The Nest In History

Poul Anderson, "The Nest" IN Anderson, Past Times (New York, 1984), pp. 71-111.

Despite their low profile, the time traveling brigands of the Nest are part of our history:

"When we took Knossos - yes, we were the ones that did that..." (p. 87).

The Nest:

have fought in many wars;

looted a Prussian city ahead of Soviet troops;

hijacked during Prohibition;

recruit whenever there are pirates, warriors or an underworld at least as far as the 22nd Century but probably no further for fear of meeting the Builders of the Rover;

never use anachronistic weapons or leave any possible record of their appearances;

are led by an illegitimate son of Duke Roger of Sicily.

Thus, they move among us in their particular timeline just as Time Patrollers, warring Wardens and Rangers, mutant time travelers or meddling aliens do in other fictitious timelines.

And I have just reached the point of sudden realization when Trebuen realizes how he and his three companions can defeat the thousand fighting men of the Nest:

"Slaves!
"I sat bolt upright, spilling Inini to the grass." (p. 99)

The Nest has endured for ten years in the American Oligocene but it may be nearing its end.