Disclaimer on earlier pages.
Sorry for being a while, but computer crashed and been working.
Chapter 4
Henry collected the reins and other pieces of equipment that would be needed to connect the horse to the cart.
Even though he had gotten more sleep after his nightmare, he still felt tired and the few hours of full work he'd already done hadn't help the situation.
In the back of his mind the events of that day continually replayed over and over like they had just after it had happened.
"What are you thinking about Henry?" Logan asked from right beside him.
Henry jumped two feet in the air when Logan first spoke. "Damn it Logan, how many times have I asked you to make some noise when coming up behind me." He said as he removed his hand from his chest.
"Sorry Henry. I guess having my first full 6 hour sleep in over 2 years has just lightened my step." He replied with a smile.
One look at Henry's face and he knew something was up. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing to worry about, just a restless sleep." Henry told him.
"Well the reason I hadn't had a good nights sleep in over 2 years was I kept thinking and dreaming about something that happened that I had no control over." Henry knew that Logan would know why he had the restless night and looked in his eyes to see if he was telling the truth or just looking for a way to get a point across. He saw that Logan was sincere.
"I know now there was nothing I could do, but by fate yesterday I was able to start to for fill a promise I made and I will continue to do so for as long as I possibly can." Logan looked as he said the next part. "For in the end the past is set and only the present and future can be changed. Therefore the only thing you can do is keep any promises you made and live in the now."
Henry gave a nod, he did have a promise to keep and had done so for many years. He knew the ghosts of the past only affected him because they had caused the light in his life to happen.
" You're right, I just feel guilty about the good it's brought me."
"No, you brought the good on yourself by accepting the challenge." Logan told him while squeezing his shoulder.
"Now do you mind if I throw this in the cart for while we're at the festival?" Logan asked holding up a large bundle.
It was also then that Henry noticed that he was not in his usual clothes. The new cloak was folded back it was more like a cape with a high collar that hid a hood and left visible the new blue silk shirt with lace on the collars and front, showing that it very European. New boots and pants were also a change. But what surprised Henry the most was that Logan seemed to be only armed with a knife and pistol, this was the lest armed he'd seen him. He did notice also that under Logan's shirt was the outline of the cross that he'd only ever once seen him remove.
"What's up? You're not as armed as usual." He asked inquisitively.
Logan had a faint smile that Henry just noticed. "Let's just say I don't want to be too intimidating."
"Very well, but make sure we've got a horse before you disappear with yours." Henry replied with a smile, knowing what he meant.
The feelings of nervousness that had plagued her when she arrived yesterday had gone and the butterflies in her were now in anticipation of talking to the mystery man who might be able to help her.
As promised Prudence had helped her get dressed up a little more than usual. They did however stop short of making the changes too noticeable, for their father may not have been impressed.
Since they were all going to the festival it allowed both the girls to wear dresses that they wouldn't normally get to wear, it also meant they didn't have to wear bonnets.
Once they arrived at the festival Jessica and Prudence stepped down from the cart and looked around. There were quite a number of people there already and try as she might Jessica couldn't see the Mystery man.
Prudence smiled at her sister's enthusiasm. "He probably is not here yet."
Jessica blushed a little, she didn't want to look too eager since Prudence thought she had a crush on him.
Noticing her sister's discomfort Prudence changed the subject. "Why don't we go see if Father Julius needs a hand with anything."
"Good Idea Prudence." Jessica replied hoping that keeping busy would distract her for a while.
Neither of them was able to see the marks on the buildings glow as they walked past because of the camouflage spell put over them by their creators. Yet they both felt the ever so slightest breeze as they past they, but since it was barely noticeable and they weren't in tune they continued on their way.
As they entered the small church made from lumber the priest came to greet them.
When Jessica saw his face she didn't know if she should laugh, be disturbed or just run out screaming. To say she was shocked was an under statement. Even the other weird things she'd seen, like her father in true love with Ivy paled in comparison. For in front of her in garments of a holy man was Julian Crane. The Julian Crane that most Harmony residences would swear was a direct decedent of Satan's spawn was in charge of its spiritual well being 300 years earlier.
"Josephine, my dear child is something the matter?" The priest asked seeing the shock on her face.
Jessica managed to finally snap out of the shock. "I'm sorry Father I just remembered that I had forgotten to do something important this morning, but it's too late now." It didn't feel right lying to the priest even if he had Julian Crane's face but Jessica knew this was one person in this time she definitely shouldn't tell what was happening.
"What brings you two young members of my flock to me on this festive day?" the priest asked.
"We came to see if there were any small jobs you needed doing while we waited for some friends." Prudence stated cheerfully.
The Priest smiled. "There is always work in the service of God but today the work is out there with my people, so go out and have fun."
"Yes father, I'm sure today could be interesting." Prudence said and smiled slightly as she saw that Josephine caught what she meant.
"I'm sure your cousins will under stand why we are late." Christopher said as they got down from the cart, even though they were a lot later than they'd agreed.
It seemed that they just couldn't help themselves, every moment they were alone they were kissing and exploring each other like they were a precious gift.
Christopher had noticed some subtle changes in Elizabeth over the past three days but they also seemed to make her more passionate as well. If it continued he was sure they wouldn't make it to their wedding night.
"Christopher my dear they'll understand if we don't show up." Kay said wishing to spend as much time with Miguel or Christopher as she could.
"Well it's too late now." He said as he saw the blond heading towards them with a brunet in tow.
"Elizabeth, Christopher, it's good to see you." Prudence said giving them both a hug.
Jessica just stared at them, The longer she spent back here the more it seemed like a weird trip from Alice in Wonderland. Here her sister and cousin seemed to have changed spots and all of her sister's dreams had came true. Miguel or whoever he was had an arm around Kay's waist and they both looked totally in love. Yet in her time they'd all except for Kay believed that it was Charity and Miguel that where soul mates, but then how could this be then.
Kay could see the astonishment on Josephine's face, yet she remembered that everyone, including Josephine, was thrilled when they became engaged and had just got more happy since then. It made her wonder again if Jessica had somehow came back with her.
"Josephine are you alright?" Christopher asked noticing her odd behavior.
For a moment Jessica didn't know what to say. She knew she had been warned to keep a low profile and if she didn't give a suitable answer quickly there could be problems.
Fortunately Prudence butted in. "She's probable thinking about the man she has a crush on." She smiling.
Both Kay and Christopher immediately stared at her, this in turn caused Jessica to blush. Christopher then smiled and asked, "Who is he?"
Again it was Prudence to the rescue. "Now don't you think he should know before the rest of the town. And we should see how he feels in return."
"Of course you're right Prudence, I would have felt embarrassed if it turned out Elizabeth didn't love me and the whole town knew about it."
"That would never of happened my love." Kay said as she stroked his arm. Kay could sense that what Prudence thought to be the truth just didn't sit right. She knew then that for the next few days before the wedding that she was going to have to keep her guard up.
"Well it's been so good seeing you two again Elizabeth and Christopher, but I think I should see if he's around yet. I'm sure we'll see each other around a little later anyway." Jessica said a cheerful tone while having a quick glance around. She guessed that he wouldn't be there yet but she needed time to become comfortable with this new occurrence.
"Yes I'm sure we will meet up again later." Kay replied, knowing she definitely had to keep her eyes on her sister's past life now.
"You should go have a look around, I'm sure you could find better things than looking at horses with us. We'll meet up with you for lunch a little later." Henry told Gwenavear, Angela and Thomas as he stopped the cart at the stables in town.
"I want to come. You and Logan have taught me a lot about horses and I'm going to have to learn more some day." Thomas said.
"He's right Henry, this would be a good experience for him." Logan said from the back of the cart.
"Ok you can join us but it could get a little boring." Henry told him.
"I'll go see if any of my friends are around alright." Angela said as Logan helped her out of the wagon.
"Fine, just as long as you meet us at the Inn for lunch in a two hours." Gwenavear told her.
"Yes mother." Angela said as she went off.
"I'll see you soon as well." Gwenavear said to Henry as she gave him a quick kiss and left to speak with other towns' folk.
½ an hour after leaving the cart Henry, Logan and Thomas had seen most the horses at the sale and had been disappointed at the quality and cost for them.
"Damn, if it keeps up like this I won't be able to afford a good horse and I'll need one in a week to plow the fields." Henry said as they moved to the next pen.
"It's not over until the fat lady sings, Henry." Logan said with a faint smile as he saw the horse in the next pen.
The wildness in its eyes was clear. The way it was jumping, kicking and naying made everyone amazed that they'd managed to get it in the pen at all. Where all the other horses had been groomed this ones white coat was knotted and dirty, but yet to Logan, Henry and even Thomas they could see it was a perfect specimen.
"You'll never get anyone to buy that, five men have tried to tame it but all have ended up with broken bones." A man yelled out to the auctioneer.
"Surely there is someone skilled enough to tame this horse that a number of your neighbor's have failed at?" He replied with the challenge in hope of raising the price of it. Instead the men just laughed, they knew what he was doing and that it wouldn't work.
"I'll give you 20pounds for it." Logan said standing to the side with a slight grin at the auctioneer's annoyment at such a low bid. (I don't know what inflation would make things worth back then.)
"Do I hear any other bids. Any at all?" he asked, wondering why only the strange man bided and everybody else thought him crazy for paying anything for an untamable horse. "Very well, going, going, sold, to the man on the left." He said pointing to Logan.
"I hope you can train it." Henry told his friend as it continued to buck and kick in the pen.
"Well there's no time like the moment to see." He replied with a smile as he remove his cape, went forward and quickly swung himself over the railings into the pen.
All the men watched as the horse made a quick dash at him, but he glided to the side and out of its way. Most believed that it was insanity for him to be in there and thought the might kill him like it had almost done to two other men. They then were surprised when he started to walk towards the white horse even though it looked ready to charge or kick.
As he approached the horse slowly with his hands out a little, he gently spoke to it in a claming tone. When he was next to it he stopped and extended his hand out slowly with an apple that he'd had in his pocket. By holding the apple a little distance away he allowed the horse to make the decision.
Sure enough the horse looking a lot less wild extend its neck and started to eat the apple. While still whispering to it as it ate Logan gentle reached out and started to stroke it.
The men were all amazed as the horse that had looked so crazy before gave him a soft nudge with its head as he continued to run his hands over it's head, neck and back.
"Tommy, why don't you come here." Logan said to the boy.
All the men didn't know what to think as the little boy walked out to the horse confidently and gave it an apple as well. Without hesitation he walked to the side of the horse as Logan whispered in the horse's ear.
Logan then turned around and easily lifted Tommy on to the white horse's back, which it didn't seem to mind as he patted its neck.
Samuel Standish watched in amazement and distrust as the boy rode the horse out of the pen with the mysterious man walking beside the now tamed beast. He had felt for a while that there was something off about him but just couldn't put his finger on it.
(Hope you're liking it. If you've got any ideas for characters I might be able to use them in any of my stories.)
