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Gallia Falling, part 2 - Rene-le-Chateau (IC)


Tiffany Korta

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Constance??? Rene nearly shouted the name out loud. 

 

But his surprise was only compounded by the ghost that appeared before him. 

 

Rene could not help but leave his jaw dangling, and hard to exert will to clamp it back up to the rest of his face. 

 

"I have Madam, but my head is spinning so that I cannot begin to make sense of the madness around me! Spirits! Ghosts! I had thought man an ephemeral beast, but it seems pale to the mecurial nature of Gallia and her kind!"

 

There seemed no obvious danger, but once again he felt out of his depth, a pawn in a celestial game. 

 

"So, whilst I compose my questions, I would seek enlightenment in the form of your tale, Madam. Perhaps, perhaps it is better i listen rather than speak, at least for now. For I fear my questions would reveal my foolishness rather than diminish it!"

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“Wow I’ve never seen you looking so... young! Then again it’s not like there’s many photo’s of you floating around. You’ve been kickin’ that William Hartnell look for so long...â€


The ghost did something very weird, it seem to draw a breath.


“So it seems that this connection can easily tap my unconscious, I’m not a ghost or a spirit just a projection from the future. If it helps think of me of the Ghost of Christmas future, and trust me a hundred year or so and this will make a lot more sense.†she gave a warm smile.

 

“Anyway Rene you can call me Agnus.â€

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"Agnus?" replied a befuddled Rene. "I have seem some strange apparitions in my time, but I confess you muster to a new height" he muttered, still not sure how to take the spirit. However, it did seem that the apparition was benign at least. 

 

"I take it then you are not some ghost, but projection from the future, my future, perhaps? Unless my, uhm, taste in romance has wandered, I take it you are not a daughter or grand-daughter. Although who am I to say what the future holds? I have nothing but the vague dream or premonition to guide me. More than most mortal men, I grant, but still a pale candle light in the vast darkness of the night!"

 

"So if you do know the future, and can reveal it - what say you of this painting? why Constance? and what of Gallia? and the Sons that seek her?"

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The ghost called Agnus gave a little giggle “Oh no I’m not related to you we’re just friend. I always thought you should find a nice man and settle down, maybe adopt a child...â€


She paused and adjusted the hem of her almost indecent tartan skirt.


“Unfortunately Gallia has a future and has to stay hidden for now, I promise you she’s totally safe. She’s going to create quite a mystery about this place I can tell you. The Priories time has more or less passed, though they still have a minor part to play.â€


Agnus gave another smile.

 

“I can’t tell you to much more... Spoilers sweetie! It’s important though that the Priory get’s this painting, and they think’s it’s the real thing. i’m afraid you’re going to have to give it up and make it look like it’s a massive deal. I’ve seem you’re acting, you do a marvelous grumpy old man, so I know you can do it.â€

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"An interesting Deception", answered Rene, stroking his goatee. "I daresay that this is why the painting has been...switched? altered? it matters not. It certainly was against my expectations, I have to say..."

 

"Once again then, I play the pawn, my eyes widened only slightly. At least now I know that I am part of larger schemes rather than pretending that I am the centre of the universe around which other schemes revolve. Such is the compromise of age, and the wisdom of experience. Well, so be it. Let us see how this game plays. And hope that the right side wins, whoevere side that may be!" he said, drumming up his own enthusiasm. 

 

"But tell me, how do I know your request for deception is not a deception in itself? or do I take you on your faith? perhaps, in the end, I have little choice. For I am inclined to believe you and the evidence of ears and eyes would weigh in your favour..."

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The spirit of Agnus look a little distracted as if listening to another voice.


“No I’m getting through but he’s as stubborn as always got your eloquent way of speaking to.â€


Agnus looked at Rene and a very broad, slightly disturbing, smile crossed her face.


“You’ve got no reason to trust me from Adam, and I honestly wouldn’t blame you, so here’s someone you should trust at least.â€


Suddenly she disappeared from view, though the blue light still held her vague shape. After a few seconds and the faint sounds as if several voice’s were arguing in the background. then another human appeared in the light moving into the light as if gently pushed.


What was more remarkable was the man face. For whilst he wore his years more deeply it was a face that Rene knew well, for it was his own face.

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"What, where are you, I can't see...damn my eyes....are there you are!" grumped the older Rene, rubbing his eyes and adjusting his spectacles. 

 

"Wait till you reach my age, body starts falling to pieces. Still, you have plenty of years left in you. I know you wont waste that vitality. Literally, I do know...even as I remember what I said when I saw me, what was it now...what was it..."

 

"If you are from my future, you would remember!" retorted young Rene. 

 

"I remember! I said...If you are from my future, you would remember!" said Old Rene, smiling at his recollection. "There, that's right! see, proven! Now, to business. You can trust this lady completely. On account of her trustworthiness. Now, all this projecting into the past thing is very complicated and taxing, so I must be brief. Machinations beyond you at this time mean that this painting must be given to the Scions, and passed off as the house of Gallia. It is vital that you fool them! Of course, I know what happens, so I am not worried. You, however, must be worried, and must exert yourself to this task!" he implored. 

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Agnus came into the frame and gave elder Rene a big hug and a kiss on the cheek


“I’m sorry you’ve not had your Coco yet and are, well will be, a little cranky.â€


Future rene gave a little snore and disappeared from the blue light leaving Agnus alone again.


“It’s going to be a long time and a few hiccups along the way but you will stop Gallia. Stand back a little from the box it’s going to short out in a second.†the image began to fade a little and then came suddenly back into focus “Oh reminds me when you meet Britannia again, around 1944 or so, tell her Operation Overlord. It’ll get her attention and her assistance. As you French say Au Revoir.â€

 

 

The the light was gone and little box he saw earlier went up in a shower of sparks the cave was now lit by the flames but they wouldn’t last for long. Lucky for Rene he could now see a ladder upwards, which would have been almost impossible to see from above.

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"Operation Overlord?" 

 

Rene patted his pockets, wishing he could write it down. 

 

"Britania?"

 

He had no particular love for the English, damn fools with their beer. Murderers of food. They had been at war with France often enough. But then again, who was to say what the future would hold? Maybe France, in the future, had finally brought culture and conquest to those wet miserable isles?

 

No paper. Well, his memory must serve. He pressed his hands to his templed and burned the words into his brain. 

 

"Britannia, operation overlord, Britannia, operation overlord, Britannia, operation overlord..."

 

And now, to the task at hand. 

 

He had no way of knowing who was near or far, so instead, he summoned forth a blinding flash of light and brought force his best projected actors voice, proclaiming at top voice

 

"AHA! THE PORTRAIT! AT LAST I HAVE FOUND IT! THE SCIONS OF THE PRIORY WILL BE DEFEATED! MUAHAHAHA!"

 

He paused. 

 

"MUAHAHAHA!" he added again, for effect. 

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After a few minutes a face appeared at the top of the hole shining a lantern into the darkness, after a few minutes it was joined by another. It wasn’t long until Rene could hear a babble of whispered voices going on above him. After a few more minutes someone of relative importance must have showed up as for the first time someone choose to call down to him.


“Are you hurt? Are you able to climb out of the hole unaided? Should we throw you down a line to climb out?â€

 

One thing Rene was quite aware of was that he still wasn’t trusted, his impromptu escaped must have helped that, as at least two of the Priory soldiers trained there musket’s at him.

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Rene waited impatiently until "help" arrived. 

 

"Oui Oui!" he answered. "I have found the painting! But, alas, I have, twisted my ankle in the dark! I cannot walk! If you throw me a rope I can climb out!" he called back. 

 

He shielded his eyes from the lantern glare. Looking up from the darkness, he couldn't make out who was up there, or how many there were. But he certainly didn't fancy receiving a volley of musket shot to his face. Whatever lies he told, there was no doubt he was, tactically speaking, a rat in a hole. 

 

"I surrender I surrender! don't shoot!" he added, waving a white handkerchief at the Priory soldiers. He doubted they could see it from up there (or at least its colour), but there was no harm in ramming home a point, adding actions to words. He considered adding "take me to to you leader" but, to be honest, he fancied getting out of the rabbit hole before facing him. 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Rene was thrown a rope and was quickly hauled up to the surface the soldier were happier with something to do, and someone to guard. After a few minutes the Master of the Priory strolled out looking for all the world like he owned the place, which to a certain extent he actually did. Behind him two guards escorted Marianne she looked to be dejected but catching Rene eye she gave a little smile and a wink.


He took charge straight away, dispatching one of his soldier to go and recover the painting when it was bought up he look intently at the picture admiring it form.

 

“Look at it how the color’s are so bold. And the Gallia herself such a noble face one who was born to rule us all!â€

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"Indeed!" replied an enthusiastic Rene. 

 

Don't ham it up...

 

Don't underplay it either...

 

Curses, this is important! Don't screw it up!!!!

 

His mind wheeled until he poured forth his best performance. 

 

"I would be proud of such a masterpiece, if it was not tempered with reality, and future plots, and unfortunate deeds!" he said, his face conveying pride and fear. 

 

"You have my...well, your...picture, Monsieur. I would plead once more not to unleash the spirit, for you have not encountered her sway and power. If you unchain her, you chain France!"

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He sighed and lowered his head, giving it a little shake, he seemed genuinely upset at something.


“It is a shame that you are so opposed to our idea’s Rene and keen mind like your would have been such an asset to the Priory.â€


he waved to two guard’s who took the painting from him.


“Take this masterpiece to the carriage I will join you shortly.†he then turned to Marianne, crouching down to her level.


“Unlike poor Gallia you will not be cast adrift instead you will be made part of Gallia. Maybe she will allow you to carry one your good work.â€


Marianne didn’t answer only glared at the Grand Master.


“Guard her until the deed is done, after that she should not be a threat to us anymore.â€


He turned back to Rene and looked rather stern.


“I’m afraid you’re too dangerous to be allowed to live.†he gestured to two guard’s behind Rene who pushed him to the ground “Shoot him once I’m gone make it quick and painless, remember we’re not barbarians.â€

 

He then walked away not bothering to look back on them all.

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Rene waited until their leader had left before turning to face his would be assassins. 

 

"Do not be fooled, sirs!" he started, drawing up his full height and giving them a stern look. 

 

"I am a master of powerful sorcery! By the seven flames of..errr...."

 

He juggled his mind to come up with some suitably preposterous and fantastic name. 

 

"By the seven flames of King Juju, that's right, King JuJu...and...um...the dark moon of ...errr....Fulmigator the Magnificent!"

 

He paused, gauging the effect. 

 

"I will eat your bullets and transform them into...errr...toads! and stuff them in your ears!!!!" he finished in a crescendo of trumpeting vocals. 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Rene looked at the faces of the two soldiers. It appeared his bumbling speech was only effective in comedic terms, rather than its desired effect in bluff and intimidation. 

 

"Oh to hell with it!" he said, stamping his foot. 

 

Arcane power did not flow naturally at this juncture, but it flowed well enough. He visualised the world as a dream, and painted his thoughts on to it, as if contructing a masterpiece in the air. A whistful white lance of light flowed through the air into the nearest soldier. He even paused to admire its texture and brilliance as it flashed light into the air around them. 

 

"I did warn you!" he said, grumpily, as he strode backwards, putting some space between him and the soldiers. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Say what you would about the Priory they didn’t hire amateurs. The soldier seemed avoid looking at Rene’s flash of light and with the other soldier they dropped to their knees aimed and fired off they Musket’s with near perfect synchronisation. With fire and smoke the balls of lead both found their target.

 

From behind Rene various flashes of light suggested that the soldier guarding Marianne were having a much harder time of things. At least they weren't firing at Rene, which was a small comfort.

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Rene clenched his fist, feeling the reassuring iron of the enchanted ring he wore. The dead ring, he called it. As in, it would stop him being dead. 

 

"Fools! I am protected against mere...."

 

He felt one bullet glance his shoulder, and the wet pain of blood. 

 

He felt the other hit him in the chest.

 

"...gunpowder..." he wheezed, sinking to his knees. He clutched himself, and felt blood curl between his fingers. 

 

"This can't be happening...I saw myself..." he whispered, as he he fell face down into the grass, the blood draining from his brain and into oblivion. 

 

"I wanted a better death than this..." he mumbled, delerium hitting the last few seconds of consciousness before he passed out. 

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Rene didn’t know who long he was unconscious but he came to consciousness to a warm glow and a bright light cutting through the darkness. OPening his eye he was greeted with the smiling face of Marianne.


“You’re almost better I’ve almost healed the wound. Lie still for a few more minutes and I’ll be done.â€


Rene could feel that he wasn’t lying on the ground but instead a rather fancy, but faded chaise lounge.

 

“You were out for quite a while so I bought you inside, I dealt with all the soldiers.â€

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"uuuughhh....." groaned Rene as he awoke. 

 

"I feel like I have had meal cooked by the English" he moaned unreasonably, checking his abdomen for leaking bullet wounds. 

 

"That is a remarkable talent you have their, young madam" he conceded, still rather shocked he was alive. 

 

"If it wasn't for you, I fear my career as wise sorcerer would be short. And probably unwise" he said. "You have my thanks, and I am in your debt. I fancy that is not a good thing to be in, when it comes to spirits like yourself. But to be honest, I have a good feeling about you" he said with a smile. 

 

"I had the most peculiar of visions..." he said, sitting up slowly and massaging his temples. His head kneaded a headache into his eyes. He tapped the sides of his head with both hands, index finger out, and told Marianne about the vision he had - the vision of his future self. 

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Marianne sat at the end of the Chaise Lounge listening to Rene as he told his story with a look of rapt concentration on her face. There was still a slight glow around her from her earlier activities.


“Oh I know she asked for permission before she turned up, it’s sort of a courtesy when they arrive in each other’s territory. And I think what you say is true we felt that for a while there was two of them around, we’ve felt similar before.â€

 

In the corner of the room Father Henri listen with a mix of disbelief and bemusement a pair of pistols trained on the unconscious soldiers.

 

“I don’t understand why you are all sitting around telling tall tales whilst the Grand Master is getting away?â€

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"Oui, yes he is!" answered Rene, slapping his thing. 

 

"But here lies the rub...perhaps he should!"

 

He massaged his temples. The whole time travel thing was extremely confusing. His heard hurt as he tried to wrap his brains around the whole concept. Perhaps the fact that a musketball had clanged his skull minutes...hours? ago was the root cause. 

 

"How long have I been out Marianne? How far could the Grand Master have gone?" he asked, voice quickening. 

 

"And more importantly, should we let him go? The vision I had - it implied that I should play along with his deception, give him the faked painting. Of course, past that, the future is dark!"

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“Oh no more than half an hour, though he did seem in a hurry to get away. He’ll want to perform the ritual before the KIng ship docks in Paris, so I suspect he’ll be especially ruthless if we try to stop him.â€


Looking around she gave a broad grin and lent in to say in a loud conspiratorial whisper.


“I know where the real picture is. I can’t tell you where but I can show you if you like. You’re not allowed to know where it is until much, much later.â€

 

She then watched him with those big eye’s of hers waiting to see his thought on the matter.

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"The real painting?" he said, rubbing his forehead which still hurt. 

 

"Oui, I think I would like that. But - If that Grand Master performs a ritual on that painting which does not go well, our deception will be torn from him. And he will want the real deal. And probably my head on a spike. I confess, Marianne, I prefer my head on my shoulders" he said, echoing his sentiment from the time of troubles, when keeping ones head atatched to the rest of ones body was a frequent prayer. 

 

"I just hope that if I remain ignorant of its location, so does he..." he explained. 

 

"Is it safe? is it secret?

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  • 2 weeks later...

“Well once we leave me I won’t be allowed to know where the painting is going to be next. I’m probably going to have to find a new body anyhow, just to keep everyone safe. It might be a good idea to stay away from here or Paris for a little while, the Priory of Sion luckily don’t have a very long reach outside those two places.â€


She hopped down from the chaise lounge and offered out a hand towards Rene and wide smile on her face.

 

“If you’re ready I can take you there now.â€

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