Ghosts of the past

Consciousness gradually returned. I was lying on something soft and warm, but something hard was digging into my lower back, causing pain and discomfort. A light breeze was blowing and I could hear the sound of the surf and the cry of seagulls.

I opened my eyes and saw a blue sky with sparse clouds, the sun at its zenith. I blinked at the brightness, sat up and opened my eyes again. There was an endless sky above my head, a sandy shore of an unknown sea, white rocks. Where was I now?

My mouth was dry, my whole body ached, my head hurt, but I was lucky to have stayed alive. I was terribly thirsty. I found my backpack next to me, but there was no bottle in it. How could I have lost it? Then I looked for my sword and found it right underneath me; now I understood where the bruises came from.

"Alex," I called to my friend, looking around, "Alex?"

No one answered me.

I stood up, feeling dizzy. I stood still for a few minutes, then slung my backpack over my shoulder and staggered along the shore.

Alex was nowhere in sight. It was as if we had been split up and gone to different places. I walked along the shore without a plan, without a destination, just kept walking, hoping that finally the shore would end, or I'd meet some locals and they'd answer my questions. Maybe it would be better to climb the cliff and see what was behind it, but I wasn't sure I could manage it right now.

I tried to think about the current situation, but it was too hard to concentrate. The Great Full Moon of Kainos! How much hope we had for it! I hoped the prince had some revelations, because I couldn't even remember what I had dreamed last night.

I'd been walking for a long time before I heard indistinct voices behind rocks. Then I saw people in uniforms at the edge of the cliff. I had seen such uniforms before, but I couldn't remember where and when. My brain still refused to work.

"Stay where you are," they shouted at me.

I did so and waited until they climbed down and approached me.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" the leader of the group asked sternly. He was a stocky soldier with a bushy mustache and a copper-cheeked face.

"Just a traveler," I shrugged, "I got lost."

The soldiers burst out laughing. Idiots! What was so funny?

"So, what did you say your name was?" the captain asked.

"Archie," I replied reluctantly.

"Just Archie?"

I shrugged again. It was at least imprudent to give my real name without knowing where I was. And to tell a good lie I needed to organize my thoughts, but not in this state.

"You must come with us, Archie," the headman hummed and then introduced himself, "I am Captain Soller, Legion of Terazena.

"Terazena?" I was surprised. "Is it J'Agar'Tall?"

The soldiers burst into laughter again and I became thoughtful. It had been six years since my last visit to this world. I didn't think anyone here would remember me by sight. As for the name... I didn't give them a real name back then.

We entered the city through the eastern gates and made our way to the center.

Despite the fact that the social structure of Terazena corresponded to the times of Julius Caesar, advertising here was elevated to the rank of art. The streets were lined with billboards and posters, just like Hollywood Boulevard.

One of the posters made me stop. It had been so many years... it couldn’t be! Yet the billboard looked very familiar. Neither the text nor the colors had changed: a half-naked girl in a seductive pose holding a long blade. The inscription read: "Beautiful Swords-women Show! An unforgettable show every night! Super prize for whoever defeats our beauties in a fight!"

I was pushed on my back.

"Come on, come on! Stop staring!"

The captain patted one of the soldiers on the shoulder and said, "It’s Bergen's most successful project this season. These swords-women are really hot!"

I was surprised, but didn't show it. If I wasn't mistaken, the show had been on for over six years.

"Why is it so special?" I asked indifferently.

"If Topal lets you go, just go and see it," Soller advised. "If he doesn't, I'll tell you about it while I guard your prison cell."

"I appreciate that," I replied without sarcasm.

"Unfortunately, the star of the show ran away a few days ago," he added. "The show is very different without her."

I bit my tongue and didn't ask anything. Something was wrong with the world. Or with me? It was like déjà vu.

I thought they would take me to the nearest police station or something, but I was wrong. Soller and his squad took me to the local viceroy's palace, and on - down endless corridors, past guards and nobles dressed in luxury, the locals looking at me, of course, but without much interest. It seemed that I wasn't the first one here. By the way, my hands were tied before we entered the palace, but in my unenviable position that detail made no difference.

At some point a sly fellow with some papers in his hand joined us, and Soller explained to him who I was and where I'd come from.

When we stopped at the door with two guards in front of it, this fellow entered the room while we waited outside.

"Viceroy Topal is strict but fair," Soller said to me, taking advantage of the pause, "tell him the truth and don't be afraid."

"Is the Viceroy always personally involved in such nonsense?" I asked.

Soller hummed, "This kind of nonsense, as you put it, has never happened here before."

The door opened and we were invited in.

Viceroy Topal was a short, thin man. Two big guys standing behind him, armed to the teeth, made him look smaller than he was.

Viceroy nodded to the captains, gave me a hard look and sat down at his desk, which made him look a little more imposing. He turned to me, flipping through some papers, "You said your name was Archie."

I nodded.

"You also said that you were lost and that you came to J'Agar'Tall by accident," he continued.

I nodded again.

"What world are you from?"

Actually, J'Agar'Tall was one of the few Inner Worlds where the existence of the Lace was known, and the natives were used to aliens. Besides, Terazena had all the amenities for tourists, and the locals had learned to make money in this kind of business here, no worse than in Nice or the Bahamas. So I was not surprised by the viceroy's question.

Just to be on the safe side, I told him only part of the truth: "I'm from Kardwash."

The viceroy raised his eyebrows. “Freebooters and hunters?"

I shrugged, "We're too prejudiced."

"And which are you, freebooter or hunter?"

"Mostly a hunter."

"Really?" he hummed. "And a little bit of a freebooter, no doubt."

"Maybe," I didn't want to argue.

Topal tilted his head to the side, which made him look like an overgrown sparrow.

"Maybe, you're a little bit of a prince too?"

I laughed. "You know very well that there's never been a monarchy in Kardwash. What kind of a prince am I?"

"You're right," he smiled with one corner of his mouth and said to someone behind my back, "Let Bergen come in!"

Apparently Bergen was standing right behind the door, because he came in at the same moment.

Well, I knew this gray-haired fat man in his sixties, richly dressed, with lots of jewels on his fingers, neck and even in his nose.

I looked at him indifferently and turned my eyes to Topal. The vague fear I had felt in the city turned into a very bad suspicion. I needed only a few words from the local showman to turn it into a firm conviction.

Bergen bowed deeply to the viceroy and looked curiously in my direction. There was no doubt that he didn't recognize me.

"So, honorable Bergen," Topal began to speak, "my soldiers have captured a man matching the description of the bastard who has caused unfortunate damage to your show three days ago. True, he gave a different name and the swords-woman called Golden Fire was not with him. But look at him. You said that you remembered that man very well."

Bergen turned to me and began to examine me. He even walked around me. I stood still, waiting patiently for his word. For a moment I thought he was hesitating.

"No, this is not the man," Bergen finally said, turning to Topal.

"Are you really sure?" the viceroy clarified, "Take a closer look."

"I don't need to," objected the showman. "They really do look alike. Even the birthmark is in the same place. But this is a different man. He resembles that man as a father might resemble a son or an older brother might resemble a younger brother. They are remarkably similar in face and figure. But Viceroy! That was a very young man, while this one is much older. The Terran had a short haircut, this one’s hair is longer than some of the girls on my show have. I won't say anything about the dress, it's changeable. But that man had a clear face, and this scar," he pointed to this detail, "is pretty old. No, my viceroy, it is really another man. By the way, the Terran had a very remarkable sword."

"This man's sword is not ordinary either," Solle, who had been silent until now, interjected, making me want to wring this gossip's neck.

"Really?" Topal raised his eyebrows, "Hey, somebody! Bring me this man's sword!" Then he turned to me, "So, what are you going to say?"

"Say?" I asked in surprise. "Before I say anything, I need to know what's going on."

"Have you ever heard of a man named Richard Plant? Plant..."

"Plantagenet," Bergen hinted.

"He is known here as the Prince of Terrana."

"Terra," I corrected.

"So you know him?"

"No, I don't know him. But I've heard of Terra."

At that moment, Helyswort was delivered, and the eyes of all present turned to my magnificent blade. Topal's eyes flashed with greed.

"Is it your sword?" he asked.

"It is."

"Amazing work! Aliuna?"

"No, it's an antique blade, they don't make them nowadays."

"A blade worthy of kings," Topal stroked the hilt of the Helyswort affectionately and nodded to Bergen, "This sword?"

Bergen licked his lips, turned his eyes from me to the viceroy. "No, quite different," he answered.

I began to respect the showman. How much more lucrative it would be to "recognize" a sword the ruler liked. He would have gotten much more for it than a slave swords-woman was worth!

Irritation flashed across the viceroy's face, but he immediately hid it behind a mask of benevolence.

"There seems to have been an unfortunate misunderstanding. I must apologize to you," he said to me, emphasizing the word "apologize".

I was immediately suspicious, but replied with the courtesy befitting the occasion, "No need to apologize, everyone can make mistakes. Just... Could someone please untie my hands? And what about my sword?"

My hands were freed in a moment, but Topal moved Helyswort closer to him.

"We'll talk about that later," he said, pointing to the chair. "Sit down, Archie. I happen to have a job you can do better than my subjects."

I sat down, rubbing my numb wrists, and gave the viceroy a questioning look. Before he started, he let Soller go and asked Bergen to wait behind the door. I was intrigued.

"Now we have no witnesses and can speak freely," Topal smiled. "Don't worry about my bodyguards, their tongues have been cut out."

"That’s wise," I admitted, feeling uncomfortable. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

Viceroy tapped his fingers on the tabletop and said, "Well, listen to me. I'd like to hire you to find someone. He was mentioned today. Richard Plant... you know, the Prince of Terra."

"I already said I don't know him."

"Yes, I remember. But it is your profession to look for people. I need someone to find this bastard!"

"What crime did he commit?" I asked, even though I knew the answer I would hear.

"From your point of view, perhaps nothing. But according to the laws of Terazena, he can be called a thief."

"Really?"

"Bergen is the largest owner of entertainment establishments in this city. He gets the best girls from all over the world, pays huge sums of money for them, and wants them to work off the money he invested in them."

"Are the girls his property?" I asked.

"We have a slave system," Topal spread his hands, "maybe things are different in Kardwash, but we have a really progressive society."

I just nodded.

"Well, the Beautiful Swords-women Show, owned by Bergen, is the most successful project this season. The main point is that anyone in the audience can duel with a girl they like for a fee, and if they win, they can spend the night with her."

"Oh, that's so interesting," I smiled politely.

"Not everyone is able to defeat the swords-women of Bergen," Topal continued, "and the girl we are talking about was the best. No one could defeat her. Golden Fire was the star of the program, and to tell the truth, I went there myself several times just to watch her. "

"And she escaped with that, how did you say, Plant? Bergen should take better care of his girls. How did it happen, by the way?"

"He defeated her with swords and became the girl's full master for the night. She had to come back in the morning, but…" the viceroy spread his hands. "Bergen sent his people to the hotel where the Terran was staying, but there was no sign of either of them."

"I see," I nodded. "When did you say this happened?"

"Three days ago."

"So there are really no signs now."

"I'm sure you can find them."

I was sure of that too, yet I shook my head in doubt. "The Lace is really big, and you ask me to look for two people there without giving me any clues. Golden Fire is not a name, and Richard Plantagenet... I don’t want to disappoint you, but such a person does not exist in reality. He's the hero of legends."

"Really?" Topal didn't look surprised.

"King Richard Plantagenet, nicknamed the Lionheart, once really lived on Terra, but he died about eight hundred years ago."

The corner of Topal's mouth twitched. "That makes your mission more difficult, but not impossible. The girl should be returned to her rightful owner. As for that bastard, I hope our laws won't seem too mild to him!"

"All right," I said hesitantly, "suppose I accept. What will I get for this job?"

"Anything you want," the viceroy assured me, adding, "within reasonable limits, of course."

"Of course," I nodded.

"I'm sure Mr. Bergen will give you a decent advance."

I lowered my eyes and let myself think for a moment. What a strange situation.

"And if I refuse?" I asked.

"You'll disappoint me very much," Topal sighed and pulled Helyswort even closer to him. "And you know what? We here in Terazena work closely with the Lace Coordination Service. If you refuse, I will summon a representative of the Service from Sagarden and hand you over to them as a dangerous criminal. You yourself have admitted to piracy."

"This will surprise old Cess!" I thought and grinned to myself.

"You have a knack for business," I said aloud; it would help to use a little flattery right now. "All right, I'll do it."

"I was sure you would make the right choice," Topal admitted with satisfaction. "Bergen will give you all the information he has."

He took his hand off my sword, and I hurried to attach Helyswort to my belt.

"Good luck," Topal said and pointed to the door, signaling that the audience was over.

I left the palace with only one wish: to escape to the Lace as soon as possible. But first I needed a place to relax and think about the situation, and I also wanted a strong drink to clear my head. Fortunately, I had a trusted friend in the town, Nicholas Cess, the representative of the Coordination Service in Terazena.

I thought that Topal would be very surprised if he knew. Even more surprising would be the fact that Cess was the one who had helped the supposed prince and the swords-woman escape. I knew it for sure. I knew it because I'd been that bastard myself.

It was a long time ago. More than six years ago. Hard to imagine, impossible to comprehend. And yet…

Alex once said that the Great Full Moon of Kainos opened temporal corridors, connecting the past and the future. I listened to him back then and even believed it, but I could not imagine that it could happen to me. I just wanted to find out where the Keys of the Great Master were. Instead, I ended up in the past, chasing my own shadow. And only the crazy Kainos knew why. If it really knew.

So I went to Nick. Actually, I doubted that he would believe my story, but he did. Or maybe he just pretended, but I didn’t care. I had gotten everything I needed at that moment: meals, drinks and an old friend listening to me. And that was good.

A few hours later, I was on the other side of the Lace, in the city by the sea, hiding behind a palm tree in the café. I left Helyswort at the hotel and changed into something more appropriate for this place.

I was drinking my third cup of coffee and felt nervous like on a first date. No, nervous was an understatement. For the first time in years, I was actually scared.

Damn it! I had never been a coward! But not being afraid of visible dangers was something different, while here... Hardly anyone alive had ever been able to return to his own past.

And then they came. We came. What was the right way to say that? Perhaps "they" would be better, because I was here, behind the palm tree.

 They… They were sitting at the table in the corner, making an order. I saw their heads close together, their fingers intertwined, their smiles, their looks. Music was playing and I couldn't hear their voices. Was this really necessary? This talk was as old as mankind. In different languages, with different words, or no words at all....

What a pity it would never happen to me again. But I could look, I could watch. I could see every feature of her beloved face, every gesture, every turn of her head. Just to watch, without the right to approach, to speak, to take her hand the way he did it, that son of a bitch! That idiot who didn't realize his happiness.

Was I jealous? Really? I was surprised to realize it. It was so stupid of me! And yet... Every time I... he... that Arthur touched her hand, every time she looked at him THAT way, and they covered their faces with the open menu so no one would see their kisses, every damn time it hurt like my guts were caught on a fishhook, and I clenched my fists and held back the urge to walk up to this couple and... Well, I had enough sense to keep my head down, but I got drunk again.

 I waited for the lovers to leave the cafe, sat still for ten minutes, and then went back to my hotel.

I was drunk, but I couldn't sleep. I stood on a balcony, looking at the sea under a full moo

n and thinking about her, the only woman I really loved. I had been ready to sell my soul to see her alive again.

So I did. Now what?