Ticking Time - Andrei

Plan

December 2314 BC

I trudge across the open field as the morning sun crests the horizon. the colour is jaw dropping, bright pinks and oranges splash the sky in light. the bronze age had one thing going for it, no pollution. What the old man has shared with me weighs heavily on my heart. some of it I find hard to believe. some of it it frightening, and I wish it weren't so. I can't believe, first off, that I was not the only time mage. I mean, I am in my time perhaps. But there has been others. I soon find myself back a the cabin. a light snow dusts the floor of the woods around me and I see ...

I see a set of boot prints leading back to the cabin. she must have returned while I was gone. I smile at the thought, finding myself excited to see her again, even after only a night apart. I enter the cabin.

I enter the cabin to find the fire blazing, a new pot hanging in the hearth and a pile of potatoes and meat on the table. "Wow! it smells good in here!" I sniff, breathing in the wonderful scent of food. I haven't eaten in days, somehow, Raven has managed to keep me going. My mouth waters as I look up, noticing the hole in the roof repaired. "When did you do that? " I ask, kicking off my boots and joining her by the fire.

"Do what?" She asks, not looking up as she's bent over stirring the pot."

"The air conditioner. You blocked it up." I kneel over the table looking for something to chop the vegetables with. "Anything I can help with?"

She looks up at the roof and shrugs, "Seemed like a good idea, since we might be here for a while."

I bow my head in what I feel is my own shame. "I'm sorry. I didn't know this would happen. but I need to speak with you. I've learned something, something about my magic." I find a knife in my belt and begin to chop the potatoes.

She stands up and turns her attention to me, her big brown eyes watch mine, looking worried. "A good something?"

Her voice sounds a little worried and I hide a smile because it’s feels good to know she cares. No ones ever really asked me before, how my magic works and all. I give her an affirming nod. “Yes,” it’s too early to tell her the other information. I’m not ready to accept it myself. So I tell her the good news. “I saw the old man, the one from our first day at Stonehenge. He knows some things about the stone relic. And he told me that it’s the henge that’s blocking my magic. It’s not me!” I let slip that last bit a little too excitedly and nearly chop my finger off.ak with you. I've learned something, something about my magic." I find a knife in my belt and begin to chop the potatoes.

She smiles sympathetically, "I figured that might be the case, considering they still hold so much power in the future. How does he know so much about it? Is he one of the druids?"s.

“He says he can hear the stones, they speak to him. He told me things. Apparently he used to be a mage of sorts, but something dreadful happened and stones took his magic. But he told me I can learn how to use the stones to get back to my own time. There's still a way!” I explain, dumping the cut vegetables into the pot.

She studies me for a moment, her eyes narrow in suspicion. “What aren’t you telling me?” She asks.

I shake my head, “Nothing. I mean, he said a lot and I can’t remember it all. I really should have taken notes.” I say, trying to assure her. SOon the cabin smells like a boiling stew and a loud rumbling noise comes from my stomach.

She does not look convinced. She picks up a wooden carved bowl she picked up in the village and passes it to me. “Go. eat. You can’t survive off my energy for much longer.”

I visibly shiver. “But it sounds so good!” I say, picking up the ladle and pouring stew into the bowl. “And fun.” I add with a wink.

God what’s wrong with me? I can’t seem to act like myself anymore. She’s got my feeling all mixed up and I am, for the first time in my life, enjoying my time not in the library or on a mission. Something must have happened to me between Russia and Stonehenge. My mind jumps to conclusions.

I look around for cutlery but there is none. “Oh right, 4000 years ago, no spoons.” I chuckle.

She continues to sit there across from me, legs crossed and lounging backwards, watching me. She almost looks comfortable in that old chair. Why is she watching me?

“Anyway, the old man said Stonehenge in a Calendar. He didn’t tell me everything, but he wants me to come back.” I jump right into the explanation.

That reminds me, he said something about Raven, what was it? Beware? I shake my head at that stupid warning. There's nothing wrong with Raven. She’s smart, and cute, and talented, and man, great in bed. I halt my runaway train of thoughts. Distraction.

“He wants us to come back, today, at noon. Got any plans?” I ask, knowing the answer but wanting to ask it anyway. It’s surprisingly fun having someone to travel to the past with.

“Us?” She asks hesitantly. From the look on her face, I can tell she doesn’t look too thrilled. “He knows about me?”

“Well, yea, I mean, he must have seen you when I saw him the first day. You’re not that hard to notice Raven, beautiful brown locks like yours…” I ramble, catching my hand in her hair. I see pink spread across her cheeks and I smile. This here, this must be love!

She starts to fidget, picking at her fingernails, “And he asked you to bring me?”

“You’re coming back with me, right? You can’t do that on your own, and neither can I.” I shrug. I wonder what’s got her nervous. “Is it the old man?” I ask. “Does it bother you? Cause he bothers me too you know. He seems to know things… without me telling them. Makes me nervous. But I’ll be there to protect you!” I say, holding up the pocket knife I used to chop the potatoes.

She gives me a wry smile, then stands up and starts to pace. “I’m not worried about a frail old man. It’s what he may know that bothers me.” She explains.

“Ok, ok, you don’t need to pace. Come, sit down and eat with me. Didn’t you get a second bowl?”

“I admit, I too am nervous. But get this, his son used to be a time mage!”

She freezes and looks at me a look of confusion painted on her face. “His son? Really… Where is he now?”

“He’s dead. But that’s why the old man knows things I don’t even know. This is my chance to understand more about who I am, and how it works! Don’t you see? This is good news!” I finished the stew and reach for seconds.

She sighs heavily, “I hope so.”

~*~

By the time the sun was in the sky and nearly noon I had Raven out the door and together we made our way toward Stonehenge. When the outer ring of dorelite stones came into view I saw him standing there, waiting for us in his red cloak.

“So you decided to come.” He said is a husky voice as we approached him. “And you brought the girl I see.” His eyes shift over her warily. I stop in my tracks and clasp Ravens hand tightly.

“Yes, and we’re ready to find out how the Stonehenge works.” I say with a strong voice. It's time to get this over with.

He looks at me with a frown and turns towards the stones. “It’s not time for that yet. This is a calendar, not a magic circle. You must read the land and know when it is time.”

I look at him with bewilderment. Is he serious? “Wait, I know how this kind of thing works. In my time we know it lines up with certain constellations and the rising sun and moon.”

“It’s not only the stars we have to wait for, but also the ley lines.” He adds, looking up at the clouds.

Raven glares hard at the old man, hands move to her hip and he steps widely, not impressed. Her eyes narrow, studying him and his words. “If it’s not time, what do you need me for?” She asks, voice suddenly venomous.

He looks at her over his shoulder from the corner of his eyes. “I wanted to see the girl this time mage has spoken so highly of.” He says plainly, then adds, “And it's better for 2 pairs of ears to hear these words than for 1.” His voice drops to a somber note and he reaches his hands up to the clouds.

“Stonehenge is very old, not as old as it is in your time but it is nearly a timeless record of time itself. It can be used to transport one of considerable power through time.” He brings his arms down and rests a hand on the stone.

“These stones hold the memories of countless lives in them. When a person passes, their soul and their memories fuel the stones and grants them the ability to travel. This is only possible because of the intersecting ley lines that rest beneath Stonehenge.

“Because of this stored up power, a mage of lesser abilities cannot use his own time magic at this sight or along any of the ley lines that are connected to it. But he can harness the energy of the stones at the right time to do so. The question always is when and how far though.” He caresses the stones with a gentle touch.

“How do you know all this?” I ask, in awe of all this information that was lost with time.

“Because my son and I tried, and failed.” His voice is sad but he continues.

Raven crosses her arms, “So, what if we were to leave this place? Go somewhere far away? Would he be able to get back to out time?”

“Perhaps, why don’t you ask your friend?” He seems to be smiling as he looks at me. I swallow the knot in my throat.

Raven looks to me for the answers the old man claims I have. What’s he playing at?

“I’ve never traveled back this far before. I didn’t think it was possible to go back more than 2 thousand years.” I try to explain. “Jumping time can be exhausting, and it…” I pause, looking worriedly at the old man, “It can apparently cost me in life expectancy.” I finish.

“Besides, I’ve never jumped with another person before. This is also a first. I don’t know how jumping back with you would work and it could be risky.” I try to lighten the mood.

I look to Raven with reassurance, nodding my head, hoping she’ll understand the risks.

She glances at him, then back to the old man. “You won’t die. I won’t let that happen.”

“A time mage knows jumping comes at a cost.” The old man affirms. The further in time you jump, the greater the risk for all involved. As I told him this morning, the world bends around you and fits you in when you jump through time. The greater the distance, the greater the risk. A mage must know his limits.” He nods to me and I return it meekly.

The old man struggles to kneel on the ground and places a hand on the stiff grass at his feet. He closes his eyes and cocks his head to the side, as if listening.

“The stones, they tell me the ley lines are not in place. But they should be when the moon is full. You have 1 week and you can prepare to use the stones then. In the meantime I will teach you about your limits. Do you agree to this time mage?”

He looks me in the eyes and I feel his gaze like a laser. I nod, eager to learn more and disappointed to have to wait so long. “We’re going to need more food,” I say, turning to Raven.

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