For a moment Penny wondered if her mother-in-law were trying to make a point of the fact that her husband’s trips had lasted twice as long, but then she pushed the thought aside as petty. “Did he make many trips?” she asked instead.
“At least two a year,” replied Miriam. “But sometimes he returned with really wonderful presents… like Mordecai.”
Penny smiled wistfully, “Your son really is something special isn’t he?”
Miriam loved nothing more than to hear her son complimented. She linked arms with Penny before answering, “Yes, but don’t tell him too often or it will go to his head.”
Dorian turned to face them. “If you ladies are ready we should probably go inside and give our greetings,” he said.
“Well certainly…,” Penny said, but before she could finish her statement the world exploded. Chaos enfolded her and everything became a blur as her consciousness left her body behind and the future blossomed before her eyes. What seemed like an eternity passed, as scenes of violence played out in front of her, while she watched helplessly. Before the end she saw reality split along two possible paths, one dark and featureless while the other held some hope. At the juxtaposition of possibilities stood Mordecai, holding a balding man by the front of his tunic.
There was death in Mort’s eyes, and anger beyond anything she had seen in him before. “You killed her Prathion!” he said bitterly. “You slew them both.”
The eyes of the man he held were bulging in terror. “Please, I have a family…” he begged.
At the utterance of the word ‘family’ Mordecai began to laugh. It was an evil sound, and one Penny hoped never to hear again. Flames began sprouting from Mordecai’s hands as he laughed and while they didn’t burn him the man he held was not so fortunate. “Family is the last thing you should offer in your defense!” he yelled and soon both men were screaming, one with rage and the other in pain and terror. Mercifully the vision ended before it was over.
Penny found herself on her knees being held steady by Miriam’s strong arms. “Are you alright girl?” Miriam asked, but it was then that Penny’s stomach decided it had had enough and she emptied its contents onto the ground.
It took a few minutes but eventually the retching stopped and she let Miriam help her to her feet again. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me,” she said.
“Think nothing of it. I was just worried for you. Your eyes rolled back and for a moment I thought you might be having a seizure. I almost didn’t catch you before you collapsed,” said the older woman. “Let’s get you inside and find some water. I’m sure you want to rinse your mouth after that.”
Penny kept Miriam’s hand in her own as they began walking, “Yes I think that would be a good idea,” she answered. Dorian stayed close by her on the other side, in case she showed signs of collapsing again, while the four guards spread out around them as they walked.
A few minutes later she was seated at a table in the great hall of Lancaster Castle, drinking water from a metal goblet. The crisp taste helped her clear her mind but her thoughts wouldn’t stop racing. What do I do? she thought. I have so little time. In the background she could hear Dorian explaining to James what had happened and why they were there so unexpectedly.
A particularly vivid memory came to mind and tears started fresh from her eyes. Using her sleeve she dabbed at them quickly, hoping no one noticed. If they start to suspect I know what’s about to happen it will be even worse, she thought. She turned to Miriam, “Do you think you could get someone to find Ariadne for me?”
“She’s here already Penny,” said Miriam, nodding in a direction past Penny’s left shoulder.
“Oh, of course, thank you Miriam,” she said and rising she walked quickly to Ariadne.
“Are you alright Penelope? I heard that…” Ariadne started.
Penny gave her a look that would brook no interference. “Ariadne, do you trust me?” she said quietly.
“Yes of course,” the other woman answered.
“Do you have writing materials in your room?” Penny asked.
“Not much, but I have pen and paper,” Ariadne replied.
“No I don’t mind at all! Let’s go take a look,” Penny said loudly, taking Ariadne’s arm in her own. “I’ll be back in just a minute,” she said addressing the room. Genevieve had arrived by then and though she looked concerned she nodded her agreement. Miriam seemed positively mystified.
Once Penny reached Ariadne’s room she wasted no time before preparing to write a letter. “Who will that be for?” asked the younger woman.
“It’s for Mordecai, but I need you to keep it a secret,” she told Ariadne.
“You seem awful serious Penny, are you sure there isn’t something else I can do?”
“No, you’ve done enough, but I need you to promise me a few things,” said Penny.
Ariadne gave Penny a long look. “You have the same sort of intensity about you right now that you did the night you tried to murder Devon Tremont on the dance floor.”
Penny was surprised by Ariadne’s acute perception but she couldn’t afford to lose her support now. She decided to try honesty. “There is a bit of similarity between the two occasions Ariadne, but I need you to trust me.”
“Why?” asked the younger woman.
Penny took a deep breath. “I trust everyone here, but I’ve seen something and if they realize that, it will change the outcome of things. Does that make sense?” she replied anxiously.
Ariadne nodded, “You’ve had a vision?”
“Yes, that’s why I collapsed in the yard. It came on me right after Mordecai left, which makes everything more difficult,” Penny said.
“Because you need to tell him something?”
“Yes,” said Penny emphatically. “I need to send a message to him. A message to him in the future, when he returns, and I have to do it without arousing anyone’s suspicion in the present.”
“Shouldn’t that include me then?” Ariadne asked.
“I only need you to keep my secret for a few hours,” Penny told the younger woman. “After that it won’t matter very much, the worst will have happened already.”
“Why do I want to let the worst happen?”
Penny shrugged, “It isn’t the worst for everyone, just for a few, but if it doesn’t happen everyone will die.”
Ariadne squinted suspiciously at her. “Define everyone?”
“Everyone.”
“Everyone in Lothion?” asked Ariadne.
“Everyone,” said Penny.
“Everyone in Gododdin?”
“All humanity,” replied Penny. “I’m talking about the possible extinction of our race.”
Ariadne Lancaster drew herself up carefully before answering. “That sounds fairly dramatic, but knowing you I will suspend my normal disbelief. Tell me something else… assuming I help you, who are the people that something terrible will happen to in the short term?”
Penny shook her head negatively, not trusting herself to speak.
“Is it that bad?” Ariadne asked.
Penny’s courage could only carry her so far, and it finally gave out under her, leaving her to dissolve into tears. Ariadne wound up consoling her for long minutes before her composure returned. When she had regained control she asked, “Will you help?”
“I don’t see that I have much choice, assuming I believe you, and I do. What do you want me to do?” answered Ariadne with some resignation.
“Let me finish this note. Then I will seal it and hand it over to you. Tomorrow or the next day I need you to find someone to take it to Joe McDaniels, in Washbrook. Tell no one about our talk,” Penny said.
“That doesn’t sound too hard,” Ariadne observed.
Penny gave a bitter laugh. “It will be. Things will happen between now and then. Please don’t be tempted to tell anyone what I’ve said,” she told her.
Ariadne hugged her. “I don’t know what sort of burden you are carrying Penny, but I won’t let you down. Trust me.”
Her pronouncement almost brought Penny to tears again, but she fought down the urge. With a nod she returned to writing her note. She struggled, trying to decide exactly what to say, too much and Mort would figure out what was going to happen, too little and he would balk at doing what was necessary. In the end she settled on keeping the note short and simple, trusting that Mordecai would heed her advice. I won’t know the outcome either way, she thought ruefully.