Page 7 of The Swan Syndicate
Both men chuckled as they left him on the dock. He was still mulling over their words, believing them to be joking, when Sebastian joined him.
The monk pulled a stack of letters from his pocket and handed them to Beckworth. “I was wondering if you could give these to Hensley. The top one provides directions on where to send the letters. There are five in all.”
Beckworth noted the parchment on which the letters were written. “Did you bring this paper with you from the past or did Maire?”
“They’re from my journal.” He scratched his head and peered back at the others, who were saying their goodbyes to Stella. “I was wondering, if you have the time and remember, could you bring me more paper and a new journal?”
Beckworth eyed the old monk. “You know there’s better paper and writing instruments in this time period.”
“Oh, yes, and I use them almost exclusively.” He held out his hands. “Some of the ink stains from the quill are beginning to fade. Oh, that reminds me. I could use a few more quills and ink pots. Maire has located some, but the quality isn’t the same.”
Beckworth studied Sebastian, whose eyes sparkled with mischief. “You old dog. You knew if I came to the future, I’d end up going back.”
Sebastian only smiled. “Hensley might have a message or two for me. If you don’t mind bringing those back, I would appreciate it.”
“You expect me to play messenger between the two of you?”
The monk shrugged. “I’d go myself, but at my age, I find the travel too difficult.”
“You’re a crafty old man. When you gave Stella and me each a stone, you had this all laid out.”
He smiled and patted Beckworth’s hand. “I prefer to think of myself as a careful planner. Safe travels.” With that being said,he turned and shuffled back to the group as Stella made her way onto the dock.
The two stopped long enough for a hug and a few words before parting, then Stella stepped next to Beckworth.
“I take it you got his letters.” She winked at him.
“You knew what he was up to?”
“Not until last night. Who knew monks could be so devious?”
“It seems to be a trait we all share.”
She chuckled and pulled out the incantation before glancing at her ring. After releasing a long sigh, she asked, “You ready for this?”
“Have you been practicing your Celtic?”
She nodded. “I ran through it a few times last night with Sebastian and Maire. They say I’ve got it.”
“Okay.” He took her hand and turned them to face their friends.
Stella read the incantation, and he glanced over his shoulder. The fog was rolling in. Stella yelled, “Don’t forget the swans and fish I left for Charlotte.” Charlotte was AJ’s young niece, who was becoming an expert origami practitioner at the tender age of five.
AJ’s response was lost as the fog overtook them. Then, nothing but a light so bright, even with his eyes closed, they burned.
Stella’s grip tightened as the fog tore them away from this time period. At one point, he was certain his insides were being ripped out. The next, it seemed his organs were being squeezed in an attempt to make them implode. When he didn’t think he could take anymore, the light receded as he slammed into the ground—hard.
Perhaps he would need to rethink the time traveling.
After dry heaving into the grass, he glanced up to see Stella pushing the duffel off her before rolling over into a fetal position.
When he regained his focus, he stared up into the smiling face of Fitz, the first mate of theDaphne Marie.
The young man nodded his head with apparent glee. “Looks like I won the bet.”
Waverly Manor, England - 1806
“When did you grow a beard?” Stella had rolled over at the sound of Fitz’s voice and stared up at him. His face was upside down, but that was definitely a beard.
