Guardians of Time Read online

  Guardians

  of

  Time

  A Zimbell House Anthology

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Guardians of Time: A Collection of Time Traveling Tales

  Leap of Faith

  Liris’s Loop

  Nuclear Empire

  Rescue

  Temporal Agent Walker

  The Day That Wasn’t

  The Epicenter of Existence

  The Ripper

  The Xenobot Paradox

  Training Days

  Contributors

  Similar Anthologies from Zimbell House

  A Note from the Publisher

  About the Publisher

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. All characters appearing in this work are the product of the individual author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the written permission of the publisher.

  For permission requests, write to the publisher:

  “Attention: Permissions Coordinator”

  Zimbell House Publishing

  PO Box 1172

  Union Lake, Michigan 48387

  mail to: [email protected]

  © 2020 Zimbell House Publishing, et al

  Published in the United States by Zimbell House Publishing

  All Rights Reserved

  Trade Paper ISBN: 978-1-64390-175-6

  .mobi ISBN: 978-1-64390-176-3

  ePub ISBN: 978-1-64390-177-0

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2020939631

  First Edition: June/2020

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  Zimbell House Publishing

  Union Lake

  Acknowledgements

  ZIMBELL HOUSE PUBLISHING would like to thank all those that contributed to this anthology. We chose to showcase ten new voices that best represented our vision for this work.

  We would also like to thank our Zimbell House team for all their hard work and dedication to these projects.

  Leap of Faith

  Wendy Steele

  IT WAS THE THIRD OCCASION Rhiannon had been called to the Star Castle, but she stood on the travel stone like a novice, in awe and wonder of the crystalline structure in the distance. Spires and towers rose into the cosmos before her. Every surface shimmered and shone like the flesh of the rainbow fish Rhiannon fed in the pond in the garden of Castle Carreg.

  Twice before she’d been called by the Council. Both times, she had been issued an assignment of correction to help restore the balance on Earth, though it could have been any planet in the known Universe. She’d equipped herself with accouterments and dress in keeping with the Time and had listened to voices lifted from the orbiting satellites to acquaint herself with the most common languages and phrases before descending to Earth with other Guardians as her companions. She’d lived a life and completed her tasks within the limited dimensions of Earth and returned to the Star Castle to be recognized and praised for her endeavors.

  She hadn’t expected to be chosen again so soon, and this time, she was the only Guardian of Time on her way to the Star Council. Fear and apprehension, two new feelings, fluttered in her belly. A summons from the Star Castle was a privilege; some Guardians only received a single summons in a life of dedication to the living creatures of the Universe. If she alone had been chosen, it was because the Council believed she was the best suited to redress the balance. Gliding through the crystal corridors within the castle, she hoped her mission would send her back to Earth because she felt at home on the tiny, temperate planet. It was better to be alone there rather than some far-flung corner of the Universe.

  The travel stone hovered at the door to the Council chamber. Rhiannon clenched her fist and rapped three times. The door was old oak from Earth, dense and hard. Though she barely made a sound, her announcement of arrival was enough for the door to open of its own accord. As she walked through the doorway, she inhaled sharply, not at the speed of the travel stone, but at the sight of the vast chamber, tiered with rows and galleries of seats that were not only full of Master Guardians but Dragon Men as well.

  The Master Guardians were not all of human form, but, like Rhiannon, they had served the Universe for millennia, preserving life, be it flora or fauna, and redressing imbalances so that The Plan ran smoothly. Dragon Men, however, were not renowned for their dedication to The Plan, and had, at another point in Time, been a nuisance and a thorn in the side of the Guardians. While the Time Guardians looked to redress imbalance, the Dragon Men had ridden through space, stealing for their hoards and wreaking havoc along the way.

  Rhiannon’s stone halted before the dais. She stepped down as Master Guardian Almira came forward from her seat on the thirteen-strong Council to greet her and address the noisy expectancy in the room.

  “Welcome, Masters and Time Guardian Rhiannon, and at this extraordinary meeting of the Council of Guardians, I welcome the Dragon Men. We’ve had our differences, but at this Time, we join together, united in our commitment and in agreement that we now need to save the Earth.”

  She paused, allowing the gathered congregation to acknowledge their neighbors as allies, united for the same cause. Beneath her cloak, Rhiannon shivered. There was an edge to Almira’s words, an anxiousness she’d not heard before in a Master, and she’d listened to many of them; much learning had to be undertaken before the title of Guardian was bestowed, and even then, missions to Earth or other star systems were not guaranteed. Life was a university, an education to be gleaned from every source, including other Masters.

  “We have sent Guardians at other points in Time, but in this age of humankind, the year 2020, the moment has come for more extreme action.”

  Murmurs ran through the crowds. Rhiannon could feel her legs shaking beneath her tunic; not only was she standing in front of thousands of Masters and Dragon Men in the chamber, but she was the “extreme action,” and as far as she knew, she was undertaking her mission alone.

  Almira continued, “Upon the Earth, The Orange One refutes the fact that the Earth is warming and encourages the breeding and eating of animals.”

  Rhiannon and the other Masters shuddered with disgust.

  “He rapes the planet of her resources without thought of balance for the future, while The White One agrees with everything he says. His arrogance, lies, and selfishness know no bounds. The Fat One dangles his podgy finger over a button threatening nuclear war, like a petulant child willing to destroy everything as long as he’s getting his own way. In the past few Earth months, The Yellow One has continued to deny that it is human actions that have caused his country to burn and the precious creatures of the land and sky to die horribly.”

  The indignation in the room was palpable, both in horror and anger at such stupidity. Rhiannon and many others had fought back tears watching the satellite footage of the animals fleeing from the wildfires.

  “Other Earth leaders continue their pathetic quests to grow rich while destroying the planet that supports them. It is, therefore, the Council’s decision to send a Guardian back in Time
, to a point in Earth’s history where a battle won, rather than lost, will change this history and reset Earth on a path where she thrives instead of flounders. It is in the interest of us all, including the Dragon Men, that Earth does not self-destruct, and so, Rhiannon, our chosen Guardian of Time, will be accompanied on her mission by two Dragon Men.”

  Almira might as well have suggested a coupling of Guardians and Dragon Men to produce a child together to rule the Universe, so loud and vehement was the uproar from the tiers of seats. She raised her hand. In moments, the chamber was silent.

  “I hear your concerns, but we believe our chosen team will have the best chance of success at the Time to which we will send them.”

  “Dragon Men should not know!” shouted a voice. Many others rose up in agreement.

  Almira silenced them again, her smooth, beautiful, black face never frowning or showing impatience or anger.

  “I have read the history,” she assured, “so I know why you fear a return of the Dragon Men to Earth, but the team will not remain on Earth long term.”

  “They will know the way!” screamed a voice. “They will know our way!” Shouts and abuse rained down on Almira.

  In response, Rhiannon was the only one who saw the slight nod to the balcony to her right.

  Two thunder claps silenced the crowd. Wings unfurled, the Dragon Men flew down and stood on either side of Rhiannon. Once on their feet, there was no sign of their wings. Rhiannon smiled to herself at the exuberance of red hair that protruded from both their heads and chins. For some reason, the Council had chosen three redheads for the mission. Both men looked a little older than her, but it was difficult to judge, as species aged at different rates. They were tall, fit, and muscular, though, with handsome, rugged features. She examined her soon-to-be companions as she would a horse she was about to take out on a full day’s ride, unbothered by their curious stares and their obvious pleasure in what they saw in her.

  “These Dragon Men have been specially chosen by Xycholomere; they are his sons. It is a great honor to have two princes of the house of Hellmain accompany a Guardian of Time on a mission.”

  Almira waited for the hubbub to settle, while Rhiannon tried not to grin; what greater honor could any Guardian ask for, than to be chosen by the Council, and then to be accompanied by princes? If they were as fit, strong, and drilled in defense and warfare as they looked, she was going to enjoy the coming challenge.

  “No more dissent.” Almira paused for her words to take effect. “It has been decided. The team briefing for the Time Travelers will commence immediately. We shall reconvene when Star Helene takes her place in the cluster, The Sisters. Much power is needed to create the vortex. All of you will be required to take part. Rest and prepare yourselves while the Council briefs the team. Rhiannon, Tom, Will, return home, organize your personal belongings, and say your farewells. The Council will send transport for you after your rest time.”

  Castle Carreg was a small residential building compared to others; Rhiannon knew everyone, and they knew her. She left her birth family as a baby after her parents saw the signs of her potential, so Castle Carreg and its occupants became her family, her comfort, and support. Most residents were Time-traveled Guardians like herself, but there were also novices and learners—those who hadn’t been sent on a mission, or those who had only gone on a single, small one, accompanying another Guardian on his or her assignment of correction.

  “Part of me is relieved I’m not going alone,” admitted Rhiannon to her friend Lily while she gathered her belongings, “but Dragon Men! You know how unpredictable they can be.”

  “Jason told me their wildness is far more under control than it used to be,” assured Lily, “and that most of the time, they’re pretty much human and have mastered much of their dragonness.”

  “But which bits?” asked Rhiannon. “What if I wake up one morning with a pair of dragons breathing fire in my house?”

  “Beatrice says they have talents beyond that of men.” Lily winked at Rhiannon.

  “She would know, I suppose, but I’ll not dwell on what you’re inferring,” insisted Rhiannon, opening the wooden chest beside her bed. “I’m sure there won’t be time for pairing or lovemaking. We have a battle to win ... that’s all.”

  She and Lily hurried to the dining hall, late for their meal, which would be Rhiannon’s final sustenance before her diet was restricted to whatever the Earth could provide for her. They each collected a tray and filled their bowls with fruit, vegetables, lentils, and oats, and found two seats at the end of one of the three benches. Rhiannon and her traveling companions were the talk of the dining hall; news traveled fast, and there was much contention about the point in Earth’s history to which they would be sent.

  “Has to be one of the World Wars,” insisted Kyran.

  “They tried the second one already,” said Polly, dismissing his words with a sneer. “It’ll be before that queen of England was born ... the one who ruled for many Earth years. Empire building doesn’t benefit anyone but the ruling class.”

  “But I heard,” said Eros, “that they’re sending the team way back. I reckon Dragon Men are descendants of dinosaurs.”

  “There’d be no use going back to that point as there weren’t any humans.”

  “Maybe there were, but the beasts wiped them out.”

  “Rhiannon’s going to kill dinosaurs?”

  “I can’t see Dragon Men wanting to kill their ancestors.”

  All around her, Rhiannon’s mission was discussed. She’d thought a little about her destination, both in Time and location, but experience taught her that she’d not be able to guess until all the information for her mission was delivered to her. It was best to save her energy and start preparing mentally and physically for her jump, rather than wasting time gossiping. The other residents of Castle Carreg were not in agreement.

  “You met these Dragon Men, Rhiannon?” asked Kyran.

  “Briefly. We’ll have time to get to know each other’s strengths before we leave.”

  “Handsome, are they?”

  “I suppose.”

  “Don’t tell me you didn’t inspect them?” Polly’s eyes were wide with disbelief.

  Rhiannon adjusted her cloak fastening, keeping the warm material from her arms while she ate, and brushed aside a stray wispy curl of hair. “Of course I did, but as I told you, I have no interest. I have a mission to help a human of the past win a battle, and I have two companions, chosen for their skills, to aid me in this endeavor. That’s all I care about.”

  After the first day of training, Rhiannon changed her mind; she liked Tom. They were similar in many ways, and he, too, was relaxed and easy to get along with. His elder brother Will, however, was prideful and arrogant, and Rhiannon worried that he would take over their mission once they arrived on Earth. She voiced her concern, but Master Almira and Master Hermione soon put them both in their place.

  “Rhiannon, Will, you have to get to know each other better so that you will get along.”

  “I don’t like her.”

  “Trust me, the feeling is mutual.”

  “If you were my children, I’d bang your heads together!” shouted Hermione. “How dare you display your pettiness before your Masters!”

  The Council had decided that Rhiannon and Will should be husband and wife on Earth, with Tom living with them as Will’s widowed brother, and there was nothing they could do about it.

  “It won’t matter on the battlefield, though, will it?” asked Rhiannon.

  “Child, don’t you understand? The exact Time and place of this battle aren’t recorded. We’re going to place you in the east of England if we can, where you’ll live on the outskirts of one of the villages of the Iceni tribe, having traveled from Wales. You are part of the Demetae tribe, but you’re travelers, carrying your trades with you around the country.”

  “Let me get this straight. We’re not going to be placed at the battle? We could be living together in a hovel, waiting
for many Earth days before we get a chance to fight!” argued Will.

  “Probably Earth months. That’s why you need to get along. Tom, Will, your skills with metal are your traveling trade. Blacksmithing was an important skill, and by mixing tin with lead, the people of this Time used metal for making jewelry, pots, and tools. Master Raysan will tutor you in the art of hipposandal making. If you shoe the Iceni horses, this will help them in the battle.”

  “What about me?”

  “You can’t be seen as someone in charge, Rhiannon, but you, as well as Will and Tom, will be tutored in the art of the warfare of the period.”

  “You mean, I don’t get to fight?” Rhiannon’s voice shook.

  Almira and Hermione looked at each other. “Little is known of the social etiquette of this time. I’m sorry that you may not be able to fight, but you’re to be tutored in herb lore. There are more ways to win a battle than swords alone.”

  The trio worked, ate, and rested together, but little conversation passed between Rhiannon and Will. Tom was friendly and accepted help learning Latin while freely teaching Rhiannon about metalwork, although she might never need the skill. Despite her reservations, the herb lore was fascinating. Rhiannon learned quickly, identifying plants by sight and blending them to make medicinal cures, salves, and poultices. She and Tom designed and made their clothes. Everything placed on the jump stone with them would travel in Time to the location, so they would jump naked and dress as soon as they touched the Earth.

  “Unless they land us in a river,” moaned Will.

  “Let’s hope you can swim then,” said Rhiannon.

  “But our possessions will be soaked! Traveling so far back in Time is too risky. Why don’t the Masters just take out the present-day leaders destroying the planet and replace them? Anything would be better than this precarious Time jump.”

  Rhiannon put down her sewing and sipped from her beaker. “Why are you on this mission if you have no faith in the Time Guardians, Will?”