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Chapter four

Time to quit

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Earth -414 IR1. Rouen English Monarchy

Lancastrian War (1415–1453)

(20th of May 1431)

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- We should get out of here, said Maureen when they came back.

She immediately noticed that one of the three guards of the keep was lying around with what looked like a very beaten-up face.

She upped an eyebrow in Jane's direction.

- He believed himself strong enough to overcome two frail not armored and unarmed ladies, said Jane with a smile. I had to show him that even if I'm not part of the terrific warrior club you belong to, I'm no sissy when it comes to remind an idiot to stay out of my personal space. His encounter with the wall was very brutal and I do fear that his shoulder has been as crushed as his genitals. He won't like it when he comes back to awareness.

- Well, said Maureen, it will be without your supervision, love, we need to interrupt our stay. The soldiers of the Rouen garrison are gathering before the keep's gate, and they are wondering why nobody opens the gates to let them in.

- They are not numerous enough to really get past us, commented Sun. I'm quite sure we can stop the assault and push them back in the courtyard.

- They will die by the score, Jane, said Maureen. And we didn't come to kill regular soldiers…

Jane took a few seconds to think and finally nodded.

- We indeed did what we came here to do, and we did even a little bit more since while you were outside Joan was able to show these people what real servants of God do and should always do. They should know, now, that real Christians never forget God's teachings to become slaves of the power structure they dream to become a part of.

She sighed once more and stood up.

She walked in the direction of the former judges and stared in Cauchon's eyes.

- We are about to leave, and since, thanks to Joan's intersession, you'll survive that little encounter, I would want you to deliver a message to your Masters the Lancaster Brothers. Let them know that we aren't done yet! Getting God's messenger out of their torture chambers was only the first step. The next step will be a little more complex since we did come to put a stop to the war!

A small quite threatening smile appeared on her lips.

- And believe me when I say that we will put a stop to all the squabbles that are currently poisoning the inter-kingdoms relations within Europe. All those foolish rulers forced us to come and now that we are here, they will very soon regret the time when we were not! Remind them that they are Christians and that the Lord's words are to be taken seriously.

She opened her portfolio and took out a book box she handed to Cauchon.

- You do read Latin and Greek and for the Aramaic part you'll find specialist to confirm you that the translation is genuine.

Cauchon looked at the leather-bound book box and slowly took it.

- It is a gift for your Masters. You are holding the real Gospels as they had been written by Jesus' disciples. Those are the Lord's words before the Catholic Church decided that Jesus' teachings needed to be improved. We will provide the same book to the French Monarch, and we will, for the time being, let you decide what you want to do with it.

Jane looked up and her eyes went over the gathered scared men.

- Your English Masters will soon get an invitation for Peace talks that the King of France is going to organize. Warn them that even if the letter will use the friendly term invitation it is only because the King of France will have been advised, for reasons of protocol and good manners, to stay polite and diplomatic. In fact, it will be a summon. And you should insist that it is a summon nobody will be allowed to ignore or forget. Please convey to your Masters that all those invited will be at those peace talks if they like it or not.

That said, Jane turned around and walked towards the Court Hall's entry.

- Let's get out of here, dears, we have wasted enough time as it is.

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As it was hoped the secret passage was still usable and they all arrived in the cellar of an inn situated not far away from the Keep.

The cellar was in good condition and used but, probably because of the raucous outside, empty.

They are all at the front windows looking at the soldiers being gathered before the keep. The Captain in command is waiting on the asked-for ladders.

Jane who wouldn't risk civilians' lives made a face.

A chance to come out of the cellar and exit the inn without being seen?

Of course there is. It is the spectacle of the year, after all. Staff and customers are looking at the street and the soldiers. We can probably get out of the inn without being spotted. Especially if I organize a small diversion within the ranks of the gathered soldiers.

Fluffy sent them the picture of men running around with their pants on fire.

They will feel it and smell it… Some will even develop blisters on their buttocks. But those around them will only see their crazy behavior. It should be enough to mightily increase the raucous and give us a good chance to get out without attracting anyone's attention.

They were about to climb the ladder when Speedy chimed in.

And why do we take the risk to be seen when we have the possibility to teleport directly to our Saumur HQ?

Everybody but Joan looked at Joan who frowned suspiciously.

Must I remember that we already said that we have means and resources. She does believe us part of the archangel/Angels club. She will just have confirmation for her suspicions and recognize that we are even more powerful than we hinted at.

Speedy went on and insisted.

And we would avoid any further risk or more random killing.

Maureen couldn't help but let her amazement be seen.

Since when are you against random killing?

Since we cohabit with Humans and we have developed feelings?

Maureen could feel Speedy's reluctance to go on. But still he went on.

I have no qualm to end the life of some unleashed thugs in any way possible but if there is one thing I've understood during all these years I spent with you, then it is that really evil people are almost nonexistent. Most of the people who do evil things don't really think it over in foresight. Most of the time they are angry, and, because of that anger, they lose their boundaries. It was the same with us, before…

Once more he stopped to think it over.

Before I discovered real Sentience, I was only the slave of my greed. Greed for power and greed for light. I couldn't get enough, and I always wanted more. Until I fathomed that it was no longer satisfying… It was still satiating, but no longer satisfying.

You thought a lot about that, didn't you, asked Jane.

Indeed, acknowledged Speedy. I needed to understand why mother was against recruiting more of us. It looked like a good idea to have more of us to do the job. And with more of us available to protect you, you would be safer, wouldn't you?

And did you find the needed answers?

Yes, I did, and more since I have finally fathomed the difference between Sentience and intelligence.

And what is the difference?

Ethics… The difference is in ethics. IT helped me a lot to understand the difference. In fact, I think IT and I we helped each other a lot.

IT and you discuss philosophy?

Mother, Lionel and Betty are often associated. It is quite surprising how differently we perceive the same global environment. And how those discussion were able to change us.

Jane looked at Maureen and nodded once.

- Alright, said Maureen, let's avoid any further bloodshed and take the shortcut.

She focused on Speedy and Fluffy.

- Please teleport us to Lionel's base.

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