Time Is Once More: Time Is, #4

By David Booker

The original group of the Guild of Travelers is passing the torch to the next generation. With new blood comes new ideas and the guild takes on new challenges. From going back in time the next generation want to spread out and see more then their predecessors.  A visit to Mars when it was populated is their first trip. The results are surprising as they discover how this planet was populated. A look in on cave people would have gone off without a hitch except the translator is a little off. With each trip comes new adventures and new discoveries. They get bored and want to visit a blow out party and agree the Field of Cloth and Gold is the biggest party they can find. Luckily Don has an in with the King of France to get them in. Don and his friend go on a rescue mission, first to rescue his son and then to rescue the sons of the King of France, Francis the first. Join our friends as they travel and party through  history and beyond!

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Booker
• Release date: Jul 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223286097

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 ONCE MORE

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 © 2021 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

David Booker

[e-mail]

timeiswaswillbe.wordpress.com

Dedicated to

Thurzle Winifred Snow

You will always live in my heart and mind.

Table of Contents

A TRIP TO FRANCE

ANOTHER TRIP ANOTHER TIME

A LEGEND IS BORN

THE TORCH IS PASSED

TIME TO MEET THE MAKER

A FRESH START WITH A TRIP TO MARS

IT’S PARTY TIME

A VISIT TO MARS PART TWO

A CAVE IS MY CASTLE

INTERLUDE

TIME ALONE

TO THE RESCUE

FRIENDS TO THE RESCUE

JUST REWARDS

A NEW ADDITION

HOLIDAY IN ROME

ZEKE IN COMMAND

A WEDDING FOR ALL TIME

A TRIP TO FRANCE

"For no matter the shadows of an age, the picture of a young couple in love, we are told, speaks most luminously of the future, as the span of that passion makes us believe we can overleap any walls, obliterate whatever obstacles." 

Chang-Rae Lee, On Such a Full Sea

Don and Honey Skelton were consummate time travelers and Leading members of the Guild of Travelers. They were seated in the lab pouring over several books on French History. Their 20th wedding anniversary was soon to arrive. They were planning a trip and working out who or what they wanted to see. Honey was anxious to see an early French Fete and Don wanted to participate in at least one joust, so at least that part was settled. They were looking over various periods and events to find one that would meet their needs. As they were flipping through the numerous tomes their son sauntered in and helped himself to a cup of coffee. He wandered around the Lab looking at the shelves of artifacts collected from years of time trips.

The Lab housed the Temporal Correlation Vector Transport Device commonly known as Fred the Time Machine. It also had a mini kitchen, library, workshop, metal shop, a coffee and tea bar and a computer diagnostic and repair section. Packed at the back it was home to their museum. This held items collected from trips over the years. Some Items were rather mundane such as the poster, package of gum and Cracker Jacks that came from the five-minute test trip to the Chicago World’s Fair. Others were of cultural and historical significance such as an original print of the Declaration of Independence and one of Lincolns Hats given to Scott.

There was one item which fascinated him. It was a set of pottery cups and pitcher emblazoned with a crest. His mother and father had this painted by a friend they made while visiting the Middle Ages in England. The crest was supposed to be from his mother’s side. She never said much about it. In fact it seemed there was something about its history that almost embarrassed her. Still, she had enough pride in it to put it on show in the lab. The thought that he had regal blood was an exciting idea to him and he loved to imagine himself as a handsome knight riding on a fiery steed.

His parents had only recently informed him regarding the lab, Fred, and how they and their friends formed the Guild of Travelers and traveled through time. They then wrote papers to correct misconceptions and errors in history books. He was now sixteen and finally had access to the Lab! He picked up the instruction book for the time machine and continued reading from where he left off. Scott and his dad had written detailed instructions from the beginning of Fred's construction. Then with every addition or change more details were added.

He was nearing the end of the first book of instructions and there were still 2 more to go. Don had insisted that if Donald were going to join them in time traveling, he would have to learn as much about the workings of Fred as he could. He lay back and put his feet up as best he could on the edge of a nearby table. The reading was slow and not particularly interesting. He had to admit it would be difficult to liven up a set of detailed instructions and computer programs. Every now and then his dad had added a side note about a part of the program or a trip that was usually funny or, at least he tried to make it funny.

As he read, he listened to his parents debating the merits of one time or location over another for their trip. He was studying on Fred’s workings because he was going to have the honor of being their guardian angel. That is what they called the person who kept an eye on the travelers. It meant he would have to be able to pull them out of danger in case anything went south.

Honey and Don eventually closed the books with an air of finality, Well, I think that settles everything, Honey murmured with satisfaction. They replaced the stack of books on the library shelf and gathered their notes together. Don nudged his sleeping son with his knee and grinned as Donald slowly pried his eyes open. Had a nice nap? Donald blinked and stretched, gathering his wits together. Yeah, this instruction book is great for insomnia.

Donald put it back with the others and tossed his cup in the trash. Dad, I’m going over to the village for a while and see if there's anything I can do. Seems like Wilf, Francis and Zeke have too much on their hands when there aren't any customers to help out even with the extra staff they take on periodically. He kissed his mother and left humming to himself as he strolled casually off to the village.

Honey smiled as she leaned on the door frame watching him walk down the path. He has your swagger, Don. I bet he’s headed primarily to see Zeke. Don peered out over Honey’s shoulder. Yep, he’s definitely got that goin to see my love walk going. I still get a kick that Francis insisted that they name their girl Zeke and an even bigger kick that Zeke takes pride in her name once she found out who he was. Honey turned and put her arms around Don holding him close. I have a feeling Zeke and our boy have a kind of forever lover look about them.

Don smiled at Honey and kissed her tenderly. She saw lovers everywhere and was known to try and get people together at the dances they occasionally had. Her latest pairing was with Frank and Sandy’s daughter Lorna from 94AD Rome and Mac’s son Dale from the diner. The two had hit it off immediately and every time Lorna came up with Linus, Honey made sure Dale knew she was around.

As Donald approached the far end of their property, he reached the entrance of the village. He marveled not for the first time at how true to the rendition of a late 1700’s village it was. His parents had found an old cabin and lots of foundations here. They hired a specialist who recreated the village as it was before it had been destroyed in an explosion. It was now being used as a recreational village where people could stay and live as people had lived in the 1700’s for two weeks at a time. They would work in various areas or assist with the farm. Wilf had hired a few specialists who guided primary areas that were not self-explanatory. His dad demonstrated blacksmithing and did outdoor shadow puppet shows in the evening. Sometimes he even came out and just made things for the fun of it. His latest interest was medieval weapons. His mom specialized in weaving and jewelry making. He was becoming a specialist with the animals.

It had become highly successful with many repeat customers. Wilf, Francis, and Zeke managed the village, so they retained half the profits, two thirds of the rest went to Don and Honey and Donald. The last third was set aside for maintenance and expansion of the village. In between customers they worked on keeping the place as near perfect as possible. Donald helped as often as he could. He was fast becoming an expert on the animals and worked to keep the horses in training and the cattle fit.

Over the years he had been associated with the village he had formed a close bond with their daughter Zeke. (Note: Francis was born in the 1700’s and lived in this village. She was brought forward by Wilf when he went back in time to see how the village was run. Zeke had been the town leader and like a father to Francis. When Wilf and Francis’s daughter was born Francis insisted that they name her Zeke in his honor. O.k. enough exposition!)

At the village Donald made a quick survey of the site looking around for anyone. Not finding anybody he then headed to the animal enclosures at the far end. This area was almost constantly being repaired or improved. He found everyone there. Zeke was working on cleaning out the cow shed and her parents were doing some wall repairs. He found Zeke hard at work with pitchfork and shovel cleaning out the manure and placing it into a cart. When full she was dumping it onto a manure pile. Once this pile broke down it was used in the field and kitchen garden. He grabbed a shovel and started helping. As they worked Zeke and Donald sang and bumped hips in rhythm.

Wilf and Francis paused in their work to watch them. Kinda looks like us doesn’t it. Francis remarked affectionately. She and Wilf went back to patching the wall, Wilf laying bricks and Francis plastering. As they worked, they also sang softly and bumped hips. Francis paused and adjusted her cap. Have your parents decided on an anniversary trip yet? she inquired. Donald straightened a kink out of his back, Yeah, Middle Ages France seems to be the current choice. Mom wants to do some shopping and see the sights but I think dad just wants to try out his new armor in a joust. Zeke shook her head, He’s determined to get himself killed then. Donald reproved her, He’s been practicing in the ring against dummies and against me. I think he’ll do really well. Besides, if he gets into any trouble, I’ll be there to pull him out." Zeke shrugged and went on with her work.

She had been told about the time trips but hadn’t given it much thought. Donald was a little closer to things and had a lot more enthusiasm. Tonight, he planned on bringing Zeke into the time traveling mentality. He had gotten his parents’ permission to take a trip and bring Zeke with him. He planned on going to 1893 France to see Joseph Pujol (see Joseph Pujol also known as Le Petomane, a flatulent artist). They made short work of the cowshed and went into the cabin for a cup of coffee and carrot cake. Donald ate enthusiastically. Francis was as good a cook as Honey and she always ensured he didn’t go away hungry. Donald finished his cake and kissed Zeke goodbye eliciting another promise from her to be ready to go to the Lab by 1400.

At 1400 Zeke met Donald at the entrance of the village and they wandered back to the lab. They found Don and Honey already stationed to act as their angels. In the light of the lab Zeke noticed Donald was dressed in clothing from France circa 1893. Honey escorted Zeke to outfit her in the same period. Donald was wearing the suit that Don had worn when he saw Pujol with Scott and then Honey. Zeke came out of the clothing storage unit with a flushed face. She was wearing high heeled boots, a long skirt of fine wool, a silk shirt with puffed sleeves, a cravat, and a small waist length jacket. Her hair was curled and she was wearing a cap with a long feather. Donald's eyes widened at her beauty and at the narrowness of her waist. Mom, she doesn’t need a corset, besides, she may want to breathe! Honey opened Zeke's coat, She isn’t wearing one, that's just her.

Donald blushed and Zeke readjusted herself smiling with pride. Working at the village keeps me fit. I kind of get when we're going and sort of where, what are we going to see. Donald stifled a giggle and tried to look serious. It’s a family tradition, we're going to see a special act, come on, we'll eat on the way. Don handed him a wallet filled with period money and a purse of coins. The returns were converted into wrist units worn under their clothes. Don had them do a function check and once cleared he determined they were ready.

Honey, with great ceremony, opened the portal. Donald and Zeke stepped through emerging at the Arc De Triomphe and walked arm in arm to the little restaurant that Don and Scott had visited on one of their first trips. Don kept the viewer high as unobtrusively as he could while still being able to keep a ready eye on their charges. Even though he had the viewer masked, the slight hum it produced would have distracted Donald and Zeke. He could see them sitting in the restaurant by the window overlooking the park. At least Donald knows French. He’ll do better than I did on our date. Don said as he watched Donald ordering easily.

Don and Honey had an amusing time watching the two. Donald was doing his best to make Zeke laugh and Zeke was doing her best to be serious. Only once did Donald make her break down and laugh, he caught her off guard and she spewed her onion soup. When the second course came their eyes were locked together and Donald was holding her hand. Honey came