Time Guards - The Italian Quest

Chapter IX

As Constance and Julius descended to the bottom of the tower, she began to study him. Julius seemed to be quite a peculiar person. The fact he was Italian was certainly visible by his accent and his appearance but his accent was only slight and he didn't use his hands when he talked. However, many time travellers had their nationalities diluted by experiencing the different cultures. Constance thought of Kristen, he was the Viscount for Denmark, but he had barely been there.

Another interesting thing about Julius was that he not only seemed very well brought up, knowing how to read and write, but he also seemed very open minded. He hadn't batted an eyelid at Viola or when Constance had taken off her prosthetic arm. The 25th century was pretty good with equality, Constance knew.

"You are very keen to get back to Reyia," she said, voicing this peculiarity allowed, "You are taking part in a massive search for it."

"I know it's a bit odd," said Julius with a smile, "I do love Tuscany but Reyia is better. There is equality, banned slavery and it's a place just for watch bearers. There must be so much freedom."

They had now arrived on the bottom floor and after leaving the building the pair found on a dirty street corner. Refusing to use the chained supermarkets on ethical grounds Constance and Julius went to the open air market. It was quite like a market you could find anywhere in time with various stalls and sellers each showing their product and trying to make it seem better than anyone else's. Expect now they had flashing billboards in front of each of the stalls and the sellers had complicated holograph machines to show how to use their product or make a translucent image of the product appear as a person entered the market area in a bid to get them to buy it.

"Not that Reyia is perfect," said Julius, being careful to drop his voice whenever someone came into ear shot, "Mother was exiled because of what father had done. They have a strange idea of justice."

"I expect it was a mistake," said Constance, feeling a need to defend her home.

Julius looked at her, "It has caused great hardship to my family, it's certainly not an accident. Reyia needs reforms."

Constance swatted at a hologram of an electrical pencil which had appeared just before her, "I agree, Reyia is certainly one of the best countries there is but it is not perfect. Too much power lies with the royals and nobles."

"I must disagree with you there, Constance. A monarchy is the best system for Reyia to have, decisions can be made quickly and indeed there are little decisions to make."

Constance nodded at this but added, "All power corrupts."

"Maybe there are some who can withstand this corruption," said Julius, "We have to be positive."

"Yes, but not idealistic." Constance expected the debate to turn into an argument but Julius sad nothing although he did seem a little phased by her comments. Constance guessed that she wasn't your stereotypical Reyian. They bought some food and a few extra clothes from the stalls and then made their way to the back of the cluster of the stalls where they were selling the 'camping' equipment. They picked up rope, a harness, a penknife and a set of lock picks from a mysterious looking man in a long cloak and sunglasses with red shades.