Time Is, Time Was: Time Is, #2

By David Booker

Don and Honey are off on an adventure to the Middle Ages. While traveling they meet Constance, the Duchess of Brittaney. Honey presents her with a broach that will show up as an important artifact years from now. Together they become masters in the Guild of Jewelers which becomes the springboard for the Guild of Travelers they start in the future. After hearing so often about monseur Pujol she wants to see him for herself. She decides to go with Don dressed as a man. At the Moulin Rouge they see more then just Pujol but many of the acts that were presented. Jugglers, Opera singers, tight rope walkers, etc.. All are described for your enjoyment. Later they go on a rescue mission to bring Scott home. He wasn't killed in the volcano after all and was saved by Pliny's captain. The rescue mission is ON. What happens once Scott is rescued and how he adopts a son and eventually gets married is all inside. There is a marvelous trip to the worlds fair where you get to meet a young Harry Houdini, and things get a little confused when Scott from the past comes through and wants a party before heading off to his ultimate demise in Rome. It's the same trip they rescue him from, Honey and Don want to tell him but that might change things so with a heavy heart they through the biggest blow out party they can. Before Scott heads out though he helps them discover a burnt out village on their property. What becomes of that will be found in later books.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Booker
• Release date: Jul 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223371861

David Booker

David Booker is an author who wiill try his hand at numerous styles. Short stories, mysteries, humor, horror, time travel and rants he enjoys a constant challenge. With a seven book series under the Time Is banner to A Glimpse of My Shorts and Another Glimpse he churns out books regularly. 

Book preview

TIME IS

TIME WAS

If you wait long enough, the present becomes history.

David Booker

This book is a work of Fiction.

Names, characters, places, and incidents are either created by the author or fabricated. Any resemblance to actual events, locations or persons living or dead is purely coincidental

Copyright © 2020 by David Booker

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book either in entirety or any portion thereof, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews without written permission in writing from its publisher.

For information or request address

timeiswaswillbe.gmail.com

timeiswaswillbe.wordpress.com

Dedicated to Sam, Tucker and Jack

Faithful friends

Table of Contents

MIDEAVEL TIMES

WE SHALL GO A VISITING

THE GUILD OF JEWELERS

NOW HE BELONGS TO THE AGES

HOME

THE WORLDS FAIR

A PLAN

THE GAME IS AFOOT

A MAN, A PLAN, A FLAN

A VISIT TO ATLANTIS

A FINAL GOODBYE

MIDEAVEL TIMES

"I traveled many miles and spent many years in search of happiness only to discover that happiness was in the journey."

Norman Clature, A Road, A Roam, A Rove

In the glowing dawn, a barely visible light faded slowly behind the riders as they emerged from the Temporal Correlation Vector Transport Device, Or T.C.V.T.D. sometimes just called the time machine or Fred. Don Skelton and Honey Deau had just left the 21st century behind them and were spending their engagement in the Middle Ages. This was Honeys favorite era and one she had done a great deal of research on. Through a grove of trees, A large village was visible. Though Don was a veteran of quite a few trips through time, he was unfamiliar with the Middle Ages. Carefully he scrutinized his surroundings and the approaching settlement.

Honey was riding sidesaddle in the approved manner of a gentlewoman of this period. Don was admiring the grace with which she rode. He admired it so much that he did not see the branch approaching until it hit him in the head knocking him backwards off his horse. His graceful bride went into a paroxysm of laughter leaning onto her horses’ neck to keep from falling off as well. Don remounted his horse and gathered what little dignity remained him storing it under lock and key for better security. As they approached the village, a group of small children gathered around them laughing and pointing at the funny man who falls off his horse. A dark hued lady came out of the house drying her hands and admonished the children for laughing at people.

Don raised his cap. My actions more than warranted their mirth. Honey bowed her head smiling still trying to hide the remnants of her laughter. Can you tell me where we are? She asked. The lady looked sympathetically at the two lost travelers. Why bless you, you are in the village of Ely in the shire of Cambridge. She pointed down the street. Over yonder lies the Cathedral, you can just see the spire above the trees.

Don assisted Honey to dismount, as he did so he thanked the woman for her information. Honey looked down the road hoping to see a place to stay nearby. We are on a pilgrimage and would like to stay at the Inn if there is one. The lady curtseyed to Honey and pointed down the street to the corner. Tis that way milady and a wonderful inn it is too. Just go past the potters and the blacksmiths and you’ll find it. At the mention of the blacksmiths Honey cast a wary eye on Don and whispered, don’t you dare! Don looked back with raised eyebrows, I haven’t the least idea of what you’re talking about. He tipped the lady a pound at which her eyes grew wide. She made another curtsy and thanked them graciously. My name is Mary Potter, and you’ll find my husband in the Potters down the road. In fact, here he comes now.

Don and Honey turned to see a muscular man walking towards them. The apron thrown over his shoulder was mottled with clay and odd dabs of color. He wore sandals on his feet and a cloth cap on his head. As he approached, he removed his cap revealing dark tightly curled hair slightly streaked with gray. He welcomed Don and Honey and invited them to rest as Mary offered them a cup of mead. Honey accepted and sat on a stump while Don stood leaning against the corner of the cottage and slowly supped his.

Don began the introductions, This is Honey and my name is Don. Don extended his hand to Mr. Potter who shook hands with Don and bowed to Honey, I’m Peter Potter and this is Mary. Then turning to his wife said, The pottery’s petered out so I pondered upon the possibility of pattering home perchance to prance a pirouette with my pretty partner. His wife smiled and gently told him to be quiet.

He turned again to Don and Honey. Are you staying long? Don looked around, We plan on being here a few days and then moving on. Honey cast a warm smile upon the Potters as she asked, What is there to do for fun here? Peter looked at her curiously. We make our own fun. In fact, some neighbors are coming down to have a few wrestling matches.

Don rubbed his hands in eager anticipation, If they’re coming soon, we might just stay and watch if you don’t mind. He looked at Honey for her approval but instead she put her head in her hand, she had a feeling where this would go. Will you be participating as well? if you are willing, we would welcome you to the game. Peter put his arm around Dons shoulders and began to lead him to the field. He patted Dons shoulder as they walked. Don, began to get the feeling he didn’t have much of an option. Resigning himself he stripped his coat, handed it to Honey and followed Peter to a marked off area at the center of a grassy plot surrounded with trees and bordered by a river. Mrs. Potter and Honey followed, both ladies were whispering and laughing at the men.

Don and Peter were given the opportunity to start the competition. Since Don was a newcomer. it was decided that the match was best out of five. This was felt would give the opponents a chance to better know each other’s skills. From the way it started Don assumed it was similar to the way he had wrestled in New Salem. Grab at the waist and attempt to throw you opponent. His impression was corrected when he received a stinging kick in the shins from Peter and was suddenly thrown clear of the ring. There were very few rules in this type of wrestling.

Don reset himself opposite Peter who was smiling now at the ease in which he was going to win the match. Peter tried another kick, but this time Don was ready and as Peter kicked Don swiftly swept his leg under Peters and hooked his toes behind Peters other knee and forced him to the ground. Peter jumped up and grasped Don around the chest. Don put pressure on Peters bicep, his thumb pressing firmly on the nerve alongside the humorous bone. This caused Peter to loosen his hold enough on one side for Don to swing a leg around behind Peters legs and arching backwards, Peter fell heavily backwards onto the turf with Don landing softly on top of him.

Peter got slowly up and looked on Don approvingly, You’re more skilled than I took you for. Let’s try again. Peter again set himself by leaning forward and grabbing Don by the sides. Peter smiled as he dropped to one knee throwing Don off balance and then tossing him aside. Don rolled and bounced up ready for what may come. This time Peter came in a rush which suited Don just fine. Don dropped to a prone position suddenly and lay one leg in front of Peters legs and swept the back of his legs at knee height rolling as he did so flinging Peter down face first. Rebounding to their feet they looked steadily at each other, mentally preparing for the last match.

Peter came on slower this time. He and Don had paid a great deal of attention during the matches. Don steeled himself for a prolonged slow match. Don and Peter respected each other’s abilities, and both knew swift push and pull grappling wouldn’t work here They would have to rely on strength and subtlety. They set themselves as they closed in too grapple balancing between strength and stability. Both were looking for a way to weaken the other and get them off balance.

Don and Peter were almost eye to eye. Sweat on their brows, their muscles aching as they applied pressure and leverage to no avail. Those watching were now quiet but growing impatient. Peter had not been beaten often and while he wasn’t beaten now it looked like this could go on for quite a while. After seven minutes Don and Peter had not succeeded in gaining any headway. In the distance the bell in the tower struck ten and someone called time.

The combatants released their grips, flexing and stretching as they tried to bring some feeling back to their arms. A couple of barrels of cool water were a welcome sight and they headed purposely towards them. At the first barrel, Don made for the ladle inside, but Peter got it first and dumped a load on Dons head. Don headed for the second and a water fight was soon in full force. Both men splashing each other and then grappling till they were rolling on the muddy ground and wrestling, pushing mounds of mud from side to side and laughing. Mary and Honey came up shaking their heads. In unison they scolded their partners for messing up clothes they would expect them to make new again. The men made their shamefaced way to the river and got cleaned up as best they could. The warm sun would dry them off in time. They went back to the ladies squishing slightly to watch the rest of the matches.

Their wives were still laughing when they approached. Honey and I are going to send you both to London. Peter looked at his wife in surprise. Why, what’s in London? The ladies looked at each other with conspiratorial smiles then spoke together. The King, he has got to need some big-time fools like you two! stretching out beside the ladies on the close-cropped turf they watched the rest of the matches.

Don was interested in how opponents sized each other up. These men had all wrestled before, so they knew each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and habits. These were one shot matches, but they went on for a long time. Don and Peter made bets on the matches of a shilling each time. Peter won six shillings to Don’s four.

When the matches were completed, Honey thought they better get to the Inn before it got dark. They took leave of their new friends with Peter and Don making plans to meet up later in the week. Remounting their horses, they rode slowly towards the inn.

As they proceeded down the road they were taking in the various shops and watching the people milling around. Ely being a major town, looked like a perfect place to spend their engagement. As they passed the blacksmiths, Don lowered his head to the horse’s neck to catch a glimpse inside. Honey kicked him in the leg with a firm no! She knew all too well his affection for Blacksmith shops and his enthusiasm in working in one. She pulled up suddenly though when she noticed some jewelry through the open doorway.

Don looked at Honey in surprise thinking that she had changed her mind on his behalf. Ever since he had learned about blacksmithing for a previous time trip, he had not only become very skilled but had developed a deep affection for the art and Honey knew how deep his love was. What a kind and thoughtful wonderful woman I have aligned my fortunes with, he thought. He dismounted and then assisted her to dismount.

They tied their horses outside the shop entered to the sound of hammer on iron and steel. This was music to Don’s ears. Honey walked along the wall for a while admiring the creations before ducking aside and whispering into the ear of one of the blacksmiths. A few coins passed and Honey was led to a table and given a few yards of strand iron some jewels, tools, and gloves. Within moments she was hard at work fashioning a broach. Don turned to make a remark to Honey about a skillet he was looking at and was surprised that Honey wasn’t there.

A glance over the shop showed him his future bride working diligently at a corner table by the window. Her hair was wound up behind and her face was a mask of concentration, her eyes glowed with fire, and her tongue stuck out of the side of her mouth. Don walked over to the other side of the bench and placing his arm on the table quietly sat opposite her to wait.

Blocking the light slightly with his body a shadow was cast over Honey’s work. She looked up startled and caught Don’s eyes. His eyebrow was raised in humorous recognition of one of his wife’s passions that matched his own. Her gaze lowered as their eyes met. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to make something here. You don’t know how I have dreamed of making jewelry from this period. Now I can do it while I’m here!

Don sat back on his stool and nodded. His leaning back on the stool, resting comfortably against the wall was taken as a signal for her to proceed. She bounced happily in her seat and recommenced her artistry. Don watched enthralled as she molded a broach in stained glass fashion, using the jewels as glass. By the time she was finished she had produced a broach flower of unsurpassed splendor. She showed it to the lead smith who was suitably impressed. He asked them to wait while he wrote a letter of introduction for Honey to be entered into the Guild. When he returned, he presented the letter respectfully to Honey and shook Dons hand wishing them well. Back onto the horses and off to the Inn they rode without further interruptions.

At the Inn of the Horn and Hoof they dismounted and gave their horses to the stable lad paying him well to ensure their horses were carefully looked after. The stable lad looked with pride at the horse’s addition to his stable. In the Inn a stout, red faced man came round the bar beaming on them. Good day to you both, how may we be of service.

Honey was so excited the words burst from her lips before he finished talking, Mary Potter recommended your inn; I wonder if we could possibly be put up for a few days to a week? Don fervently hoped there wasn’t a big to-do going to happen any time soon as he planned on spending their