CIRCLES OF TIME: The Great War
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
http://strands-of-moonlight.my3gb.com
-or- http://strands-of-moonlight.6te.net
Rated: PG-13> Chapter 15 - A Time to Part <
The principality of Monaco sits on the Mediterranean, on the south coast of France. The war years had failed to completely close down the principality's casinos and other tourist traffic, but now that the fighting was over, those who made their money here were anxious to see the vacation trade return to normal levels.
As had always been the case, however, many came to Monaco intending to transact shadier business which, at the very least, skirted the bounds of what was legal.
And so it was that a small motor launch pulled alongside a luxury yacht in the harbor. The launch tied up to the yacht, and two men in dark coats climbed aboard. Four crewmen stopped them.
"We have an appointment," the first man said.
The lead crewman nodded. "Hand over your guns first."
"And if we refuse?" the first man asked.
"You will be swimming home," the lead crewman responded.
The two men looked at each other for a moment, then slowly and carefully opened their jackets, each removing a pistol. The crewmen took the guns, locking them in a deck locker.
"These will be returned when you leave," the lead crewman said. "Now, if you gentlemen will follow me, I will show you to your meeting."
He lead the men to a door to the after cabin. He knocked twice, then pulled the door open and motioned inside. "Gentlemen."
The two men nodded, and walked inside.
Daniel rose from his seat at the small table, while Setsuna remained seated. The two men looked at them.
"Gentlemen. Thank you for agreeing to this interview," Daniel said. "Please be seated."
The first man leaned close to Daniel. "I don't trust a woman in business," he said softly.
"Then you have a problem," Daniel replied. "She is the one who will be making the final decision on any deal we might agree to."
"A woman?" the first man asked.
Daniel nodded. "Very well connected. 'Family' connections, you might say."
Both men were slightly taken aback, then quickly moved to their seats.
"Now, we understand you gentlemen are offering for sale a certain artifact which we might be interested in," Daniel said.
"We do have a certain item," the first man said. "The question then is one of coming to terms."
"Are you able to give some indication that this item is authentic?" Setsuna asked, her voice low and quiet.
The second man placed an envelope on the table. Seeing that Setsuna did not even look at it, he slid the envelope to Daniel. "This item is unique. These photographs should offer sufficient demonstration."
Daniel opened the envelope, glancing at photographs which unmistakably showed the Maltese Falcon. "It would not be impossible to craft a forgery of this," he said.
The first men nodded. "But this particular item is quite heavy for its size. That would make it difficult to pass off a fraud to those us who are in the know."
"It is solid?" Daniel asked.
"Yes," the first man said.
"But it is not made of lead," Setsuna said.
The second shook his head. "The exterior at least is enamel. Legend offers some possibilities as to just what the interior might consist of, as does its weight."
Setsuna nodded to Daniel.
"Very well," he said. "I believe we should turn our discussion to possible terms, gentlemen."
"How would you be prepared to make payment?" the first man asked.
"Transfer to a Swiss bank account, in the currency of your designation," Setsuna said.
The first man glanced at his partner and nodded. "That is acceptable. Now, perhaps you would care to make an offer."
Daniel's eyes narrowed as he studied them closely. Both men watched him carefully.
"Two hundred fifty thousand pounds," Setsuna said, catching the two men by surprise.
The first man turned to look at her. "A half million," he said.
"Outrageous!" Daniel exclaimed. "Don't waste our time with such..." Setsuna placed her hand on his arm.
"Three hundred thousand," Setsuna said, her dark, bespectacled eyes locked firmly with those of the first man.
"Four fifty," the first man replied.
"Three fifty," she countered, her face still an inscrutable mask.
The first man hesitated for a moment, considering. "Four hundred thousand... final offer."
"Agreed," Setsuna said.
"Good," the first man said. "Now... concerning payment."
"Do you have the bank account information with you?" she asked.
"No," he answered. "But I can have that in very short order."
Setsuna nodded. "Have a courier leave a sealed envelope with the account number and your instructions as to type of currency at the Carlton, for Mr. Edward Brent. We shall telegraph the appropriate instructions to our bank first thing in the morning."
"That will be satisfactory," the man replied. "Once we have received confirmation of the receipt of the funds by our bank, we shall arrange delivery. Instructions for where to meet for the transfer of the property shall be included in the envelope left for Mr. Brent."
"Very good," Setsuna said. "It has been a pleasure doing business with you. We will be awaiting your message to complete the transaction."
The two men rose to their feet, as did Daniel. The first man kept his attention on Setsuna.
"You will be receiving those instructions shortly," he said to her. "Farewell, madame."
"Farewell, gentlemen," Setsuna replied, turning away from them.
Daniel motioned toward the door, and the two men walked out. The four crewmen were waiting for them, walking them back to the steps to their launch. One of the crewmen unlocked the deck locker, returning the two men's guns. They slipped their guns back inside their jackets, then went down the steps.
As the launch pulled away, Eric joined Daniel and Setsuna in the cabin.
"You two played that exceptionally well," Eric said. "Setsuna, you underrate yourself when you say you're not skilled at field work."
"Did you get a tracer placed on them?" Daniel asked.
Eric nodded. "We should know where they're staying within an hour. After that, we can pump them for information at our comparative leisure."
"Good," said Setsuna. "And their instructions suggest that the bird is in this area, since they were prepared to hand it over just as soon as they'd verified payment."
"Yes. That will certainly make things much easier," Eric agreed.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A small villa stood on the hillside, overlooking the sea. As the moon hung low in the sky, Daniel, Eric, and Setsuna moved silently across the grounds, approaching the rear door. They eased the door open and slipped inside, having already determined that the house staff had left for the night. From one of the rooms ahead of them, they heard the sounds of a phonograph playing. Eric moved ahead. Cloaked from detection, but moving cautiously nonetheless, he edged around the door frame.
Four men sat inside the room, which was a small library. One was on the telephone, conversing in the Swiss form of German, clearly passing along the instructions for the expected payment. The other three, including the men who had met with Daniel and Setsuna earlier, were sitting and reading. Daniel and Setsuna moved up behind Eric, who held up his hand, indicating they should wait.
As soon as the man on the phone hung up, Eric applied a spell incapacitating all four. He moved into the room and crouched in front of the man who had been on the phone, applying a spell to make him talk.
"Where is the bird?" Eric asked.
The man's eyes were blank. "In the basement, beneath the stairs."
"I'm on it," Daniel said.
Daniel, with Setsuna right behind him, hurried back to the kitchen. The basement was really just a small store room beneath the kitchen. The space under the stairs was comparatively cramped, and filled with boxes. Underneath these, they found a small trunk secured with a padlock. Daniel pulled it from its hiding place, and used a spell to open the lock. They opened the trunk's lid, finding an object wrapped in old newspapers. Daniel pulled it out and began unwrapping it. In just moments, he and Setsuna were looking at a black statue of a standing falcon.
"It really is a perfect match," Daniel exclaimed softly.
Setsuna nodded. "Let's wrap it up again. We need to get this back."
"I thought we were just going to destroy this one," Daniel said.
"Eventually. But not here," Setsuna said. "There must be no possibility of anyone finding even a trace of a bogus falcon."
Daniel hurriedly wrapped up the figure, then closed it back within the trunk. He picked up the trunk, and they went back upstairs.
"We found it," Daniel told Eric, holding up the trunk as they entered the library.
"Good," said Eric. "Now we'll simply black them out. They'll come to in the morning with no memory of what has happened."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Any problems?" Peter asked, as Setsuna, Daniel, and Eric entered the main room of the Havana center.
Setsuna shook her head. "Everything went fine."
"And we have the faux falcon right here," Daniel said, as he set the trunk down on a table.
"Excellent," said Peter. "We've already arranged an appropriate disposal for that one."
"Have arrangements been made for the real one?" Setsuna asked.
Peter nodded. "Our antiquities team is presently in Geneva. They will hide the falcon with other items being put away for safe keeping. The team has a public identity as a private agency dealing in antiques and rare artifacts. In that capacity, they will begin to let these items surface once the political situation has become more stable."
"That will work fine," Setsuna agreed.
"Now then, you are expected in Geneva in a week," Peter said. "An item like the falcon needs to be delivered in person. We've prepared new cover identities for you and Daniel as operatives of our agency."
He handed them new sets of papers, which they both took and glanced through.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Maltese Falcon stood on a plain wooded table in a basement vault in Geneva, Switzerland. Setsuna and Daniel were joined by Andrew and Renee, two members of the antiquities team.
"It's remarkable," Renee exclaimed, as he looked over the bird. "People have been searching for this one for centuries."
"And you say it had a magic stone hidden in it?" Andrew asked Setsuna.
"That's correct," Setsuna replied. "But it has been removed and put away in a safe place."
"If I understand correctly, our task is simply to allow this to turn up again in few years," Andrew said.
Setsuna nodded. "We need to prevent anyone from realizing that there had been a forgery in circulation."
"Yes. That would throw the entire legend of the falcon into doubt," Renee agreed. "And the legend in many ways is more important to its history and value than the actual statue itself."
"You can take care of this?" Setsuna asked.
"Certainly," Andrew said. "We'll lock it away here for a few years, then allow it to turn up. We usually have people on a waiting list for any information on particularly valuable or rare items like this. Because of that, we'd probably have a private showing to an individual who will buy it right then and there."
"That will depend on the circumstances, however," Renee added. "We may just let it turn up in a small shop somewhere to avoid having to manufacture documentation for it."
Renee turned and motioned to two attendants waiting nearby. He and Andrew wrapped it back up and put it back in the small packing crate, then stamped a number on the side of the crate. With the lid closed, the two attendants picked it up.
"Place this in box H-204," Andrew instructed.
The two men nodded, then carried it away.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Back upstairs, the antiquities team's center looked like a large library. Volumes of documents, manuscripts, and records filled the shelves. The research tables were crowded with people searching for information or filling out cards to request information on a particular piece.
"It looks like you're busy here," Daniel said.
Renee nodded. "The war compelled us to consolidate our operations here in Geneva. That has left us rather crowded. And of course, now that the war is over, we have many people who were displaced by the fighting who are now trying to recover missing property."
"I would think much of that would have just been destroyed," Daniel said.
"Most probably was," Renee conceded. "But many of these people cling to the hope that they can recover at least something of their previous lives."
"And many will be disappointed," Setsuna said softly.
"Will you be staying here long?" Renee asked.
"I don't think so," Setsuna said. "Daniel and I don't want to take up any more of your time than necessary. But right now, I think we'll go find someplace for lunch."
"There's a very nice place just two blocks farther up this street," Renee said. "You won't be disappointed."
Just then another attendant hurried over and handed Renee a note. Renee frowned.
"Something wrong?" Daniel asked.
Renee nodded. "Someone enquiring about that certain package you brought in," he said quietly. "He is apparently asking some very well-informed questions."
"How could anyone be on to it so quickly?" Daniel asked.
"I would assume we were not the only ones expressing an interest to our friends in Monaco," Setsuna said. "When the item turned up missing, they might have decided to make enquiries here just in case someone tried to fence it through the cover of your organization."
"Entirely possible," Renee admitted. "We try to block such attempts, but we haven't always been successful."
They walked to the door and stepped outside.
"Would you mind doing us a favor?" Renee asked.
"What would that be?" Daniel asked.
"I would like to refer this person to you," Renee said. "That would get him out of here, and perhaps you can probe for his real intentions, and turn him away."
Setsuna glanced at Daniel, then nodded. "Tell him we'll be at the restaurant."
"Thank you very much," Renee said. "On his request card, he gave his residences as London and Majorca. His name is Kasper Gutman."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Daniel and Setsuna sat at their table, when a man moved toward them. Tall, heavy set, with graying, receding hair, he appeared to be about forty. A mirthful smile danced across his face as approached.
"I believe you are Dr. Morgan," he said.
"That is correct," Setsuna replied. "And this is Mr. Gard, my associate."
"A pleasure to meet you both," he said. "My name is Gutman, and I was referred to you by the antiquities agency."
Daniel rose and shook Gutman's hand. "Please have a seat, Mr. Gutman. How may we assist you."
"Thank you very much," he said, lowering his voice. "I have an interest in a particular artifact of certain historical significance. I thought I had located it in Monaco, but those who claimed to have it proved not to."
"Just what sort of artifact is this, Mr. Gutman?" Setsuna asked.
"It is a statue with an avian theme, Dr. Morgan," he answered.
She nodded her head in understanding. "It would be Mediterranean in origin, if I am not mistaken."
"That is correct," he said. "I like talking with people of intelligence. It takes intelligence to understand both what is being said, and what is not being said. I don't trust a man, or woman, who can't display intelligence in conversation."
Setsuna's face remained expressionless. "Thank you, Mr. Gutman. I think, however, that it has proved to be beneficial for you that those you referred to in Monaco did not have this particular item."
"Indeed?" he asked.
She nodded. "Quite by chance, a package was taken off a train by customs officials. It appeared to be a certain rare artifact. Several of our operatives were called in to authenticate it."
"And you did authenticate it?" he asked.
She shook her head. "It was a forgery."
"A forgery?"
"Yes," she said. "We believe these people you were conversing with were planning to sell forgeries of rare items, likely in the hope of taking advantage of post-war confusion and lack of documentation."
Gutman sat there for a moment, considering. "Well, it appears you have indeed spared me much embarrassment and wasted effort."
Daniel leaned forward. "Mr. Gutman, you strike me as a man of not-inconsiderable resources."
He nodded. "I am not without means."
"Though I would wish otherwise, items such as the one you are seeking are unlikely to be brought to an agency such as ours," Daniel said.
"What would you suggest?"
"Certain private enquiries might serve you better," Daniel explained. "It does require a certain amount of discretion, and the willingness to take some risks."
"I shall give your suggestion some consideration, Mr. Gard," Gutman said. "But now, I thank you and wish you good day." He rose to his feet.
Daniel stood with him, shaking his hand once more. "Good day, Mr. Gutman."
Daniel sat down again, and they both watched the heavy set man leave.
"What's your feeling on him?" Daniel asked. "And why did you want me to make that suggestion? It almost sounds like we're encouraging him to theft."
"His path will cross that of the falcon several times again," Setsuna explained. "But it was necessary both that he clearly understand he would not find the falcon in this place and this time, and that he still should have the dedication necessary to continue his search."
"But I thought the bird had lost much of its significance since the Gaia stone was removed."
"It no longer contains a dangerous source of magic energy, but it is still tremendously valuable in its own right," she said.
"And there will always be men like Gutman pursuing it," he said.
"True," she agreed. "But that does not change the fact that his fate and the falcon's are inextricably linked."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The ship left Havana, carrying passengers to various ports around the Caribbean. Setsuna and Daniel stood together on the deck, watching the Havana skyline recede into the distance. He slipped his arm around her waist and drew her close.
"I'm glad we have this chance to get away for awhile," he said.
"So am I," she agreed.
He leaned over and softly kissed her lips.
Later that evening, they came back up on deck after dinner. They leaned against the rail and looked out across the sea.
"I'm so happy to have met you, Setsuna," he said. "You are a truly remarkable woman."
She smiled at him. "You are pretty remarkable yourself," she said quietly. "But we both know this must come to an end soon."
"I know," he said. "You have to return to the gateway."
She nodded. "A part of me does not want to. But I have a duty."
"I understand. We both have our duty," he said, staring out over the water. "We Paladins still have to keep monitoring for any signs of the Order beginning to reorganize themselves, while you have to protect the flow of time so that the chosen ones do indeed return as they are supposed to."
"That is true," she said, a faint tear beginning to form. "But if things were otherwise..."
"I would do everything in my power to remain with you forever," he said. "But we both know things are not otherwise."
"I know," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
She hesitated for a moment, then drew him into her embrace and kissed him passionately.
"This cruise won't be over for a week," he said. "Let's just enjoy ourselves."
"Yes," she agreed. "Let's enjoy ourselves."
He took her hand. "Why don't we head back to our cabin and retire early," he suggested.
She smiled at him. "Very well, my love."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Setsuna's room at the Paladin's house in Havana was now empty. Still in civilian dress, she closed the door behind her and walked downstairs. Several Paladins were waiting for her.
Peter stepped forward and embraced her. "It has been a great pleasure... a very great pleasure to have met you," he said. "And we never could have done it without your help."
"Thank you," she said.
Aaron stood next to Peter, reaching out to shake her hand. "It has been a privilege for me, Setsuna. And I think I can say that working with you has taught me much that should make me a better Paladin."
She smiled. "You are already very good at what you do, my friend. Your appointment to the Council was a wise choice."
"Thank you," he said, shaking her hand again.
Jason shook her hand. "Thank you for all your help."
She smiled at him and nodded.
Rosa stepped forward and embraced her, and after she was done, Esteban shook her hand.
"You have both been exceptional hosts," Setsuna told them.
"It was our pleasure," Esteban replied.
Samuel shook her hand next. "I don't want to just repeat what's already been said, but it really was an honor to be able to work with you."
"And always know that we're here to stand guard until the chosen ones return," Albert added, shaking her hand. "And we'd be more than happy to assist with anything else that you might need taken care of."
"I will keep that in mind," Setsuna replied.
Eric and Bernardo stood at the end of the line, and simply shook her hand.
Setsuna turned back to them. "Thank you all, and farewell," she said,
She turned into the sitting room, where Daniel was waiting. He stood there for a moment, uncertain, then stepped forward and took her in his arms.
"I will never forget you," he said.
"Nor shall I forget you," she replied. "But I don't think I could bear to prolong this."
"I understand," he said, kissing her cheek and then stepping back. "Farewell, Setsuna."
"Farewell, Daniel," she said, even as she faded from sight.
He stood there quietly for a moment, alone with his thoughts and feelings, then turned and walked back out into the front hall, where his friends were waiting.* * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: This brings this yarn to a close. I don't plan any sequel to this one, but if you're interested in reading more of the Circles of Time series, please take a look at its website: www.reocities.com/Tokyo/9897/ct.htm . A number of very good authors have contributed to this, and you will find many gems there.A few notes on my sources. The always helpful "Britannica.com" was a major source of historical facts, particularly for events leading up to the war. Descriptions of Sarajevo, of the two attempts on the life of Franz Ferdinand, and of the figures involved come from a very good history by Micheal Shackelford, posted online at http://raven.cc.ukans.edu/~kansite/ww_one/comment/sarajevo.html . For general details on the war, I am most indebted to "The First World War" by John Keegan (Vintage Books, 1998), "The First World War, A Complete History" by Martin Gilbert (Henry Holt & Co, 1994), and "An Encyclopedia of World History" edited by William Langer (Houghton Mifflin, 1948). Descriptions of the railroad trip up Rollins Pass are from a pamphlet "The Moffat Road: A Self-Guided Auto Tour" by Robert C. Black III and Robert S. Temple (published jointly by The Grand County Historical Association, The Rollins Pass Restoration Association, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests) and "Rails That Climb, a Narrative History of the Moffat Road" by Edward T. Bollinger (Rydal Press, 1979). Concerning the 1918 Influenza epidemic, in addition to the above sources, I am deeply indebted to "Influenza 1918" at The American Experience section of the PBS website (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/influenza/). And finally, all references to the Maltese Falcon are drawn from the classic 1941 film of the same name, the screenplay for which was written by John Huston, based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett.
Always remember, good gentles, that a yarnspinner works from and within existing legends and stories. The characters of "Sailor Moon" belong to others. In spinning my yarns, I do not seek to infringe on their rights of ownership, but merely to join with other fans to spread the legend still further. "The moonlight carries a message of love." Enjoy.
-05.23.2001