"Is this really Stonehenge? It looks brand new. No falling rocks or missing sections like I remember from our family trip to England."
Ruby Goddard hesitates in replying. The wonder of it all just blew her away, "This is back in the Medieval period Sophia. For all we know it could be a year old. Of course the grasslands around it look pretty darn green. Not much foot or horse traffic. This seems totally different than my first trip through the wall. Even the trip through the hula hoop James saved me from. No ocean. Not even the smell of salt in the air."
"Sunny day at least." Greta Winston points out, "All them books I read wrote about it raining in Jolly Ole. All I smell is green grass and flowers. I like it here."
"Maybe we should move everyone over." Sophia dances in a circle, "It's beautiful. Much better than our desert."
"We can't. Let's get it together Ladies. Finding the boys and getting back before we get trapped here is our top priority. No telling how long we even have as it is."
"Right. Any idea where we start lookin'?"
Peering in all directions Ruby growls at Greta, "Horse path over there to the East. Looks well traveled. You know horses Greta, you're our scout. Go check out which direction looks to be the most used."
"On it Ruby. But, for the record I'm no scout. Only knew Kansas. My Pa was the tracker. I just followed his lead. I'll give it my best shot though."
"All I ask Greta."
As the Cowgal sprints away to examine the road Sophia in her freedom went from stone to stone admiring the architecture. Grinning devilishly she reaches out and touches her palm to a large stone, her acidic impression leaving a hand print. Making sure Ruby wasn't looking she proceeded to use her index finger to etch Sophia loves James inside a heart. Laughing at her artwork attracts Ruby turning to see the unexpected graffiti. Rolling her eyes Ruby snaps, "Really? At a time like this?"
"Just in case James wanders through here and we miss him. At least he knows we were here searching for him. England is huge. We might not ever find him." She pouts, "I thought it was clever."
"Defacing a Historical Wonder of the World is your idea of clever?" Ruby frowns, "And, don't think like that. We're going to find them. All we need is a direction."
Sophia looks down at Ruby's belly. Through her shirt letters were glowing, "I think we have a GPS."
"What?" Ruby looks down at herself and lifts her life fiber t-shirt up for a better view, "Of course. Why didn't I think of this. Can you two track James?" In reply the letters EA and ST light up simultaneously. Ruby smiles and rubs her tummy, "How do you two even know what directions are?" The letters I and Q light up, "Yes but you two are only fetuses. Although you guys do communicate telepathically...wait..." Ruby paces outside the stones toward the East. Realizing James had also become telepathic recently gave her an idea. Closing her eyes she calls out in her mind, "James? It's Ruby...Mom...if you can hear me I'm here to take you home."
Nothing. Silence save for birds singing. Bees buzzing about. Ruby was disappointed to say the least. If James was close by he would certainly acknowledge it. Wouldn't he? Hands on her hip she circles in step peering up at the sun.
"Okay, that didn't work."
"Let me try." Sophia turns away so Ruby couldn't see her smirk, "Hey Handsome? If you're out there we should hook up. I don't think I can wait until you're 18. Let's get these Tyrants nudged aside and party." She of course wasn't serious but hoped her enticing nature would lure him in. Again nothing. Pouting she turns back toward Ruby who was inches from her. Making her jump Ruby glared knowing exactly what Sophia had been up to. Wincing the girl whines, "A girl can dream."
Behind them Greta calls out excitedly, "I don't gotta track any horses. We got company comin'." All eyes looking west they hear horses running along. Three men on horseback wearing an early form of Knight's armor. More chainmail than actual armor. Colorful outfits none the less.
"Knights." She presumed, "Sophia? Duck behind a rock. Seeing you nude won't help our cause." Ruby encourages before heading out to the road to join Greta, "Our life fiber won't help us either. Maybe you should go invisible. One questionable clothing from the future might pass any judgment."
"Right. Not leaving your side though." Greta easily vanishes before the Knights drew any closer. Minutes later the three future Knights crossed paths with a beautiful redhead, slowing their steeds into a trot. A skin tight life fiber suit had to look suspicious. She hoped that they wouldn't call her a witch or demon.
"What is this?" A lead Knight comes to a halt leaning forward on his saddle horn, "Good morn most beautiful Lady. Where be thy clothing?"
"Morning Kind Sir. I ran afoul of bandits. They stole my dress. Forgive my modesty."
"Indeed. Art thee headed for Camelot?"
"Yes. My...ward is there." She refrained from admitting her Son, "We were supposed to meet today. Until I got delayed by those bandits."
"Your words are strange. Where doth thee hail from?"
"South. Deep South. How far is it to Camelot?"
"Glastonbury be but a half a days ride. You may join us if you like. I am Sir Tristin. My fellows are Sir Gawain and Sir Armand."
"That is very generous of you. Again forgive my lack of clothing. I am most ashamed."
Tristen removes a tethered cloak from his tunic and passes it toward Ruby gallantly, "Allow me."
"Thank you." She quickly wraps it around herself with a faked blush. Keeping this charade up was going to cost them time. Finally concealed she opts for more information, "Have you see a young boy and a monkey running around out here?"
The Soldiers pause to glare amongst themselves, "A strapping young lad that pulled Excalibur from the stone? Indeed."
"He what?" Ruby turned pale, "How could he be that stupid?"
"You would ridicule the future heir to the throne?" Gawain grumbles with scrutiny.
"No. Of course not. He...is my ward. We lost each other when the bandits overtook us. I merely want to reunite with him."
"Ward you say?" Armand leans forward on his horse, "And, who might you be?"
"Oh, forget it." Ruby tosses the cloak off and reveals her concealed Glock pointing it at them. Having never seen a gun before they wince queerly, "Everyone off your horses. I don't have time to be friendly."
Swords are unsheathed and horse reins are tugged to the side defensively, "Ye must be a sister to Morgana Le Fey. The fiery red hair unmistakable. Put down your wand and ye may live to see another eve."
"Not gonna happen. Greta?"
Before their eyes Greta Winston turns visible, her own Winchester pointing up with a squint, "I reckon we redheads stick together with our magic sticks. Don't make me cast a spell on ya that drops ya like a fly on molasses."
"Another witch. To battle." Tristin prepares to hop from his saddle until Ruby groans and points her Glock over their heads and fires a single shot that echoed throughout the meadows. The noise riling the horses. Giving pause the Soldiers grow leery.
"My sticks louder Boys. We'll be taking those horses now." Greta winks at them.
"Nay Witches. Your thundering wands are but sound and annoyance. Nothing compared to a magnificently forged blade." Gawain leaps to the ground and rushes in toward Ruby. With huffed cheeks Ruby Goddard disarms him with a flying drop kick. Being a black belt in Medieval times would be to her advantage. Gawain falls back against his spooked stallion as Tristin and Armand join him on the ground to engage in battle. Armand losing sight of Greta as she goes invisible again and scurries out of harms way. The Cowgal was not much of a hand to hand combatant. Nor did she want to waste any bullets or harm them. Ruby saw Sophia begin to dart around the stones and motions her back. This was Ruby's fight. Evading a slashing sword she somersaults backwards and regains her footing. An immediate rush pummels Gawain on the chin. Her speed and agility lighting up her golden flesh brightly. In her altering appearance the Soldiers step back and gather their wits. Ruby grins devilishly as she inches toward their nervous stance.
Behind them the three Soldiers didn't see the invisible Greta climb up in a saddle and snatch up another horses bridle. With a loud 'YAWWWW!" Greta and all three horses bolted away down the path. The Soldiers completely caught off guard.
"You can find your horses in Camelot. All we needed was a ride. Our time is running out. Forgive us." Ruby turns and races away. The Soldiers giving chase but hardly keeping up. Ruby was running at least 30 miles an hour. Catching up to Greta she hops into a second saddle and turns the horse back toward the Soldiers. Knights before the given term. Motioning Sophia to stay put and hidden Ruby and Greta head out with all three horses. Sophia was left behind to hold her hips and pout. She wouldn't stay idle long. Her Tyrants were calling out to her. Hungry lil buggers. Still, Sophia Ridge refrained from exposing herself to the Soldiers who took to walking after their horses. It would be a long walk.
Waiting until the Soldiers faded around a bend in the road Sophia decided to follow at a distance. There was a thick forest up ahead and the sounds of water. A brook maybe. Where there was water there was likely fish.
"Lunch time Guys." The Tyrants were eager to dine.
685 AD...The Kingdom of Alba, by a day . In what is now modern day Scotland.
There was a young girl who was said to see visions while looking into a river. Her reflection quite stunning. A young Lass that had lost her family to War. The Picts constantly moving against the Scots and the Romans. Today this young girl of age 12 would recall the loss of her sight. A childhood prank leading to a stone cast. A turn into its trajectory ending her daylight. The last time she saw reality. All that she had left were visions in her mind. Water still her influence although only to the touch. The liquid never failed her. Its merest touch drowning her literally in the future. Some call her Seer. Others Witch. Both. She witnesses herself as she grows older. She will dabble in sorcery with the greats. For now she is just a little girl.
"Hello." She smiles staring off into nothingness. Breathing behind her enough to know that she had company. Footsteps snapping twigs on the ground her second telltale sign, "I have been waiting for you."
"You have?" A young boy of 15 swallows dryly. His name Shamus. It was he whose aim had taken her sight one year ago. Here to pay his respect for his misdeed.
