Time After Time

Chapter 3

Chapter 3The laboratory was an immense workroom, taking up almost the entire west of the house and descending the equivalent of several floors. It was the life work of Lord Algernon and, since he’d become stranded, the passion of Thoth, himself.

Little point in fretting or worrying. There are things I can’t change. I just need to be always one step ahead to ensure what must be comes to pass for there to be a chance of survival for all. Squaring his shoulders, Thoth marched towards the ever-increasing sounds of frantic activity.

“Thoth!” Algernon’s voice boomed and the man’s head appeared over one of the many benches that stood in rows the length of the room. His googles gave him a bug-eyed appearance. “At last. Where have you been?”

“I had business to attend to and I brought the assistants I told you about. They will be helping me. Personally. Please ensure Trojan doesn’t attempt to scare them off.”

“I know he’s a challenge, my friend. But he is my only son. I’ll have a word with him.”

“Make it a stern one, Algernon. Nothing less will do. You know that.” Thoth wagged a gloved finger.

Algernon lifted his goggles and nodded as his shoulders slumped. “Yes. I do. But I can’t leave him, Thoth. Not even if I had much of my fortune left. If it hadn’t been for you, we wouldn’t have made it.”

“We will. You will found your colony. Trojan will be with you. After that—” Thoth gave an exaggerate shrug “—even I cannot clearly see.”

“By that time, perhaps I can imbue him with the qualities of a good leader. They’ll need one. I won’t live forever. Come and help me. We’re so damn close now, I can almost taste it.”

“A week, at most, my friend.” Thoth discarded his cape. The mask remained in place.

Algernon gazed sadly at him. “Do you still not trust me to see you? I don’t care how deformed you may be. It’s what’s inside that counts.”

“I have no qualms with you, my friend.” Thoth laid his hand on Algernon’s shoulder. “But it’s best my face remain hidden. I will remove the mask when we have founded the colony. When I know things are all running smoothly.”

“Why do I feel there’s more to that statement that you aren’t saying?” Algernon stared at him for a moment, then replaced his goggles. “And since you aren’t going to divulge anything else, let’s get on. The plague has made inroads. I want to be away before it reaches here.”

“That makes two of us.”

* * * *

Time flew by and it seemed like only minutes before Adam came to announce that dinner would be served in thirty minutes.

“I have organised baths to be drawn in your rooms, gentlemen. A suit is laid out for you, Lord Algernon. I assumed you would dress as usual, Master Thoth.”

“Yes, thank you, Adam. A bath is much appreciated. It’s been a long day.” Thoth straightened up and stretched in a fluid move. “How are Thomas and Alice?”

“Fully refreshed and keen to see you, sir. They’re in the library. I thought it the best place for them. Master Trojan hates the room. But I have—” Adam coughed discreetly “—informed them of him. So they knew you had a son, my lord. I also ensured their pets were tended. The cat is safely in a basket and the dog being cared for by the stableboy for exercise.”

“Yes, I well understand the precaution, Adam.” Algernon gave Thoth a rueful smile. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

“I’ll be there.” Thoth waited until the other men had gone before pressing a concealed button on his mask. The beak swung aside, and Thoth rubbed his own nose. Thanks be for the hinge. At least I can eat at the table, even if I must drink through a straw.

With a quick look around to make sure no one was watching, Thoth picked up the device on which Algernon had been working and held it to his watch. With a smile, he set the item back on the bench, closed his mask, and headed out of the room, snatching his cloak on the way.

* * * *

With Adam leading the way, Thomas clasped Alice’s hand and followed him down the immense stairway and toward the dining room. Stopping outside, Adam turned to face him.

“Now, you remember what Master Thoth said. You’re meant to be here. His lordship is a good and fair man. If Thoth says you’re needed, then he’ll accept it. Unfortunately, his son, Master Trojan, well, he’s a different kettle of fish. An unpleasant one at that. But don’t let him bully you. If he tries, and there’s no one else around, come and find me. He doesn’t scare me. Understand.”

“Yes, sir.” Thomas nodded.

Adam chuckled. “You must call me Adam. I’m the butler, a servant. Remember that, too.”

“We will. Adam.” Alice grinned and squeezed Thomas’s hand. “Time to make our big entrance. Now, head high, back straight. I heard that often enough,” she added as Thomas stared at her.

Then with a nod, it was time. Thomas raised his head, straightened his shoulders, and sucked in his belly. “Ready.”

“I’ll open the door and gesture for you to enter. Master Thoth has reserved two chairs beside him. Walk straight to them, and don’t stare or make eye contact with anyone else. Once you’re seated, he’ll take care of the introductions. Ready…and go.”

When Adam pushed open the door, Thomas sucked in a breath and focused his gaze on Thoth. Concentrating on releasing the breath slowly, he didn’t look at anyone other than his masked benefactor.

“Who the devil are these two?” The outraged screech made Thomas flinch, but he didn’t look for its source.

“Master Thomas and Miss Alice.” Adam’s voice boomed, and Thoth stood just as Thomas ran out of breath.

“These are my assistants, Algernon. I said they’d be joining me.” Thoth extended his arm in a graceful movement.

“Yes, of course.” Another man stood, an older man with a close-cut beard and silver in his dark hair.

“Thomas, Alice, this is Lord Algernon.” Thoth’s arm swung around to indicate the man and Thomas bowed as Alice bobbed a curtsey.

“Very pleased to meet you, sir.” Thomas lifted his head, a sense of relief washing over him at the man’s friendly smile.

“Any friends of Thoth are friends of mine and, by such association, of everyone here.” Algernon’s voice took on a harder tone as its timbre deepened, and Thomas was certain the other guests were being instructed to accept him and Alice.

“Come and sit over here.” Thoth spread his arms to indicate an empty chair on either side of his.

Thomas was only too glad to sit down. He wasn’t entirely sheltered from curious gazes, but it was a far less vulnerable position.

“You did very well.” Thoth leaned in closer, his voice soft, and a sense of pride suffused Thomas.

“Thank you,” he whispered. “We’ll do you proud, Thoth. I promise.”

“I know you will.” Thoth rested a hand on Thomas’s thigh, and he missed its reassuring presence the second the man removed it. “Now, focus on eating, listen as well as you can, and try to remember anything you hear that you think I may wish to know once the meal’s over.”

“Yes, sir.” Thomas managed to relax a little more. Listening to conversations will take my mind off where we are and who they are. If Thoth thinks they bear spying on, then I don’t trust a one of them. Excepting his lordship.

Thomas negotiated his way through the several courses of food. Thanks to Adam, he knew enough to start from the outside and work inwards with the silverware. Even though he couldn’t see Thoth’s face, Thomas was certain he felt pride radiating from the other man.

Finally, when the food had been eaten, Algernon stood. “The ladies and gentlemen may disperse as they usually wish, however, I shall be in the library with Thoth and his associates. The ship is almost ready. I suggest you discuss what the absolute minimum you need to take will be. I don’t need unnecessary surplus. The more the ship has to carry, the faster it will burn fuel. We will only have what we take. Remember that and be frugal.”

The guests stood, a loud, disapproving murmur accompanying the movement. Thomas took advantage to glance at everyone’s faces. He might not know names, but he never forgot a face and he’d be able to describe them to Thoth.

One or two expressions were curious, most were excited, but a couple looked more irritated or even resentful. Thomas looked quickly away as one man’s gaze alighted on him. During the meal, Thoth had quietly identified this man as Lord Algernon’s son, and now, Trojan stalked toward him, his expression sullen.

“So you’re Thoth’s mysterious compatriots.” Trojan looked him from scalp to toes, his expression twisting into a sneer. “You don’t look much.”

“Well, you look like you’d be intelligent and polite, but appearances can be deceiving,” Alice snapped.

Thomas bit back a laugh at Trojan’s shocked expression.

“All your friends are leaving, Trojan, don’t let us detain you,” Algernon spoke from Thomas’s left

Trojan’s expression turned sullen once more. “You put more trust in a man who hides behind a mask than your own son.”

“Without Thoth, the ship wouldn’t have been crafted in time. Without his knowledge and skills, it wouldn’t set sail. He’s devoted his time and fortune to this. You’re my son, I love you as my son, but what practical help have you so much as offered?”

“I’ll be taking brandy and cigars with the others.” Trojan spun on his heel and stomped from the room.

“I can’t leave him behind, assuming he still wants to go.” Algernon sighed loudly. “I should have curtailed his activities when he began to mix with the wrong crowd, but I thought he’d come to his own realisation and willingly turn his back on them. I was so very wrong.”

“You’re not to blame, sir.” Thomas looked up at the man who suddenly looked much older. “He’s a grown man. Able to make his own decisions. Even if he can’t do anything with his hands to help you, he could work with you. Hand you tools.” Thomas felt the heat of a blush start at his toes and inflame his cheeks. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said such things.”

“But you’re right.” Algernon clasped Thomas’s shoulder. “He could have offered his support, even if he had no practical skills to offer. Instead, he preferred to carouse until the plague forced him to seek refuge here. Or perhaps because he’s run out of money and his debtors are pursuing him.” Algernon scowled as he turned away. “Adam mentioned strangers asking questions in the village.”

“But Trojan’s safe here?” Thoth asked.

Algernon nodded. “The locals are distrustful of anyone they don’t know, and they still respect the family name. But it’s the reason I’ve been closing and locking the gates at dusk and why Trojan doesn’t leave the house.”

“I did wonder.” Thoth rested a hand on Algernon’s arm. “I’m sorry, my friend.”

“Not your problem.” Algernon patted Thoth’s gloved hand, then smiled at Thomas. “Nor yours, either. Just remember, you have every right to be here. My son may be a bully, but I’m still head of this house. And everyone in it, him included, must answer to me.”

The change in Algernon’s demeanour sent a shiver down Thomas’s spine. For a moment, he saw Algernon as lord of the manor, protecting those he considered part of his community.

Then the older man smiled. “Enough of Trojan. Let us sit in quiet companionship. I’ll order brandies for the men, and a sherry for the lady. Excuse me.”

“You’ve made a good impression on him already.” Thoth settled into a chair beside a vast fireplace. “I knew you would.”

“But we still don’t know why, sir.” Thomas looked around, unsure whether it was acceptable to sit in the lushly upholstered chairs.

“Do sit.” Thoth indicated the chairs and looked at Alice. “You, too, please. Algernon will think I’ve forgotten my manners if he returns and you’re not comfortable. He thinks you and I are long-time friends. Please don’t indicate otherwise. The most I can tell you is that you’re crucial to my survival and that of more than just this world. You won’t understand, I know that, but you are both very, very important.”

“I-I trust you.” Thomas couldn’t explain it to himself, much less to Alice, who glanced at him with an odd look in her eye.

“And if Thomas does, that’s good enough for me.” Alice gave a curt nod, then looked around the room. “Is what we’re going to do dangerous?”

“Not really,” Thoth answered. “But it will mean leaving everyone and everything you’ve ever known behind.”

“That won’t be difficult.” Alice gave an inelegant snort, then flushed bright pink. “Sorry, sir. But I’m sure Thomas has told you we’re orphans. I’m a live-in servant. His job brings in only enough money for that garret he lives in. We’re trying to save, but it’s almost impossible. Any opportunity to leave, get away from the live I’ve lived so far, I’ll grab with both hands.”

“The same goes for me. I always dreamed of going on some great adventure. Being a famous explorer, travelling.” Thomas wished he could see Thoth’s eyes. “It may sound odd, but I feel as if that’s what you’re offering.”

“Well, I can’t promise the ‘famous’ part.” A soft sound like laugher reached Thomas as he stared at Thoth. “But as to ‘exploration’ and ‘travel,’ then yes, that’s exactly what you’ll get. To places about which you would’ve never dreamed.”

Alice smiled at Thomas. “As long as we’re together, that’s what counts.” “Together,” he echoed.