Temporal Exploring 101 - Branch Cut

V.18 Visiting Vivien

"We can do even better than that," Francine Firth observed. "That is, if your dad gives permission for his chauffeur to drive us. Vivien told me to feel free to visit her at Heatherston Manor at any time that would be convenient for me."

Fran, her brother Ian, Nancy, Liz, Natty and I were having a late breakfast at Kerrington Manor. It was Sunday morning. The Firth family had arrived the day before, in the late afternoon.

"That would be brilliant," Nancy exclaimed. "I don't expect there will be a problem with borrowing James. He is going to drive us back to St. Albert's later today, anyhow."

Sure enough, less than an hour later we were on the road, in one of Lord Kerrington's big limousines. Ian was riding shotgun next to James while the rest of us occupied the rear bench seat. It was a bit of a tight fit, but we did not mind that.

"So what is your friend Vivien like?" Nancy asked Fran, at some point.

"She is okay, if a bit weird," Fran told us. "I am sure you are going to like her."

"How do you mean, weird?" Natty prodded.

"Oh, she has got a weird hobby."

"What s her hobby, then?"

Fran grinned. "You will see."

It was two-hour-ride to Lord Heatherston's estate. The manor house was located in the country. Like Kerrington Manor, it was surrounded by pastures and fields.

The man who answered our ring at the front door wore livery. Francine introduced us and politely asked if we could talk to the viscount's daughter.

Rather than usher us in as I would have expected, the man told us, "Miss Vivien? Chances are she is outside at this time of day." He pointed. "Over there."

Following his directions, we walked through an arched gateway to enter a yard framed by barns and horse stables.

In the center of the yard, a slim lithe girl with close-cropped blond hair was swinging a sword.

From the looks of it, this was a real sword made of metal, not some sort of an imitation.

The girl's motions were oddly graceful, a bit like the intricate patterns of a dance. She appeared to be unaware of our presence. At some point, she turned to attack a dummy made of straw and wood that had been mounted in the middle of the field.

An adolescent girl practicing swordplay. Here and now, in the twentieth century.

She wore what looked like a mail shirt over a short tunic, breeches and sandals. A costume that gave her the appearance of an ancient Celtic warrior or perhaps of a medieval knight.

Francine cleared her throat. "How's it going, Viv?"

The warrior girl quit hacking at the straw dummy and turned to face us. "Fran! I wasn't expecting you."

"I decided to take you up on your offer to visit any time I liked, no prior appointment needed. This is my brother, Ian," Francine proceeded to make the introductions, "and these two are my friend Nancy Kerrington and her sister Liz."

"You are Lord Kerrington's daughters?" Vivien smiled. "I am glad to finally meet you. Fran has been talking a lot about you."

"Oh, has she?" Nancy returned the other girl's smile. "We are both happy to meet you, too. These two girls are my classmates, Natalie Fogg and Cathy Hart."

"Welcome to Heatherston Manor, Natalie and Cathy."

"Thank you, Vivien." So far, I rather liked that girl. "So this is like, your hobby? Practicing swordplay?"