that Rochelle is new at this sort of thing. This is far from her first mission, but it is Rochelle’s first for our side. And here she is working with the two of us – Ethan, the guy she dumped at Marduke’s command, and me, her ex-boyfriend’s sister. Then there’s the added worry that the Goddess will be on the lookout for Rochelle’s return.
‘Has anyone been briefed?’ I ask as an awkward silence develops.
Neither of them have, apparently, and Ethan is quick to add his opinion, ‘That’d be right. It looks like Carter’s stuffing up again.’
Just as Ethan makes his complaint, Mr Carter appears in the room. He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. He looks stressed, and I feel a moment of empathy for him. He’s filling in for Arkarian, as well as trying to continue in his own position, and teach at the school by day.
After giving Rochelle a long uneasy glance, he gets to the point, ‘You’re needed in Ancient Rome, during the late first century BC, when Octavius takes control of his empire.’
I’ve never been there, and the idea alone makes me gasp. ‘Oh wow.’ For a minute I experience that familiar buzz I get when about to embark on a journey into the past. But then thoughts of Arkarian, never more than fleeting seconds away, come thundering back, and I remember a time when Arkarian and I were about to head off to duel with Marduke and his soldiers. Arkarian handed me a specially made sword, given to him by King Arthur’s knight, Gawain. He knew how worried I was about the upcoming duel and the slim chance we seemed to have of saving Matt’s life, when suddenly he’d said to me, ‘I would die for you.’ At the time, I didn’t reply. His words had taken me by surprise. But now, as I hear them unfold in my head again, a reply springs to mind, and I whisper, ‘And I would die for you.’
I realise I’ve said these words out loud when everyone in the room stops still and looks at me. Rochelle rolls her eyes. Mr Carter looks at me sympathetically. Ethan comes up behind me and rubs my arm. ‘Are you OK?’
I look up at him and nod, my eyes blurred.
He checks again, ‘Are you sure?’
‘Yeah, I’m fine.’
Turning back to Mr Carter, Ethan asks him what our roles are. ‘And make sure you get it right this time, and not land us smack bang in the middle of a raging battle.’
Mr Carter’s eyes flare, but we’re not in the classroom now, so his power over Ethan is slightly diminished. Ethan’s mistrust of this man doesn’t have much of a foundation. All the same, I would never dismiss Ethan’s natural instinct.
Mr Carter takes a deep breath. ‘I’m doing my best, Ethan. I’m not the one in this room whose trust should be in doubt.’
As he says these words his eyes travel sideways to Rochelle. It’s no secret that Mr Carter has serious doubts about Rochelle’s allegiance, but apparently the Tribunal think she’s ready to join us, and Mr Carter’s obvious disapproval won’t make our mission any easier.
Rochelle groans, ‘Let’s just get on with it. I don’t know what you lot were taught, but I was told that time isn’t measured in this place.’
‘Really? What else were you told?’ Mr Carter asks. ‘That could make an interesting conversation.’
Her chin does that little flick and lift again. ‘I’ve briefed the Tribunal on everything I know, so I don’t have to tell you anything.’
The air grows thick, even the mist has increased. It’s as if the room itself can feel the tension. ‘Shouldn’t we get moving?’ I suggest. ‘Before we lose each other and all sense of what we’re supposed to be doing in this fog?’
Mr Carter finally gets his thoughts together. He becomes the teacher once more, his demeanour one of authority and knowledge. ‘The portal has opened during a time when Octavius, or I should say, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavius, is between battles with Mark Antony. He’s relaxing for a few days at home, enjoying the company of his wife, Julia, and her two sons from an earlier marriage, Tiberius and Drusus. He is well into his campaign to attain the title of first Emperor of Rome, using his brilliant political cunning. But it appears that an attempt will be made on his life during these few days, by one or more of the Order. If they should succeed, you must all