Chapter 4 – The Truth Revealed
18/5/1532
Talena’s opinion of the sea had not improved. As they passed around one cape they had hit another storm, and she had stayed on deck, if only so she wouldn’t be trapped again if the ship sunk! It was as the ship was tacking into the fierce wind that Isabella joined her at the rail. The Countess-to-be was drenched, and her fine dress dripping with spray and rain. Otherwise she seemed quite unperturbed by the rocking though, while Talena was gripping the rail like a limpet.
“I would have thought you’d seen enough of storms,” she commented above the wind.
“I have! But I don’t want to go down with the ship!” Talena called back.
“Come inside. This is just a minor squall. See? The Captain’s not worried.”
Talena finally relented and went inside. They sat inside the now abandoned rear cabin, as lightning flared across the sky.
“So tell me, Talena, what ship was it that was wrecked so far to the north? I was not aware that any vessel had gone that far.”
She looked at the woman. She said nothing.
“I have no doubt that you were washed up on that shore, though I wonder from where?” Isabella continued.
“It’s complicated,” Talena muttered.
“Apparently so. I noticed you had borrowed by book on the history of Spain. Did you find it enlightening?”
“I didn’t borrow it. It was put in my room,” Talena said slowly. Was this woman teasing her? “As for enlightening…it was surprising.”
Isabella still had an amused expression, like she knew something Talena didn’t. “Do continue.”
How did one continue at this point? Someone had put the book into her room for some reason she couldn’t understand. Was it Isabella or someone else?
“I didn’t realise some of those events happened like that,” she said evasively.
“History is a great surprise to many, I know. So many…odd things have happened.”
Talena realised that over the past century and a half she had changed a lot. As her link with the future vanished she became more and more involved with her present, forgetting what had once happened. One thing that had remained though was her impatience, even impetuosity, especially of wrangling about words.
“Is it all true? Did Constantinople really fall in 1453? Was there really a King Juan in 1410? Is this book true?”
Isabella raised an eyebrow in polite amusement. “I think that Senor Cesar may have taken liberties with the truth, but broadly it is true. You expected something different? The past is the past.”
Talena was about to speak, but Maria the maid entered, bringing a blast of wet wind through the door.
“Oh, sorry, Lady. I was coming to make sure you were not ill.”
Talena gratefully took the distraction to hurry to her cabin, leaving mistress and servant alone.
Talena retreated to her cabin, now seriously disturbed. Now she had confirmation that the time she was in was the very timeline that she had started from. The very one that she had broken that first night by inadvertently killing the King of France.
“How has this happened?” she asked allowed. “Why…why?”
“You seem troubled, my dear.” It was the priest, Father Alava. “I heard your voice and thought I might be able to help.”
“Thank you, but I don’t think there’s any help for me.”
“Do not say that, for God is always with us, even in our darkest hours.”
Talena smiled grimly. “Is he? I used to think that. I used to think I was here for a purpose…but I don’t know any more. I was never a very good Christian back home. It was something that was ignored. It was something that we paid lip-service to. But when this all started I thought ‘there must be some reason’. But now…I learn about this.” She pointed at the book. She was rambling, but it didn’t matter.
“It is all in God’s hands, Talena. Everything is here by His divine will. He sees all…what is it that has caused you to doubt yourself and your faith?”
Talena laughed bitterly. “You have no idea, father.” She was silent for a moment before deciding that she would continue. Why? Partly to shock the priest, partly to relieve her burden by speaking to someone.
“I ask you to listen to my story is finished before interjecting. No doubt you will not believe it.”
“I will listen. I have learned that the best way to understand and reach wisdom is to listen more than talk.”
“Smart. Well, I come from the future, a time far in the future. In that time women are not all home bound baby-makers, but at all levels. I was a soldier, a good one I think. And then I found myself back in time, in 1399. I saw many things happen, and now I learn that it was all for nothing, that history changed back to how it was before. All that I did, all that I suffered, triumphed and lost…all gone. And now…I’m…hell I’m 151 years old. Do you realise how that feels?”
Alava was giving her what could only be described as a bemused look. “I don’t think I do, Talena.”
Talena sighed and picked up a sharp piece of metal and dug it into her arm. “Relax, priest,” she said wearily as he stepped forward. She held out her arm, and the cut faded, leaving the drying blood on the unblemished skin.
“By the Lord…” Alava said.
“I’m just so very tired of it all. To think I wasted a century…to have it snatched from me. If there is a God then surely there must be a reason for this.”
The Priest finally nodded. “I think there is a reason and a path – but it is one you must choose, Talena. God has put you here, of that I have no doubt. But it is your choice, as with all people whether to use your powers for good and the service of God, or evil and the ways of sin.”
Talena laughed humourlessly. “I think, Father, that you get to a point where all choices become the same.”
“But only if you choose not to control your destiny. If you were Count Sanchez would you merely let the ship drift with no guidance? God gave us the will to choose our path. Through good works to become closer to Him, and through bad to slide from Him.”
She nodded. “I will consider what you said. Now, I must go to sleep.
A few days later they arrived at the Spanish fort and settlement of Acapulco.