Time Guards - The Italian Quest

Chapter XXI

"You are sure this is it?" Oliver asked.

Viola nodded and then walked down the street, "It's like trying to find your mobile phone in your handbag when you hear it ringing."

Oliver gave a weak smile, "We are in the 16th Century and you are saying that?"

Viola pointed to one of the smaller houses on the street, "It's in there."

Oliver ran up to the house and slammed his shoulder at the door it open easily and then he withdrew his sword from in his belt. Viola ran in to find paper and bit of metal spread everywhere. She saw an open door on one side on the room and nodded, "It's down here."

As she and her father rushed to the door she heard voices and then a voice which could only have been Xiahou Dun's shout, "Your highness."

Viola launched herself down the wooden stairs which led down from the door and looked down. Bernadette was getting up from the floor few feet from where Greta lay, Xiahou Dun was standing in full amour whilst brandishing a sword but Kristen, Kirsten had what Viola knew must be the Time Gem. A big, red jewel which he was holding with a cloth.

"You couldn't get rid of me that easily," she yelled at Xiahou. Whilst he was momentarily distracted, Oliver ran straight to Greta, putting his arms around her and pulling her to her feet.

"Greta, Greta, don't worry it's me. You're safe now."

"What?"

"Don't worry, Kirsten, she's innocent. She didn't kill your father, Xiahou did. He's working with Julius along, they want to rule Reyia."

Kristen looked at her wide eyed whilst Bernadette pulled herself off the floor and held a sword once again to Xiahou. Viola looked back at her father and Greta. She was now standing on her feet and Viola noticed several cuts and bruises on her face. Greta touched Oliver's face,

"You're old," she said, finally.

"I'm afraid so," said pulling away from her and facing the rest of the group, "Kristen get that gem out of here, Viola take Greta." He then raised his sword and brought it slashing down on Xiahou, he side stepped it easily but walked into Bernadette who was ready for round two.

"Kristen run!" Viola yelled at him as he stood transfixed by the scene. Kristen looked at her and then sprinted up the stairs. Viola let Greta put her arm around her and then they followed him, Greta moved faster than Viola thought she could and soon they were back on the ground floor.

Just in time to see Julius hurtling down the stairs, he stopped half way, "Dun, what's happened? Oh heck -" He saw Kristen, Viola and Greta and drew his sword, "Give the gem to me, Kristen, it's my birth right. My mother is the rightful heir of Vespansiano."

Constance came to join him, "What's happening? Julius what's - "

"He's working with Xiahou," said Viola. She could hear the clash of metal from below where Bernadette and her father were fighting Xiahou, her voice sped up, "He tricked us all, using our skills to get to the gem. Xiahou killed Fredrick, Xiahou framed Greta."

"That's impossible," said Constance.

"It's not," said Julius, "Viola is right but she seems to think that my mother and I are some vicious tyrants trying to take the place of the rightful Emperor," he turned to Constance, "I told you that I want to improve Reyia and I do. My mother can restore legitimacy when she takes her throne, we can do away with the corrupt and injustice systems. Constance, you have to understand we both want justice and fairness in Reyia, giving me the Time Gem is the only way we can ensure that my mother has enough power to overthrow Emperor Leopold", he sounded like he was begging her to agree.