Child of Time Read online

  'If treating me well means leaving me be, then very well indeed, thank you.' He leaned forward and proffered his packet of cigarettes. 'Smoke?'

  'Thank you, no. Dreadful things. Play havoc with my sinuses.'

  'Ah, well. I'm sure you're right. About that, at least.' His customary wry smile was written upon his face. 'Hope you don't mind if I carry on. It's just that my body has cravings, you see? Unfamiliar feeling, that, actually. I'm sure you understand. So tell me, when is it exactly that you plan to bring about this planet's destruction?'

  The woman smiled. 'That again. Really, Dr Smith, I am not so easily provoked. I have something far more interesting for us to discuss: who you are and what it is exactly that you're doing here.' She reached across to the table, picked up the file of papers and began leafing through it.

  Dr Smith inclined his head, ever so slightly, and tapped another cigarette out of his packet, which seemed just as full as it had before. 'Let's just say I'm a traveller who knows what he's talking about. I have seen a lot of things in my time, on many different worlds, and I speak from experience when I tell you that the course of action you're pursuing is foolhardy in the extreme. I know you have it in you to see beyond the short-sighted, despotic intentions of this so-called Sodality and stop this now before it goes too far.'

  'What do you mean? You know nothing about me.' The woman was visibly vexed.

  'I know a great deal. I know you're not a bad soul. I know about your induction into the Sodality: how your duplicitous lover misled you, how you became embroiled against your will.'

  'Nonsense! I joined the Sodality willingly, indeed eagerly.'

  Dr Smith shook his head sadly. 'Their brainwashing techniques are very advanced. You're not intrinsically evil. I know that given the chance to live your life over, you'd spend it trying to help other people rather than hurt them.'

  She cleared her throat and looked pointedly at his cigarette, burning low between his fingers. 'How could you possibly know that? Even if you were right about me.'

  'I told you. I'm a traveller. I've seen a lot.' He sat back in his chair, unfolding his legs. 'You know, I'd never have put you down for this job, hunting people down, having them killed. Wouldn't have thought you

  had it in you.'

  'Ha! I'm very good at my job. I relish it. My agents and... associates have proved a credit to us.'

  'But not credit enough, I'll wager. There are still lots of them out there, you know, your experiments. Some of them active, some of them latent, some of them hiding in the far reaches of the universe. As for Abraxas and your other manufactured cronies – sloppy work indeed.'

  'Dr Smith, exactly how long have you been spying on the Sodality?'

  He laughed, a thin, wheezy chuckle that made the woman smile again, despite herself. 'Oh, my dear girl. I wouldn't bother wasting my time with that sort of business. I'm no spy. I haven't the patience for espionage. I prefer action! Action is the key. Charge on in there and sort it all out. We've all spent quite enough time sitting on the sidelines of history.'

  'Exactly!' The woman looked animated now, as if he'd just confirmed her argument. 'That's exactly right, Dr Smith. Humanity has been sitting on the sidelines of history. The Sodality will change all that. They'll bring about a new age of enlightenment. Things will never be the same again.'

  'Is that how you sleep at night? You tell yourself that? I can assure you, you're wrong. So very, very wrong.' He was shaking his head, disappointment evident on his face. 'Your experiments have already had disastrous consequences. Have you looked outside recently? You gained the ability to travel in time. To go almost anywhere in history. And what did you do? You blighted the Earth and put most of the human race beneath it! You meddled with your own evolution, and now you're trying to hide the results, brush them under the rug. Not only is it dirty, immoral and dangerous, but the creature will see straight through it.'

  The woman looked visibly shaken now.

  'I'll ask you again, Dr Smith. Who are you?'

  'And I'll tell you again, young lady. I'm a traveller who can help you put this right!' He blinked, twice, and then his demeanour changed, softening slightly.

  'Look. I understand that you're not here by choice. But you're not trapped. You can walk out of here with me, now, today, and we can do something to sort out this mess you've got yourself mixed up in.'

  Her expression darkened, anger flashing in her eyes. 'This mess I've got myself mixed up in will be the salvation of mankind. My position is one of respect and high status. I have clearly exercised my choice to be here. For God's sake – I'm the High Executioner of the Sodality! You know nothing about my life!'

  'I know more than you'd care to admit. Interesting that you mentioned God there. Where does that God of yours feature in your big plans?'

  She was flustered now, and letting it show. 'Oh, that's just a figure of speech. You know that. You're not a fool.'

  'So you don't believe in an omnipotent presence? How, then, do you reconcile that with your plan to summon this creature? Mastho certainly isn't an omnipotent god, or anything of the sort, but I can understand how his psionic science might make it seem that way to you.'

  She was staring at him now, wide-eyed. 'You spoke His name! How dare you speak His name to me!'

  'Oh, calm yourself. It's not as if he can hear us. Let's get back to the real issue here: all those remaining time sensitives and time channellers. What are you planning to do about them? When exactly is this summoning of yours? Next week? The week after?'

  'Soon. Sooner than you think. It's too late to stop it now, even if we wanted to.'

  'It's never too late! You start by saving yourself. Start there. Admit to yourself that you know what you're doing is wrong. Find the kernel of the person you used to be. Take that anger, that passion, and direct it at something different, something useful. Forget about the treacherous bastard who led you here, his lies and his coercion. Forget about the Sodality and their summoning and the end of the world. Start by saving yourself. The rest will follow.'

  The woman looked at him, hesitating. She didn't seem to know what to say. Dr Smith's words had clearly affected her, and her resolve appeared to be weakening. She opened her mouth to say something, but was distracted by a rap at the door. Suddenly alert, she turned in her chair. 'Enter.'

  A man in his mid-thirties dressed in a rich purple robe stepped through the door, a group of guards bustling in behind him. The woman's face dropped.

  The man in the robe came further into the room and threw back his hood. His face was scarred and pitted; his voice deep and grave. 'Apologies for the interruption...'

  7

  Inside the Cathedral, everything was quiet. There didn't appear to be anyone – or anything – inside, although the presence of a small campfire burning brightly in the middle of the nave indicated that the place was indeed inhabited. Dry smoke filled the enormous dome above them with hazy clouds. Honoré edged forward, his gun now clutched firmly in both hands, glancing from side to side as he approached the campfire.

  Emily watched as Honoré circled the campfire, noting the bedroll and box of provisions nearby, and then carried out a quick reconnaissance of the rest of the area. At least he knew how to handle a gun, she thought, which was more than she did.

  The Cathedral's interior was in much the same condition as its exterior – derelict and abandoned. Fragments of stained glass lay like confetti strewn across broken tiles. Most of the artwork and finery that had once made the place such a beacon of culture in the heart of the city, including the elaborate altars, had been smashed or removed. Emily had never been particularly religious – at least, not as far as she could remember – but, even so, the desecration made her feel uncomfortable.

  When Honoré was sure they were alone, he lowered his weapon and waved Emily forward. 'Looks like they've gone out.' He used his gun to indicate the bedroll as Emily came closer. 'One, maybe two people at most. I think it's some kind of hideaway. They've got a box of provisions a
nd a few items of cutlery, a small stove.' He stepped to one side. 'And look: they've formed a makeshift bunk out of some old pews. Well, the ones they haven't burned yet, anyway. I'd say we're just dealing with a couple of locals. Certainly no monsters to worry about.'

  'For a hideaway, it's not very well hidden.' Emily wasn't convinced. 'And what about the bodies outside? You can't tell me they're nothing to worry about.'

  'Hmmm. Something about that just doesn't read right to me. I wonder if they've been strung up there as a deterrent. A way of feeding the rumours and ensuring people stay away. It certainly made us think twice.'

  'But Honoré, someone must have killed those people. And the way they'd been hacked to pieces like that...' Her face was a grimace of disgust.

  'Well, I've got my gun. And like you said, we've nothing better to be doing at the moment. At least we're relatively safe in here, for a while. I reckon we sit it out and wait for the occupiers to return. Then we might get some answers.'

  Emily shrugged. They certainly needed answers, but she wasn't entirely certain yet what the questions were. Honoré was right, though – there was nothing else they could do than sit it out and...

  There was a sudden eruption of light; an intense, electric blue that seemed to energise the air all around them. Honoré was knocked back off his feet, his gun skittering away across the marble floor. Emily grabbed a pillar for support, shielding her eyes against the glare. The light seemed to dance over the walls and floor, arcing like lightning over the nearby pews. At the epicentre, there was a bright, flickering ball of energy, hovering in the air. A moment later it began to coalesce into the form of a person. Emily was transfixed. The blue light was very familiar...

  A woman stepped forward, and then the light was gone again, leaving only the flickering flames of the campfire to see by. In the dancing shadows it was hard to make out details, but the newcomer appeared to be dressed in only a black vest and black combat trousers. Her hair was a spill of intense raven locks that framed her face and cascaded down her neck and shoulders. But what was most startling about her, the thing that immediately grabbed the attention of both Honoré and Emily, was the fact that her body was covered in scars. Every inch of her exposed flesh, from her face to her hands, all down her arms and around her throat, was covered in horrific runic symbols that had been carved into her skin.

  'It's her,' Honoré said breathlessly, retrieving his gun. And Emily knew it was, knew that the cuts were deep, deep enough to have etched the woman's bones. Deep enough to have damaged her in ways that were more than just physical. She could feel the hurt, and her heart went out to the slight figure in the tough-looking attire, wondering who or what could torture another being in this way.

  After a moment of disorientation, the woman noticed them there, first Emily, then Honoré coming towards them with his gun in his hand. She smiled on seeing Honoré, but her gaze flickered back to Emily with a brief frown.

  'I knew you'd come,' she said.

  8

  The man in the purple robes looked directly at Dr Smith.

  'You make an interesting argument, Dr Smith,' he purred, watching him intently. 'Only, listening to your exchange over the surveillance system, I thought it might be starting to sound a little too convincing.' He turned to the High Executioner and smiled. 'Perhaps it would be best if I continued this interview myself, at a later date?'

  The woman looked thoughtful. 'As you suggest, Grand Master.'

  Dr Smith leaned in towards her. 'Hmph! Just as I thought. Jumpedup people with trumped-up titles. People like this,' he waved his hand dismissively at the Grand Master, 'will make you feel as if you don't have any options. I'm here to assure you, you do. Think about it.'

  At this, the Grand Master motioned the guards forward with his finger. They swarmed in around Dr Smith, politely, if forcefully, taking him by the arms and manoeuvring him to his feet. He wriggled free of their grasp and smoothed himself down, slipping his packet of cigarettes neatly into his pocket. 'I'll go with you willingly; there's no need for force.'

  The Grand Master nodded his consent to one of the acolytes. 'Dr Smith is to be treated as a guest. Anything he wants – within reason – grant it.' He turned to the stranger. 'You understand, of course, that these courtesies will be extended to you only while you behave like a guest in our house. Any attempt to leave your generous chambers, or, indeed, to make contact with any member of the Ruling Council without an invitation, will lead to the immediate withdrawal of your privileges. I am sure you know what I mean.'

  Dr Smith smiled. 'Naturally.'

  'Good. In that case, go.' He stood aside, and Dr Smith allowed himself to be led out by two of the guards, with another two following behind. 'Oh, and Dr Smith?' They stopped briefly in the doorway. 'I look forward to our conversation.'

  The five men filed out of the room.

  The Grand Master turned his attention to the High Executioner, who was still seated by the table, rifling through the papers she had spread out earlier. 'I believe you have a job to do. In three days, the summoning will be upon us, and I need your reassurance that all outstanding issues will be taken care of. I trust that is clear?'

  'I hope you're not questioning me.'

  The Grand Master looked momentarily uncomfortable. 'Not at all, but everything must be in place.'

  'I know my duties.' The High Executioner looked up, her gaze as cold as steel. 'Do you know yours?'

  The Grand Master made a show of smiling back, but he was obviously unsettled. 'Of course. I've assigned you a guard detail until the ceremony. That way, we can be sure you've got enough people on hand to help. And it also means that if Dr Smith continues to attempt to spread his dissent amongst the members of the Ruling Council, you've got people close by to remind you of your duties.' He smiled again, this time a dark, forbidding smile. 'I'll expect a situation report tomorrow at noon.' He didn't wait for an answer, but instead turned on his heel and headed for the door, the hem of his robe trailing across the floor behind him and leaving her with the distinct impression that he was gliding.

  Just as he reached the door, she spoke again to his back: 'Grand Master, I trust you do not forget who here is the Executioner.'

  His step faltered only slightly as he swept from the room.

  When he had gone, the Executioner turned to the three acolytes who'd remained in the room beside her, and sighed. 'Well, boys, aren't we in for some fun.'

  9

  'Twentieth Century eh? Now there's a turn up for the books.' The woman reached for Honoré's hand, holding it just a fraction too long for Emily's liking. Then she turned to Emily, but spoke to Honoré. 'How come you're with her?'

  Emily frowned. 'What do you mean?'

  The woman met her gaze. 'Are you here to try to take me in?'

  'What?'

  A look of confusion came over the woman's face. 'Who are you?'

  Emily remained steadfast, although she was starting to feel distinctly uncomfortable about the way the woman was reacting to her. 'Emily Blandish. And you?'

  'You can call me Maria.' She turned back to Honoré. 'Are you all right? Has she done anything to you?'

  Honoré shook his head. 'I don't know what you're talking about.'

  Maria smiled. 'Let's start again.' She took a step towards Emily. 'Tell me what you're doing here.' She spoke with a quaint, almost childish foreign lilt that Emily couldn't quite place, although her dark colouring suggested a Mediterranean origin.

  Honoré moved around to stand beside Emily. 'I'm Honoré Lechasseur. We're here to help. We're stranded here in this time and we're trying to find some answers.'

  'And you think you can find your answers in here?' Maria looked incredulous.

  'We heard there were monsters in here. We came to find out what was going on.'

  Emily decided to chip in at this point. 'We didn't think much of your welcoming committee.' She gestured back towards the entranceway and the corpses swinging gently on their ropes outside.

  Maria laughe
d. 'They're not mine. I keep them there to discourage unwelcome visitors.' She looked pointedly at the two of them. 'They've been there since before I moved in.' She paced around the fire, warming her hands. 'So let me get this straight. You two are nothing to do with the Sodality. You're not agents sent to kill me or bring me in, and you,' she motioned at Honoré, 'are not being held under duress and forced to help her,' this time Emily, 'to move around from one time and place to another.'

  Honoré gave her his most earnest look. 'No.'

  'Then come and get warm by the fire and let's get to the bottom of what you're really doing here.'

  'So, this Sodality – you think they're trying to kill you?' asked Honoré. The three of them were crouched around the campfire now, a little more at ease in each other's company. Maria was brewing a pot of tea. She still seemed nervous of Emily, though, and kept stealing glances at her, as if wary that she might prove to be untrustworthy. Honoré wondered if it had something to do with Emily's absent timesnake; he sensed that Maria had been quick enough to read his own – as quick as he'd been to spot that hers was the same as that of the skeleton he'd examined in the morgue.