Page 128 of Long Live the King

James said, “Hopefully nothing is growinginyou.”

“Verra funny.” I leaned back in my chair and held the bottle up and admired the label.

Kaitlyn said, “What does the label say?”

I spun it around, there was the image and the words, Tree of Life. I read it aloud. “Tree of Life.” In verra small print I read, “Founded in Fortingall.” I asked Magnus, “Tis nearby inna it?”

“Aye, just north of the loch, near the auld tree. Could be what the tree is about. We hae a good jump spot there we use sometimes.”

I peered at the number below it, “Est. 1296.” “Twelve ninety-six? Inna that the date for?—?“

Magnus grabbed the bottle and pointed at the label. “See in the trunk twists? It says, Asgall. 1296 was when Asgall was crowned king.”

I grabbed it back and looked, “I daena ken why I dinna see it before.”

Quentin said, “So Asgall has a brewery in 1296?”

Fraoch said, “Och nae, that is a verra auld beer.”

Kaitlyn whispered, “He’s a time traveler. The beer’s probably not so many centuries old.”

Lady Mairead said, “Probably. Though if ye kept a bottle of beer for five hundred years it might make ye a great deal at auction.”

I said, “So I might be drinkin’ Asgall’s auction beer? Now Iwillfinish it.” I chugged a bit then gagged and belched. “It grows worse.”

I banged it down on the table, causing a sharp look from the Earl and John at the other end of the table.

And then a vision flashed in m’mind — the scent of hops, a kettle boilin’ over a fire. “Och nae.” I looked at the label again.

Magnus said, “What is happening?”

“I am seein’ where she is — there is a brewery. I can smell it and sense she is there.”

“Ye think he is hidin’ her in a brewery?”

“Aye, here.” I tapped the label on the bottle. “In Fortingall in the year 1296. It has come tae me with certainty, this is where Asgall is hidin’ her.”

Magnus’ brow drew down, then he called down the table. “M’lord, is there currently a brewery at Fortingall?”

The Earl shook his head, “Nae, there once was, but nae more.”

I said, “She’s there, I ken it.”

Fraoch leaned forward. “But how do ye ken?”

“I prayed and waited for an answer, just like ye told me, Fraoch, and now I hae this beer bottle with a place and a year, and I can sense it, the aroma of hops, when I close m’eyes I see the kettles boilin’. Tis because of Ash that the brewery is called Tree of Life, I can see her there, Fraoch, tis clear in m’mind.”

Fraoch said, “That is good enough for me.” He wiped his mouth with a napkin.

Lady Mairead said, “Tis verra far back, he must hae used theTrailblazer — but, make certain we carry one along in case.”

Magnus raised his brow, “This is the royal we, Lady Mairead?”

She smiled, “Aye.”

Magnus said, “I doubt we will need tae use it, but I hae mine with me. Did ye bring yers?”

“I dinna bring it, and I winna tell ye where tis, but I can get my hands on it verra easily.”

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