Page 34 of The Empire and the Wolf King

Uncle Lochie said, “I need ye tae watch out, Ash, while I try tae move this boulder, we canna let them find this vessel…”

Lochinvar dug his fingers in under the side, forcin’ it up. “Tis heavy, hard to lift.” He put his arse against it and dug in with his heels, pushin’ until it rolled tae its side.

I found a square tin, a prized possession, left over from our modern supplies, and pried off the lid. I bent it a bit. “Will work for a shovel.”

I began tae dig in the indent that the boulder had left.

After a few moments I clipped my nail on a rock with a jolt of pain.

Memories flooded m’mind: my wee hands diggin’, pain in my fingers, panic in m’heart. Ma was near holding a wee Isla. There was a helicopter comin’— Och nae, twas not something I wanted tae think on, but twas clear as if it had just happened. I was in the moment, the little boy, tryin’ tae protect m’mother, tae get word out that m’da was injured and captive in a dungeon. I felt an urge tae look over my shoulder tae see her, Ma, who I hadna seen in long years, as if she would be right there.

I glanced, willin’ it tae be m’family, but twas Uncle Lochie and his wife — disappointment washed over me. I longed tae go back, perhaps not tae that time, twas too dangerous, but tae a time where Ma and Da were alive and well.

I put my fingertip in my mouth tae try tae soothe it.

Lochie said, “Ye well, Archie?”

“Aye.” I began tae dig some more.

Finally, I sat back on m’haunches. I had cleared the top of a lid, but though I pulled on a corner I couldna lift the box from the hole.

Uncle Lochie asked, “Want me tae try?”

“Nae, I think we can leave it in the hole, the lid is clear.”

I investigated around the front edge and found a pad, and pressed m’hand tae it. The lid clicked open, loose dirt cascaded off.

Inside was a vessel, some loose blank paper, a few pens, and a couple of guns. I picked up the vessel and felt it in my hand. “I think tis alive.”

Uncle Lochie said, “As James would say, ‘Hot Damn!’” He reached down and grabbed a piece of paper and two pens, stuffing them in his sporran, saying, “In case.” Then he took one of the guns. I grabbed the other.

I closed the lid on the box, kicked dirt on it, and shoved the small boulder back over it.

Uncle Lochie said, “Remember tae put a vessel, some pens and paper, and a couple of guns back in there, in case.”

I said, “Ye ought tae remember, Uncle Lochie, tis unlikely I will be this way again.”

His brow drew down. “Och, I suppose tis true.”

Ash asked, “Why, what’s going to happen to you?”

I dinna reply, I dinna ken how tae reply. I said, “We need tae go fast, we daena ken how many trips we will hae with this?—”

The vessel began tae vibrate. It grabbed hold of my hands and felt as if it yanked me from m’skin. I yelled, “Let go!” But I also meant “Hold on!” But both were terrible ideas. I had nae choice — I was ripped through time, seein’ Uncle Lochie and Ash yellin’ as I left them behind.

CHAPTER 14 - LADY MAIREAD

THE KINGDOM OF RIAGHALBANE - 2391

The following morning, at breakfast in my office, there was a new alert.

Och nae what is it this time?

I tried tae remain calm, sipping from my coffee. Then I placed the cup back on the saucer, and smoothed my skirt, taking a deep breath.

“Tis another message from Asgall?”

The voice said, “No new messages. Though in a local shopkeeper’s journal there is mention of large unusual storms in the region, seeming to originate near Staunton, Virginia. One occurred on June 14 another on June 15, 1775.”

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