This is episode forty-seven of the novel, From Here To 1137 AD. If you would like to purchase From Here To 1137 AD, it is available on Amazon in Kindle format or paperback.
A Pouch Full Of Pebbles
Tom walked for nearly an hour. In the distance, ahead, a man walked toward him.
Brain said telepathically, “The man coming toward you is likely a robber. He has a dagger. Two men have come out of the bushes you passed a short time ago. It is most likely that they are robbers also. I suspect they are working in concert.”
“What about the two men behind me? What type of weapons do they have?”
“One has a pole with one end sharpened to a point, and the other has a mallet.”
“I suspect that neither is a shepherd nor a carpenter,” Tom said.
“Your suspicions will likely be validated soon,” Brain said. “Remember, placed in your side pouch is a stinger weapon. Press the button, and it extends to three feet. It fits comfortably against your shoulder, much like your hunting rifle. It will have one hundred bursts available. Upon your request, more can be added.”
“Complete instructions on operating the stinger were not included in the operation data of the pod. Can you let me know what the settings are used for?”
“Setting zero will knock down a man with a jolt. Setting one has the power of a bullet. Setting two has the power of a grenade. Setting three will destroy a car or tank. Setting four, a house. Setting five, a city block. Keep in mind that each shot has the same capability. Increased capability is adjusted while in the preparation chamber of the stinger. If not activated, they are as harmless as a pebble. Remember, place the beam on the target, and press the activation pad. Also, remember, it is programmed so that only you can use it.”
“Yeah,” Tom scoffed, “I don’t want a disgruntled cobbler grabbing it and conquering half of England. On the other hand, what I’ve read about the English royalty, a cobbler might be a refreshing improvement.”
“Be ready, Tom, it looks as if they are about to strike.”
The man walking toward Tom stopped about ten paces from him and held out his hands. “Stop.”
Tom stopped. He turned around. The two men following him drew to about ten paces away.
Tom stood sideways. His head turned back and forth to them as he spoke. “What do you want?”
“You have a pouch of money,” the man in front said. “Toss it to me.”
Brain spoke telepathically. “There is every reason to believe they will try to kill you after collecting your money.”
The man in front pulled out his dagger. “I will quarter you and feed your entrails to the dogs if you don’t hand over the money in your pouch.”
Tom spoke telepathically to Brain. “Remove the money from the pouch and place it in my food pouch. Tom loosened the money pouch from his belt. He tossed it to the feet of the man in front of him.
The man picked up the pouch. He looked inside and turned it upside down. Pebbles fell from the pouch. He tossed the pouch to the ground. “Where is your money?”
Tom said nothing but spoke again telepathically to Brain. “Transport the money back to the pouch.”
“Toss me your food pouch,” the man said.
Tom tossed the food pouch to him. He picked it up and turned it upside down. A piece of bread and pebbles fell on the ground.
“Toss me the gear you have strapped to your back!” The man said.
“Look again in the money pouch,” Tom said. “It will save us time.”
As the man bent down to pick up the money pouch, Tom removed the stinger from the pouch on his side that was strapped to his belt.
The man picked up the money pouch and poured a dozen coins into his hand.
“How did you do that?” The man said. He called out to the other two men. “Did you see what he did?”
“If I can disappear coins and make them appear again, imagine what I can do to you three men.”
“You’ll not fool me with some court magician’s trick,” the man said.
“No,” Tom said. “I can see you are far too clever for that.”
Tom held the compacted stinger in his hand. He pushed the button, and it expanded with a snap into full size.
All three men jerked.
“A jester’s trick,” the man scoffed. “Are you going to Whitford Castle to entertain the Duke?”
“He may find me entertaining, but not with these tricks.”
The man in front wore an evil smile and advanced a step. “You made sport of me. I don’t like that.”
Tom held the stinger waist-high. “Careful, my churl fiend, you are about to fall to the ground.”
The man slowly lifted his foot to advance another step. Tom pointed at the man’s belly. He pressed the activation pad.
“Ahhh!” The man screamed and fell to the ground.
Tom whirled around and activated two more shots into the bellies of the remaining two. They both screamed in pain and fell on their backs.
Tom turned back to the man in front. He attempted to stand but fell.
“What have you done?” The man cried out and began to curse at Tom.
“Careful what you say and how you say it,” Tom said. “You were the man who was about to rip my entrails out. I should do no less to you, but I am not your ilk. However, something inside me pleads to kill the three of you, here and now. For the world will be better without you.”
All three managed to steady themselves on their feet. Tom waved the man in front to join the other two.
“What are you going to do with us?” One man said.
“I am not a murderer,” Tom said. “And that’s good for you. Nor would I maim you for life. But don’t test the indulgence I am affording.”
“Thank you, sir,” they all said with humble and awkward bows.
“I do not suppose the name, Three Stooges, means anything to either one of you, does it?”
Bewildered, they looked at each other for a clue.
“No,” each one said.
“Never mind,” Tom said, “it’s meant to be funny.”
They attempted to laugh and forced pathetic smiles.
“Go as far away south as you can and as fast as your feet will carry you.”
They backed away slowly.
“Run!” Tom yelled.
They ran and never looked back.
Tom gathered his pouches and coins from the ground. He collapsed the stinger and returned it to its place and walked on.
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