A Man Named Time
Something I worked on a while back and decided to see what yall thought of it.
My name is Maverick Harper and I am a part of an organization called the time council. We are a select group of, shall we call it travelers. Our goal is to observe and direct humanity in the best possible way. Each of us deals with a different aspect of reality that we can alter, this is so that humanity moves in the best possible way. We each use a different name; this is not only what we call ourselves but it is also what we chose to alter in our travels through time. The names of our choosing are death, life, fate, nature, love, and my own name time.
Death deals with saving the lives of those who should not have died. This means innocent life that was lost without effect or reason. Fate is the one who deals with people’s life choices and helps them to choose where to work and what to do. He leads them on to the future that improves the future in general. Life watches the birth cycle and reports the number of babies born in a year and the amount of livestock in the corresponding areas, basically, he reports the populations and will alter them if needed. Nature is always working on the environment. He is either helping people to become passionate or feeding their passion for the environment helping nature to stay alive and to thrive. Love searches out possible matches that best affect the future as a whole. He finds people who go well together and helps them to meet he is often called cupid. I am time, many call me father time this term is however not correct I am simply time, not father nor mother. As time my duty is much more difficult than most others, I am tasked with following the stories after each of the others has changed something. together we form the time council, in charge of directing the path of humanity. Each time a council is changed a new cycle is started.
My job is to follow the lives that had been changed by the other council members. I am also called in to settle disputes between two or more members. The reason that this is because I have a defect in my DNA that allows me to absorb the runoff from the time bracelets that we wear. Time bracelets were made by the original council who wished to travel through time and help where they could. There are two things that the bracelets can do. They can transport the user through time and turn them invisible. The invisibility was added by the 3rd council. The bracelets look almost Egyptian in origin, a golden band around the left wrist fused into the flesh with heat, they also have a silver bead that turns in the center and bronzes button on the inside edge. Because I can absorb the energy runoff, I am over 3000 years old, hence the fact that everyone calls me time. The counsel changes by generation and every 20 years a new council is formed, all of the old members give their memory chips to their replacement and since they still have a few remaining memories they join the elder judgment. Because I am time and I never change I often need to travel to places I have been before. The 13th council decided to change my time bracelet. Removing the bracelet, they smashed it and used the shards and some other materials to form a wooden looking staff that also could make me invisible if needed. the staff was then melded into me so that it looked to have grown around my left hand.
There are a set of rules that were put in place they are from the original council. These rules were made to keep the council honest. They also regulate what we can and cannot do so that history does not change only certain events do. Most of the time our actions are discovered by the new world as modern evidence that comes to light. We work in the shadows always keeping ourselves out of the public eye and out of the chronicle as much as possible. It is because of this that events like the assentation of JFK cannot be altered. Actually, the JFK assentation is a bad example because that was altered, because of the bootstrap paradox. An old fan of JFK was forced to assassinate him when he tried to stop the assentation. He was forced to take the persona of the man believed to have killed JFK. This is used as an example as to why the council has rules. Another rule is that we cannot take anyone else with us through time if it does happen the whole council is replaced except for me. I am more or less the enforcer of the group. Every former council member who has not broken a law is part of the elder judgment, they make sure we are all held accountable. The judgment has only had trouble with me, everyone else has been able to be controlled by them. They only let me get away with 2 misdemeanors per cycle, or changing of the travelers. One of the most difficult was in my 97th cycle of the 150 I have had. It started with Cupid and a fight with Fate. It was around 1240 ad during the crusades, most of us were focusing on them. It was during this time, I was walking and observing a single soldier give cupid a profile for his future.
As I walked in the middle east, I watched the horror of a war with no purpose. These “Crusades” as they were called had no point and there was so much needless killing. The war had killed Ara’s mother and father. Her mother was killed as she went to get water. the man I was profiling did it, he was never someone I liked much. Moments later a child ran out of what should have been an abandoned house. I can still hear her crying, and pleading with anyone and anything for her mother. I watched as she fell beside her mother franticly trying to stop the bleeding, all the time crying loudly.
A surge of war cries rushed from the buildings and a rain of arrows flooded the sky pelting the ground around the crusaders. The arrows were closely followed by the thundering of soldiers running to fight out of blind fury. The next thing I knew there was a battle and I decided I had to intervene. Moving swiftly, I went and hid the child on an alcove nearby. Her father was killed in the retreat from the town.
An older Knight who was kind and gentle walked through the ruins of the town praying for the souls of those who were lost, enemies, and friends. As he was walking by some houses, he heard the faint cries of a child. Pausing he turned towards the sound. This caught my attention normally the battle was won and none did as this man did. Circling area 8 found the place where the child was at about the same time the man did. As I passed, I saw the look on his face and knew that the child would survive.
This interested me so I stuck around long enough to discover that the man had adopted the child and had it accepted by the church. All this happened shortly before he was sent back to his home in England. However, I decided that this did not interest me enough to stay around longer moving on I kept on my task.
Later as I was following the same man, who was sent home soon after, because of an injury I saw an older Knight, about 25 years of age, who had adopted the child. I did not see the child for another 15 years her time, though for me it was 2 cycles when I was brought in to settle a dispute between fate and cupid. Those two always fight the most in every cycle.
…
I walked up an old road leaning on my staff. The sheer amount of walking required by my job was extensive, and I often found myself wearing a hood and leaning on my staff. Mostly because no one paid much attention to me this way. Continuing on I finally came to the tavern that Fate had asked I meet with him at. As I entered, I saw Fate sitting with cupid at a table off to the side. Fate whore his ceremonial clothes, he looked like an ordinary peasant except he was dark-skinned and had piercings on his ears and his nose, most everyone was staring at him through the corner of their eyes. Cupid looked like a Bishop and was warring mostly red, most likely why no one was confronting fate. Walking over I looked both of them over and waited for them to stop talking before doing anything, just listening to them.
Fate noticed me first and instantly stopped arguing, cupid saw me seconds later.
“Well, this is a pleasant surprise you two are both silents.” I greeted them after they both noticed me.
Both of them stood and greeted me waiting for me to sit before joining me. This caused almost everyone in the room to consider me to be much different than I looked and they all looked at me in reverence. To them, a person of the church granted me a sweet first and that is huge.
Looking at both of them I waited for a moment before sitting. “hand me the case file, and fate order something for me, just milk, you will pay because of the culture.”
Cupid handed me a pile of papers and I uploaded them to my eye screen. A device that worked as a portable computer allowing users to interact with and read documents as well as share them. Moments later Fate placed my drink in front of me having paid for it. paid for my drink.
After a bit little I looked up from the files and looked at both of them “what is the dispute about” I asked turning to Cupid.
Fate stirred about to go into a lengthy discussion when I raised my hand and silenced him. Continuing to watch Cupid, I addressed Fate “you will be given a chance to speak, for now, patience”
Cupid spoke softly to keep the discussion between us. “there is a girl, Ara who was born in the Middle East and was adopted by an older knight who later returned from the crusades, you met her and saved her life when you were compiling a profile on #481” Cupid paused as I remembered the events of that day, “I remember, Death did not like my intervention but the Judgment sided with me” I responded and motioned for Cupid to continue “well the girl was rescued from a group of soldiers who wanted to, use her. Because of that, he promised that she would only marry who she chose. This price lets fat intervenes but relationships are my place.”
Shaking my head, I moved and looked at Fate “you may start” I prompted.
Fate did not seem to care for discretion speaking at a high volume he almost shouted the first sentence “the decision is mine” he demanded, as he said this, he slammed his fist on the table. Suddenly I was on my feet and staring down at him. As I stood two of the three candles went out casting a dark shadow over the table, instantly he realized his mistake, “have you forgotten who I am?” I questioned threateningly.
Slowly Fate moved back in his chair and conceded to me, continuing to look down on him I reminded him “there is a place for everything if you have more to offer information wise I will hear it” I spoke softly then hardening my voice I finished “but do not think you can force your will, the discussion about who is in charge is for me to decide.”
Slowly I sat down and Cupid relit the candles. After several minutes Fate spoke “I have nothing more to add I conceded to your choice”
Rising I addressed them both “I will deliver my decision at the next council meeting.” Then turning I left with the whole tavern staring after me.
…
I started with Ara’s return, I wanted to get all the information needed to answer the dilemma. I traveled to the knight’s arrival in England and following them to their home. Within a year the king had pronounced him a lord and he was given land and his own castle in the southeast of Britain. The young girl grew up to be a devout Catholic and a studious child. The knight married when she was 6 years old and the lady loved her as her own and later had a son when Ara was 12. By the age of 16, I realized why I had been asked for help. She and a young boy had fallen in love with the boy who was a tanner. The promise of the father allowed this giving fate rule but as a lady of a noble house, she was expected to marry a Lord’s son.
…
I walked up the road to the tannery I needed to find out what the tanner thought of the girl before doing anything further. Arriving at my destination I met the boy at the door of his shop and sitting down on a stump I listened to the gossip of the people in the city Square whale I waited for the shop to open.
“have you heard the news?” a lady asked her companion as they were walking “that baseborn foreign child the Lord was forced with has a fancy for Henry.”
“NO, that bar sinister doesn’t deserve to have the position she doses but to try and get the best looking man in the area.” Suddenly I realized that the lady they were talking about Ara and the tanner. I instantly realized why cupid considered this to be a bad match.
Deciding that I needed more information. I went to the tavern and spoke quietly with an assortment of people. At noon I went and talked with stall vendors. All around there was a common dislike for the lady. Though it seemed to stem from the fact that she looked different and was an Arab and that there were crusades.
That evening I stopped at the tanners’ home. When he opened the door, I asked for a chance to talk and for a meal, because of the church he felt complied to oblige.
“Father would you mind setting down your staff, IT may make you more comfortable?” shaking my head I responded, “it is a part of me and it is my burden to carry it.” Well then who might you be,” the man asked as we ate a meal of lintels and bread.
Looking up I smiled simply “I am a traveler and am so old some call me time but I prefer the term elder. I came to see what you thought of the lady”
A look of surprise quickly masked by one of confusion flashed over his face. “what lady do you speak of, elder” Henry asked
Looking him square in the face I spoke plainly “I am speaking of Ara of course, and you knew who I spoke of” a look of shock crossed his face when I said her name
“you disrespect her by not giving her title.” Henry said sternly “I expect an apology”
Chuckling I answered “well that answered that question. You are as smitten as she is. Now how about the village?”
Rising from the table he looked down on me “apologize”
Suddenly he was on the ground at the end of my staff comfortably where his head had been. Still sitting I looked down at him as he clutched his forehead “always be aware of the enemies within. Now How will you guard her against the village?”
Looking blankly, he spoke warily “I do not know what you did to me but you are AUGAA!” I ground the bottom of my staff into his leg.” Answer the question” I said impatiently.
“fine, alright just stop” he negotiated.
Lifting my staff, I looked at him “I don’t know, the whole village hates her and she is noble. They don’t seem to know her. The other Lord’s sons only look at her as a prize to be won according to her. I have no clue what to do”
Gauging him as he sat across from me, I finally spoke “try the orphans” then rising I turned to go at the door Henry asked one more question. “how do you know her?”
Looking back, I responded “I met her during the crusades”
…
I got much better results than I planned within a day the whole village knew that an old man who had been in the crusades was at the tavern.
By the end of the week, the Lord had asked if I would stay with him in the castle. The Monday after I arrived in the village I was arriving in the castle.
On the first night in the castle, I took dinner with the Lord’s family grating each individually the son was awestruck that I had been in the war the lady greeted me properly. As Ara came forward, she greeted me then stopped and looked at my face which I had unhooded. “do I know you sir?” she asked
Smiling for the first time that evening I responded: “yes my lady your memory serves you well I saved you from the battle that took your parents shortly before your father saved you.”
Smiling she went to sit and moving I approached the Lord “Lord Erend Timond the Just if I am not mistaken” I addressed formally.
Looking sternly, he responded, “the man named time, I assume?”
“ah my lord has heard the title, but it was originally the person named time, I am simply time. “I responded.
“you have not changed a bit; I assume that you can still tell a story with the same amount of facts?” questioned the Lord.
“I can still tell a story from either side but I will not fight it is my task t-“
“to help the innocent, yes everyone knew of the man who never died and saved all innocent. Although you did save some who were not so innocent.” Finished the Lord “and I must ask again call me Erend”
“I suppose that we are old enough to give up the titles. Thank you again for inviting me to stay again.” I concluded
“ah where are my manners, I have not told my family who you are.” Erend remembered, turning to his family he introduced us “this man walked the war and helped the innocent the church itself recognizes him as father time. He saved my life in the war as well, when I was saving you Ara” Erend turned to her as he spoke “he stepped in and spoke. Telling men things that they had kept hidden and staring them down. He turned to me and told me to guard you with my life, and I did.” Finning, he turned back to me.
“Lord Erend the Just was given to you for a reason if you recall. The men you punished for hurting the innocent were acknowledged by the king himself.” I countered
“ah well there are a few good things I did, what if your study did the solder get the girl?” asked Erend changing the subject.
“no for his crimes the council decided that he would be brought to decrease and have all his wealth taken from him” I answered solemnly
The son sat up suddenly “what do you mean, what council?”
Looking at Erend I grew annoyed “so you thought that I could tell him of your family’s history, did you?”
smiling Erend held up his hands “you said we would meet again and I hoped you would meet before I told him, it is a lot to take in.”
Looking down I spoke softly so only the family could hear “your daughter may have to know as well, but if that happens the council will tell her”
Suddenly alarmed the Lord started to speak “we are reviewing the case, in the meantime tell the son only after I have left a third time you will know when I have left one way or another.”
The Lord thought for a moment the raising his voice he spoke “it will be as you say let us eat.”
…
My stay with the Lord’s family went well the son constantly prodded for information from both myself and his father but the only thing he found out is my staff is a part of me.
I had a lot better luck I discovered Ara’s true dealings and on the winter solstice I went before the Lord and lady with my findings.
“my Lord I have decided and gathered all that I can, but I must take your daughter to the council for the judgment to decide her fate. And I will speak on her behalf.”
Looking startled the Lord looked at me “this is not normally done is it” he asked
Shaking my head, I spoke solemnly “no the last time I did this your family was placed in the care of time and as such you know me. The other you took will be taken. “
“on the day I die by the son, very well she may go.” Turning he sent for Ara
“daughter you must go with time to meet the council and they will advise you of your fate.”
Shocked the daughter looked around “what will happen to me”
Steeping forward I answered “the council will advise you of your future and the judgment will make it possible. We will be late if we do not leave tonight. You must say your goodbyes I believe I know your answer and if it is true you may never see your family again.”
The son entered the room at this time and the family said their goodbyes then turning to the Lord I spoke “the son will be told”
“on the day that I die” finished the Lord giving me an embrace.
At this, the Ara placed her clock on and we left
…
As we traveled, I told her of my past and how 1000 years ago I had saved her father’s ancestor who had passed on the secret of the council through the son till him.
Then reaching a crossroad she touched my staff and we traveled through time till we met the council at the council meeting.
…
The council room was a large dome with seven chairs evenly spaced apart. On each was our title and name except mine which had only a title ‘TIME’ and the extra chair which read ‘CHOICE’ as we passed the chair I paused and touched the name tag and instantly the chair sprung with a light almost seeming to glow and lighting the whole room sending every shadow into dust.
The council meeting had already started and fate and cupid were busy arguing again, when they saw me, they all grew quiet until cupid saw Ara “this is your decision then” he shouted and the whole room burst out into arguing.
Stamping my staff on the ground each of them grew quiet and cupid went from anger to fear. Seeking softly and calmly I addressed the rest of the council “today is a great day not only is it. your tenth cycle but we have a guest” turning to Ara I pointed to an empty seat “if you would sit”
Then I took my own sweet and we began “nature please read the agenda for today’s meeting.” I asked
Standing nature’s chair and table light up and clearing her throat she started. “we will start with the outlines from our travels and the highlights of each issue. After the reading, we will open the floor to solving problems. Then cupid will present his case in the future of lady Ara followed by fate should he have anything to add. Then time will speak and introduce his gest and we will decide the fate.”
Each member showed the highlights of their year and mentioned a problem or two all of them resolved easily mostly they just needed to get permission for their ideas. Cupid and fate both went through theirs but didn’t mention their problem.
Finally, cupid came forward again, and looking at me he waited to begin
Nodding to cupid he began. “there is an issue concerning lady Ara. When she was a child she was orphaned and adopted by a crusading knight and brought home to be his daughter. We are here to decide on her future.”
As cupid finished fate stood and the light switched from cupids’ seat to his “when Ara was adopted her father made a promise that she could marry whomever she chose as such she should be under me as she decides her fate.” after finishing he sat down.
Using my staff, I rose from my chair and stood in front of the council “I have several things to add before a decision is made. The first is that I believe that she should choose her future and as such I have asked her to join the council in deciding.” mummers of agreement rose from around the room only cupid stayed silent. “next I believe her lineage requires addressing” at this fate rose and a grey spoke, “she is an adopted child you have no right.”
Loudly stomping my staff my face changed from calm to angry raising my voice I spoke “you and cupid tried to hide her lineage from me, YOU HAD NO RIGHT” this last part I nearly shouted “you both wanted a decision without me knowing who was involved, but you made a mistake I knew her from the start. She is the adopted daughter of Erend Timond, and as such the decision of her fate is mine.”
The room was silent until death spoke “Time is right the decision belongs to him,” then turning to fate and cupid he continued “you should have known better than to try this, the judgment must be called”
Instantly a couple of dozen people in an assortment of coolers appeared behind the chairs and behind Ara one man appeared, her father. Turning to him I spoke, “thank you for your appearance elders.”
The oldest a man in a black robe came from behind death’s chair “what is your wish time?”
Rising I walked into the center of the circle then presented my solution “we have a paradox Ara is an ancestor of the council, this is because she was adopted by my chosen clan, the Timed family. As such, she deserves to marry who she wishes.” Pausing I turned to her.
Looking around she sat confused until the elder of death spoke “child the council asks who it is you love.”
Timidly standing she spoke softly but firmly “elder and council members I am unsure who you mean it seems that you have made a decision t but that it was not said.” Stepping forward Lord Erend spoke to her “daughter you have been given a choice to marry a lord or the man you love, Time believes he knows your answer and will take you to a safe time for your love should you chose as he suspects, but he lets you chose to stay with me and your family.”
Startled she looked around “I must choose between my family and the man I love, what if he does not love me?”
Stepping up I spoke, “he has already confessed that he does I received his confession before I met you.”
Slumping into her chair she spoke “I chose love” and with the words, elder death stepped forward, and placing his hand on the floor he raised the platform and pulled out a pendant hand g it to me. Taking the pendent o placed it on my staff until it glowed red and gold “Ara come forward.” Is asked holding out a hand then with one hand I firmly held her hand and with the other, I moved the staff to press the pendent into the top of her left wrist.
“the daughter will be told when you die.” Then moving away, she inspected her wrist which now held a blue pendant I bedded into her skin. “on your death bead the pendent will be transferred to your eldest daughter, until then at each council meeting you will join us as your father does until his son takes over. Tonight, you and I will travel and get your beloved, and together we will go into the future about one thousand years. You will both be given the knowledge to live in the New World.”
And with this, the meeting ended. My name is Maverick Harper and I am a part of an organization called the time council. We are a select group of, shall we call it travelers. Our goal is to observe and direct humanity in the best possible way. Each of us deals with a different aspect of reality that we can alter, this is so that humanity moves in the best possible way. We each use a different name; this is not only what we call ourselves but it is also what we chose to alter in our travels through time. The names of our choosing are death, life, fate, nature, love, and my own name time.
Death deals with saving the lives of those who should not have died. This means innocent life that was lost without effect or reason. Fate is the one who deals with people’s life choices and helps them to choose where to work and what to do. He leads them on to the future that improves the future in general. Life watches the birth cycle and reports the number of babies born in a year and the amount of livestock in the corresponding areas; he reports the populations and will alter them if needed. Nature is always working on the environment. He is either helping people to become passionate or feeding their passion for the environment helping nature to stay alive and to thrive. Love searches out possible matches that best affect the future as a whole. He finds people who go well together and helps them to meet he is often called cupid. I am time, many call me father time this term is however not correct I am simply time, not father nor mother. As time my duty is much more difficult than most others are, I am tasked with following the stories after each of the others has changed something. Together we form the time council, in charge of directing the path of humanity. Each time a council is changed a new cycle is started.
My job is to follow the lives that had been changed by the other council members. I am also called in to settle disputes between two or more members. The reason that this is because I have a defect in my DNA that allows me to absorb the runoff from the time bracelets that we wear. Time bracelets were made by the original council who wished to travel through time and help where they could. The bracelets can do two things. They can transport the user through time and turn them invisible. The 3rd council added the invisibility. The bracelets look almost Egyptian in origin, a golden band around the left wrist fused into the flesh with heat, they also have a silver bead that turns in the center and bronzes button on the inside edge. Because I can absorb the energy runoff, I am over 3000 years old, hence the fact that everyone calls me time. The counsel changes by generation and every 20 years a new council is formed, all of the old members give their memory chips to their replacement and since they still have a few remaining memories they join the elder judgment. Because I am time and I never change, I often need to travel to places I have been before. The 13th council decided to change my time bracelet. Removing the bracelet, they smashed it and used the shards and some other materials to form a wooden looking staff that also could make me invisible if needed. The staff was then melded into me so that it looked to have grown around my left hand.
There are a set of rules that were put in place they are from the original council. These rules were made to keep the council honest. They also regulate what we can and cannot do so that history does not change only certain events do. Most of the time our actions are discovered by the new world as modern evidence that becomes known. We work in the shadows always keeping ourselves out of the public eye and out of the chronicle as much as possible. It is because of this that events like the assentation of JFK cannot be altered. Actually, the JFK assentation is a bad example because that was altered, because of the bootstrap paradox. An old fan of JFK was forced to assassinate him when he tried to stop the assentation. He was forced to take the persona of the man believed to have killed JFK. This is used as an example as to why the council has rules. Another rule is that we cannot take anyone else with us through time if it does happen the whole council is replaced except for me. I am more or less the enforcer of the group. Every former council member who has not broken a law is part of the elder judgment; they make sure we are all held accountable.
The judgment has only had trouble with me; everyone else has been able to be controlled by them. They only let me get away with 2 misdemeanors per cycle, or changing of the travelers. One of the most difficult was in my 97th cycle of the 150 I have had. It started with Cupid and a fight with Fate. It was around 1240 ad during the crusades, most of us were focusing on them. It was during this time; I was walking and observing a single soldier give cupid a profile for his future.
As I walked in the Middle East, I watched the horror of a war with no purpose. These “Crusades” as they were called had no point and there was so much needless killing. The war had killed Ara’s mother and father. Her mother was killed as she went to get water. The man I was profiling did it, he was never someone I liked much. Moments later a child ran out of what should have been an abandoned house. I can still hear her crying, and pleading with anyone and anything for her mother. I watched as she fell beside her mother franticly trying to stop the bleeding, all the time crying loudly.
A surge of war cries rushed from the buildings and a rain of arrows flooded the sky pelting the ground around the crusaders. The thundering of soldiers running to fight out of blind fury closely followed the arrows. The next thing I knew there was a battle and I decided I had to intervene. Moving swiftly, I went and hid the child on an alcove nearby. Her father was killed in the retreat from the town.
An older Knight who was kind and gentle walked through the ruins of the town praying for the souls of those who were lost, enemies, and friends. As he was walking by some houses, he heard the faint cries of a child. Pausing he turned towards the sound. This caught my attention normally the battle was won and none did as this man did. Circling area 8 found the place where the child was at about the same time the man did. As I passed, I saw the look on his face and knew that the child would survive.
This interested me so I stuck around long enough to discover that the man had adopted the child and had it accepted by the church. All this happened shortly before he was sent back to his home in England. However, I decided that this did not interest me enough to stay around longer moving on I kept on my task.
Later as I was following the same man, who was sent home soon after, because of an injury I saw an older Knight, about 25 years of age, who had adopted the child. I did not see the child for another 15 years her time, though for me it was 2 cycles when I was brought in to settle a dispute between fate and cupid. Those two always fight the most in every cycle.
…
I walked up an old road leaning on my staff. The sheer amount of walking required by my job was extensive, and I often found myself wearing a hood and leaning on my staff. Mostly because no one paid much attention to me this way. Continuing on I finally came to the tavern that Fate had asked I meet with him at. As I entered, I saw Fate sitting with cupid at a table off to the side. Fate whore his ceremonial clothes, he looked like an ordinary peasant except he was dark-skinned and had piercings on his ears and his nose, most everyone was staring at him through the corner of their eyes. Cupid looked like a Bishop and was warring mostly red, most likely why no one was confronting fate. Walking over I looked both of them over and waited for them to stop talking before doing anything, just listening to them.
Fate noticed me first and instantly stopped arguing, cupid saw me seconds later.
“Well, this is a pleasant surprise you two are both silents.” I greeted them after they both noticed me.
Both of them stood and greeted me waiting for me to sit before joining me. This caused almost everyone in the room to consider me much different than I looked and they all looked at me in reverence. To them, a person of the church granted me a sweet first and that is huge.
Looking at both of them, I waited for a moment before sitting. “Hand me the case file, and fate order something for me, just milk, you will pay because of the culture.”
Cupid handed me a pile of papers and I uploaded them to my eye screen. A device that worked as a portable computer allowing users to interact with and read documents as well as share them. Moments later Fate placed my drink in front of me having paid for it. Paid for my drink.
After a bit little I looked up from the files and looked at both of them “what is the dispute about” I asked turning to Cupid.
Fate stirred about to go into a lengthy discussion when I raised my hand and silenced him. Continuing to watch Cupid, I addressed Fate “you will be given a chance to speak, for now, patience”
Cupid spoke softly to keep the discussion between us. “There is a girl, Ara who was born in the Middle East. An older knight who later returned from the crusades adopted her. You met her when you saved her life; it was when you were compiling a profile on #481.” Cupid paused as I remembered the events of that day. “I remember, Death did not like my intervention but the Judgment sided with me” I responded and motioned for Cupid to continue “well the girl was rescued from a group of soldiers who wanted to, use her. Because of that, he promised that she would only marry whom she chose. This price lets fat intervenes but relationships are my place.”
Shaking my head, I moved and looked at Fate “you may start” I prompted.
Fate did not seem to care for discretion speaking at a high volume he almost shouted the first sentence “the decision is mine,” he demanded, as he said this, he slammed his fist on the table. Suddenly I was on my feet and staring down at him. As I stood two of the three candles went out casting a dark shadow over the table, instantly he realized his mistake, “have you forgotten who I am?” I questioned threateningly.
Slowly Fate moved back in his chair and conceded to me. Continuing to look down on him, I reminded him. “There is a place for everything if you have more to offer information wise I will hear it” I spoke softly then hardening my voice, I finished. “But do not think you can force your will, the discussion about who is in charge is for me to decide.”
Slowly I sat down and Cupid relit the candles. After several minutes, Fate spoke “I have nothing more to add I conceded to your choice”
Rising I addressed them both “I will deliver my decision at the next council meeting.” Then turning I left with the whole tavern staring after me.
…
I started with Ara’s return; I wanted to get all the information needed to answer the dilemma. I traveled to the knight’s arrival in England and following them to their home. Within a year, the king had pronounced him a lord and he was given land and his own castle in the southeast of Britain. The young girl grew up to be a devout Catholic and a studious child. The knight married when she was 6 years old and the Lady loved her as her own and later had a son when Ara was 12. By the age of 16, I realized why I had been asked for help. She and a young boy had fallen in love with the boy who was a tanner. The promise of the father allowed this giving fate rule but as a Lady of a noble house, she was expected to marry a Lord’s son.
…
I walked up the road to the tannery I needed to find out what the tanner thought of the girl before doing anything further. Arriving at my destination I met the boy at the door of his shop and sitting down on a stump I listened to the gossip of the people in the city Square whale I waited for the shop to open.
“Have you heard the news?” a Lady asked her companion as they were walking “that baseborn foreign child the Lord was forced with has a fancy for Henry.”
“NO, that bar sinister doesn’t deserve to have the position she doses but to try and get the best looking man in the area.” Suddenly I realized that the Lady they were talking about Ara and the tanner. I instantly realized why cupid considered this a bad match.
Deciding that I needed more information. I went to the tavern and spoke quietly with an assortment of people. At noon, I went and talked with stall vendors. All around there was a common dislike for the Lady. Though it seemed to stem from the fact that she looked different and was an Arab and that there were crusades.
That evening I stopped at the tanners’ home. When he opened the door, I asked for a chance to talk and for a meal, because of the church he felt complied to oblige.
“Father would you mind setting down your staff, IT may make you more comfortable?” shaking my head I responded, “It is a part of me and it is my burden to carry it.” Well then who might you be,” the man asked as we ate a meal of lintels and bread.
Looking up I smiled simply “I am a traveler and am so old some call me time but I prefer the term elder. I came to see what you thought of the lady”
A look of surprise quickly masked by one of confusion flashed over his face. “What lady do you speak of, elder?” Henry asked
Looking him square in the face I spoke plainly “I am speaking of Ara of course, and you knew who I spoke of” a look of shock crossed his face when I said her name
“You disrespect her by not giving her title.” Henry said sternly “I expect an apology”
Chuckling I answered, “Well that answered that question. You are as smitten as she is. Now how about the village?”
Rising from the table, he looked down on me “apologize.”
Suddenly he was on the ground at the end of my staff comfortably where his head had been. Still sitting I looked down at him as he clutched his forehead “always be aware of the enemies within. Now how will you guard her against the village?”
Looking blankly, he spoke warily “I do not know what you did to me but you are AUGAA!” I ground the bottom of my staff into his leg.” Answer the question,” I said impatiently.
“Fine, alright just stop” he negotiated.
Lifting my staff, I looked at him “I don’t know, the whole village hates her and she is noble. They do not seem to know her. The other Lord’s sons only look at her as a prize to be won according to her. I have no clue what to do”
Gauging him as he sat across from me, I finally spoke “try the orphans” then rising I turned to go to the door Henry asked one more question. “How do you know her?”
Looking back, I responded, “I met her during the crusades”
…
I got much better results than I planned within a day the whole village knew that an old man who had been in the crusades was at the tavern.
By the end of the week, the Lord had asked if I would stay with him in the castle. The Monday after I arrived in the village I was arriving in the castle.
On the first night in the castle, I took dinner with the Lord’s family grating each individually the son was awestruck that I had been in the war the Lady greeted me properly. As Ara came forward, she greeted me then stopped and looked at my face, which I had unhooded. “Do I know you sir?” she asked
Smiling for the first time that evening I responded: “yes my lady your memory serves you well I saved you from the battle that took your parents shortly before your father saved you.”
Smiling she went to sit and moving I approached the Lord “Lord Erend Timond the Just if I am not mistaken” I addressed formally.
Looking sternly, he responded, “The man named time, I assume?”
“Ah my lord has heard the title, but it was originally the person named time, I am simply time. “I responded.
“You have not changed a bit; I assume that you can still tell a story with the same amount of facts?” questioned the Lord.
“I can still tell a story from either side but I will not fight it is my task t-“
“To help the innocent, yes everyone knew of the man who never died and saved all innocent. Although you did save some who were not so innocent.” Finished the Lord “and I must ask again call me Erend”
“I suppose that we are old enough to give up the titles. Thank you again for inviting me to stay again.” I concluded
“Ah where are my manners, I have not told my family who you are.” Erend remembered, turning to his family he introduced us “this man walked the war and helped the innocent the church itself recognizes him as father time. He saved my life in the war as well; when I was saving you Ara” Erend turned to her as he spoke “he stepped in and spoke. Telling men things that they had kept hidden and staring them down. He turned to me and told me to guard you with my life, and I did.” Finning, he turned back to me.
“Lord Erend the Just was given to you for a reason if you recall. The men you punished for hurting the innocent were acknowledged by the king himself.” I countered
“Ah well there are a few good things I did, what if your study did the solder get the girl?” asked Erend changing the subject.
“No for his crimes the council decided that he would be brought to decrease and have all his wealth taken from him” I answered solemnly
The son sat up suddenly “what do you mean what council?”
Looking at Erend I grew annoyed “so you thought that I could tell him of your family’s history, did you?”
Smiling Erend held up his hands “you said we would meet again and I hoped you would meet before I told him, it is a lot to take in.”
Looking down I spoke softly so only, the family could hear “your daughter may have to know as well, but if that happens the council will tell her”
Suddenly alarmed the Lord started to speak “we are reviewing the case, in the meantime tell the son only after I have left a third time you will know when I have left one way or another.”
The Lord thought for a moment the raising his voice he spoke “it will be as you say let us eat.”
…
My stay with the Lord’s family went well the son constantly prodded for information from both myself and his father but the only thing he found out is my staff is a part of me.
I had a lot better luck I discovered Ara’s true dealings and on the winter solstice I went before the Lord and Lady with my findings.
“My Lord I have decided and gathered all that I can, but I must take your daughter to the council for the judgment to decide her fate. And I will speak on her behalf.”
Looking startled the Lord looked at me “this is not normally done is it” he asked
Shaking my head, I spoke solemnly “no the last time I did this your family was placed in the care of time and as such you know me. The other you took will be taken. “
“On the day I die by the son, very well she may go.” Turning he sent for Ara
“Daughter you must go with time to meet the council and they will advise you of your fate.”
Shocked the daughter looked around “what will happen to me”
Steeping forward I answered, “The council will advise you of your future and the judgment will make it possible. We will be late if we do not leave tonight. You must say your goodbyes I believe I know your answer and if it is true you may never see your family again.”
The son entered the room at this time and the family said their goodbyes then turning to the Lord I spoke “the son will be told”
“On the day that I die” finished the Lord giving me an embrace.
At this, the Ara placed her clock on and we left
…
As we traveled, I told her of my past and how 1000 years ago I had saved her father’s ancestor who had passed on the secret of the council through the son until him.
Then reaching a crossroad, she touched my staff and we traveled through time until we met the council at the council meeting.
…
The council room was a large dome with seven chairs evenly spaced apart. On each was our title and name except mine which had only a title ‘TIME’ and the extra chair which read ‘CHOICE’ as we passed the chair I paused and touched the name tag and instantly the chair sprung with a light almost seeming to glow and lighting the whole room sending every shadow into dust.
The council meeting had already started and fate and cupid were busy arguing again, when they saw me, they all grew quiet until cupid saw Ara “this is your decision then” he shouted and the whole room burst out into arguing.
Stamping my staff on the ground each of them grew quiet and cupid went from anger to fear. Seeking softly and calmly, I addressed the rest of the council “today is a great day not only is it. Your tenth cycle but we have a guest” turning to Ara I pointed to an empty seat “if you would sit”
Then I took my own sweet and we began “nature please read the agenda for today’s meeting.” I asked
Standing nature’s chair and table light up and clearing her throat she started. “We will start with the outlines from our travels and the highlights of each issue. After the reading, we will open the floor to solving problems. Then cupid will present his case in the future of Lady Ara followed by fate should he have anything to add. Then time will speak and introduce his gest and we will decide the fate.”
Each member showed the highlights of their year and mentioned a problem or two all of them resolved easily mostly they just needed to get permission for their ideas. Cupid and fate both went through theirs but did not mention their problem.
Finally, cupid came forward again, and looking at me, he waited to begin
Nodding to cupid, he began. “There is an issue concerning lady Ara. When she was a child, she was orphaned and adopted by a crusading knight and brought home to be his daughter. We are here to decide on her future.”
As cupid finished fate stood and the light switched from cupids’ seat to his “when Ara was adopted her father made a promise that she could marry whomever she chose as such she should be under me as she decides her fate.” after finishing he sat down.
Using my staff, I rose from my chair and stood in front of the council “I have several things to add before a decision is made. The first is that I believe that she should choose her future and as such I have asked her to join the council in deciding.” mummers of agreement rose from around the room only cupid stayed silent. “Next I believe her lineage requires addressing” at this fate rose and a grey spoke, “she is an adopted child you have no right.”
Loudly stomping my staff my face changed from calm to angry raising my voice I spoke “you and cupid tried to hide her lineage from me, YOU HAD NO RIGHT” this last part I nearly shouted “you both wanted a decision without me knowing who was involved, but you made a mistake I knew her from the start. She is the adopted daughter of Erend Timond, and as such the decision of her fate is mine.”
The room was silent until death spoke “Time is right the decision belongs to him,” then turning to fate and cupid he continued “you should have known better than to try this, the judgment must be called”
Instantly a couple of dozen people in an assortment of coolers appeared behind the chairs and behind Ara one man appeared, her father. Turning to him, I spoke, “thank you for your appearance elders.”
The oldest a man in a black robe came from behind death’s chair “what is your wish time?”
Rising I walked into the center of the circle then presented my solution “we have a paradox Ara is an ancestor of the council; this is because she was adopted by my chosen clan, the Timed family. As such, she deserves to marry who she wishes.” Pausing I turned to her.
Looking around she sat confused until the elder of death spoke “child the council asks who it is you love.”
Timidly standing she spoke softly but firmly “elder and council members I am unsure who you mean it seems that you have made a decision t but that it was not said.” Stepping forward Lord Erend spoke to her “daughter you have been given a choice to marry a lord or the man you love, Time believes he knows your answer and will take you to a safe time for your love should you chose as he suspects, but he lets you chose to stay with me and your family.”
Startled she looked around “I must choose between my family and the man I love, what if he does not love me?”
Stepping up I spoke, “he has already confessed that he does I received his confession before I met you.”
Slumping into her chair she spoke “I chose love” and with the words, elder death stepped forward, and placing his hand on the floor he raised the platform and pulled out a pendant hand g it to me. Taking the pendent o placed it on my staff until it glowed red and gold “Ara come forward.” Is asked holding out a hand then with one hand I firmly held her hand and with the other, I moved the staff to press the pendent into the top of her left wrist.
“The daughter will be told when you die.” Then moving away, she inspected her wrist, which now held a blue pendant I bedded into her skin. “On your death bead the pendent will be transferred to your eldest daughter, until then at each council meeting you will join us as your father does until his son takes over. Tonight, you and I will travel and get your beloved, and together we will go into the future about one thousand years. You will both be given the knowledge to live in the New World.”
With this, the meeting ended.
…
Ara and her beloved settled in Canada in 1999 together they made a living as a suit maker and a teacher. Cupid and fate were both rebuked and put onto the portal for their attempt ad deception. Ara and her father met once a year at the council meeting and together they spoke of their past. Her daughter met a descendent of his second son and they married, they kept the last name which I had chosen ‘time’ I thought it was funny; she never forgave me for that.
Lord Erend met death and me on his death bead after 20 Council meetings and his son was told the tale of the Timond family he was not surprised and as the father took his last breath death removed the orange pendant from his chest and I placed it in the son’s chest.
I was the only one who continued the same because time never changes
…
Ara and her beloved settled in Canada in 1999 together they made a living as a suit maker and a teacher. Cupid and fate were both rebuked and put onto the portal for their attempt ad deception. Ara and her father met once a year at the council meeting and together they spoke of their past. Her daughter met a descendent of his second son and they married, they kept the last name which I had chosen ‘time’ I thought it was funny, she never forgave me for that.
Lord Erend met me and death on his death bead after 20 Council meetings and his son was told the tale of the Timond family he was not surprised and as the father took his last breath death removed the pendent which was orange from his chest and I placed it in the son’s chest.
I was the only one who Continued the same because time never changes