The Defender of Time

Two

December 23, 1892

It was snowing today.

Alessia began her morning by dressing in her newest and most rarely worn dress. It was simple and pink, and it hung loosely off her thin shoulders but she tied it tightly in the back to make up for it. She took one of her mother's underskirts, which was hanging in the closet, one of the fancy ones with pockets sewn into it, and pulled it on at the last minute, struggling over her boots to fit it under the skirts of her dress.

When she was finally ready, she decided that today would be a day to bring the important things. A tattered copy of Jane Eyre, her bear, a box of matches, and a bag of coins. She needed a Christmas present for Strax today. Finally, she slipped her new glasses onto her nose, watching the world become sharper. Evaluating her appearance in the mirror, she pulled at her hair for a moment before pulling her previously stolen shawl over her shoulders and climbing quietly out of the window and into the dark morning.

•••

The day itself was uneventful. In the market, Alessia had decided to leave the bag of change untouched in her under pocket, seeing a small pin on a market table that she knew Strax would love. It illustrated two guns crossing each other, and she knew with a little paint they could easily be blasters. After successfully swiping it from the table, she marched toward the river, eyes down on her treasure, intent on another day of teaching herself how to skate.

As the sun set, Alessia remembered her deal with Strax. She wasn't sure where the carriage would be leaving from, but she decided to start at the front of the mansion he worked in. After making almost a full circle of the building, she finally located Strax sitting in the front of the small carriage, yelling at the poor horse standing stock still.

"Straxy!" Alessia said merrily, giggling as she watched him jump at the sound of her voice. "I've got a way with horses. I can help you."

"Thank you, Ghost," said Strax, sliding a bit to the left so as to make room for Alessia.

"You're very welcome, Strax," she responded formally, curtsying a bit before climbing up to sit next to him. "So, where are we going?"

"We must pick up the Doctor," reported Strax. "He is meeting us next to the river. We must take them to the village."

"We're picking someone up?" Alessia said, a tone of worry in the back of her voice. "You promised me a ride in the carriage, just me."

"I am sorry, Ghost," said Strax, and he almost sounded truly apologetic. "Madam's orders. We must pick up the Doctor and take him to the village."

"Alright, fine," muttered Alessia, giving in. "But you mustn't mention me to them, Strax. Remember, they cannot see me."

How was she going to pull this off?

Strax nodded in understanding, and gave Alessia the reins to allow her to coax the horse out of its stable. When they were in the street, she passed the control back to Strax, since even she didn't trust herself with driving a full-sized carriage.

"There he is," whispered Strax, pointing at a shadowed trio who were standing by the river. "The Doctor."

"That's them?" Worry instantly stained Alessia's voice. It was the trio from the night before; Amy, Rory, and the other strange man. She was wearing Amy's glasses. They didn't notice her at first, since from their viewpoint she was hidden behind Strax's shadow. Instantly, Alessia dove down, crouching at Strax's feet so she couldn't be seen. She supposed it would be easier to get out of the carriage right now, before they noticed her, but she was not about to lose her well earned carriage ride.