Free Journey in Time (Knights in Time) by Chris Karlsen Page A

experienced when an elevator stops short.
    The horses quieted, yet their ears remained pricked forward.
    Alex propped himself on his right elbow and studied the forest around them. A little swimmy, Shakira sat up, resting her weight on both hands.
    "Ugh, I’m salivating like a Pavlov dog. My mouth hasn’t watered like this since I got tinfoil stuck on a filling. I need one of those dentist’s suction whatnots." She swallowed hard.
    "I feel a bit juicy myself."
    "Did you get a weird sensation too?" She dabbed away the excess moisture that lingered at the corners of her mouth. Alex continued to scan the immediate area.
    "Yeah—curious." Alex ran his hand along the side of her head. "Your hair is sticking out in all directions." They both jerked at the small shock when his finger touched her ear. Undaunted, he smoothed her bangs.
    "Yours too,” she said and did the same with the stray strands that lifted from his ponytail. “How strange, like the air has been charged with static electricity."
    When she stood, the ground appeared to move as though her depth perception was off. She didn’t see how it could be and stepped forward. Like dream-walking, her foot found air rather than ground. Alex leapt up and caught her as she started to fall.
    “Ooh,” she said.
    Alex leaned against the rock and held onto her. “Wait, my bearings aren’t right yet either.”
    After a minute, he took a test step with no problem. “You should be fine now.”
    She laid her hand in his when he reached out to her.
    “Let’s get out of the woods onto the open road," he said, brushing the twigs and leaves from the back of her shirt and britches. "The lightning is too close, I don’t want to take any...," his voice trailed off. A dull, rhythmic pounding sounded in the distance.
    Shakira wasn’t interested in the sound; her attention drawn upward. "The sky, it’s blue again."
    Alex dropped his chin and cocked his head. “Listen.” The thudding became more distinct as it came closer.
    "Horses," he said casually, but moved her behind him with a firm touch. "Probably just folks out riding who don't know they’re trespassing. However, it might be fox hunters, and they can be unpleasant. I don’t allow hunters to cross my land. Some of the local gentry see me as the enemy." Alex watched the road as the horses came into sight.
    Three riders approached wearing mail and armor with swords at their sides, like medieval knights. Actors? Out here? Werethey shooting a movie on Alex's land without his knowledge ? She stepped next to him.
    Alex stiffened. For a split second he appeared bewildered. “No,” he whispered under his breath. Wide-eyed, unblinking shock replaced his puzzled expression. “No,” he repeated. He turned and said, "Whatever you hear, don't say a word. Say nothing. No matter what, let me do the talking."
    Shakira nodded, alarmed at the urgency in Alex’s tone. He shoved her behind him again.
     
     
     
    Chapter Twelve
 
 
    Shakira peered around Alex’s shoulder. The riders stopped in front of them. A ginger-haired, costumed man with a well-trimmed beard bent forward.
    "Guy? How is it that you are here? We thought you in Wales on the King's business." He took a long moment to survey Alex. "What manner of clothes are those? Were you set upon and robbed?"
    He’s mistaken Alex for someone named Guy. Why was he talking like this was medieval England? Probably some kind of method actor, one of those New York types who believes in immersing himself in the role. What was he doing on private property? Don’t the studios have location people to watch over the cast and keep them out of the path of residents? For a moment, she considered mentioning trespassing laws. Per Alex’s instruction, she kept silent and listened to the bizarre conversation.
    Ginger hair, the one she figured for the leader of the group regarded her clothing without comment. His cool, detached study slipped to fleeting disdain when he fixed on her riding pants.