24 September 1124

　　Matilda would`ve quite enjoyed the journey to Bristol, had it not been for her throbbing hand, pounding head, and general existential dread. She soaked in the views of the medieval countryside, watching peasants work fields that looked pristine and unspoiled. The wagon trundled lazily along dirt roads, some heavily rutted and others little more than animal tracks.

　　Godfrey was in no rush to reach Bristol and greatly slowed his pace after Baron Walter arrived. The two groups watched each other warily, the Bishop`s men knowing they were outmatched and Walter`s men not trusting Godfrey with his hostage. Matilda felt odd being the centre of such focused attention but tried to make the most of the strange situation.

　　Away from Holford`s frenetic pace, Matilda could finally reflect on the bigger picture. She judged it had been almost a year since she had bid farewell to her family. Since Harry had died. Matilda hoped they would approve of everything she`d achieved. The mill. The village. The people.

　　Despite her immediate predicament, Matilda was proud of how she had adapted, no longer married so rigidly to others` plans and able to think on the fly. She would`ve particularly loved to show her Institute mentors how well her alternate approach had worked.

　　Although completely different to the original plan, Matilda was confident that her revised approach had sufficiently progressed society. Holford was on the path to increasingly advanced technologies and William could lead their work. Even if she never left Bristol.

　　Matilda refused to let her mind sink into melancholy and instead allowed the Boy to distract her. His transformation was even greater than Holford`s. The impatient youth that stole Harry`s knife was long gone, replaced by a measured and intelligent young man. They used their most complex modern English vocabulary to discuss their predicament, enjoying the stupefied looks from Godfrey`s minders.

　　"What stratagem will you employ upon our imminent arrival at the misbegotten`s domicile?" William asked, struggling to keep a straight face.

　　Matilda chuckled but shook her head. "Alas, my cognitive faculties are presently engaged in formulating a satisfactory resolution, rendering me uncertain at this juncture."

　　She also appreciated the quiet company of the Young Priest who also sat within the cart, watching them intently but reluctant to engage. He`d shown kindness after her abduction, a single ray of hope as she lay hogtied in a pool of vomit. Matilda wondered how the compassionate priest could be in league with the Bishop but his companions` animosity towards him suggested that he too wasn`t there by choice.

　　The density of man-made structures ebbed and flowed as the group passed through the countryside but consistently increased as they neared Bristol. The town was much larger than Holford. Its cramped streets were lined with multistorey buildings containing stores dedicated to all manner of unique goods. Matilda found it strange to see so many people in the one place but the putrid smells of stagnant refuse were strangely endearing. Just as she`d always imagined.

　　She longed to escape the convoy and explore but they were escorted straight to the castle. Townsfolk were stunned to see a bishop and a baron arrive unannounced and they stopped to watch as the strange company passed by. Matilda gawked right back at them with even greater intensity.

　　Matilda`s stomach dropped as the castle came into view, reminding her of the seriousness of their journey. Located beside the River Avon, the party were led across a drawbridge and through the castle gate.

　　The wagon pulled up at the keep and an elderly steward emerged, followed by an army of attendants who quickly collected the party`s horses and led them to the stables. Godfrey`s men dragged Matilda from the wagon before it too was led away. The steward watched with veiled disapproval but maintained a diplomatic facade.

　　"Greetings Bishop Godfrey and Baron Walter. My lord has just returned from a hunt. He was expecting your arrival so won`t be long. Please make yourselves comfortable inside."

　　The steward led the unusual party into a large antechamber and made polite small talk before leaving to attend to other matters. Another army of servants arrived bearing chilled water and bread.

　　The two groups milled around awkwardly, uncomfortable at such close proximity to their opposition. Matilda was stuck in the middle, wondering what fate awaited her behind the hall`s heavy oak doors.

　　Godfrey scowled whenever she caught his eye and she received little more warmth from the Baron. When the bread and water was gone, Walter strolled up to her and spoke in a hushed voice for the first time since her rescue.

　　"Earl Robert is a serious man. Canny, but not known for leniency. Just keep your mouth shut and let me do the talking."

　　Matilda started to object but was silenced by the Baron`s glare.

　　"Did you really write to the Earl about Holford?" she asked to fill the silence.

　　"Yes," Walter replied. "But only on the night of your capture. I wasn`t about to let anyone steal my golden goose."

　　Their conversation was interrupted when the elderly steward emerged through the inner hall`s main doors.

　　"The Earl will see you now," he told them simply, before turning and leading the party into the hall.

　　Godfrey dismissed his mercenaries and Walter waved away his knights, permitting only Sir Phillip to enter with him. William made to follow the pair into the hall but Walter irritably shooed him away.

　　"The Boy comes," Matilda said firmly.

　　Walter was struck by her boldness but reluctantly conceded when Matilda stood firm. William rushed after the men into the hall. The Bishop followed with Matilda in tow, escorted by a priest on each arm.

　　The Earl`s hall was also just as Matilda had imagined. Tapestries depicting grand battles hung on stone walls, nobles awaited their own audience and spear-wielding guards were stationed around the room. A fire crackled within a large fireplace, filling the hall with a smoky haze.

　　Earl Robert sat on a throne upon a raised dais at the head of the hall, still dressed for hunting. A woman sat on a smaller seat to his right. His wife, Matilda guessed.

　　Everyone watched with genuine intrigue as the unusual group of petitioners entered the courtroom. The Earl appraised them with an intelligent gaze which gave Matilda hope.

　　"So this is the cause of your quarrel?" he mused as they approached.

　　"My lord," Walter started with a deep bow. "Thank you for granting this audience at such short notice."

　　"You made decent time, Baron," the Earl noted. "My riders updated me on your progress. And Bishop Godfrey, we meet again."

　　The Bishop didn`t bow. "We do indeed. You were absent at the Feast of the Assumption."

　　"I was still returning from Normandy, as you were no doubt aware. But I shall attend your Christmas service as compensation. Please, tell me about this woman."

　　Intrigued by their stilted interaction, Matilda vaguely recalled reading of a feud between the Earl and his stepmother - England`s new Queen and Godfrey`s former charge.

　　Walter leapt in before the Bishop could speak. "My Earl, three nights ago, Bishop Godfrey slipped into my territory to abduct this woman. Like so many other barbaric foreigners before him, Godfrey set fire to her dwelling and spirited the woman away under the cover of darkness.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

　　"This woman is precious to me. She has brought great prosperity, teaching my villagers new skills and my craftsmen new technologies. She has singlehandedly increased the output of my lands. Threefold."

　　"I see," the Earl said thoughtfully. "Bishop Godfrey, by what right do you think it acceptable to apprehend another lord`s peasant?"

　　"You will find she is a foreigner, not one of his serfs," Godfrey replied in a bored tone. "This is a matter for the Church, transcending the petty laws of Man. The woman is an enemy of Christendom."

　　Scandalised gasps issued from the crowd. Matilda knew it was a serious accusation.

　　The Earl quietened them with a raised hand. "A bold claim, Godfrey. On what grounds?"

　　"Sacrilege and heresy. Baron Walter has failed to mention that my men and I arrested her as she butchered a fellow man. Before a willing crowd of the Baron`s villagers, no less."

　　The Earl`s expression hardened and his wife blanched. "Is this true?" he asked Walter.

　　"I knew nothing of it," Walter stammered while looking at Matilda in horror.

　　"Such little awareness of his own lands," the Bishop chided. "I have been watching the woman for months. Our paths first crossed at Stowey castle where I was assisting the Baron after a&hunting accident. I had almost finished my treatment when she suddenly arrived, claiming first to be a healer and then to have cured the Baron with a cheap trick. It was then that I first became suspicious."

　　"Does she have a name?" the Earl`s wife squeaked.

　　"I beg your pardon?" Godfrey asked tetchily.

　　"The woman standing before us in chains. What is her name?"

　　"Matilda, my lady," Matilda replied, earning a sharp look from the Baron.

　　"Carry on, Bishop," Earl Robert said with intrigue.

　　"I listened for news about the mystery healer, knowing she was bound to stir up more trouble. Then, several months ago, I learned of a sleepy village transformed by a red-headed woman, as if by magic. So I tasked someone to watch her. A friend she would never suspect."

　　A chill ran down Matilda`s spine. Warren was no friend. Who could it have been?

　　"My source`s messages grew stranger with every week. There were unusual plants that grew a yard each day. Mysterious metals that didn`t rust. Women and children learning to read.

　　"The entire village was besotted with the woman and her power over them was absolute. Villagers who spoke up against her were beaten or banished. Lives were lost in her overworked mine, some at the hands of her misguided attempts at healing.

　　"But it was only in the past weeks that my concerns truly ripened. I received reports of artificial suns, orbs that hung in the night sky to make a room as bright as day. Such a feat could only be explained by sorcery. I admit that even I was fearful to confront such unnatural power. But then my source`s messenger arrived at my doorstep.

　　"He arrived by horse, exhausted from travelling overnight with dire news. An elderly villager had died and was so tightly gripped by the woman`s spell that he had volunteered his earthly body for her vile healing lessons. She planned to cut him to pieces before a willing crowd."

　　"Goodness, no!" the Earl`s wife cried.

　　"I`m afraid so, my lady," Godfrey said with surprisingly genuine sorrow. "We were too late to stop her desecration; may God have mercy on the poor man`s soul. But we interrupted her butchery and clapped her in irons before setting the building alight to cleanse her unholy presence.

　　"We were travelling to the sanctity of Bath Abbey when Baron Walter interrupted and ordered that we bring the woman to see you. I really must insist that I resume my holy duty and see this abomination safely dealt with on sacred grounds."

　　A shocked silence hung over the hall as Godfrey finished his account. Even Matilda shared their scandal at the Bishop`s convincing recollection. He looked victorious as he soaked in the crowd`s horror.

　　The Earl sat deep in thought, a troubled look on his face and his hands propped up before him.

　　"A most disturbing account, Bishop. Very disturbing indeed. Walter, did you know of this?"

　　Matilda watched the Baron`s options tick through his head. His hesitation didn`t fill her with confidence.

　　"Ah& No, my lord. I knew of her improvements in the village and our increased taxes. But of the dissection, I knew nothing."

　　"Curious," the Earl said. "A mysterious woman bringing unknown, and unnatural, gifts from a foreign land. How bizarre." He stared at her with a grave expression. "Who are you Matilda? Where do you come from?"

　　Matilda felt every eye in the hall turn to her, projecting the room`s collective curiosity and disdain. The Earl`s questions sounded rhetorical and yet she felt compelled to answer. She gave a wry smile to William before turning to address the Earl. Her situation was dire. It was time.

　　"The future, my lord."

　　The room`s silence was absolute, so quiet that Matilda could only hear the fire crackle. Then, like a rolling wave, the crowd started to grumble and then grew into shouts.

　　"Don`t play games," the Earl warned. "Your life is at stake."

　　"It`s the truth my lord," Matilda replied calmly, though her stomach felt like lead. "I am from the future. The year two thousand and thirty-seven of our Lord, to be precise. I was sent to help, to avoid a calamity that devastated my own time."

　　The Earl stared at her in disbelief. "Woman, you continue this farce?"

　　"The proof is in my work, my lord. The developments I have introduced are nothing unnatural. Anyone can do it. Young William here can replicate many of my achievements and Walter himself has made the orbs shine. Simpler than lighting a candle, with the right tools. There is no need for magic."

　　The Earl eyed William before settling his sceptical gaze on her once more. He was intrigued.

　　"Don`t believe a word she says, Robert," Godfrey chimed. "She has already enchanted many. Any sane person can see that she calls upon the supernatural."

　　The crowd grumbled disapproval and warning at the Earl, giving Matilda little doubt that they sided with the Bishop.

　　"Your father will die!" she cried with desperation. "Eleven years from now, eating lampreys." All eyes snapped back to Matilda and the Earl stared intently. "His death will throw the Kingdom into chaos and war. Your cousin Stephen will betray your sister and claim her throne."

　　The room erupted once more.

　　"You prophesize His Majesty`s death as your defence against supernatural activities?" Godfrey sneered in disbelief, savouring the chaos.

　　"Quiet!" the Earl ordered, pale as a ghost. Godfrey flinched at the rebuke. "How does a foreigner know of his love for lampreys?" he whispered.

　　"It is one of many things recorded of your time," Matilda said simply. "I know that you have just returned from a campaign against rebels in Normandy, though many here already know that. But I also know that you have Sir Amaury imprisoned in your dungeon at Gloucester. Tell me, if the Bishop has watched me for months, how could such a secret reach an inconsequential village like Holford?"

　　The Earl baulked and even Godfrey looked shocked at this revelation. A hush fell over the room.

　　"I don`t know what is more difficult to believe," the Earl croaked, "that you are from the future or in league with Satan. Perhaps both?"

　　"I can prove it, my lord." Matilda said delicately. "I`ve travelled far to share knowledge from another time. I intended to show your father, before Godfrey`s first assault disrupted my plans. I`ve given up too much to be scuttled by a jealous bishop. Please, I humbly request a chance to prove myself. A week to show what we have made in the village and how it works. Let me prove my innocence, and I will teach your subjects all of my tricks."

　　The Earl mulled over Matilda`s words. Walter looked particularly displeased by Matilda`s final offer.

　　"This is indeed an issue well beyond my jurisdiction," the Earl started, prompting a flash of victory from Godfrey. "But you have little hope of a fair trial at the hands of the Bishop&."

　　"There is no question Robert, this woman is guilty!" Godfrey howled. "To even consider her story would be heresy."

　　Cries of assent rippled around the hall but the Earl raised a hand.

　　Matilda`s hopes rose.

　　"This woman could be a valuable gift to the Kingdom, if you are indeed what you claim. The King`s very life may depend on you." The Earl looked at Matilda pensively. "Very well. You may show us your secrets, though priests will supervise you at all times to ensure you try nothing untoward or ungodly. I am a busy man and cannot be traipsing to some country hamlet for a week. You shall have three days to prove yourself. Here in Bristol.

　　"Do so and I will personally take your case to my father. Fail and I`ll have no qualms in submitting you to the Bishop`s justice. Bishop Godfrey, can you agree to these terms? It means only a threeday delay."

　　The Bishop trembled with fury before storming from the hall without a word. Matilda knew she wouldn`t get any better offer and gave a humble bow.

　　"You will stay here," Earl Robert announced to the hall. "Locked in a cell until you prove your innocence. Guards, take her away!"

　　The Earl stood and strode from the hall, a train of guards and servants in tow. The hall burst into frantic discussion, the other nobles` own petitions completely forgotten.

　　Walter and William walked over to Matilda.

　　"I thought I told you to&" Walter started angrily.

　　"I wasn`t leaving my life to your bumbling!" Matilda snapped.

　　Walter paused and looked sheepish.

　　Matilda turned to William. "I need you to get back to Holford. Fast. Get everything you can from the mill, from Matthew. The wire, the books. Some lights. Bring it all here so I can show off some of our actual work."

　　"I can help you here!" William protested.

　　Matilda gave a gentle smile.

　　"I appreciate the offer but I`m afraid this is up to me now. Run along, you might make it in time if you`re quick. Oh, and let me know what damage was done to the mill!"

　　William nodded and ran from the hall. Sir Phillip followed, promising to find him a good horse.

　　The Earl`s guards came to take Matilda and Walter made them wait.

　　"I`ll make sure you`re properly cared for," he said. "And I`ll see what I can arrange from out here."

　　The guards warily took Matilda by the arms and led her from the hall through an inconspicuous door and down a dusty spiral staircase.

　　Matilda`s anxiety rose with each step that she descended, reaching its crescendo as the iron latch to her cell slammed shut.

　　No, she told herself. She had planning to do.

　　(C) Jay Pelchen 2023. All rights reserved.