Agents Of Time: Chapter Ten; The master of the archives

Verena brushed through the doors, skipping over any bits of stone that peeked between the carpets. James had parked the car in the back, the two to meet in the servants' quarters. Sure, they didn’t need to send a telegram, but better to cover their bases in case anyone inquired about their whereabouts later.

As she rounded the staircase, finding the door tucked under it, Ana emerged, gait as fast as ever, intent on her work. Her eyes blinked in surprise when she saw Verena in front of her. “Milady? I didn’t expect you back yet.”

Verena suppressed the urge to sidestep her and continue down the stairs. “Yes, I need to send a telegram.”

“I’ll let the butler kno-” Ana started to turn.

“No, please, I’ll do it myself. It’s rather personal. Cha-Mr.Rodwick will send it for me.”

“Oh. Of course, milady. I’ll go check on the others then?” Ana took a few more steps forward, looking like she expected he see the other women behind Verena in the foyer

“Don’t bother. They're having a picnic on the hill outside the grounds. I doubt they’ll be back for another hour or so.” Verena took the opportunity to step around her and down the stairs.

The tap of her heels on the stone stairs must have echoed down the stairwell, because James met her halfway up.
“The-” he huffed, grabbing the rail. “Boy, they make these stairs steep. The butler's not here. Apparently, he’s gone out.”

“How does that affect us?” Verena peered behind him.

“He’s the only one with the key to the room.”

“They keep it locked? The telegraph machine?”

“Probably so people like us don’t send off secret messages.”

Verena brushed past James. “Where is this room?”

“Down the hall to the right. Look for a solid wood door with a small window in the top.” James followed her. “You know, we don’t really need to get into the telegraph, right.?”

Verena heard the rustle of paper as James pulled the note from his jacket. “No, we don’t. But if we really needed to send a telegram as urgently as I said, we’d have to go back into town again. Either we break in and say the door was unlocked if anyone asks, or you drive us back to town.”

“Break in?” James lowered his voice.” We can’t break in without literally breaking the doors. What if- what if I see if someone else has a spare key, maybe that funny guy, Julian?”

“I thought you said the butler only had a key? What about the housekeeper? She has quite the collection.” Verena reached the door and peered through the frosted glass. James started pacing, mumbling to himself.

How hard would it be to pick an early twentieth-century lock? Verena dug into her hair, fingers feeling for any easy to pull pins.

Footsteps echoed down the hall, alerting them to another presence down in the basement. A few seconds later, a man with round glasses appeared in the hall. He frowned and tilted his head, studying them for a moment. James paused his pacing, standing in the middle of the hall, hands on hips.

The man spoke first. “Did I hear my name by chance? I was just down the hall, and I thought I heard something like it.”

Either he has good hearing, or these halls echo too much. Or both. This must be Julian.

“That depends. You’d have to tell me who you are,” Verena said.

“Yes, of course, we haven’t formally met yet. I am Julian King, Keeper of the Royal Archives and Master Librarian. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Viscountess.”

“Likewise. And yes, we did mention your name. Mr. Chadwick?” She passed the conversation to James.

“Yes, I was wondering, you don’t happen o have a key to the telegraph room? Mr. Daran is currently out, and her ladyship would like to use the machine.”

“Ah, I see.” Julian eyed the door, and then them again. He paused, licking his lips before answering them slowly. “I don’t possess a key. Only the butler does. However, you are welcome to use the machine I keep in my office if it’s too urgent to return to town. I understand you just came back from an outing.”

James turned back to her.” Your ladyship?”

Your call. James glanced at Julian, then turned his body towards her and pointed at Julian before tapping his fist into his palm, then raising his eyebrows in question.

She blinked hard at him. You are absolutely not knocking him out. Turning her gaze back to Julian, who was looking at the telegram room's door, she decided it was best to accept his offer. If they could plead privacy, at least they could talk for a few seconds in whatever room the machine was in. If it was in a room.

Never have I ever wished for modern technology more. At least people leave you alone to make a phone call

“Yes, that would be much appreciated Mr. King.”

“King, huh?” James said.” And they don’t consider that treasonous?”

“I’m Scottish. It’s in my blood to make them a little uncomfortable.” Juian smiled, then he brushed past them, heading for the stairs. They followed him up and out into the main castle once again, now empty from Ana's presence, until they found themselves crunching along the gravel pathway towards the wide round tower.

Verena lifted her hand to shade her face, allowing her to see the building better in the noonday sunshine. Her hat swung from her other hand. As handy as it could be, the brim restricted her field of vision more than she liked. Now near the building, it resembled less a squat, round, yellowed tower, to an elegant structure of chiseled stone and white-trimmed windows.

“This is quaint.” Verena paced her gait, so she drew closer to Julian.

“Quaint? That’s certainly one way to describe a library that holds some of the countries most important records, and some of the oldest books on the continent.”

“Really? That’s quite the responsibility.” Verena said.
If we can’t get a hold of the Agency, we can try to get some information here.

“You have no idea.” Julina said quietly. Taking the steps up to the double doors two at a time. He pushed one door open, holding it to let them both pass inside.

A high ceiling left room for only two levels in the building. The entryway was crowded with bookshelves, streams of light from the windows peeking out from between the shelves that filled the floor, arranged in a circular shape to match the building's wall.

Like a maze of knowledge. A spiral staircase of wrought iron was se in the center.

The door thudded closed behind them. The noise faded quickly, swallowed by the wood, and Julian once again passed them, his stride not waiting for anyone.

So.” Verena trailed after him, leaving James to follow at will, sensing that he was too busy taking in the space. “How long have you been in Their majesties service?”

“A while.”

“You seem quite young to be in sch a position of such reasonability and knowledge.”

“Forgive me, but I don’t think I’m much older than you.”

“My point still stands.”

“We all start somewhere. It’s not only old men who get to keep the libraries.”

“I only mean that’s strange to see someone so young to have the full support and trust of their majesties.”

Julian had stopped at a door at the back of the tower, turning his head so she just caught a glimpse of how his smile made his eyes squint. “I’d almost think you were insulting me with that sentence.” He pushed the door open, holding it back with his hand. “Welcome to my office.”

Verena passed him, feeling James at her heels. The office was small and circular, as if it were a smaller, single-level version of the larger building it was attached to. With yellow-painted walls, a handsome oak desk and chair, and the telegraph machine which sat on its own small desk in the corner. “I don’t usually let people who nearly insult me into my office, but I suppose you’re an exception.”

“Hey, I didn’t insult you.” James said something finally.

Julian headed for the door. “I’ll be outside. Take your time.” He pulled the door closed.

Both agents stood still, waiting a few moments before moving or saying anything.

“See I told you he didn’t like me.” James rocked back and forth on his heels.

“He doesn’t like me either.”

“Well, I wonder why.”

“It is strange through, isn’t it?”

James pulled the note from his pocket and waved it. “Yes, and...”

“And we’ll talk about the note, yes.” She took the note from him, holding towards the light scone. “So, this appeared on your windshield when we retuned, and you didn’t see anyone?”

“Correct, and the streets were empty. I would have noticed if someone were wandering around.”

“Yes, it’s a more expensive street. Often only nobility or the aristocratic will be there, and it so happens when you're part of the royal party, you get a private shopping experience.”

“Really? Huh,” James rubbed his chin. “Amber must get some fancy business then.”

Verena raised her eyebrows. “Amber?”

James snapped his fingers, perking up.” Wait, that’s it. Someone was leaving the bakery when I went in!”

Now they were getting somewhere. “Who?”

“I’m not sure. It was a man. I didn’t see his face. He was carrying something…a big thing of bread in a paper bag.”

“I suppose there’s no way to check any surveillance footage. Unless… do you think whoever else as in the so would know who it was?”

“Yes, Amber might, unless he’s not a regular. Even so, how do we-”

Julian knocked on the door. “Is it working okay?”

“Uhm-” James swallowed and glanced at the machine.

“Yes. Thank you, we should be out in a minute,” Verena called, then leaned closer to James. “We need to find a way to identify that man. In the meantime, I’m going to try to send another message to the agency. We’ll continue with the mission thus far. The sooner we complete it, the less chance whoever it is has of interfering with the mission. We’ll use the gala to gather some more information, then we can plan to use another gathering to our advantage and complete the mission.”

James nodded and leaned on Julian's desk. If anything, I’m less concerned about who sent the note, but why and how they seem to know about us.” He paused. “You don’t think it's possible someone else has come back in time? I mean, what ab-“

Verena folded the note up. “No, unless the agency has sent someone along with us, but then they would have told us. According to our intel, the Torin can’t produce the technologies to time travel either. Hardly anyone in the agency itself knows about the portal, so the chances of someone sneaking down and sending themselves after us are extremely low, not to mention its unlikely anyone knows how to use the machine. Expect Professor Theodore.”

“Right,” James frowned.” Well, we’d better get out of here before Julian wonders how long a telegram we’re sending.”

“Yes,” Verena twisted the handle on the door and stepped out. Julian was leaning back on one of the bookshelves a few feet away, hands in his pockets and one ankle crossed over the other, clearly having spent the time waiting for them there.
“All done?” he pushed off the shelf, looking between them.

“Yes, thank you for letting us use it. I appreciate it.”

“Good. It didnt give you any trouble? It can be finnicky.” Julian asked James.

“It worked fine for me,” James said.

“Good. I’ll leave you to the rest of the day then.” Julian brushed past them both and entered his office, shutting the door quietly. Verena started at it for a few moments.

Had he gone in to see if they’d really used the machine? Or was he simply a strange and busy man?

James glanced at his watch. “I should go see if the other ladies want a ride back from their picnic.”

“You’re fitting quiet well into your role, aren’t you.”

“Eh.” James shifted his weight from one foot to the other and shrugged. “It’s that or I tread a hole in the carpet from thinking about it all.”

Verena waved him off. “I know how ants you can get. Off you go. I’ll see what I can find out from the Agency.”

James nodded and spun on his heel. To the pursuit of knowledge!” he said, just loud enough he wouldn’t get yelled at, as flung his arm up and marched out.

The door clicked behind her, and Julian reemerged from his office, surprised to se her still here. “You have not left? Yet I see the chauffeur has.”

“Yes, I was just going myself. Chadwick went on to check on the ladies.”

“Ah, yes, I saw them before I ran into you. Truly a painting in the making. Care to walk back with me? Unless, of course, you’re going to keep insulting me?”

A chance to dig deeper into the mind of the strange man? Always a favourite pastime

“I would love to.”

“Insult me or walk back?” Julian raised an eyebrow.

“Your pick.” Verena watched him.

“I think I’ll take the walk.” He held his arm out. Verena took it slowly, keeping as much distance between them as she could without it either looking .

“Did you come out here just to let us use the machine?”

“Yes.”

Verena hummed. “I would have thought you’d be out here for the majority of the day, not lurking around the staff quarters.”
“I could say the same of you. Ladies of your stature don’t usually visit downstairs.”

“I had my reasons.”

“As did I.” Julian moved Infront of her to open the front doors, sunlight streaming in, blinding at first. The library was darker than she’d realized.

“You know mine, what were yours?” Verena took a light hold of his arm as he rejoined her again.

“I was seeking the butler, he borrowed an important book this morning, and I wanted to see if he was finished with it yet.”

“Oh? I didn’t know he was a reader.”

“It wasn’t for him. Their majesties requested it.”

Verna turned to him. “Really? I didn’t hear anything of this. Must be quite important then.”

“It was likely discussed prior to your joining. It’s a ledger of sorts, keeping track of the houses of nobility, their successors, and who is coming up on their societal introductions.”

Well, that certainly sounded like a book they could use. If the queen held on to it longer, maybe I can steal a look.

“Oh? That sounds like it requires a lot of yearly upkeep.”

“Yes, I take on the responsibly myself as part of my archival tasks.”

“If you’d like, I can inquire of her majesty when she’s finished with the book herself?’

“I would like that. Although I’ve ended up in the middle of the courtyard with only half a reason then.”

“Well, now your insulting me.” Verena pulled away from him, fixing him with the look of an amused noble woman.

“What? I said half a reason, that’s still something!”

She tilted her head, considering him for a moment. A strange man indeed, eager to leave us be and then happy to escort me back, a bit of a flirt, an ego of sorts, unless that just came with the title of “Master of the Archives.” And still, he seemed too young for that position. Eating in the servant hall, yet walking with a noble woman as if they had a similar standing in class. Which begs the question, as he allowed to attend the gala? “Well. Either way. I will let you know about the book on the morrow at the gala? If you’re attending, that is.”

Julian seemed satisfied with that.” Perfet. Good day then.” He gave her a polite nod and turned on his heel, marching back to the tower. Or the lair of a strangely bibliophile hermit with extroverted tendencies and a perchance for the sunshine, given by the freckles spattered across his nose.

But now, at least she had a few leads. If she could meet the ladies back in the foyer, they could all could gather in the queen's chambers. Giving her a chance to look for the book, and maybe fish a few more clues on this duke. A list of invitees to the gala would also be useful.

Verna lifted her watch as she stepped into the shade of the awning of the doorway inside, tapping the screen so it transformed back, displaying any new messages, if there were any.

A blinking blue notification appeared. The transmission had worked! And both ways at that. She stepped inside the doorway, slipping into an alcove behind a pillar. Then she clicked on the message, eager for information.

Her eyes skimmed the message quickly, reading it once, then twice more. Nothing regarding any of the questions she’d asked, only informing her of a lengthy “message is unable to each sender, please try again.”

Technology huh. I can time travel, but I can hardly send messages through time.

Glancing around the corner, making sure nobody was near, she quietly whispered another message, holding the watch to her lips. This time she added the extra information about the note, along with the remaining quest for information. Ideally, she’d receive an answer by the time the gala ended tomorrow evening, depending on how long the message to send, or attempt to. It was partially getting through at least.

A door opened, and voices filled the hall. The ladies-in-waiting had returned. Time for a little old fashioned spy work, borrowing a book.