Chapter 6

Timepiece: 6.

During the 18th and 19th century, the Mediterranean Sea was rife with Moorish pirates. They had a traditional hate for christians ... I suppose because of the Crusades ... and the muslim teaching that infidels be converted or put to death. One of the tortures had its roots in christianity.

The Prefect of Rome, a greedy pagan, thought the Church had a great fortune hidden away. So he ordered Lawrence to bring the Church's treasure to him. The Saint said he would, in three days. Then he went through the city and gathered together all the poor and sick people supported by the Church. When he showed them to the Prefect, he said: "This is the Church's treasure!"

In great anger, the Prefect condemned Lawrence to a slow, cruel death. The Saint was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire that roasted his flesh little by little, but Lawrence was burning with so much love of God that he almost did not feel the flames. In fact, God gave him so much strength and joy that he even joked. "Turn me over," he said to the judge. "I'm done on this side!" And just before he died, he said, "It's cooked enough now."

Grilling.

In order to keep order among the captives they were secluded below decks. The passage to above and below was covered by a cast iron grill. The male captives who weren't to be slaves were taken ashore and the Grill would be placed over a slow fire. The captives were chained to the grill and cooked.

Grilling.

Wendy's mom wasn't that bad ... but I still carry the burns her fiery tongue applied to my soul as she attempted to discern whether or not my intentions were honorable.

This while father and daughter consumed whole plates of scrambled eggs accompanied with rashers, biscuits and sausage gravy, hash browned potatoes smothered with melted cheese, whole wheat toast dripping with real butter, milk, orange juice and copious cups of coffee.

My repast was interrupted with accusations of complicity with demons and assaults upon Wendy's virtue. These I denied.

However, during the discourse I admitted that I had massive intent to have my way with her when she was fourteen. When she was remade a legal adult my perverted soul did willfully admit that, although she was still extremely attractive, and that I could see myself captivated, shackled and married, she had not the attraction of the nubile fourteen year old and highly precocious very wet child of the storm.

I also admitted, to her mothers chagrin, that fourteen was above the age of consent in my world. In my colonial New England and indeed, my New France, twelve was marriageable ... so long as her menses were on her.

Four hundred miles west of the western edge of the Lake, in Louisiana, New Spain, dowered brides were bought from five years old and wedded at twelve. The child was brought up in her new home and taught the way of the world.

On the far coast of the continent, the Russians were Russian ... the aristocracy held sway over the serfs and took what they wished ... and called it civilization.

My earth: computers and indenture, black powder wars and steam-powered cars, ships of the line and recoilless artillery, piracy and irish slaves, electric trolleys and steam locomotives, telegraph and television. No telephones but internet. Some things weren't invented. No one perceived a need.

Kings and Queens with Switzerland the only country with a president.

A world of another Universe.