Page 62 of The Empire and the Wolf King

I stepped out on the street and scanned the crowds, looking for someone out of place, a time traveler, someone from the family, perhaps.

Or Asgall.

I had my weapons. I could, Iwouldfight him here on the street in Charlottesville.

I turned tae see Ma leaving the shop and, before I could hide, she met my eyes.

I was filled with that feelin’ my ma had always given me, love and comfort, and I almost broke.

I recognized her.

She recognized me.

Then I had stepped intae the shadows.

I was back at the hotel, twas dusk, the light was dimmin’. I had left a message for them at the front desk, with my room number. I was waitin’ but they hadna returned.

My second plan was tae go down and find them at dinner. I would walk up tae their table and introduce m’self in case they dinna ken. I would warn them that there was another time-traveler here, and I dinna feel comfortable thinking it, but I might stay and spend some time talking tae them. I would explain my plan, ask for their forgiveness for not rescuin’ them, and in the morn I would deal with Asgall.

Was he here?

I pulled out my lantern tae cut the waning light and looked back over m’paperwork, then looked at the monitor once more. The second vessel was right there, near mine.

I folded all the papers and returned everything tae m’bag. I would carry it with me so that if I needed tae move quickly I would be ready?—

I heard a commotion coming from down on the road. I looked out the window tae see a man, Asgall, graspin’ Da across his shoulders and roughly shovin’ him — Ma was upset, pleading.

I slung the bag over m’shoulder and raced from the inn, taking the steps down, two at a time. The man was directin’ Da up the street in the direction of Oakhurst.

I thought tae run back intae the inn, but I was uncertain if they would enter or not. I waited in the shadows of the entrance, and was unable tae move when they turned tae come up the steps tae the inn. I stealthily crouched low and slid under the rail tae hide beside the steps.

The alley stretched behind me. I considered running back there, but instead I hid in the pitch black, with just a sliver of a view of the front steps gleaming from the dim light of the oil lamp near the front door.

I drew my handgun and pushed it through the rail, as Asgall shoved Da in front of him with a gun in his back.

He growled at Ma, “Daena say a word, go tae the hall.”

I aimed but I couldna get a shot. Da was between us, the moment was gone.

Ma said, “Please let us go, we?—”

“Shut up, keep yer mouth closed or Magsie is dead.”

She was frantic, crying, following the monster’s directions up the steps. She momentarily paused, her eyes narrowing — she had seen me.

I shook my head and pressed my finger tae my lips,wheesht.

Asgall said, “Bitch, you better keep up.”

Ma pulled her eyes away and followed Asgall up the stairs.

Asgall was surrounded by a bodyguard: two went in behind him, one stood outside on the stairs, blocking the door and milling around outside.

I swiftly retreated down the side alley, up two steps, and slipped through the backdoor, finding myself in a small hall just off the kitchen.

And two guards were now slowly walking back and forth in the alley.

A maid rushed from the kitchen and seeing me her eyes went wide. I pressed my finger tae m’lips. “Wheesht, maiden, I am hidin’, just for a moment.”

---