27 September 1124

　　Bristol was abuzz the next morning. Fuelled by free food and drink, the revelry had carried on late into the night and many people were undeniably worse for wear. Yet even they were up and about, blearyeyed and grumpy but driven by the same expectant excitement.

　　John was baffled at how quickly news of the festivities had travelled. Even before sunrise, a flood of people began to arrive from the surrounding villages, lured by the promised festival and a chance to glimpse the mysterious red-haired woman rumoured to be from another time.

　　So great was the influx that John and Adelard struggled to move along the bustling streets leading into the castle. After passing through the large gatehouse, they escaped the crush by climbing the castle walls to watch the festival take shape.

　　"They`ve been busy," Adelard noted as Matilda`s villagers darted around below. The villagers had spent the previous evening planning a meticulous layout for their displays. Fire pits were dug, tents erected and long tables set up to display the villagers` wares. The aroma of exotic foods filled the air and bolts of colourful fabric were hung around as makeshift banners, adding even more life to the bustling festival.

　　Eager to capitalise on the swell of potential customers, Bristol`s townsfolk also set up stalls in the castle courtyard. There were so many that the Earl`s steward opened up the outer courtyard for additional stalls. It was the biggest festival John had ever seen.

　　The Holford villagers were in their element, each knowing the specific role they had to play.

　　"That`s Matilda`s prot間�," John told Adelard, pointing out the shaggyhaired boy who ran around in a frenzy, shouting orders to ensure that everything was just right.

　　"Amazing to see such respect for one so young."

　　Adelard was right. William was obeyed instantly, mixing Holford and Bristol stalls to create specific zones dedicated to particular crafts and increase the transfer of knowledge.

　　An enormous crowd had gathered in the castle courtyards by the time Matilda was finally escorted from the dungeon. Guilty or not, she was responsible for the spontaneous festival which awarded her instant celebrity. She was greeted with ear-splitting yells from the crowd as she was marched onto the makeshift stage, a conflicting mix of mocking jeers and adoring cheers. The guards elected to leave Matilda`s arms and feet shackled, though it didn`t seem to bother her in the slightest. She just stood on the stage soaking in the crowd`s mixed energy while waiting for the nobles to arrive.

　　The doors of the castle keep finally opened, prompting even more noise from the crowd. The Earl and his wife led the way. They were dressed in surprisingly simple clothes which looked just like those of their subjects, though each garment was crafted with incredible care and still using the finest materials. Behind them came the Baron and the Bishop. Baron Walter revelled at the size of the crowd and the good favour of his Earl. Godfrey was the complete opposite, surly and withdrawn. His eyes widened as the full scale of the audience became apparent.

　　The nobles made their way back onto the stage and settled on their bench while the Earl called the crowd to silence.

　　"Good morning and welcome!" The crowd erupted. "I can already tell that today promises to be a most interesting affair. But first, a reminder of the serious reason for today`s proceedings. Bishop Godfrey?"

　　Godfrey sprang up enthusiastically.

　　"My dear flock, I am burdened to reiterate the charges faced by this woman that stands before us." Elements of the crowd booed and one particularly bold man yelled at Godfrey to get on with the festival. "She showed extreme luck in unearthing her treasure and her anatomy lessons were filled with dubious contradictions of the widely accepted medical humours."

　　"Rich coming from the walking contradiction himself," Adelard muttered to John.

　　"Do not let her silver and feasts blind you to her wickedness. She is a dangerous woman and wishes to guide you down a treacherous path. A path of sin. Toying with an animal as you butcher it could be called excessive or wasteful. But to do the same with the still-warm corpse of a fellow human is a crime against God himself."

　　With that Godfrey finally succeeded in sobering the crowd. A small number of particularly pious quietly exited the castle as Godfrey took his seat.

　　"Matilda? Anything to say?" Earl Robert asked.

　　Matilda walked slowly to the front of the stage. Some onlookers hurled abuse but most of the crowd stood deathly silent, ready to hang off her every word.

　　"There is always something scary about the unknown, the new or the unusual. We`ve all felt it as children, scared of the depths of an unexplored forest or the flame of a blacksmith`s forge. Only as we grew did we discover paths to beautiful forest glades or appreciate the awesome utility of the forge`s fire.

　　"The Bishop has made serious allegations but you saw yesterday how I only wish to heal. Today you will see firsthand that my gifts have nothing to do with sorcery or wickedness. Is the blacksmith a sorcerer for hardening metal by quenching with oil? Is the brewer a warlock for turning barley into beer or a midwife a witch for guiding new life safely into the world? I think not.

　　"You will see that there is nothing special about the knowledge I have gifted. Anyone can do it. Many of you have already seen the scale of what is on display today. Surely keeping track of every single project would be too much for any one mind to follow, even for the most powerful of sorcerers. I assure you that I won`t be in a dark corner whispering incantations or casting spells."

　　This earnt scattered laughter from the crowd.

　　"I intend to spend the day in the company of our esteemed hosts, explaining how each innovation works. I`m sure that the holy presence of the Bishop will only further reduce any chance of wickedness.

　　"Which leaves the rest of you to enjoy the day free from their supervision. Embrace the unknown and try to learn something new. But most of all, enjoy!"

　　There was a rush as villagers raced back to their stalls and others dashed off to see what was on offer. The festival was suddenly in full swing. The air came alive with unusual music and the cries of excited children.

　　John and Adelard pushed against the streaming crowd and back towards the stage.

　　"What are you doing here?" Godfrey snarled.

　　"I wanted to introduce Adelard to Matilda," John said with more confidence than he felt.

　　"Why would she want to meet some lousy monk?" Godfrey sniped, only to be cut off by Matilda.

　　"Adelard!? This is the Adelard of Bath?"

　　Everyone but John was surprised by her enthusiasm.

　　"Yes, my lady," Adelard replied with a bemused smile.

　　"As salam alaykum," Matilda said with a bow. "It`s an honour to meet you. You`ll be pleased to know that your work on Arabic numbers greatly influenced English science and your translation of Euclid`s Elements was the oldest to survive to my time."

　　Adelard looked genuinely touched.

　　"I didn`t realise we had such notable thinkers in our midst," Earl Robert said. "Please brother Adelard, you and your friend must join us."

　　"Well," Matilda said excitedly, "what would you like to see first?"

　　The Redhead led the Earl, his wife, the Baron, Godfrey and Peter around the stalls. Everyone hung off her every word. Eager to get the same experience of the festivities as his subjects, the Earl ordered his knights and retainers to follow behind at a specified distance. They were visibly uncomfortable at keeping so far from those they were sworn to protect.

　　It turned out that the Earl wanted to understand everything and had a flood of questions for both Matilda and his subjects. John found it comical to see the Earl, dressed in his peasant clothes, comparing the size of local pumpkins to the larger ones grown in Holford. The commonfolk shared his amusement but, despite stifled giggles, John marvelled that they all left with an increased respect for their relatable leader.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

　　The Bishop was furious that the Earl was so engaged and that the event was going so well. And yet he too couldn`t resist being drawn in by what Matilda was saying. John and Adelard shared the sentiment. A chance to finally understand the Book`s contents, directly from the source.

　　Matilda led them around the yard, introducing villagers and their projects. Matilda humanised each of the stallholders, emphasising the sheer effort that went into each project and the unique contributions that each person had made. She served as a bridge between the vastly different worlds of the Earl and the commoners, drawing the conversation along and making the commonfolk feel comfortable talking in his presence. A masterful decision, this only further emphasised that the villagers had done the work themselves and that Matilda was merely a guiding hand.

　　Matilda was a gracious host, taking the time to answer all questions, even if they had already been asked before. She also engaged with stallholders from beyond her village, praising their own craftsmanship and telling the nobles the natural philosophies behind how a particular bread was made or why a wooden axe handle returned less shock when shaped a certain way. She tactfully explained what could be done to improve various wares and there wasn`t a single stall that didn`t buzz with excitement as the group left for the next tantalising display.

　　At midday the party returned to the stage where a long table had been prepared for the nobles. A decadent array of dishes was spread along the table, a combination of Matilda`s culinary introductions and the finest local fares. Matilda called upon William`s youngest sister to exhibit the exotic uncooked plants used to make each dish. Matilda described the distant lands of their origin before getting each cook to personally introduce their dishes.

　　The nobles gushed praise, declaring each delicacy more marvellous than the one before. Some lit the tongue on fire while others made it sing.

　　"No more!" Earl Robert cried in mock distress. "I cannot take another bite. This food is more than fit for a king. I swear, my father will have my head if he learns that he missed such brilliance!"

　　Matilda complied and instead summoned some Holford performers onto the stage to perform music for the assembled crowd using their strange instruments. John marvelled at their playing. The instruments looked familiar but the sounds were completely ethereal.

　　At the insistence of her villagers, Matilda herself took up an instrument and, despite her shackles and burned hand, joined in a handful of songs. She started with a traditional piece that transported John back to the fireplace in his parents` hall before transitioning to an energetic number that invoked images of running through a forest. The music was so eclectic and unusual that members of the crowd gasped at its quick twists and turns, bursting into cheers when it came to an abrupt end.

　　"And on that note," Matilda called over the applause, "I think it`s time we returned to the festivities."

　　She urged the crowd away and directed her fellow performers to play another lively jig to reenergise the nobles, who still looked comatose from their meal.

　　Fortunately, the afternoon proved to be even more interactive.

　　Matilda first took them to a makeshift archery range where attendees compared traditional longbows to the strangest bow John had ever seen.

　　"It`s called a recurve bow," Matilda explained. "Easier to transport than a longbow and the power can be adjusted with different limbs."

　　She made each noble have a shot. Earl Robert and Baron Walter proved the most competent, though Adelard was surprisingly close. John`s first attempt missed altogether but Godfrey`s frail arms struggled to draw the bow at all.

　　The group followed Matilda to a giant metal sphere which looked to John like the eye of some enormous cyclops. They each clambered inside as Matilda told them how she had journeyed from the future.

　　Next, Matilda led them to a large loom, more complicated than any John had ever seen before.

　　"Come my lady," Matilda urged the Earl`s wife, who had kept to herself all day despite showing keen interest in the developments. "Feel this cloth. Have you ever seen a weave so fine?"

　　"Goodness no," she said in awe as she marvelled at the patterns William`s mother had managed to create. "It`s so delicate. And woven directly into the fabric."

　　"Come," Matilda prompted. "Have Emma show you how it works."

　　William`s mother led the Earl`s wife around to the loom and in no time, she was creating her own brilliantly coloured patterns.

　　"Good lord Matilda," Earl Robert remarked. "She`s a natural. And I`ve never seen her engage so quickly. You have a real talent."

　　"It`s no talent my lord, merely courteous treatment. I`ve been watching as we traipse from stall to stall, she`s much shrewder than she`s given credit."

　　Earl Robert was pleased with Matilda`s appraisal of his wife, looking at her in a new light before walking to the blacksmith stall next door. Baron Walter gave her a wordless nod of approval.

　　As the day progressed, it became clear that the Earl clearly saw the economic and societal benefit of Matilda`s inventions. Still, Godfrey tried at every turn to convince Earl Robert that the tools and techniques weren`t sanctioned by the Church and wove all sorts of fanciful stories about how the creations could corrupt.

　　"Who knows what evil could be concocted with this device," he said as Holford`s priest demonstrated his printing press. "Giving commoners access to the written word is a recipe for depravity."

　　"Come now Godfrey," Matilda said, as though she were talking to a petulant child. "Even you can`t deny the marvel of a device that could print hundreds of bibles in only a handful of years. Surely that is a machine that can do the Lord`s work?"

　　Godfrey reluctantly approached the press and the Holford priest delicately showed his superior how the device worked.

　　"Just rearrange the letters, like so. Then turn that wheel."

　　Godfrey spun the press down, giving it an extra squeeze for good measure.

　　"There you have it," Matilda said as she handed the page to the Bishop. "Page one of the Godfrey Bible."

　　Godfrey beamed despite himself and rushed to show Peter.

　　"A little smeared," Matilda whispered to Adelard as they moved on. "Amateur!"

　　John marvelled at her bravado.

　　Dusk had just started to fall when Matilda called the group to a halt. They were all weary but the Earl`s enthusiasm remained.

　　"My lord," their red-haired guide said. "I think it would be wise if we considered calling the festivities to a close soon."

　　"But there`s still at least a quarter of the stalls left to go."

　　"I know, but your party looks exhausted. There is only so much a mind can absorb in a single day."

　　"Very well," the Earl said begrudgingly.

　　"We could," Matilda continued immediately, "resume the last of the tour tomorrow, before you announce your verdict."

　　"That would be good&"

　　"And although it has been a big day of revelry, why not treat your subjects to another feast. There`s already plenty of food."

　　Earl Robert paused in thought.

　　"Bah, why not?!" he cried, summoning his steward. "Bring more ale and pigs, the crowd is even larger than yesterday."

　　Hearing of another free feed breathed a second wind into the crowd and they swarmed in to help set up. Matilda`s musicians mounted the stage once more and the party was soon back in full swing. Matilda sat on the stage with the nobles, discussing the day`s events and answering their many questions.

　　When darkness had fully settled in she surprised them all by withdrawing one final wonder.

　　"It`s called a telescope. A pair of lenses that bend light to make distant objects look much closer. Here, look at the moon."

　　"Amazing," the Earl whispered. "Truly amazing! Look at all of those pockmarks! What I would`ve given for one of these on the battlefield."

　　"That`s one use for them. But look, we can find the planets. Mars. Saturn. The same principle can be used to make impossibly small objects appear bigger. To learn about the body and disease."

　　"I need one," the Earl said insisted as he peered into the device once more. "Why haven`t I met the craftsman responsible for this marvel?"

　　"He`s unfortunately no longer with us," Matilda replied mournfully. "It was his body that I was dissecting the night Godfrey abducted me. This is the problem with my knowledge being held by so few."

　　Earl Robert dolefully handed the telescope to the next in line.

　　Adelard, always obsessed with the night sky, was similarly amazed by the device.

　　"You were right about the world being round," Matilda whispered to him.

　　When Adelard was finally done, Matilda invited the crowd to follow the nobles. One by one they came onto the stage to peer up at planets in the clear night sky. John savoured the unique sight of the commoners joining the rich, all having eaten their fill and enjoyed the same entertainment.

　　The music eventually stopped and the musicians summoned Matilda. Everyone expected her to pick up an instrument once again but this time she merely stood in the centre of the stage. She nodded to her musicians and they started a haunting tune that sent a shiver down John`s spine. And then Matilda started to sing.

　　The lyrics were foreign but the raw emotion of the song wasn`t lost on a single member of the crowd. Matilda sang like a wounded swan, every word dripping with sorrow. There wasn`t a dry eye in sight by the time the last note quivered from her mouth. Not even Matilda`s.

　　A deathly silence fell over the crowd as they processed the emotion of her song. With the same tact he had shown since his raid on Matilda`s mill, Godfrey chose that moment to remind the Earl that he had promised three nights of imprisonment.

　　"Very well," he said heavily as he stood to address his people. "My loyal subjects, today has been a day of wonders. Truly. But a young woman`s life hangs in the balance. Matilda will return to the dungeon for the night and I will weigh the evidence I have seen. Tomorrow morning, I will share my judgement."

　　The Earl`s words cut through Matilda`s trance and incensed the crowd. In an instant, the good will of the food and drink was shattered and the crowd erupted into boos and profanity.

　　Godfrey tried to order silence which only increased the heckling. Fights broke out among the crowd.

　　"If I may?" Matilda asked gently.

　　The Earl gestured her forward.

　　"My friends. Please, be calm." The crowd stilled. "I thank you all for being here today. For your open minds and, especially my neighbours from Holford, for your open hearts. Savour today, for we can never truly know what will come tomorrow. Enjoy the music, company and plentiful food while you can. I will see you all in the morning."

　　With that, Matilda allowed herself to be led away by the guards. With Adelard`s encouragement, John insisted on following and was joined by William. Godfrey voiced his protests once more though the Earl peevishly waved him away.

　　"I thought you priests believed in compassion. Let them accompany her on this final night."

　　The Bishop stormed off and Robert continued quietly, "Keep a close eye on her. I don`t trust that man, he`s not finished yet."

　　The pair followed Matilda down into the dungeon, standing guard outside her door and listening as the merriment continued outside.

　　Yet another gift from the future.

　　(C) Jay Pelchen 2023. All rights reserved.