Page 50 of A Matter of Time
Malcolm spotted it. “Let’s go.” He led the way, barely able to lift his legs because he was so tired. Fallen tree branches and a slick forest floor didn’t help their situation, but determination carried them towards their goal. Pierce had been right to question him, but he’d never tell him that. They all needed to rest and get their strength back. He had no idea how much further they needed to go. As soon as they got a fire started, he planned to take a better look at the map Joel had made for him.
Angelina leanedon the castle doorframe, watching the rain as it fell in the courtyard. It had been coming down nonstop for hours, but she’d always loved the rain, so it could continue indefinitely as far as she was concerned.
“Angelina!” Edna called. “Come join us.”
She closed the door and went inside where the others were all seated around the fire. Some were drinking whiskey, some had tea and some had whiskey in their tea. She took a seat near Richard, who’d been acting oddly ever since they’d arrived. Maybe he’d changed his mind about her, although that didn’t seem likely, but she could see that her presence was making him uncomfortable and she suffered a pang of anxiety. Maybe when they’d settled this issue with Malcolm, she’d have to ask Edna to send her home. Not that she wanted to go, but she wasn’t about to stay somewhere she wasn’t wanted.
Elspeth poured her some tea and at Edna’s urging, added a tot of whiskey.
“It’ll warm you up from the inside out, my dear.” Edna was smiling in that motherly way she had.
“Thanks,” Angelina replied, sipping the tea and enjoying the warmth of the whiskey wending its way down to her belly.
“Now that we’re all here and relatively comfortable,” Edna started, “I’d like to talk about Malcolm.” She gazed around at the others, and Angelina noted that everyone was paying very close attention. “He’s on his way here. Dinnae worry. He won’t make it for a few more days. His men are tired and wet, and their progress has been slowed by the rain.”
“You say they’re on the way here?” The concern on Ewan’s face was completely understandable. He had a family to protect.
“Aye, but there’s nothing to worry about. When they arrive, Angus and I will have escorted the three of ye away from Castle Fionn.” She waved a hand in the direction of Angelina, Richard and Nick. “Ewan, ye will entertain them as guests. They will only stay for a day and then they’ll be on their way. Give them whatever they need to complete their journey. If they want horses, see to it that they get them. We dinnae wish to be waiting for them forever to come for the sword. I’d like this over with as quickly as possible, so I can come back and spend more time with all of ye. Just as I’m sure you, Nick, would like to go home and Richard would like to take Angelina back to England to meet his family.”
“That sounds reasonable. We’ll be gracious hosts.” Lena glanced at Ewan and he nodded in approval.
As for the rest of us, we’ll leave in the morning. Our journey will take us to Campbell land. Angus will see to it that we are welcomed there.” She glanced at Angus and furrowed her brow in concern. “They havenae seen you for quite a long time. I hope they’ll recognize ye.”
“Dinnae fear, I’m sure they will. We’ll need their help in finding the location of the sword. Hopefully, someone there will be able to guide us.” Angus sipped his whiskey. “Ewan tells me my Uncle Tavish is the Campbell laird now. I always had a good relationship with him, although I’m sure he believes me to be dead. ’Twill come as quite a shock to him, when I ride into their stronghold.”
Angelina listened intently as the plans were made. She wasn’t sure what her part would be, but she wanted to help in any way possible. “I have my sword, and I’m prepared to use it,” she announced. Ewan and Angus sent a skeptical look her way. “I’m quite good with a weapon,” she added, “Richard and Nick can attest to that.”
“She is very good with a sword. I would hope she wouldn’t need to be involved in the fray, but if she is, it would be invaluable protection for her and for Edna.” Richard glanced Angelina’s way and she smiled stiffly at him. He was trying to protect her, when he knew good and well there was no need. Hadn’t he been there when she took down Nash Roydon at the Faire? She knew this and was aware of the fact that anyfraythey entered would be a real one.
“I won’t need a sword, dear. I’ve my magic.” Edna proudly sat up a little straighter.
“So you’ll use your magic to fight Malcolm,” Richard stated.
“I don’t foresee any trouble, but one never knows. Malcolm cannot fight my powers, but if he gets his hands on that sword, well then, we’ll have a problem. It’s best we stop him before he ever gets to it.”
Murmurs of agreement came from the group. Angelina glanced Richard’s way and as she suspected, his eyes were focused on her. They were going to have to get a few things straightened out, but all that would have to wait until after the Twin Sword was safely secured.
Luck wason their side as the sun broke through the clouds and blessed them with sunshine for their journey. They said their goodbyes to Lena, Ewan and the boys, with the intention that they would see them again soon and rode off towards the Campbell lands.
“The two of ye have hardly spoken,” Nick observed as he rode up beside Angelina. “Would ye care to tell me about it?”
“There’s not much to tell. In the last day or so, Richard has distanced himself from me. I don’t know why, but I’ve seen this before with other men I’ve spent time with and it’s not something I will tolerate. If he doesn’t want me around anymore, then he should just say so.”
“Richard is a complicated man, Angelina. I’m nae sure even he kens what goes on in his head at times. Don’t give up so quickly. I feel the two of ye were meant to be together.”
“He’s hiding something, I know the signs. I just don’t know what it is.”
“There are some things… things that he wishes were long forgotten, but they cannae be. He wishes to speak with ye about them, but fears yer reaction. ’Tis why he’s been acting so strangely.”
“If we’re to even stand a chance at a life together, then he’s going to have to trust me. Do you know what he’s hiding?”
“Aye. But ’tis not my place to tell ye. He’s the one you need to ask.”
“How much further do we have to go?”
“We’re still traversing MacKenzie land. Once we cross the hills you see off in the distance, we’ll be on Campbell land. Then ’twill be up to Angus to find the location of the sword.”
“Angus hasn’t been back here in decades, from what I heard. How does he know that anyone from his past is still alive?”
