Page 60 of A Thistle Beyond Time
“We’re back in Scotland, in my time. There’s the bridge, right over there.”
Jenna looked in the direction he was pointing and was surprised to see the bridge he spoke of was not the Golden Gate Bridge, but a small stone bridge spanning a stream. Panic filled her and she wanted to run, but where? She had absolutely no idea why she wasn’t on the Marina Green. The only answer was standing right in front of her.
Cormac had gotten to his feet and he was holding out his hand to help her up. She batted it away. “You, you kidnapped me! I don’t know how you did it, but you brought me here against my will!”
“I’m sorry, Jenna. I didnae mean to bring ye. Ye grabbed on to me just as the fog arrived. I was afraid if I let go, ye might end up in another time and place, all alone. I wasnae willing to take that risk.”
“I can’t believe this! Am I awake? This isn’t possible.” She was rapidly losing her equilibrium. “You need to take me back, right now!”
“I’m afraid I cannae do that. I don’t knowhowto do it. Edna will have to help ye.”
“Edna!” Jenna called, circling around on the grass. “Edna! Where are you? When I get my hands on you…”
“Jenna, I know this is a shock, but try to be reasonable. Look, over there, Edna left my horse. We can ride to Breaghacraig and try to contact Edna once we’re there.”
“No! I’m not going anywhere with you! This is beyond ridiculous. I can’t believe you did this to me.” She got up and started stalking towards the bridge. Maybe if she crossed the bridge, she’d be able to get back.
“Jenna, where are ye going? Ye must come with me. This is not San Francisco and ye willnae be safe on yer own. Please, listen to me. I ken yer angry with me, but ye must understand that I didnae mean for ye to come with me!”
Jenna stood with her hands on her hips and for the first time, noticed that her clothing was different. “What happened to my clothes? And your clothes?” she asked in total confusion. She found herself wearing a long medieval-looking dress and cloak. She checked her feet and much to her surprise was delighted to find she still had her tall boots on. That might become a problem if she had to do a lot of walking, but at least she had one thing to hold onto from her life in San Francisco. Cormac was still dressed in a kilt, but gone was the leather jacket and t-shirt. In its place he wore a linen shirt with laces and the kilt looked different as well. He still wore boots, but not the one’s he’d worn in San Francisco. The leather satchel still hung across his body and despite the difference in his clothing, he still looked amazing to her, but she was furious with him. He had taken her away from everything she knew and brought her to an unfamiliar place, and according to him,time.Get it together, Jenna. You need him to help you.Her heart was racing in her chest and she was starting to hyperventilate. She took a deep breath and did her best to relax. Jenna was shaking uncontrollably as she walked back towards Cormac. He reached out to pull her into his arms, but she stood away from him. “Don’t touch me. Don’t you ever touch me again!”
Cormac held his hands up in surrender. “I’ll not touch ye lass, but it might be near impossible because we have to share my horse.”
“I’m not getting on that horse. No way. I hate horses,” she yelled.
“Lass, it’s a long way to Breaghacraig. Ye cannae walk all that way, especially in yer tall boots.” He smiled and she knew exactly what he was thinking.
“Stop it. Grrr… I can’t believe this. When I meet this Edna, she’s going to be one sorry witch. I can’t even believe I just said that. Witch! Time Travel! Scotland! I’m going to be sick.” Jenna started to feel nauseous and dizzy. “I think I might be going to faint.” Abruptly, she shook her head determinedly. “No! No, I willnotfaint.” She was determined to get a grip on her escalating fear and she would ride out the sick feeling that was overtaking her, and not let it overwhelm her.
“Jenna, please, calm yerself. I will help ye, but I cannae do it here. We must go. It is a long way from here to my home.”
Cormac went to get his horse “Saidear,” he said softly, as he stroked the massive bay’s neck. The horse nickered and nudged Cormac with his nose. “Come my friend,” Cormac said. As he approached Jenna, she backed away. “I told you. I’m not getting on that horse. I’ll walk. Which direction are we heading in?” Cormac pointed towards the path and she headed off at a determined pace. She could sense him behind her, but she certainly wasn’t going to soften her stance. Had he planned on kidnapping her all along? She wanted to scream in frustration, but what good would it do? As aggravated and angry as she was, Jenna knew that her only chance of getting back home lay with Cormac.
The sound of hooves pounding along the pathway behind them caused both Jenna and Cormac to freeze in their tracks. Glancing back, Jenna saw a man dressed completely in black, riding atop the largest horse she had ever seen. He galloped past them and then reined his horse in and turned in their direction.
“Is that Cormac MacBayne I see?” the man questioned. He had an obviously English accent.
“Aye. ’Tis.” Cormac answered sullenly. There was an intense, angry expression on his face as he quickly made his way to Jenna’s side. “How did ye get back here?” he demanded of the other man.
“Good question. I’ve been waiting for quite some time, but today was apparently my lucky day. The fog happened to be swirling at the bridge and I was able to ride through. Who is this lovely woman you have at your side?”
“’Tis not your concern. I warn ye, Richard, stay away from MacKenzie land, or ye’ll pay the price.”
“Ha! I have other things to attend to MacBayne, and none of them include the Mackenzie’s. At least not at this particular moment.” Richard sneered down at Cormac and gave Jenna an appraising once over, before turning his horse and galloping deeper into the woods.
“Who was that?” Jenna asked.
“That was Sir Richard Jefford. He is an enemy to my clan,” Cormac watched intently as Sir Richard disappeared into the trees. “We must get back to Breaghacraig at once. We must warn them.”
“Warn them about what?” Jenna wondered aloud.
“Warn them that Sir Richard is back. He’s been in the future for these past few months. We were told he’d been jailed. I didnae ever expect to see him again, but he is back and nae doubt he will cause trouble.”
“So the future is back that way – and you’re leading me away from it!” Jenna was beside herself with fury. “I’m heading back to the bridge, and don’t you dare try to stop me!”
Cormac reached out to grab her arm, but she shook him off. “Jenna, you don’t understand. The fog must be there, and it is gone now.”
“Then how did he get here? He said the fog was there. You’re lying to me,” she barked.
