The Loved and the Lost Read Free Page B

Hansum’s first time-travelling day
with a test back in time,
for his progress to be weighed.”
    â€œAre you going back to Hansum’s childhood again?” Lincoln asked. “Apparently I found toilet training traumatic.”
    â€œWhere are we going, Arimus?” Hansum asked.
    â€œAgain, this may be something you wish kept private,
for it is not a jest, but a serious test of
your mind’s most vulnerable parts.”
    â€œNah, that’s fine. You can tell me here. They’re family.”
    â€œVery good,” Arimus replied.
“I am taking Hansum back to 14 th -century Verona.”
    â€œWhat?” both Lincoln and Shamira said with surprise.
    â€œWhy?” Hansum asked.
    â€œYou are the one most affected by personal loss.
To assume a History Camp time traveler’s mantle
we must immediately gauge the stresses
you can handle.”
    â€œYou mean whether I can handle seeing Guilietta,” Hansum said.
    â€œJust so, my boy, of course.
Guilietta is the key as to whether we may set you free
to relive and, what’s more,
possibly change what’s gone before.”
    â€œOh, dear Gia,” Shamira said, wide-eyed. “You’re going to see Guil.”
    â€œI wanna go,” Lincoln blurted.
    â€œMe too,” Shamira added.
    â€œBut you have your own agendas.
Lincoln, you must practice your new art with Medeea
and Shamira, your studies of art.”
    Lincoln turned and talked to the empty space beside him.
    â€œCould we practice mind-delving back then, Medeea? Medeea says yes.”
    â€œWho’s he talking to?” Shamira asked.
    â€œHis mind-delving mentor,” Hansum said. “Only he can see her.”
    â€œYou’re a mind-delver?” Kingsley asked. “Wow, you’re not just a joker. I’m impressed.”
    â€œArimus, can we come with you?” Lincoln asked seriously.
    â€œIt’s not a problem logistically,” Arimus told him.
“And all the souls there will seem unattended,
for out of phase we’ll be suspended.”
    â€œHansum, do you mind if we tag along?” Lincoln asked.
    â€œNo, not at all. It would be good to have you all there for support. I don’t want to pretend it won’t be a challenge for me.”
    â€œThen it’s settled,” Arimus replied.
“And of those last words I’m glad,
for none could but notice your attempts to hide
the broil of emotions that in you reside.
Well done, my son.”
    â€œWould it be all right if I came too?” Kingsley asked.
    â€œI don’t mind,” Hansum said. “Elder Arimus?”
    Arimus put up a finger to give him a minute, and then touched a sub-dermal node on his temple. He mumbled for a few seconds, pausing and tilting his head, as if receiving information. Then he nodded and smiled.
    â€œKingsley, your dean and A.I. have given permission.
I have no objection, if you accept my authority
as the only condition.”
    â€œMost assuredly, Elder Arimus,” Kingsley said.
    â€œMy gosh, we’re going to see everyone again,” Shamira said. “I’m so excited. And Kingsley, we can go see all sorts of fantastic art and even watch some being made. I know every church and piece of art in Verona, and there’s lots that hasn’t survived that you’ll see firsthand.”
    â€œAn art historian’s dream,” Kingsley agreed. “That’s why I joined.”
    â€œVery well, then,” Arimus said.
“Some preparations first.
Give me a moment.”
    Arimus touched his temple again and closed his eyes, communicating with some unseen and possibly faraway person, maybe in a different time. The others continued chatting.
    â€œI wonder who we can mind-delve back then,” Lincoln thought aloud, and then he snapped his fingers. “Hey, how ‘bout Ugilino?”
    â€œOh, dear Gia,” Shamira laughed.
    â€œI’m happy you guys are going to be there to help me