TIME MACHINE CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
"Zoe is no witch" Max continued heatedly, "She used concoctions made from herbs to help people in the village. For a time they came to her, begging for her help. She could do no wrong then" he added bitterly.
"And what happened?" Ben asked gently.
"One of the babies that she'd helped before took sick again and died. Then the mob decided they'd have some entertainment. First they broke her little cat's paw-"
Ben gave a moan of disbelief.
"-Then they planned to drag Zoe to the pond and duck her. If she'd drowned she'd have been innocent. If she'd floated, that would have proved her a witch and they'd have burned her alive. A pleasant choice, was it not?"
Zoe smiled at Ben.
"My Coriander likes you; he doesn't settle with people he fears."
Zoe took the cat from Ben, and then began to mix herbs in a bowl with milk from a pitcher. The little cat lapped, while Zoe bandaged his leg.
"We just wanted to help your cat" Ben repeated.
"So will you betray us to the mob?" Max asked again wearily.
"Far from it! I can assure you that, where we come from, women like Zoe are called Healers, not witches." Dylan was adamant.
"So you're not from these parts, Master-?" Zoe began.
"Dylan. This is Ben, and this Caleb."
"I am Zoe, and this is Maximilian, named thus because his mother read the name in a play about Ancient Rome, and liked it."
"Our Mr Shakespeare wouldn't have written such piffle, and had my mother read something of his instead, I might now be called a sensible name like Jonathan."
Dylan was amused by Max's outbursts; there was something of the naughty child in him.
"How do you manage here, Zoe?" he asked.
"I bring her all she needs" snapped the belligerent Max.
"Tomorrow we'll come back with more clothes for you. We'll try to find a way to get you and Max to a place of safety, Zoe."
"How can we trust you?" snapped Max.
"I trust them. They have honest eyes, and Coriander likes them."
"I'm sorry that I threatened you, Sirs" Max said, now with genuine contrition.
"We all do stupid things when those we love are under threat" said Dylan, remembering how Rita had got herself into hot water when she'd saved Connie from Jordan the Poisoner.
The three men discussed the plan as they walked back. What could be safer for Zoe and Max than to travel in the time machine?
"Our Ethan will have to get used to the reduced rations" Cal laughed.
Rehearsals continued for 'Othello' and Cal was kept busy for most of the day. The others found menial but reliable tasks to help earn their keep.
By night, one of them would go into the forest with a lantern and bring clothes and food for Zoe and Max; Max being just as much as a fugitive. The mob knew him as Zoe's lover.
"You and your friends have been kind and I have behaved like a Barbarian towards you" he told them sadly.
"Ah, no more of that talk. How's the little cat?" Ben asked.
Max grinned.
"Hopping around as well on three legs as he ever did on four!"
"Your Zoe's a good healer. And that's the only reason the fools suspect her of witchcraft, because she can mix potions and animals love her" Dylan told him.
Max nodded sadly.
The entire cast of Othello received a shock two days later.
They were rehearsing the scene where Iago tricks Cassio into talking about his relationship with the town harlot, Bianca. Iago makes Othello believe it's Desdemona that Cassio is bragging about, and Cal used his skills to come across as his most chauvinistic.
Just then, Lord Meyer, one of Queen Elizabeth's most high-ranking officials, strode on to the stage, to the annoyance of Sir Jeffrey.
"Sirrah, we rehearse a play here" he snapped.
"A play that Queen Elizabeth herself wishes to see herself on Saturday evening."
The cast were shell-shocked; even the easy-going Harry Harper was rattled. Cal was very uneasy, this wasn't like the reality shows he'd been brought up with as a child, if he failed this task he could be spending time in prison, not just told 'sorry, it's a no from me.'
Harry kindly put Caleb at his ease.
"Our Queen likes handsome young men. You could stand on that stage and gibber like an ape and she would still adore your performance."
Cal smiled and thanked him.
The two officials shook hands and Meyer left.
"Well I'm not afraid. I know I'm quite the favourite with Her Majesty" bragged Dagobert.
Then he fainted.
"My dear friend, are you all right?" asked Ethan.
Dagobert raised himself up on one shoulder.
"I shall feel so much better if you would be a sweetheart, Ethan, and fetch me some fresh cool water from the pump."
Ethan ran outside. Cal shook his head.
Ben and Dylan took over the plans for the rescue of Max and Zoe, and explained things to Jess and Lucius. Lucius asked if the 'animal lady' would be bringing her cat along, and Dylan reassured him that she would be.
"Not that I can stand the little furry sod, but never mind" he added.
Ethan, who had been in food stock heaven since Connie and Rita had left the group, went round furtively checking just how much was left. Two people and a cat could make a serious dent in the supplies.
Never mind, there was always Mistress Linda and her wonderful pies.
At last it was the day of the Command Performance, and Cal was finding it hard to eat or drink much.
Linda was a little upset because he wasn't eating much of the pie she'd just made for him.
"Ah, 'tis a fine pie, Mistress Linda, but I cannot do it justice today" he explained.
"Not a problem" said Ethan, and deftly moved the uneaten pie on to his own place.
Cal watched him with a mixture of disgust and amusement.
"Ethan, if we ever travel to a place where there's a famine, you are going to be in serious trouble."
Ethan raised his knife in an ironic salute.
During the course of the final rehearsal, Dagobert often felt weak with nerves, and Cal was annoyed at the number of times he sent Ethan running for water from the pump. Cal had a serious urge to punch Dagobert.
At last it was time for the play. Ben, Dylan, Lucius and Ethan stood in the pit, proud and anxious for Cal at the same time.
Then it was the opening scene, and there was no more time for nerves. Cal found himself becoming caught up in his performance, but still found time to glance covertly at the Great Queen. Everything that the history books said was true; the white face due to the mask-like cosmetics she used, the ruined teeth due to eating too many sweetmeats. Yet her eyes were clear and intelligent and she looked an imposing figure.
Cal continued to be engrossed in his role and drew plenty of applause at the end, though the main kudos went to Harry with his heartrending performance as Othello. Dagobert was surprisingly good and Cal caught a glimpse of Ethan snivelling into his handkerchief from time to time.
Even the ruffians in the pit were moved.
Elizabeth came round to speak to the players afterwards.
"Master Knight!" she smiled, "Such a worthy newcomer to this company.
Cal decided to be bold, and kissed her hand.
Elizabeth liked this handsome young man, and took a ring from one of her fingers, putting it into Cal's hand.
An idea flashed through his mind – a Royal Pardon for Zoe?
"Gracious Queen" he said softly, "Might I have a moment to speak to you alone? I have a boon to ask that would be more precious than even this lovely ring."
He had to play it carefully; one wrong word or false move and more lives than Zoe's and Max's could be at stake.
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