Page 7 of A Matter of Time
“Is Angelina joining us today?” Richard asked, trying to keep his question casual.
“Mayhap later. She’s things to do. Yer taken with her, arenae ye?” Nick teased.
“She’s a beautiful woman,” Richard responded. “I’d be a fool not to be.” He sat at the counter while Nick prepared their breakfast. “It smells delicious. I had no idea you could cook.” he said, changing the subject.
“Of course, I can. Ye’ve been in camp with me, ye should ken that.” Nick continued stirring the eggs in the pan. “We’ve a practice to attend to this morning. I’ll introduce ye to me men and ye can take over some of their training.” Placing plates on the counter, Nick spooned the eggs onto them. He placed a few pieces of bacon and some buttered toast onto each plate. “Voila,” Nick announced with a flourish.
Richard dug right in. “Delicious,” he said.
“And ye doubted me abilities! Would ye care fer some coffee?” Nick reached for some cups and filled them without waiting for an answer. “Cream and sugar?”
“I remember that I enjoyed coffee. Yes, to the cream and sugar.” Richard stirred the coffee with the spoon Nick handed him and then took a sip. “Mmmm. I’m curious. What is the point of training these men for battle, when there won’t be one?”
“I ken yer meaning, Richard, and I wondered the same. ’Tis the discipline involved in perfecting a skill. The men and women who participate, gain confidence they put to use in their daily lives; they learn respect for their opponent and ’tis an excellent form of exercise, something that is also prized in this time. So, ye can see while they may have no cause to use their swords or dirks in real battle, the artistry of wielding the sword benefits them in other ways.” Nick picked up his empty plate and took it to the sink. “Are ye done?”
“Yes.” Richard handed him his empty plate and holding up his cup, pointed to the coffee pot indicating he’d like a refill. “Are there many women who participate? I know Angelina does, but I didn’t think it would be something most women would enjoy.”
“Women and children participate as well. In this time, women can do anything a man can do, if they wish.” Nick poured another cup for himself and one for Richard. “I teach many at my school, but other than Angelina, none of them will participate in the tournament.”
Richard nodded his understanding and sipped his coffee.
“I noticed when ye arrived ye didnae have yer sword with ye.” Nick tidied up the counters as he spoke.
“I must have lost it during the time travelling. I admit I feel a bit naked without it.” His hand went to the spot his sword would normally hang, reflexively searching for the hilt.
“I know a man who can make ye a beauty. He’s a true artist. He’ll make it according to yer specifications, of course. We can go see him this morning if ye’d like.” Nick turned to the sink and rinsed the dishes. “I’ll show ye the brilliant work he did on mine.” He dried his hands and then left the room, returning shortly with a beautiful, gleaming sword, which he handed to Richard. The heft of it in his hand felt well balanced, the hilt comfortable to hold. At the very top was a Celtic knot, flawlessly executed and polished to a radiant glow.
“I’d like to meet this man,” Richard said, continuing his examination of Nick’s sword in admiration of the artistry his eyes beheld.
“And so ye shall!” Nick finished cleaning up and grabbed his jacket. “Ye’ll need a jacket. There are more in the hall closet.”
Richard opened the door Nick had indicated and found several to choose from. The one that called to him was of a soft black leather. He removed it from the closet and put it on, pleased that it fit him so well.
“Ye’ll be fighting the women off with that one,” Nick observed. “Come, let’s go see Quinn.”
“Quinn?”
“The sword maker. He lives nearby. We can walk, so there’s no need to wait for Angelina to take us. Can ye believe she willnae allow me to drive the car that’s in the garage.”
“Canyou drive one of thosecars?” Richard asked.
“How difficult can it be? I’ve watched Angelina drive many times and I believe I could do it. Unfortunately, she says I must pass a driving test to get a license,” he harrumphed. “It requires that I prove my identity, and I have nae way to accomplish that, so I walk most places. If Angelina isnae around and I need to travel further, then I take the bus or a cab.”
“I can’t believe how well you’ve adapted, my friend,” Richard said. “I can only hope that I will do the same.”
“I have nae doubt ye will.” Nick winked, opening the door and stepping out into the blinding sunshine. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of sunglasses which he donned. “How do I look?”
“Are you seriously going to wear those?” Richard should have known better. Nick had always been a bit of a peacock when it came to his looks.
“Aye. I see others wearing them. The glasses give them an air of mystery and I like being mysterious. Is it working?”
Richard laughed out loud. “I’ve missed ye, Nick.”
Two well-definedfootprints in the damp soil had Angelina rushing indoors and wondering if the feeling of being watched that she’d experienced last night was for good reason. They were large footprints, obviously belonging to a man, probably wearing work boots of some sort and the owner had been facing her house, looking directly towards her living room windows. She shuddered to think that someone may have actually been standing outside watching her. What could their motivation be? She’d have to be more observant, especially since the only other people nearby were Estella and her husband. She had chosen this spot because it was isolated and she enjoyed the peace and quiet it afforded her, but she hadn’t stopped to think that it might also put her in harm’s way.
There was a knock at the door and Angelina jumped in surprise. “Who’s there?” she called.
“It’s Estella,” came the answer. “I brought you some of the cake I made last night.”
