20 October 1123

　　Matilda woke before the sun had risen but lay completely still, not wanting to wake the family. The frostiness of the previous night`s reception still hung over the single-room hut and she berated herself for thinking that William`s family might be as welcoming as the Boy. She should`ve known that a strange woman accompanying their son, at night, would be confronting in a conservative medieval community. Her clothes had been the final straw, too different for villagers more accustomed to frumpy tunics and loose leggings.

　　On the plus side, her journey had finally started for real and she would soon be headed to London. With just a little more momentum, there would be no stopping the message she brought from the future. William`s suggestion to meet the bishop was an unexpected win and could save Matilda weeks of climbing the rungs of London`s social ladder.

　　Matilda was impressed with the Boy. She`d been taught that medieval rural peasantry would be mostly devoid of intellect and hadn`t expected to find anyone with William`s open-mindedness. He gave her hope for the mission. David had always said that an Institute student`s ability to test and accept new ideas mattered much more than how much they knew when they arrived at the Institute gate.

　　The brilliant boy woke and shuffled towards the door. He wearily rubbed his eyes, another person suffering from a poor night`s sleep. Matilda heard him relieve himself outside but he didn`t return indoors. She pushed herself up and self-consciously wrapped her cloak over her shoulders to show some attempt at modesty.

　　Matilda left the hut and stepped out into the cool morning air. William sat on the dry-stone wall at the front of his parent`s property, whittling a stick with his new knife. Matilda dropped her bags at the base of the wall and boosted herself up to sit beside him.

　　"You made it look easy back at the cave," William complained. "Those leaves on your chair looked real."

　　"Give it some practice," Matilda reassured. "I`d been making things for years before I attempted anything that intricate. Be patient, the best results come with time."

　　William resumed his whittling, a little slower and more deliberate. Matilda enjoyed the silence and just watched as the sun rose over the village. It looked completely different in the light of day. More spread out. Alive. She soaked in a scene that she had dreamt of for years. Simple mud-walled homes with thatched roofs were haphazardly scattered around the valley, each with their own vegetable garden and livestock tethered nearby. Goats bleated and roosters crowed. The smell of manure mingled with smoke. Books had told Matilda what she would see but hadn`t prepared her for the smells and sounds. It was magical.

　　"Your village is wonderful!" Matilda gushed. "What did you say it was called?"

　　"Holford," William replied, not looking up from his whittling. "It`s home but it`s small and boring. Just wait until you get to the town. There`s so much more to do. They have stores. And a market. And a castle! I long to live someplace more exciting like that."

　　"No way William, your family is here. You crave the excitement now but you`d yearn for the peace of the country life before long. To be back in the forest."

　　"Of course you`d say that! You don`t need excitement, you`re from another time! Any more excitement in your life and you would probably explode."

　　Matilda laughed. "I can`t argue with that."

　　William stopped his carving and looked up at Matilda seriously. "Please don`t forget us, when you`re surrounded by all the excitement of London. When you`re meeting the King. Remember that it was boring little Holford that first welcomed you into our world."

　　"Never, William." Matilda was genuinely touched. "How could I forget that it was a boy from Holford&" She touched a hand to her heart. "&who broke into my cave and messed with all my stuff!"

　　Matilda playfully nudged the Boy`s shoulder, pushing him off balance. Still holding his knife and stick, William`s arms windmilled comically before he finally tipped backwards and fell off the wall. William quickly picked himself up and the pair burst out laughing.

　　Their commotion prompted movement within the hut and a blearyeyed Pa emerged. He was a blur of activity and within minutes had three large sacks stacked by the door. The noise of his preparations woke the other family members and they too emerged from the hut. Elizabeth showed Matilda her vegetables while Ma toasted the previous evening`s bread. Pa returned inside to herd out Rachel and Mama who begrudgingly joined the family for a morning meal.

　　"What`s the plan for today?" Ma asked her husband as she handed around the toast.

　　"Matilda and I will deliver the tithe at the market. I`ll collect some things from town then meet you all in the field. It`ll be nice to have an extra pair of hands, it means Will can stay here and help you get started on the lower half. We`re racing against winter so anything we harvest now will mean more plentiful days when the weather turns."

　　"Plentiful?" Rachel scoffed, earning a look of approval from Mama.

　　"Pa!" William protested. "I wanted to come with you to Stowey. To see the market. To bid farewell to Matilda."

　　Pa considered his son`s request before shaking his head. "Not today Will, we need you on the scythe so that we don`t lose more time. It`s that or go hungry. We`re weeks behind."

　　Rachel muttered under her breath to Mama. "We wouldn`t be late if his royal highness didn`t run off every other day." William threw his crust at her.

　　"Stop it you two." Ma scolded. "Willy, you can follow them as far as the old mill but I need you by the time we`ve set up. It`s going to be stormy today."

　　Ma was right. The blue sky from the previous day was rapidly disappearing and the grey clouds were gathering.

　　"That reminds me, dear," Ma said before running inside and returning with an armful of discoloured rags. "They`re a bit old but they`re warm and should draw less attention than your current&attire."

　　Matilda graciously accepted Ma`s clothes and ran back into the hut to put them on. She left her Institute chainmail on underneath but admittedly looked less conspicuous with the new clothes. She stuffed her clothes into her bag and exited the hut to thank Ma profusely.

　　"Now people will think she`s a pauper rather than a whore," Mama chimed. "A slight improvement I guess." Rachel snickered along with her.

　　Matilda had tired of the horrible old woman and her minion. Looking them in the eye, she reached into her satchel withdrew a vial of sugar which she gave to Ma. It was the entirety of Matilda`s stocks and worth a small fortune but she happily parted with it just to see Mama and Rachel`s faces drop in an instant. Ma was stunned at the generous gift and tried to refuse.

　　"I insist Emma,` Matilda reassured her. "Consider it payment for the bed, breakfast and clothes. And for your husband guiding me to the town." Matilda deliberately stared at Mama. "Thanks for your hospitality."

　　"Ok then, let`s go," Pa said impatiently, hoisting a sack over each shoulder and motioning for Matilda to pick up the third. She tied her hair back and struggled to lift the heavy bag. William kindly offered to carry her bag of clothes and Matilda eventually found an almost comfortable position before the trio said a final farewell and departed.

　　William was a ball of energy, literally walking rings around Matilda and Pa as they left Holford and talking a mile a minute. He threw an endless barrage of questions, though Matilda appreciated that he avoided any allusions to her being from the future. Pa listened without comment. His face was stony but his eyes occasionally betrayed his own intrigue. They discussed medicinal plants, techniques for building fences, how birds were able to fly. Each answer inspired another three questions. They soon reached the ivy-covered ruins of an old mill which signalled the village boundary.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

　　"This is it Will, you`ve talked the poor girl`s ear off. Time for you to help your Ma."

　　It was clear that William didn`t want to go but he swallowed his dissent and acknowledged his father`s command with a gracious nod. He unlooped Matilda`s bag and handed it back, helping Matilda with the awkward juggle to settle it into a comfortable position.

　　"Well, I guess this is goodbye," William said formally.

　　"It is, for now," Matilda said. She was surprisingly upset to say goodbye to her little fan, despite having only just met. "Come say hello if you ever escape and make it to London. Just ask for the eccentric redhead with the unusual accent, you shouldn`t have too much trouble finding me."

　　William smiled. "You promise you won`t forget us?"

　　"Never," Matilda said before dropping her voice. "Plus, you`re taking care of my belongings until I come back. I`ll feel a lot better knowing you`re keeping an eye on them. Try not to break too much during your experiments. And, avoid anything with red writing if you want to keep your fingers."

　　William laughed but Matilda gave a small shake of her head to show she was serious. Only when his smile evaporated was she satisfied that he`d grasped the severity of her warning.

　　"Shall we?" Pa asked impatiently.

　　"Please, lead the way." Matilda gestured forward, smoothly transitioning the gesture into a salute to the Boy. "Farewell young William. May our paths cross again." She followed after Pa before yelling over her shoulder, "Keep asking questions!"

　　The trees grew thicker as the travellers entered the forest and Matilda looked over her shoulder one last time. The Boy stood by the mill`s rotting waterwheel, watching until he could barely see them. Matilda gave a final wave and settled into the walk.

　　Pa was a much more reserved travel companion. Matilda tried to make some polite small talk, asking questions about the village and Pa`s plans at the market but she only received short gruff responses. She eventually gave up and the pair walked on in a stiff silence. It was a welcome break from William`s endless questions and Matilda was glad to return to the unspoiled medieval forest.

　　The walk would`ve been much nicer without the bag of grain which seemingly grew heavier as they climbed an endless hill. Matilda had always seen herself as fit but was puffing like a smoker by the time they reached the summit and her shoulders burned from the weight.

　　Matilda got a strange vibe from Pa as they walked. He seemed on edge, frequently staring at her when he thought she wasn`t looking and quickly shifting his gaze when she spotted him. Matilda couldn`t tell whether he was merely judging a newcomer with the eyes of a law enforcer, or if something more sinister was afoot.

　　She became very aware that she was physically exhausted and alone with an unknown man who had the home ground advantage in a desolate and unfamiliar forest. It made for an uncomfortable walk and Matilda longed for it to be over. She kept a distance and tried to pick up the pace without being obvious.

　　The town eventually came into view and they began their descent from the forested hills. Matilda felt safer as the trees thinned and other people came into view, a mix of practically-dressed farmers and stuffier townsfolk.

　　Matilda marvelled as they approached her first medieval town. The monolithic stone castle towered above the surrounding timber structures. They had only reached the outskirts of the town when Matilda decided that she much preferred Holford`s earthy smells to the town`s fetid streets which were strewn with stagnating muck. The smell worsened as the buildings grew denser and eventually became interconnected.

　　Pa finally broke his silence as they neared the centre of town.

　　"My apologies for the cool reception you received last night. We aren`t accustomed to receiving strangers after dark. It is quite rare in our little village."

　　"It was rude of me to show up unannounced," Matilda conceded.

　　Pa gave an appreciative nod and the pair concluded their walk in a more comfortable silence. They stopped at the town`s single major intersection, where a straight road led up a hill to the castle.

　　Matilda threw down her sack of grain at the first opportunity.

　　Pa pointed out the town`s various landmarks. "Welcome to Nether Stowey. You should find the Bishop up at the castle and I need to go to the market down here." He hesitated. "Look. You`re intelligent, judging by your discussion with Will back at the village. It was all well over my head. But please know that people around here won`t take kindly to outlandish behaviour. My family`s reaction to your clothing was a tame example. You`d do well to hide your eccentricities. Just fit in, it`s easier."

　　While she disagreed with the principle of his message, Matilda sensed Pa`s genuine concern for her and felt guilty at ever doubting his character.

　　"Thanks&Pa. I`ll get myself a more appropriate wardrobe and watch my tongue. Thanks for your hospitality and for being my guide. I`m lucky to have stumbled across your family."

　　Pa grunted. "Feel free to visit if you`re ever near Holford. I promise we`ll be much more welcoming next time." With a simple nod of farewell, he scooped up the third sack of grain with ease and set off toward the market.

　　Matilda stood alone in the street and loosened her shoulder as she wondered what to do next. It was midmorning and she wanted something extra to eat but remembered that she had no money and little to barter. The castle loomed on the hilltop above.

　　"Might as well get started," Matilda said to herself as she picked up her bags.

　　She made her way uphill but was underwhelmed when she reached the castle. Its outer walls were made of timber and scalable with only a running jump. The outer gate was manned by a scrawny guard who was much more interested in a hole in his sleeve than watching the entrance. Matilda crossed the dry moat and, using William`s tinker story, explained that she was a merchant visiting to see the baron. The guard stared at her blankly and shrugged before waving her in. Much easier than expected.

　　Inside the castle was exactly as Matilda had imagined. A stableboy brushed a brown stallion in front of a small stable, a blacksmith hammered at his anvil and a gaggle of women chatted away as they washed clothes by the well.

　　The keep was much more imposing than the castle walls. Its architecture was brutally practical, a solid rectangle of stone with only a handful of narrow arrow slits dotted around the wall. A wooden walkway wound around the structure to a door halfway up. Matilda climbed the wooden stairs, only to have the entrance barred by a surly looking guard.

　　"No entry today," he said bluntly.

　　"I`m a merchant and have travelled from Exeter to see the baron."

　　The guard scoffed. "A merchant? In those rags? Fallen on hard times have we? I don`t care who you are, the Baron is unavailable today. Possibly for the week."

　　Matilda swore internally and retreated, letting the guard`s laughter wash over her as she returned to the castle courtyard. She`d exhausted her luck with the first guard.

　　Matilda was pacing around the courtyard trying to concoct an alternate plan when she heard screams echo from the upper floors of the keep. She resumed her pacing but stopped again when the screams repeated. A kindlooking old priest noticed the shock on her face.

　　"Something`s wrong with the Baron," he told Matilda. "He returned early from yesterday`s hunt and has been bellowing ever since. Made for a wretched night`s sleep for the castle dwellers. Baron Walter is lucky the Bishop happens to be visiting, he studied medicine with an order of monks in Europe."

　　Matilda cringed as she imagined the socalled medicine being inflicted upon the Baron. No wonder he`s screaming Matilda had an idea and hastily thanked the priest before dashing back up the keep stairs.

　　"I need to see the Baron," she told the guard.

　　"I`ve already told you, he`s not available."

　　"He`s in tremendous pain. I know medicine, I can help him!"

　　"You`re a medicine woman now? What happened to being a merchant? No! Now leave the castle before I have you thrown in the stocks."

　　Matilda was about to launch another volley of her argument when a well-dressed knight limped over to them, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

　　"What`s the problem here?" he asked, swiping a strand of grey hair from his face.

　　"She`s making up all manner of excuses to see the Baron. First she claimed that she`s a merchant and now she suddenly knows medicine."

　　"You know how to heal people?"

　　"I do, sir. I am a herbalist from abroad, returning to London after an expedition to Exeter. I`ve procured a number of rare plant extracts on my journey and came to offer my assistance to the baron as soon as I learned that he was unwell."

　　"I see," the old knight replied thoughtfully. "And you believe these plants have medicinal properties?"

　　"I do. I`ve spent years understanding their effects on the human body and I know without doubt that my herbs will reduce pain or fever. Some can even cure illness."

　　The man looked intrigued but not convinced. Matilda took a risk.

　　"If I may, my lord. Your limp, is it an old battle wound?"

　　"Yes, though it has gotten much worse with age."

　　"And you have tried willow bark to ease the pain?"

　　The knight nodded.

　　"This will sound strange," Matilda said, "but try eating more fish."

　　The knight raised an eyebrow.

　　"It won`t work immediately but after several moons it should lessen swelling around the joints, which will help reduce the pain."

　　The knight considered Matilda with a piercing gaze.

　　"Stand aside Alfred. I`m going to introduce this woman to the Baron."

　　"But sir&"

　　"No lad, that`s an order."

　　"But the Bishop said&"

　　The knight glared and Alfred stood aside to allow Matilda through.

　　"Being castellan awards some privileges," the knight said with a smile. "You seem to know what you`re talking about so I`ll give you an introduction and see what my lord says. Only an introduction, mind you. I want you straight out of there if he objects. No arguing."

　　Matilda smiled in agreement and the Castellan led her into the depths of the keep. They climbed up a spiral staircase and walked along a dimly lit corridor before stopping in front of a heavy oak door.

　　"A word of warning. The Bishop is administering his own treatments. While they sound painful, it would be unwise to claim stronger healing powers than a man of God."

　　With that, the Castellan gave Matilda an encouraging smile and knocked.