Page 65 of Only a Breath Away

It had to be me.

I was lost in the thirteenth century and slowly, Quentin, James, that Braveheart dude, and everyone else in the world, had all disappeared. Now I was oh so hungry, so very hungry, and cold and I goddamned had nothing to build a fire.

I dug through my pockets. Nothing but a broken Matchbox car. I really needed to make sure I had a fanny pack on, with survival supplies like fire-starter and a multitool with me, whenever I jumped.

As if I ever had a plan when I jumped,thatwas wishful bullshit thinking.

And if I ever had a chance to jump again.

Was I just supposed to wait like a damsel in distress in a castle tower?

As I ran over and over every idea, there was no solution. I had no string for fishing. I didn’t have enough knowledge of the flora and fauna of the area. I had not studied enough to survive. Instead we had been packing and carrying matches and fishing poles with us. Coolers of food and coffee. I knew this was a mistake, but I also knew I would not survive without coffee in the morning. At the very least I wouldn’t have been happy without coffee.

So I had brought coffee to the past instead of learning to forage and hunt for food.

Mistakes were made.

It was so cold. It would take some time to build a fire, it would take effort, and I was really too hungry to expend the effort and that made me sure that this was the end.

I lay down on my side, pulling the scratchy wool blanket over me. My hands lay in the empty space beside me on the small short bed.

I thought about how I should be a better rescuer of myself than this. But also, that the world was supposed to be not quite so dire, so freaking perilous.

CHAPTER 52 - MAGNUS

Istrode up tae the castle gate and waved up at m’guard.

A few of m’men came tae follow me, but I told them tae go on tae the Great Hall. “Find Caillean, send him tae see me.”

I looked hard at the castle walls, I had lived here a long time, but it dinna feel like m’home. Twas cavernous and lonely and full of strangers, though… I surveyed in every direction. There were nae enough men on the walls, the courtyard was empty, a verra rare occurrence—

William Wallace strode through from the Great Hall, he was also lookin’ in all directions for anyone.

I called out, “What say ye?”

“Och, I was here tae see ye, Yer Highness.” He bowed low.

I said, “Ye may rise.”

“I wanted tae tell ye that I remember, I was — I saw yer wife. She was at the riverbank this morn, hae ye found her?”

I said, “Nae, I haena, was she returnin’ tae the castle?”

“She was with a man by the name of James, he seemed a scoundrel, ye haena seen them?” His brow drew down, he seemed verra confused.

“I haena, but I am sure they will appear soon enough. Was that all ye needed?”

He lowered his voice. “I hae had something I needed tae—

Caillean rushed toward me across the courtyard, almost breathless from his pace. “Mag Mòr! My apologies, I was goin’ tae warn ye that Wallace was demandin’ a…” He looked around at the empty courtyard. “This is odd, where is yer guard…?” His brow drew down, but he continued, “I hoped tae announce Wallace afore he found ye. I told him ye were nae in the castle, and I ordered him tae nae accost ye once ye returned.”

I clapped m’hand on his shoulder overwhelmed by a need tae say some kind of farewell. “Tis all right, Caillean, ye hae been a good friend and a wise advisor, I appreciate all ye did as I rose tae power. It has been an honor tae hae ye by m’side, though we hae had some difficult times.”

“Aye, the loss of m’dear wife.”

“Twas a desperate loss.”

“It has been an honor tae be at yer side as well, Mag Mòr.”

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