Page 177 of Long Live the King

Emma said, “You know what this is like? It’s like we’re with our family on the docks, getting ready to get on a ship, headed to the new world. Except it’s a very very old world.”

“It does seem like that. We’re all in our best clothes, gathered with a very small amount of our worldly possessions, babes in arms, Sean looks seasick already.”

We glanced at him, he looked very nervous.

Fraoch said, “How is everyone, ye ready tae go?”

I looked down on Archie and he looked up at me. I said, “Ready?”

“Yep.” He scratched Haggis behind the ears. “Ready to go, boy?”

We all gathered in a circle and held on, arm to arm, and Fraoch twisted the vessel and the mighty storm began. Sean said, under his breath, “Och nae.”

I said, “Hold on.” And the vessel grabbed hold, hard.

CHAPTER 77 - LOCHINVAR

BALLOCH CASTLE

Itook Ash up tae the high walls tae watch the storm, so she would ken what I meant.

We stood side by side looking out over the grass tae the forests in the distance and the bens arranged around our view. She said, “This is such a beautiful place, breathtaking.”

“Aye.”

“If you had told me, three weeks ago, that I would be standing on a castle wall in Scotland, I would have never believed it.” She leaned against the stone. “I really can’t go live in Fernandina, can’t go to work next week?”

“Nae, not until we solve this.”

Then I saw the trees in the direction of the clearing begin to whip around. I pointed. “Dost ye see the storm, beginning tae brew?”

“Oh wow.”

A large bank of black storm clouds billowed intae the air.

She grabbed hold of my arm. “Oh no, are they going to be okay?”

“Aye, they are likely gone, they winna notice the storm, and when they awake on the other end twill be wet, possibly, but the storm will hae dissipated. Tis most brutal for the bystanders.”

She nodded, but watched with a look of fear on her face.

“I am sorry I showed ye, I thought it might give ye more confidence, and I promised not tae keep things from ye.”

“I understand. I’m glad you showed me. It’s just daunting to imagine deciding to get in that storm. But I suppose I will have to eventually.”

“Aye, we daena hae tae go yet, but we will hae tae tell Don ye are well, and then if ye are willing, tae meet with Magnus.”

She smiled, “And your nephews.”

“Aye, and even Fraoch, he will miss me greatly while I am away.”

She watched me speak. Then said, “You don’t think you matter much, but I was watching them, they see you as being important. I definitely don’t want to keep you away from your family for long...”

I took her hand.

“What I mean is, thank you for staying behind, giving me a chance to figure this out, learn what is happening. I think I will be able to decide to go soon.”

“Take yer time, we will catch up, we hae a time machine. We can stay here for a couple of weeks and arrive there a day behind.”

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