The Clocks

'Suela and Stav had no such serious concerns. They were reveling in their chance to explore another new town. The last time their family had taken a trip outside The City had been six years earlier when they were only five, and they remembered almost nothing about it. Everything in Metz was new. Their excitement, almost, prevented them from noticing the stench. Having now visited four cities and more than a dozen large villages, they had realized how lucky they were to live in The City. They had also gained an appreciation for the law banning all but necessary equine traffic.

They wandered here and there for an hour or so as they searched to see if there were a library of some sort. The sun was getting lower, and they were about ready to blink home when they were diverted by their noses, this time pleasantly. They followed a glorious scent down the road and around a corner to a small marketplace where a stall was selling baked apple slices drizzled with honey that had a touch of cinnamon mixed into it. They might have become jaded about sweets in general, due to their previous, weekly trips to Fukui's, but the appeal of the apples was not to be denied.

As they were finishing the last crumbs of their snack, Stavros noticed a young girl of about six crouched in a nearby shadow. Her clothing was filthy, but it looked to be made of some sort of sturdy material. She was also a bit on the scrawny side, though, at least not yet, showing signs of starvation. As he and Consulea finished the last of their snacks, she turned away, though not before Stavros saw the mix of frustration and despair in her eyes.

"Hey sis, take a look. There's a kid in the alley just over there who looks like she was hoping to scrounge our leftovers. She looks fairly skinny too."

'Suela casually turned and appeared to be looking at something a couple of meters above the little girl's head. "I'm pretty sure she didn't see my face. Your body was blocking her view. That alley ends after about 30 meters, right on the street we were on when we first smelled the apples. If we follow her, she'll probably take off. How 'bout I blink into the other end of the alley, and you block this side. Once we calm her down, we can feed her and find out what's going on."

"Sounds good to me 'Suela. Just be sure you blink into a shadow and nobody sees you."

She opened her mouth to flay him for thinking that she could forget something so basic, but instead shook her head in disgust. There wasn't time if they were going to help the child. She stepped into a darker shadow cast by the late-afternoon sun, looked around to be sure that nobody was watching, then disappeared.

Stavros quickly bought another of the apple treats, then casually strolled to the opening of the alley and headed in. It wasn't all that long, in truth only about 16 meters or so and not 30 as 'Suela had thought. As he approached the exit, he saw 'Suela had crouched down and was talking to the little girl. He couldn't make out the words as she was almost whispering, but he could make out that she was using her "be nice to children but don't treat them like idiots" tone.

He nodded to himself. They'd both detested being talked down to at that age. He snorted and shook his head. They still felt that way, and he suspected that it was likely that feeling would last till the end of their lives.

He was watching the two of them more than he was watching his feet, and his right toe caught the end of a stray stick, causing a slight noise. The girl started to jump up, much like a deer surprised in the forest, but 'Suela patted her shoulder. "It's all right. That's my brother. We both saw that you looked hungry, so he got you one of those apple treats."

'Suela let a puzzled look flow across her face. "At least it's for you if you like such things. If you don't, we won't make you eat it. That wouldn't be very nice of us, would it?"

Stavros had reached them by then, and also crouched down, offering the treat to the little one who first nodded, then shook her head, then grabbed at the apples. However, before her hand reached the container, she stopped it, then again reached out, slowly, and took it.

The twins' eyes met above her as she ate. Stavros said, "Looks like food is not a regular thing in her life. Not to mention bathing. She doesn't smell all that good."

'Suela frowned. "Nor decent clothing. All I see is rags that have been badly sewn together and then sewn on top of each other, though they look surprisingly normal from a distance. Do you supposed she lives on the streets? Is such a thing even possible? No child in The City would be left alone like that, ever."

While they were talking, the little one stopped eating, cocked her head to the side and looked at them as if she had been listening, or trying to. She finished every last bit of the treat, licked her fingers, then looked up at the twins.

"aaaa... aaHH. AHHHH AAAHHHH!!!"

The twins claped their hands over their ears even though the sound was in their minds. It grew louder, then louder still, until their heads felt as if they might collapse from the pressure. They screamed, "MIMI! HELP!"

Mimi bent forward and patted child on the head. "Not that way little one. Abide a while and I'll show you the proper way to do it. For now, here, have a cookie while we talk."

Taking the still warm cookie from Mimi's hand, the little girl nodded, smiled, and sat herself on a small, rickety box.

The sudden relief from the pressure in their heads caused both of the twins to fall backwards. Fortunately, they'd almost been on the ground anyway, so the only injury was to their dignity when they landed firmly on their backsides.

As they struggled to get their minds working again, they heard Mimi saying, "OK. I see. Your name is Matilda, you don't like being called Mattie except by close friends, and you HATE being called Tillie. That makes sense, and I understand your reason. What I don't understand is why you're here alone. If you're here, then the full hand of your wing should be together. You NEVER undertake solo missions. Where are the other 5 of you?"

For the next few minutes there was no sound other than the rustling of Mimi's skirt as she occasionally shifted position. The twins saw her nod on occasion, but there was nothing they could hear or quite hear, though they could, almost, catch a faint hum off and on.

Mimi took both of Matilda's hands in hers, then she turned her head toward the twins with a look of mild frustration. "Oh bother! If I have to tell you everything she says, it will be wasting time. Here, do exactly as I show you, and this will be a lot simpler. Start by listening lower than you usually do when you speak 'twin'. Just follow the humming noise with your minds until you find where it's loudest."

Before they could ask "what humming noise?," the intermittent hum they'd heard earlier became much stronger, though it was still weak.

"That's right. Listen and follow it like you would an unfamiliar path in the woods. Don't get distracted by forks, just stay on the trail that sounds loudest."

They looked at each other, nodded, took each other's hands, and closed their eyes. It really was much like a path in the forest, complete with dappled shade that seemed to be trying to obscure the way. They gritted their teeth and followed. Some minutes later, they saw where it ended, and where it ended was where Mimi stood.

"Very good. I knew you could do it."

She turned to look behind her, bent slightly, and put her right hand behind her dress. When she turned back and straightened, Matilda was gently pulled to stand beside her.

"Say hello Mattie."

"Hello. I'm sorry I hurt you when I tried to talk to you before. I didn't know how to do it right. Nobody every heard me before. I didn't know it would hurt."

Looking up at Mimi she smiled broadly. "But now I know how to talk right. Mimi showed me. That's why she can call me Mattie, 'cause she's my friend."

Her smile became shy as she turned to look at the twins. "Will you be my friends too?"

Smiling back they answered, "Of course we will. It's good to have friends, even lots of friends. Do you have some other friends we can meet?"

For an instant, Mimi beamed her approval, though it was quickly shuttered. It wouldn't do to let them think that she'd go easier on them the next time they screwed something up.

Instead she said, "It's getting on toward evening. Mattie, let's go see your other friends. You said that you all sleep in the same place, right?"

"Uh-huh. Let's go. I want them to meet you too!"

They all opened their eyes. Mattie stood between Mimi and Stavros, took each by the hand, and set off. 'Suela followed along, almost completely overcome by shock. A child not born in The City could speak "twin," or at least something very like it! And Mimi could too. However, with both her and Mattie, it felt different somehow. For one, it was harder to "speak," and it was definitely somewhat slower. She was concentrating so much that she ran into Stavros' back when they arrived.

Lifting her head, her first thought was: "What a dump!" Looking closely, 'Suela wondered how it was still standing. It was two stories talll, all of wood, such as it was, with most of the wood looking to be rotted to varying degrees.

Mattie tugged on their hands. "Come on. It's OK. Everyone should be here."

They had to turn sideways to fit through the "door." It was gloomy inside, but there was still some daylight streaming in through a number of holes in the wall to the west. It looked as it might have been a stable at one time as there was no upper floor other than an area at the far end of the building that might have been a storage area for hay.

"Ere now, what's this? Didn't I 'tole you not to bring anyone here 'lessen you got mah permission?"

The gruff voice was followed out of one of the former stalls by a humanoid figure. It was nearly two meters tall, and seemed to be over a meter wide as well. It was scowling and chewing on something at the same time and looked to be about 17 or 18 years old.

"Look you, this's mah territory and you gots to pay iffen you wants to come here."

He smirked at Mimi and the twins. "Wal, I guess it's that ya gots to pay iffen you wants to leave."

There were two other older children directly behind him, not nearly as tall or wide, but the twins privately agreed that they looked meaner.

Mimi, being Mimi, ignored him and walked to the center of the open area and raised her voice. "I came to pick up Mattie and her wing. Any of you others who wish to leave may come with us. Nobody will try to stop you from leaving, nor will they harm you in any way after you leave. I guarantee that there are new homes, real homes, waiting for every one of you if you do decide to come.

"Of course you want to know where you'll be going, so rather than tell you, It'll be easier if I just show you."

Mimi stepped into one of the light beams hitting the floor and stretched her arms out in front of her, palms up, and raised them to the height of her shoulders. She closed her eyes and took a long, deep breath.

The light beam began to lift off the floor and bent sideways until it stopped about half a meter in front of Mimi's face. Then it widened till it formed a circle a meter across. It began to pulsate and flicker. After 10 seconds or so, an image of The City had formed. The view was from what must have been at least 2,000 meters in the air, as one could see a large part of the city and a bit of the surrounding countryside.

"This is The City of the Bells. The three of us live there. If you come, we promise good homes, that you will live with people who will care for and about you, and that you will all be able to go to school or learn whatever trade you may be interested in."

She dropped her arms. "That tires me out, so I can't show you any more."

She took a few deep breaths and declared, "All who want to come along with Mattie and her wing, please come forward. It's getting late and I want to get all of you settled in the inn before it gets dark."

As Mimi had been speaking, a surprisingly large number of faces had peeked out from various locations and corners on both levels of the stable. Some had big smiles, and some looked uncertain, but all were staring at the hulk who had now recovered his composure and stalked over to Mimi.

"Now lookee here you! Where da ya get off coming here and saying wot's wot. I 'tol you afore that this's mah place. Nobody leaves without my say-so, and I ain't lettin any 'o them go. They does what I says and that's that!"

Mimi turned to him, grabbed the front of his leather vest and hoisted him into the air, holding him over her head. Everyone, incli\uding the twins, blinked several times to be sure that they were seeing what they thought they were.

Yep. The hulk was fussing and cussing, but he also wasn't moving an inch. Mimi's arm might as well have been a steel rod sunk into the floor.

She looked up at him, and her face was a thunderstorm. "Up until now, you hadn't given me any reason to kill you. Now you have a cholce. Kidnapping and/or confining children against their will in this part of France is considered slavery. Those engaging in the slave trade, if caught, are looking at a death sentence."

She sighed. "I do hate getting blood on my uniform. It's very hard to wash out."

Smiling up at him she drawled, "I suppose, that if you were to change your mind, I wouldn't have to kill you, seeing as you no longer would be involved in slave trading. But, if you'd rather assert your dominance and insist that these little ones belong to you, well, while it is hard to wash out the blood, it's not that I don't know how to do it."

She shook him a little and smiled sweetly. "Come on now, make your choice. I have other things to do today, and if I have to kill you, I'll need to adjust my plans."

Shiv, for that's what Mattie told them later was the name he went by, though his real name was Giles, shook his head and made a vague waving motion toward the door.

Mimi dropped him. "Well that's settled, and peaceably too. Oh well. Maybe another time."

She looked up and let her true smile fill the space. "All of you who want to leave, please join Stavros and Consuela over by the door. Then we'll arrange for proper rooms and meals for you all at the inn."

At the mention of food, a few children who were still wavering lifted their heads like a foxhound catching the scent of a fox. There was a sudden rush to the door. When Mimi decided that no more were coming, she waved the twins outside. While they were filing out she looked down at Shiv. "Well, how about that. There are still a few who're staying with you."

She gestured at the five who were behind him. "Live your lives as you choose, but, if I hear of you getting involved in blackmail, extortion, or kidnapping ever again, I'll come pay you a visit. Do we understand each other?"

Shiv nodded numbly, his mind still not quite able to comprehend what just happened.

Mimi helped him to his feet and patted him on his cheek. "Good boy."

She followed the others outside and gestured for the twins to lead the way.

Seeing their puzzled faces she said, "The one where Eugenia and Mario are staying of course. Get moving, but stop outside when we get there."

They got. Mimi followed along, weaving from side to side like someone herding geese, making sure that there were no stragglers.

Once they arrived, Mimi walked through the crowd of little ones (probably from about six to 12 years old as best she could tell), entered the inn, and walked over to the owner. "I need rooms for 16 children for two days, maybe three, proper meals, and baths. I may also need one of your staff to run out and buy appropriate clothing for travelling...tomorrow will do."

The innkeeper, a woman of about age 45 glared at Mimi and then at the children. "I don't like stupid jokes, especially when I'm tired. Now you get these street rats out of my place! I don't have time for this and...uh...."

Her tirade stopped when she espied the last two children to enter, who were just in front of Consuela and Stavros. They had the appearance of twins. They were girls with fairly long, very dirty, pale blonde hair and were about nine years old.

They had flinched when they heard the innkeeper begin her rant, but then lifted their heads and stared at her for a few seconds. They slowly edged forward. "Grandmama? Is it you, truly?"

The innkeeper had stopped her rant with her mouth half open. "Ingrid? Francine? You're alive!?"

The girls ran forward, the inkeep ran forward, and they collided near the middle of the room. There were hugs and tears and much pulling back and looking at each other's faces. Then the hugs and crying resumed.

Mimi murmured, "I guess we need to make that rooms for 14 instead of 16."

All the children had drawn back, some prepared to flee, when the innkeeper had begun to shout, but now all of them came forward. It wasn't their family, but, somehow, seeing the girls reunited with their grandmother reassured all of the others that they weren't dreaming and, more importantly to them, that they weren't leaping from the frying pan into the fire. They'd wanted to trust Mimi, fervently, but none of them had had anything but a difficult life the past few years, and trusting anyone besides each other still came hard.

Finally the innkeeper surfaced and walked over to Mimi, leading her twins by the hand. "You need rooms for 14 children, yes? I'll apologize and explain later if you don't mind ma'am?"

Mimi nodded.

"Thank you. None of the rooms on the third floor are in use right now. They're all yours. Sort yourselves out as you see fit. I'll see about getting the baths ready, but I have no idea about what to put them in afterwards. The 'clothes' they're wearing really need to go into the rubbish."

"Not to worry Madame Lefevre. I'll arrange something, at least temporarily. More importantly...," Mimi raised her voice a bit to make sure that all the children could hear her, "Do you think you'll be able to feed so many extra mouths in, oh, say two hours?"

Mme. Lefevre laughed. "This is an inn in a city that can be swamped with pilgrims with no notice. I can handle as many as 40 extra mouths and have their food ready in an hour. And so I shall, if..." She looked over at the children. "If these little ones have properly finished their baths by then."

She was met by vigorous nodding. They'd do anything if it meant being fed a decent meal.

Turning to her granddaughters she smiled down at them. "For now, you run along with your friends so you can get cleaned up too. We'll talk later, after everyone is settled, OK?"

They grabbed her and hugged her again, hard, then nodded and joined the rest in following Mimi upstairs, with Stavros and Consuela now following at the end of the group.

As they were walking Mimi was dispensing instructions, "All right you two, it's time to earn your keep. Blink yourselves home and tell your mother that I need all the old clothes she's packed away that have been outgrown and will fit a child from about five to 15 or so. I also want you to bring anything of yours you can find that you'd wear when you play with your friends. Three of the children look to be about your size.

"Once she stops asking you questions you can't answer, tell her that I told you to do it NOW and that I said that I'll explain everything when I get home. That should calm her down enough that she'll do as you've asked. Then you get Ailin. You two aren't strong enough yet to carry that much dead weight with you. Besides, dealing with just the two of you sometimes drives me to distraction. I'm not sure about my sanity if I have to handle 14 without Ailin's help."

'Suela and Stav grinned at her, ducked into the nearest empty room and blinked home. Once everything was settled in Metz tonight, they'd have a ball telling everyone about it. Then, in the morning, they'd go talk to O'Malley. Almost half of the children felt 'Other'.

As they raced upstairs to talk to their mother they agreed that today was likely to be one that they remembered for the rest of their lives.