Page 62 of Only a Breath Away

“Just as I suspected.” She added, “Once ye all jump away, I will give ye an hour, then I will operate the Bridge.”

I passed James a vessel.

Sophie said, “The bairns will be there?”

“Aye, Madame Sophie, and I am verra pleased that ye are with us once more, the bairns will rejoice tae see ye.”

James said, “We’ll make sure someone is holding their hands while this shit is going down.”

“I would appreciate that.”

Sophie said, “Do ye have a message for them?”

I looked off intae the horizon. The sun was goin’ down, the world was cycling through. The river rushed by, making the comforting sound that meant there was fresh water and good fishing, life would go on. It seemed a terrible thing for life tae carry on without us, but it was the truest part of a life. It would always come tae an end.

“Nae, I already spoke with them on it. They ken.” I added, “Kaitlyn dinna get tae tell them how much she loves them, make sure they understand, she never did anything without considerin’ them.”

James said, “Sounds good. I will make sure they know.” He glanced over at the new guy who was tapping his fingers on his arm, waiting. “And we shouldn’t take this dude with us?”

Lady Mairead said, “Nae, he’s my responsibility. Also, he’s verra braw and if I am tae be without a hero at the end of the world, I suspect he will raise his sword for me if I request it.” Her eyes glinted merrily.

I said, “Och nae, is this a double entendre? What of Hammie?”

She said, “Hammond understands that when one needs a strong swordsman sometimes a young man is a better use.”

I said, “Dear God, mother, ye are disgraceful.”

The side of her mouth turned up in a smile. “Lochinvar, are ye good with a sword? I might need yer handiwork.”

Lochinvar smiled broadly. “I am verra braw with m’sword, the best in the castle, and tis verra large, I must use two hands tae raise it.”

I groaned. “Just what we need, a braggart and a rogue, he will be lookin’ for fights and bringin’ danger tae us all.”

Lochinvar said, “I am nae a braggart, tis all true, I am a good swordsman. All the lasses sought me out for it.” He giggled.

I said, “What was that noise? Och, ye laugh like a bairn.”

Lochinvar clamped his mouth shut.

Lady Mairead said, “This is all in good fun, Magnus, I am nae looking for a swordsman, nae at the end of time.”

“Is this the end of time?”

“Tis likely.”

James said, “On that note...” He hugged me, clapping me on the back, then said, “Hey, you’re so thin!”

“I hae been living in the thirteenth century, I am wastin’ away. But ye are thin as well, Master Cook.”

He looked down at himself. “Aw man, I’ve been doing this for a long time, haven’t I? How long did you have to live in the thirteenth century?”

“Too long, but tis all fair in time travel. I and m’mother started it, after all. My life has been enriched by time travel: my marriage, my family, my bairns. If I am called upon tae fight, twill be my fight. If I am called upon tae live in some long ago land, I will go there. I will do it.”

Lochinvar listened with his brow drawn.

Tae cut the gloom I smiled. “I winna be happy about it, but I will do it.”

Lady Mairead joked, “Ye will complain and complain but ye will do the right thing, tis how I raised ye.”

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