TILE 28

"Someone has taken out a contract on you, Tim.
It were best that you go into hiding until I can find out more and put a stop to it in the Council. Do not tell anyone where you are going but do so at once. I can make sure your shop remains safe."

Stiv Preem's urgent message had alarmed Tim but he had made suitable preparation in case of sudden emergency and was on his way within a few hours.

On an impulse he had also taken his own notebook and the strange model device, suitably disarmed to make it safe to carry. He had not taken Charles' journal or the Travellers Compendium which were bulky and far too valuable to risk loss or theft.

Out in the wild somewhere might be the perfect place to test this machine, thought Tim, who had brought the necessary tools and components to complete the model. Besides it'll give me something to think about whilst I'm heading North.

There was, of course, no doubt in his mind as to his final destination. The Gateway would be where it was the last time and at least on this occasion he would not be surprised by the Barrier impeding him.

The only problems associated with the need for discreet flight were those associated with finding food and shelter. It would be unwise to take the highway and even more so to seek overnight accomodation at an inn.

He was a mile or two past Hods Town before he reached a lane leading off the main highway, as the rutted lane was grandiosely named. Taking this lane he had barely travelled past the first opportunity at which he was out of sight from the main road when Stiv Preem appeared on horseback, leading another and instructed Tim to mount up and follow.

Whereupon they rode towards a barn some way off the lane to reach which meant riding through dense bracken. Once inside the barn Stiv wasted no time in pleasantries, brusquely telling Tim what to do and helping him make the necessary changes to his clothing and appearance, equipping him with a staff and finally giving him some last minute advice before wishing him farewell.

Tim rode away now mounted on a donkey because as Stiv had explained, "I had to decide between speed and discretion. On foot your progress will be slow - whichever way you go - thus increasing the likelihood of being seen and perhaps mentioned.

However someone looking as you do now should not be able to afford a horse nor be entrusted with one by his master. You would thus stand out as a horse thief to those in the know and they might raise the hue and cry.

A donkey is faster than a walking man and will not tire as quickly. Further they are intelligent beasts and will not step into danger. No one would be surprised to see a down at heels traveller riding a donkey nor would they likely comment upon such a commonplace sight out here in the open country."

THE JOURNEY PASSED WITHOUT EVENTS AND TIM
ALMOST COMPLETED THE MODEL FROM HIS NOTES


He had arrived at the Barrier and had to decide whether to try bypassing the Gateway as he had the first time when he was unaware of either Barrier or Gateway, or simply enter the latter confident that it would know him now as a Fey Friend.

On that first occasion he had been pursued and had narrowly escaped death by traversing what appeared to be a perilous fault line to the eye but on which his feet found plentiful purchase. Then he had encountered some dwarfs after which he was considered as a benefactor thanks to his inventive mind.

Only later had he discovered that this was a land out of phase with the one he knew and kept like that by a Barrier spell which not even the Elves, wisest of all, had any knowledge of. Oh they knew of its benefits but not how it had been made.

Although he was now on the run again Tim had brought his device with him hoping that the elves or their List Keepers records, or perhaps their window on time, a haphazard viewer of events past or future over which they had no control, might help him safely discover its purpose.