Temporal Adventures

Chapter 03: Dark Path

Chapter 03: Dark Path

Sean and Cassie had been allotted a room together, and although it supplied ample space, it lacked anything in the way of privacy. Since Sean's provided apparel required less time to put on, Cassie had let him get ready first while she'd waited in the hall. Sean came out dressed in a short sleeved tunic of dark tan, belted at the waist over pants and boots of black leather.

He leaned up against the wall, getting comfortable while he took his turn waiting. Sean stared out the narrow window, watched the moving light of the wall mounted torches, and tried very hard not to be bored out of his mind. Waiting always grated on his nerves as he had better things to do. He wanted to explore the castle, but his dad had given clear instructions for him to stay with Cassie as much as possible.

Mike and Alison exited their room, her left arm wrapped around his right. Mike closed the door behind them as the lead knight approached from the far end of the hallway.

"Explanations have been made unto me," the knight stated. "I confess, traveling in time is a most bizarre notion, yet I trust my king. If he says it is truth, then truth it is. If thou wouldst like a tour of our city, we can provide thee with horses."

"You are most kind," Alison said. "We would welcome a tour."

Cassie emerged from her room and joined the group in the hallway. Made in a rich green the color of the deepest forest, her ankle length dress swirled about her as she walked. Gold embroidery added flashing embellishment from wrist to elbow on each sleeve and across the torso from her silver belt to her collar. The faux diamond pin in her coppery brown hair went well with the ancient style of wear.

"You look very lovely," Alison said in admiration of her daughter's beautiful dress. "What do you think, Sean?"

Sean didn't answer, only shrugging his shoulders in total disregard.

"Can we go?" he asked impatiently.

Mike stepped forward and seized Sean by the arm. The tight grip caused Sean to wince in pain.

"I don't care if you like her dress or not," Mike whispered harshly in Sean's ear. "You will show consideration for your sister and respect toward your mother, or the next time, I won't correct you with words!"

Mike used his hold on Sean to turn him toward the end of the hall and shove him in the direction of the exit. Offering an escorting arm to his wife, Mike followed.

The commanding knight had watched the exchange in silence, quietly observing the interplay between the family members and getting a view into life of the modern era. When the majority of the Jenkins family moved on, he waved a hand toward Cassie, allowing her to go first and follow close to her family while he brought up the rear.

With instructions on where to turn and which passage to take, the knight guided the Jenkins family through the narrow and dark corridors in the castle. Unlike the throne room, the torches here were spaced further apart, and their meager light couldn't dispel the gloom filling the corridors.

Double doors of heavy timbers fastened together with iron provided the way into the daylight. After being inside, everyone seemed glad to be in the fresh air and open skies of a small courtyard in the rear of the castle. To their left and right were stables built into the surrounding walls. The powerful horses of the knights, as well as mounts for visitors, were well tended by the dedicated peasants honored to be of service in the castle. The peasants were similarly dressed in simple clothes of a basic weave. Although inexpensive, they were of obvious quality, revealing the knights' exceptional treatment of those of a lower social standing.

The leader of the knights suddenly adopted a long stride, passing the family to reach the stables first.

"By order of the king, I want horses for these honored visitors, as well as my own," the knight commanded.