be a safe guess in the circumstances of being
bricked up in Medieval times."
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 make her
special and probably a little unique." He smiled with some little
satisfaction and gestured to the woman’s lower limbs or rather bones. 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 frankly, always amputated."
Frank shrugged his shoulders; "Medical
care wasn't much in those days. If you splintered a bone, it had to come off. The
surgeon – if you want to call them that – really had no other choices. Otherwise,
you surely died of Sepsis - blood poisoning - they had no real 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. In this game [Pathology?] we really see
the difference in teeth between the Medieval Period and say, the Elizabeth or
Stuart times when sugar became cheaper and readily available in people’s diets."
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 discretely 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 small 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 bloody 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 very 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,
adding; "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. As you know, our BOSS has a very cordial relationship with Mother Church;
after all, his son basically created it; though not intentionally!"
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; “That’s what my mirror says and these
bleeding things are always right.” Father Adam's sat back in his seat and wiped
his face again. "Your mirror aside, that doesn't sound quite right.
Hieratic Script was a simplified version of Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. It
was dead and forgotten by the Second or third century AD. It was originally
used to write letters, keep records and accounts for business and the like. Then
quite suddenly in the 1300's, a woman starts writing a manuscript in it - about
scientific and technical subjects apparently - that doesn't make sense. There’s
no sense or logic at all in that story. I’m afraid I don’t buy that version of
events, sorry, not one little bit."
Jericho rubbed his chin; "So it's not the
right language even 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: Arabic, old English or Latin. That's
it. Writing a single book in Hieratic Script would seem so strange and probably
impossible at the time. It could be that she simply copied a manuscript without
actually knowing what it contained….." he stopped in mid-sentence, then
added slowly; “Yes, she simply copied a much older manuscript but couldn’t read
it and that was fine. So why was it fine? Now the answer to that simple question is probably
the answer to why this is happening now.”
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, saying; "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 timeline. But there is
just one descendant of any note. A certain Professor Allan Fordham, a Clinical
research scientist who claimed to have discovered a vaccine that would cure
both types of Diabetes. But he was found hanging in his garage; no suicide note,
nothing. 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 sodding brains on: some brilliant scientist
says he found a cure for diabetes and is suddenly found hanging in bloody
garage! All his research gone: he was obviously bloody murdered by the big
Pharmacy companies. They make billions every year keeping people alive; but not
curing them. It simply doesn't make any economic sense to lose that sort of
income by offering any kind of 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 County of Kent, Mid-July, 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, costumes, 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 the big man did smile.
When everyone was dressed, Jericho operated his
mirror and they disappeared to England in 1377, some fifteen 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 and wealthy merchant who is on a pilgrimage
to Canterbury to pray for his recently departed mother. I’m accompanied by my widowed sister and her maid. Wilson is Omar; a
Christian Moor from Spain, also on a pilgrimage. We know each other because we trade furs and
silks together. 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 must call immediately
for a Knight; you have my permission to do that." Now that did really
impress Mr. Jericho Tibbs; 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 permanently 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 ‘road’. 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 also 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; "This is bloody perfect. Now we truly 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 a lot 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. To clarify that statement, he had ‘fallen in love’ at least six times this month alone! He
really 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' [well, a mud track that could be
charged with fraud for masquerading as a bloody road!] – Very slowly - they
would have to stop overnight at the Pilgrim Tavern called the 'King's Horn'. Rather curiously, the pub’s symbol was a big
Ram wearing a crown. But what most people spotted and remembered about the
place was the animal’s large erection! [Note:
It was in 1393, that an act was passed under the reign of King Richard II where it was compulsory
for public houses and inns to have a sign outside in order to identify as such:
until then most tavern’s and ale houses were identified by symbols showing the local
landlords or owner’s given name, which could be a painted sign or symbol. In
this case it was a small model of a crowned Ram, sitting on a pedestal above
the main doors.]
Sir Robert told Jericho that the Innkeeper 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. [Note:
For a graphic account of such a battle, see episode: ‘The Knight.’]
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 the bugger.
Richard the Innkeeper 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 Innkeeper
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 famous battles and the bloody gruesome
killing of Frenchmen. His voice wasn’t bad and he certainly could play the
lute, but every time he opened his mouth Alex grimaced; he had a head of foul black
teeth and you could smell his breath right to the back of the tavern. But what
really did amaze her [and Jackie] was that no-one really noticed the smell of
them and his accompanying rancid body odour! Jackie just shrugged; “Actually he
seems bit of an exception: people in these times did try and keep clean. Since
most were pheasants, they washed up at home or used bath-houses. The
wealthy – if they wished – could bathe regularly and so it’s bit of a myth that
everyone was unwashed and stank!” [Note:
It’s calculated that 85% of the medieval population were actually pheasants.]
"Bloody charming, we get the sodding
exception! On the subject of our singing sewage farm; 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 they hadn't
reached him: 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 a 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 wondering what in hell the civilized world was
coming to!
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 Innkeeper 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 important trial underway
of an apparently 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 the story further.
5. "THE BOOKS OF ESTER
CLEMENCIES." Canterbury, Mid-July 1377.
"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 numbers [mathematics] - that all the land [earth] and
all the other sky lights [planets and stars] were spinning [revolving] around
the Sunne [the sun] and that this land was just one of many such balls in the great
darkness; special only by having life on it. Can you believe that we live on a
great ball of dirt! I mean how could people live on the bottom of a ball? They
would fall into the great darkness! But the Church and the Bishop have taken
her blasphemy and heresy seriously and she will be burnt at the stake when found
guilty."
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 bishop’s 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 said 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 complete
and total 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 wouldn't allow a mere woman to address the Church court.” It
appeared that 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 even
understand. The bishop declared that the writing was obviously 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 will certainly burn at the stake." Richard
grunted; “They want to rush the trial through before the big 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; and 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 really 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 bloody forgetting that you were
a 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 who informed Jericho of his friend’s interest in his sister’s
maid. This ‘interest’ caused quite a giggle amongst the team – except Jackie –
and the old inn keeper made sure he hung around her with a big smile on his
ravaged face. Whatever the young girl wanted she could have; he quietly 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 inquiries
about Mistress Ester Clemencies and wasn’t too happy about what he quickly 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 also 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 and no husband to command her 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 the 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 supposed to meet him at a wonderfully
named tavern; The ‘Horse’s Rump’ tomorrow night for drinks and other things!” [Note:
Just for your interest, this tavern’s symbol is a grotesque looking donkey in a
Bishop’s liturgical vestment complete with a Mitre hat!]
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 real 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 true 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’. ] 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 was a [Constantine I] bloody pagan and yet he had direct
input into the books of the Christian faith. Gospels by Disciple’s Judas and Mary
Magdalene were also thrown out.” He
quickly added; “Owen, sorry Jackie, find out who are the three judges sitting
on this case. There’s someone of real power operating in the dark 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 would 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 marketplace; my master will face Sir
John Gavel, 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 man who
was called the ‘Dark Knight’ and it wasn’t because of the colour of his armour:
it was the colour of his heart.
Jericho folded his arms and said simply; “Oh fuck!”
6. "TRIAL BY COMBAT." The Bishop's Field, Canterbury, Kent. Mid-July 1377.
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 really uncovered the truth about the knight’s sudden
desire to defend a woman he had never even met before.
The team gathered in Jericho’s big room just after midnight - once young
Jackie had managed to escape the growing 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 supposed 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 this time period. He
would die a terrible death with a great deal of pain and suffering without
modern medication to moderate its fatal effects.
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. So 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 church proceedings. Jericho noted
that she didn’t appear so 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 hve 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 also managed
to see the book about ‘Anebos’ and confirmed to Jericho that it was a copy – a
modern 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 Gavel 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. Being such a ‘man of God’
he was growing wealthier each year and now owed houses and two estates in 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 quickly 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 strange 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 an avid 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 timeline around him.” He
said quietly, But Jackie stopped and gestured to the two knights; the
trumpeters had signalled that 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 combat 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 scabbard.
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 midair 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 crashing
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 Sir Robert fell awkwardly on his back, accompanied by some serious
cussing. 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, struck with the edge of
the big blade causing a spurt of blood to cover the old knight. Sir Robert tried to rise, but simply couldn’t:
it was over. Dark Blood bubbling up his throat prevented any last words and
with what little strength he had remaining, pulled his helmet off and drew one
last bloodied breath and just lay silent and still; his face – looking almost
serene [so Jackie thought, wiping away tears] – Sir Robert died as he wanted,
on the field of honour, sword gripped in his hand, dying like he lived: a
honourable knight of the king. 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, under the rules of combat, 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: declaring that God himself had decided the
fate of the evil heretic and blasphemer and she would burn at the stake with
her damned books. Seeing the mood of the crowd the judges quickly left the
field with church troops packed around them.
Two burly peasants appeared with a wooden litter and carefully removed
the old knights body with some dignity, placing his sword across his chest and
replacing his helmet. They were accompanied by Father Adam’s who was giving
final absolution which caused some of the crowd and soldiers to kneel and pray.
Jericho wiped his face and stared at his mirror discretely; the fight had
taken less than six minutes. Only the Temporal detectives had seen Kate the
Collector and Sir Robert’s soul disappear into the light. He had turned and
lifted a hand to them and the pair vanished.
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 who could lift one by himself! Percival asked for silence and everyone
could hear the shouting; “Typical! A bloody night curfew until dawn, anyone
found outside will be arrested; that’s going to put a hole in…..that’s going to
stop a lot of people having a drink on the old knight’s memory. But that won’t
stop us! They’re now shouting that the witch and her books will burn tomorrow
at noon.”
Jericho slumped onto a rough seat by the shuttered window and surprisingly
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 blew her nose and 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, slipping in the rear door via the small herb garden. Wilson was by
the door, keeping watch through the gaps 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 and
he looks like he knows how to use both. Paid for his board and lodging in
silver coin, asked old Tom the village 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." Canterbury, Kent. Mid-July 1377.
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 again, 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. It
appears, apparently, the Bishop has forgiven the men and just fined them a few
pence for being drunk on duty! He continued; “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 private 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 quietly 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 a decent burial in a local parish churchyard. The church had moved quickly
and confiscated Sir Robert’s estate since he had died defending a criminal and
thus was one by association and deeds!
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 such 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 jcaptured 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 bloody
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.” He said quietly and shook his head in despair at
humanity. 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 just 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, who because they are with you; they must
be witches!”
“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 the master of disguise when the time calls for it.” Everyone just sighed at
that.
They 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 quietly passed
several church soldiers: stopping groups of men who had ladies with them. They
weren’t having much success and fights almost broke out. Finally, Jericho actually went up to a couple of bored looking 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 much younger one
just smiled 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 pointed out to a bored Owen that this proves his ability as a ‘master
of disguise’: the serving girl hadn’t recongnised him. Owen pointed out that
she certainly didn’t recongise him! A
little miffed, Jericho muttered about being a master of ‘all trades’ quickly strumming
his lute and leapt to his 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 and flute.
Percival stood in the doorway grinning; this pair of bloody minstrels
was certainly worth their lodging and beer. They would get their hat filled
with a few coins tonight. He didn’t recongise either of them but wondered if
the boy could be related to his
Love: young Jacqueline! That night 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’s 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 happily wriggled his toes, enjoying the heat. Jericho was busy consulting
his mirror; “The timeline has almost 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 before the builders brick it up?”
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?” [That’s a colloquial saying meaning
three pennies.] 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 being blamed about the failed apprehension of the witches
and their evil accomplices; he never heard the pair of minstrels laughing.
8. "SHOWTIME." Private chambers of the Bishop, Canterbury Cathedral, Kent. Mid-July 1377.
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, well except the
fucking cook and her girls….[he grinned] no, carry on as you were! 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 slowly 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 totally naked apart from a small black leather apron that covered very
little. Her massive breasts had the big red nipples tied together with a bloody
chain ending in a wooden crucifix!
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: she
had a wooden tray suspended from her big tits with four tankards on and her
hands carried two plates stacked with various meats. “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 now get underway. A fire-eater
received some applause, but only after he set his beard and shoulders alight; he ran frantically from the room screaming
and plunged his head into a bucket of water. He still 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 doubted if either had even heard of him.
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. They quickly lost interest when the
donkey was bought in. But then the captain staggered past them and they
followed him into the corridor. They watched as he pissed through an open
window and then re-joined the party. “Come on; let’s take a look at this famous
bleeding privy.” Jericho said and they followed 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 in old
German: charming.” He consulted his mirror; “Jesus Jericho! That was a gift
from the Cardinal of Saxony – which was a separate Kingdom at the present – and
is worth an absolute small fortune! Ignorant bastards.”
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 defence 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 large snake 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 very 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; it’s one of my favourites.” The pair
found a quiet shop doorway and simply vanished.
THE END
EPILOGUE:
“This mission was considered a success for Jericho and Team
74. The original human timeline had been restored and the clever plot by the
Dark Prince’s minion thwarted. That minion – Ester – was to become a formidable
foe against the teams of light.”
SJW
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 received 250 human years in quarantine
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! Does it appear
that 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’. But 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 finally married the daughter of the local tavern
owner and together they had several children. When he could afford it, Leofric
purchased ink and parchment for his poetry: his best was one entitled ‘Jack the
Maid of dreams’. What his wife thought of it wasn’t recorded. 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 timeline 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 properly collected
and processed.
Sir John Gavel 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 [it killed him in less than 24 hours] and his soul was collected
and processed. He left a wife and seven children. Some of his descendants still
live in the area today.
This episode
contained several references to the character ‘Anebos’ whose story is partially
told in the episode ‘Tomb ES-42’.
"ALEXANDRA AND THE HIDDEN LADY." 
