Monday, 5 June 2023

The Past In The Time Patrol Series: Various Years

"The Sorrow of Odin the Goth."

1935
New York, autumn. Not many cars. Roast-chestnut carts. A large apartment overlooking Central Park where it is safe to stroll in the evening. A doorman who need not also be an armed guard.

300
The Vistula, winter, when almost no one travels and strangers are welcomed. The chief wants to see even a gangrel. 

1890s
Everard, based in New York, 1980, changes clothes because he knows of a good free lunch in a local saloon.

1980
New York, winter. Snow tumbling past the window makes Everard's apartment a white cave.

337
Goth infantry withstand Hun horse. Arrows darken the sky. Banners stream. Earth shakes. Weapons gleam. Bows twang. Sling-stones fly. Horns bray. Goths win. Their leader dies.

1858
Berlin, summer twilight on Unter den Linden. Fragrant trees, horse-drawn vehicles, tall hats, Prussian officers, a nightingale in a rose garden, a spacious house full of books and bric-a-brac where a maid in a black dress with white cap and apron serves coffee, cakes and cognac.

1934
New York, December, cold, dark, Salvation Army, Santa Clauses, Depression.

1935
New York, March, a walk in Central Park.

372
Goths, rain, wind, an end.

43
Hawaii before the Polynesians, quicksilver sea, the evening star above Mauna Kea, peace.

A time traveller goes back and forth. Poul Anderson goes way beyond Wells' original concept.

1 comment:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

Unfortunately, New York City is AGAIN becoming as chaotic and crime ridden as it was in the 1970's and '80's. Because Democrats are unable to refrain from repeating the same bad old FAILED policies. And adding new failed policies!

Ad astra! Sean