Page 67 of A Bridge Through Time
“Ashley has told us of ye, m’lady,” Cailin yelled back.
“Listen carefully! Young man, you must bring Ashley across the bridge to my side. The rest of you, must wait there for him to return. This is extremely important; the fog only works if there is someone waiting for you on the other side.”
Cailin glanced back at his family and friends.
“Go,” Robert urged him. “We’ll be waitin’ here for ye. We’ll stay for as long as we possibly can.”
Cailin let his gaze rest on each of them in turn, and hoped he wasn’t seeing them for the last time.
“I will see ye again,” he announced, with a lot more confidence than he felt. He rode slowly across the bridge.
Cailin and his horse, Ashley, Edna Campbell; even the mist itself vanished, leaving the MacKenzie clan staring after them in disbelief.
THIRTY-FOUR
Mrs. Campbell led the way to The Thistle and Hive and Cailin followed along beside her, keeping his horse at a slow, steady walk. Both he and Cadeyrn were being spooked by the sights and sounds that assaulted them from every direction as they left the path and made their way down the main road of Glendaloch. Edna spoke soothingly to Cadeyrn when they were passed by an occasional car and she noticed how Cailin tried to keep his own eyes from falling out of his head.
“What is yer name, lad?” she asked, after a few minutes of their slow-paced walk.
“Cailin MacBayne, m’lady.”
“Cailin, please call me Edna. There’ll be no m’ladies here.”
He nodded in acknowledgment. “Aye, Edna.”
Those people who happened to be outside in Glendaloch didn’t seem to think it odd for a highland warrior, to be riding down the middle of the street on horseback. Edna was pleased to see they didn’t even seem to notice them.
“This is us, right here,” Edna announced, motioning towards the door of the inn.
Cailin guided Cadeyrn into another low bow, just as Angus rushed outside and made his way to Cailin’s side, taking Ashley gently into his arms from a suspicious Cailin who frowned at Angus and seemed unwilling to release his grip.
“Angus Campbell,” Angus said, by way of introducing himself. Edna saw him offer Cailin a reassuring smile. “Edna’s husband.”
“Cailin MacBayne. Thank ye for yer help.” Cailin dismounted and took Ashley back from Angus as soon as he could.
“Cailin please go inside with Angus,” Edna suggested. “I’ll ensure your horse is well taken care of.”
Edna watched as they entered the inn, and saw Teddy nervously peeking around the corner.
“He’s gone, Teddy. Never fear, we’ll explain it all to Cailin later. Dinnae worry.” She motioned towards the huge horse, holding the reins towards Teddy. “Take the horse along to Mrs. MacDougall. She has room for him in her barn, and then you should stay away from the inn for a wee while, until I get this all straightened out. Perhaps you could bathe the horse, and see to it he gets a bucket of warm mash. He’s had a trying day.”
Teddy nodded anxiously and started down the street with the massive warhorse in tow.
***
Edna bustled through the door just as Cailin and Angus were headed upstairs.
“Angus, show Cailin to Ashley’s room and try to make her comfortable. I’ll call Dr. Donaldson and ask him to come right away.”
Angus led Cailin to the end of the hall where he opened the door to a chamber. Cailin watched him curiously, as he pulled the coverings down and motioned for Cailin to set her down.
“Poor lass.” Angus said worriedly. Dinnae you worry, lad. We’ll have her better in no time.”
Cailin gently removed Ashley’s boots and then covered her with the strange bed coverings. They weren’t furs, and seemed more like the plaids he and the clan wore, but the material was thicker. Cailin kept one hand always in contact with Ashley, afraid that if he let go, he might suddenly find himself returned to the other side of the bridge without her. He sat beside her on the bed and took a good look around for the first time. The Campbell’s must be wealthy folk indeed, to have such fine furnishings in their wee castle. There were no candles to be seen in the chamber and yet it was brightly lit from outside. The windows held big panes of glass and were covered with fine curtains.
The door was opened and Edna came bustling into the room. She immediately went to Ashley’s side.
“Ashley, dear, can you hear me?” she asked worriedly. “Ashley?”
