The Knights of Time and the Forgotten Book

Chapter 10: Riddles Of The Future

The hot afternoon sun shone brightly as our small, slowly collapsing wooden cart bumped its way on the uneven stone path in the middle of the countryside. It had already been our third hour travelling and my butt felt like it was on fire. Despite my uncomfortable situation, I still didn’t ask Amador to stop for a butt break since we were on a tight deadline.

The old donkey driving the cart was also not the fastest steed, but it trotted faster than I expected it to. In fact, I didn’t even expect it to move at all.

 Even though I didn’t feel like it, I decided to take a nap to get my mind off the excruciating pain coming from my bum. Jeremy and Brandon said they’d keep a lookout for any Speks since we’d already been ambushed twice, although we doubted they’d try on such a hot day. Miss Lock had told us that it’s during the day when they’re the most vulnerable. Maybe it was because they didn’t want people to see the colour of their skin and eyes. It might have also been because I was correct in my theory and they really were vampires. Either way, they still wouldn’t have risked it.

I put my backpack under my head imagining it was as soft as a pillow made out of fresh swan feathers and gave Jeremy and Brandon one more encouraging smile before batting my eyes close.

As soon as I felt myself slipping into dreams, I found myself in a white room which had no beginning and no end. It was purely white, as I imagined heaven to be.

I looked around; there was nothingness.

“Welcome,” a voice said.

I turned around to find a beautiful woman smiling serenely at me. She wore an elegant, embroidered blue dress which looked Victorian. Her wavy light brown hair was pulled up in an up-do and she was wearing a Keeper around her neck.

“Catherine?” I said.

“Hello Veronica.”

“Where am I?”

“In your subconscious,” she said smiling at me. “You’re dreaming.”

“How- Why did you bring me here?”

I couldn’t believe it. I had only ever imagined her as a lady in a portrait; the protector of the Order. I heard of things she did from the other knights, and knew how she was considered our guardian angel... but I never fathomed that she would actually talk to me. Even though it was a dream and it might have just been because I was getting a sun stroke, I still couldn’t believe it. She had been whispering so many things to me and appearing vaguely in my dreams at night for so many months, I didn’t really expect any ‘direct’ contact.

“My child,” she began. “I have come to warn you about the things you will have to endure in the future, and the sacrifices you will have to make. You’ll have many gains, and many losses. It will not be easy. Then again, you already know this.”

I nodded.

“You took a vow upon taking the mark of the Order; a vow of dedication to our cause. It is hard. But let not your courage falter. Some moments will pay for the pain. You’ll see. You, my dear, aren’t a regular knight. You are stronger than you expect yourself to be, and along the way I will be there to guide you in the right direction, as will your friends. You are not alone, and you will know how to face your difficulties and accept them.”

“Where are you going with this, Lady Catherine?”

“You have a future, Veronica. There are two paths you can take in this world. One decision can either make it or break it, as they say nowadays. Your choices will either keep or lose all life on earth. It is a great responsibility, but Time has chosen you and your friends to do what is right, change history and give an end to this horrible beginning.”