Aliasing: Haha, it would indeed be even worse!
Fire and Ash: That would be terrible indeed.
Chicken: Oh dear...I hope not!
Dewirix: I am an avid Sharpe reader as you can tell. Poor Rossendale didn't deserve what happened. But yes, individual halberds against someone on foot is a bad idea. They're more of an intimidation weapon.
Sather: Thanks!
blsteen: Oh ha ha.
4th Dimension: You're close...in a broad sense.
morningSIDEr: Yes, Maria has her own abilities, as you shall one day see!
Chapter 13 – A Paradoxical Rescue
20/6/1533
“Who are you?” Maria demanded, drawing a knife from her sleeve.
“Maria? How the hell did you get here? And why did you want me to come here and then threaten me because I don’t take threats kindly!”
Maria just blinked for a moment, and then she seemed animated. “Just…for the moment assume I don’t know you. Who are you?” she asked.
“I’m Talena! We’ve spent the last year together! God, I’d have thought that you giving me the whole time travel spiel would have stuck in your mind.”
Now Maria seemed to understand. “Talena Mazari? Of course, of course! Apologies if this is confusing, but I haven’t met you yet.”
“What?”
Maria seemed frustrated. “Time travel, Talena. It’s obvious that I went back after now to meet you, from your perspective the first time. Look, whatever. We don’t have much time. Give me that dress there.”
Bemused, Talena handed it over. It looked very similar to the one Maria had worn. Very, very similar indeed.
Maria quickly changed. “So when and where did you arrive?”
In a sort of obscure way Talena was almost tempted to lie and see what would happen. However, she decided to tell the truth. “California, early 1532. Count Sanchez of Albura finds me.”
“Fine. See you soon.”
With that Maria turned and left, walking outside and down onto the quay. In moments she was lost in the crowds.
Talena returned to her task of getting new clothes and soon had found something in green and blue that was comfortable. Now all she had to do was wait until the crew came back. She could pay for passage. Looking around she saw that the flag was that of France. Back to the beginning, she thought.
The door to the cabin opened and Maria entered, a bit breathless. It was then that Talena realised she was wearing the dress she’d just given her, but it was also the one she’d been wearing on and off for a year.
“I hate time travel,” Talena said aloud.
“Just you be glad about it or else you’d have been wandering the deserts of California for 20 years! Now, there was one last thing…oh yes. Here.”
To Talena’s amazement she produced a pistol…her pistol. The impossible weapon gleamed as Maria held it out handle first, barrel aiming at herself. Talena took the weapon and stowed it.
“How-“ Talena begun.
“Don’t ask but I didn’t steal it from her,” Maria said, referring to Lucille.
“Okay…so what now?”
Maria arranged the dress her younger self had just worn, and looked over at Talena. “This ship belongs to the Count of Blois, and he will be back soon. I’ll have him put you under his protection, and we just sail out of the port to France.”
“Won’t the Spanish want to look aboard here for me?”
“They wouldn’t dare insult a member of the King’s family,” Maria said smugly. “King François is not on good terms with the Hapsburgs, and Carlos has too many other distractions.”
There was the sound of feet, and a half dozen men stepped aboard the ship. These were not Spanish, but Frenchmen dressed in the uniform of the Count. At their head was a tall man in flamboyant clothes and dress. He approached Maria and kissed her. Then he saw Talena.
“Maria, you did not say we would be having company!” he said, not unhappy.
She flashed Talena a look. “Apologies, my Lord. This is Talena Mazari, a woman who I met before. Now though she is rather out of favour with the Spanish crown, and she came to me for help. Talena, this is my Lord Count Reynard of Blois.”
Talena could only be awed by Maria’s ease from which she switched from maid to lady literally in moments.
She curtseyed. “A pleasure, Lord,” she said. She’d put up with flattering if it got her out of Cadiz unburnt.
“Has she indeed?” Reynard eyed her appreciatively. “Well I think I can make room for one more. You can read, yes?”
“Yes, Lord,” Talena said meekly.
“Excellent. My dear, your friend is welcome to stay. The crew is returning and we sail today! Take her down and hide her until we’ve left port. We don’t want her causing an incident…yet!”
And so the orders were given, and Talena watched from a gunport as the Joanna and the city of Cadiz dropped away behind them. There was unresolved business there, but for now she was just glad to be leaving!