Time Guards - The Italian Quest

Chapter XX

Xiahou Dun had sent Viola straight back to the traveling room in the Castellum. She landed in the centre of the circular room with a thump. She didn't know how long she lay on the cold stone floor, tears were in her eyes. Julius had betrayed them, he had Greta who was actually innocent and she, Viola, had failed to stop him.

"Dad!" she called out, feeling like a child who had tripped over and was calling for help, "Dad!"

No one came but Viola couldn't find the strength in her to get up. Julius had betrayed them, the thought kept echoing around her head like a broken record. He was working with Xiahou Dun. Viola felt a wave of hopelessness. She had been strengthened by knowing that they were now heading to Venice but where in Venice and more importantly when? These were the vital questions she could not answer.

"Dad," she called out again, this time quieter.

"Viola," came a distant voice, "Viola? Is that you?" Oliver came into the room and rush up to his daughter, helping her up and then hugging her, "What on earth? Viola, are you alright? Where are Kristen and Constance?"

Viola couldn't help it she burst into tears and gripped her father tighter.

"Can you give us a minute?" he asked. It took Viola a while to realise he was talking to the Palace Guards who were flanking him. They looked each other but then stood back. Taking positions by the entrance to the room. Viola had almost forgotten that her father was being followed around by Guards as they believed he had helped Greta to escape.

"What's wrong?" he asked, "Why are you in those clothes? You were supposed to be in Paris."

Still hugging Viola whispered to him to avoid the guards hearing her, "I was. We went searching for one of the time gems with Bernadette and Julius. We got the keys but Julius betrayed us. He wants to rule Reyia with his mother, Queen Alexandra. Xiahou Dun is working with them, he killed Kristen's father. Greta she's innocent, they framed her."

"Viola, slow down," whispered Oliver, "Take a deep breath and now tell me but slowly. What did you say about Greta?"

Viola told her father everything. He kept hugging her as she spoke but when she was done he let go and turned to the guards.

"What's wrong?" asked one of them. Oliver took off one of his slip on shoes, the same one he had worn the night he was arrested which felt like weeks ago now.

"What -" began one of the men. Oliver hit him over the head with the shoe and he crumpled to the floor. The other man raced at him but Oliver was faster; he kneed him in the stomach and then hit him with the shoe on the side of his head. Viola watched stunned as the other man crumpled as Oliver raced over to shut the doors.

"Dad. You just knocked two men unconscious in seconds."

"I was a Time Guard, Vi," he said, crossing back over to here, "They're fine, just sleeping. We need to act fast, stop this Julius. Are you sure Greta is innocent."

"Definitely, I saw her. I think the imprisonment affected her, like mentally. I know about you and her by the way," Viola but a hand through her dark hair. There was so much to say, "But, dad, I don't know where they are. I told you, all I know is that they are in Venice."

"Before Fredrik, Kristen's father, was killed his and Greta's last trip was to Venice in May 1578. I thought nothing about it at the time but they must have gone to find the time gem."

"Okay, but we still don't know where in Venice."

"I'll find it," said Oliver, "Viola, you are staying here."

"No, Kristen, Constance and Bernadette are in danger I'm not going to just leave them. This is my fight as much as it is yours. I'm going and that is final."

"Viola, please just stay here, you have done magnificently but it is time for you to step back. Let me finish this."

"We will finish this together." Oliver relented and agreed for them to go together. He removed a pocket watch from one of the guards for him to use and took a sword and dagger from them. He was still wearing jeans and a polo shirt so he was forced to put the sword through his belt. He passed the dagger to Viola, "Self-defence only," he warned. Viola nodded and secured the dagger in a hidden pocket in her cloak.

"You said you were with Bernadette, do you mean Bernadette St Pierre?"

"Er, yes. Why?"

"She has a bit of a reputation, I've never met her personally though. How old is she when she is helping you?"

"About twenty. Don't we have more important things to focus on right now, dad?"

"What? Oh yes, of course," said Oliver. Slightly distracted he set the pocket watch he had stolen from the guard and Viola set her own.

"Shouldn't we get the other Time Guards to help us?" Viola asked.

Oliver shook his head, "They wouldn't believe either of us. I couldn't leave Reyia in any case and to be honest they would think it is some kind of a trick. We have to do this alone. Are you ready?"

"Ready," said Viola and in sync they both pressed the dial on the their pocket watch. Viola screwed her eyes shut as she felt like she was flying forward at great speed, everything around her on vibrate. Then she felt solid ground materialise around her feet and she opened her eyes. They were standing by a canal on a deserted street, houses stood in rows to the side of them and moonlight illumined the dark, murky waters.

"Renaissance Venice," she whispered. She looked to her side to see her father on his knees, Viola rushed down to him but he gave a weak smile,

"I just haven't done this in quite a while, I'm out of shape."

Viola helped him up and they waited a moment as Oliver got his bearing. They waited in silence, hearing only distant voices and the lapping of water. It was so strange not to hear any cars. However, Viola found that these simple thoughts were pushed away by another one. She felt as though she was still time travelling but much slower. "Dad," she said, trying to put her thought into understandable language, "You know when there was a strange beeping noise in the house last year and it was there for days before we realised that it was from the TV which wasn't plugged in properly?"

"Er, yes."

"I feel like that right now but instead of a noise it is like the sensation when I use my watch, but more diluted like it is just a background noise?"

"Are you sure that it isn't left over from when you just travelled, like a side effect?"

"No. I've used my watch loads over the past few days but I've never felt like this," she turned northwards, "I think that it is coming from over there. What do you suppose it is?"

Oliver put his arm around Viola and pulled her closer as if he were afraid that she was going away. He remained silent for a moment before saying quietly, "Cassim said that you met your future self without causing a paradox. What if you can, somehow, do things other watch bearers can't," he paused again, "Theoretically, the Time Gems should have the same raw power as traveling in time."

Viola looked at him, "So you think that I am sensing the Time Gem?"

Oliver nodded as he used his other hand to hold his temples.

"Well, let's follow it then," she said, pulling herself from his grip and striding forwards, "The others will be where the gem is, where Vespansiano's house is?"

Oliver hesitated for a moment before following Viola. She couldn't explain the feeling but she knew that it was real, it was tangible and so Viola followed it to where it was stronger. A few time she walked down a street and felt it lessen so she doubled back and tried the other way. It was almost like a maze. A few times they had to stop for other reasons, people walking down the streets or a dog sniffing around. They didn't want to be seen. However, within ten minutes Viola felt the feeling so strong that she knew they were at the right street.