The Historical Comfort Society

Chapter 4

4.

January 1, 1547

Westminster, England

The first thing I noticed was the silence. I hadn't realized just how loud my modern world was. Even when I thought I knew what silence was, there had still been the soft hum of electricity flowing through the walls, ground, and all around. I hadn't noticed it before, but now that it simply didn't exist, it was glaringly obvious. It was hard to believe that quietness as this could exist.

The second thing I noticed was the tsunami wave of nausea that washed over me. I immediately and without really thinking, rolled to my right and vomited over the edge of the bed where I lay. It wasn't until I realized that I was throwing up into a wooden, semi-water-filled bucket that I managed to orient myself. After a few final, undignified heaves into the bucket, I sat up and looked about the room.

Sunshine filtered in through a handblown leaded glass window, the rays of it catching a slight smog in the air which I immediately assumed to be the soot hanging aloft from the lit fireplace on the far side of the room and all the lit beeswax candles. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself over my thought that the entire space looked like a movie set.

Roughly hewn wooden beams lined the ceiling and wide planked floors were partially hidden by a faded-looking rug. I found myself lying on a large four-poster canopy bed, the mattress of which was rather lumpy and uneven. Thick woolen curtains hung on either side of the bed, and the walls of the room were made of wooden panels. I heard the door creek open and my eyes shot over to the doorway where a woman, dressed in clothing similar to mine carrying a tray of food stood.

"Oh, you're up! Finally!" She said, scurrying over to place the tray down on a nearby table before coming over to me. The first thing she did was grab the bucket and place it out in the hallway. She was just about my height, but a little more of a stocky build. She wore a white bonnet on her head, covering most of her hair. What hair I could see was of a mousy blond color. She had bright clear eyes, round pink cheeks, and a sweet cheery smile on her face.

"My name is Bess. I am one of your Vanguards."

"Nice to meet you Bess, I'm Nell," I said, sitting up more in the bed and reaching out to shake her head. It was then that I felt another wave of dizziness. Bess could tell by my expression, she quickly grabbed a metal cup and pitcher and poured me a glass of water.

"Here, some cool water, and don't worry, we have a filter we use so we can drink it while we are here." She said,

"Thank you," I took the cup from her and carefully sipped the water to calm my stomach. "How long was I asleep?" I asked.

"About twelve hours. You arrived at midnight, just as expected. We have our TCC Bed hidden in the cellars of this building, and Edward moved you up here so you'd be more comfortable."

"How is it powered if there is no electricity?"

"A micronuclear reactor. Edward was our Harbinger, he arrived three years ago, his wife Margaret came six months after, and then there's me, I came last year." She explained, referring to the title Harbinger. I had read about this position many times, but have yet to meet a Harbinger. Harbingers are the first to make a trip to a time period, they are the ones that take the risk and establish a safe base for all others who follow.

"I look forward to meeting them." I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and started to stand up, but found that my legs felt like jelly.

"You might need to rest just a little while longer. It can take some time to adjust after the transfer." She said, helping me to a chair close to the fireplace. "I'm going to tell Margaret and Edward you are awake, I'll be right back. Please eat if you're hungry, the chamber pot is over there, so you might as well get that awkwardness out of the way. I'll be right back." She said motioning to a simple porcelain pot that sat in the corner of the room. Once she was gone I groaned and slowly and carefully made my way over to the chamber pot.