Page 38 of Wild Scottish Knight

“Wait…now what?” I looked at Hilda, who I deemed next in command, and she looked at Agnes, who just shrugged.

“That’s it. You’re the Knight now. I guess you’ll need to figure out how to start your challenges,” Hilda said.

“Oh sure, right, okay. That’s easy enough, isn’t it?” I rolled my eyes. Needing to get out of the weapons room, which now felt like the ceiling was closing in, I followed Archie up the stairs and back into the main part of the castle. There, I detoured to the library, a room that had given me solace before, and dropped into the chair next to the fireplace. Closing my eyes, I leaned back with my sword in my lap and tried to take stock of the emotions that tumbled in my stomach. Elation mixed with fear, I realized. Elation because something about this blade made me feel stronger than I had in years, and fear because I didn’t know my path forward. I was the person who, when booking a vacation, had my spreadsheet already started with ideas and itineraries. Since the moment I’d stepped foot on the private plane to come here, with haphazard packing and no idea what was waiting for me on the other side, I’d been out of my comfort zone. Now, I was supposed to just willy-nilly conquer a few ancient challenges and fend off a few dangerous mythological water beasts hell-bent on terrorizing a small village.

It was Archie who found me, staring up at the ceiling and contemplating how to proceed, and put a mug of tea by my chair.

“You need to tell me how to fight these challenges. Or the Kelpies. Something. I needsomedirection, Archie,” I said, still staring at the mural on the ceiling. I realized little elves or cherubs were hiding among the painted vines. “I can’t just banish the Kelpies with no information.”

“You won’t banish them no matter what,” Archie said, dropping into the other seat by the fireplace and reaching for his tackle box on the floor.

“Wait, what? I thought that was what this was all about?” I asked.

“It is. But you can’t do it all on your own. You’re the first step. Once the full Order is restored, the Kelpies will return to rest. Ideally, you’ll lessen their presence and be able to control them. As the Knight, you’ll have the most power over your horses so to speak.”

“Wait, the Kelpies are mine?” Had I just inherited some crazy water horses as my pets?

“The Kelpies belong to themselves. But, in theory, when your powers manifest, you’ll be the one best suited to keeping them in check.”

“Right, of course, and how am I to do that again?” I narrowed my eyes at Archie as he took a feather from his box and studied it.

“Magick.” Archie snipped off a bit of the feather and, deeming that one appropriate, he put it aside.

“So what do I do now?” I asked, tapping the hilt of my dirk with one finger.

“I suggest you have a rest. None of this is going to happen overnight. Today was a big step forward. Soon enough, the challenges and how they manifest for you will reveal themselves.”

“A rest?” I asked in the same tone as if he was offering me cocaine.

“Yes? You’ve heard of it, surely? Close your eyes. Kick your feet up. Read a book. Things of that nature…” Archie shrugged as I stood. Rest? This man was crazy. I was way too keyed up to relax. What I needed was action. Or a job. Something to keep me busy.

“Did you see where Matthew went?”

“He’s off with Agnes to visit her bookstore,” Archie said. “And Hilda’s gone to get the messages.”

I still wasn’t certain what that term meant but narrowed my eyes as a clap of thunder rattled the window. The sound of paws skittering down the hallway reached me, and Sir Buster tore into the library, his eyes wild, and darted for the cushion on the floor in front of the fireplace.

“That’s a good lad, then. I’ll just get a fire going here, and we’ll cozy on up against the storm, won’t we?” Archie said, putting his flies away to crouch at the fireplace. Leaving them to it, I wandered into the hallway and down to the lounge, peeking my head in to see if Lachlan lingered there. Finding it empty, I turned and decided to head back to my apartment. Maybe I could take a nap? Another clap of thunder sounded, and I nudged that idea aside. Though cozying up under that thick comforter on my bed did sound lovely.

Uncertain, and unused to time off, I wandered down another corridor, stopping to study several of the portraits that hung between the tapestries strung up to cover the stone walls. I wondered if the tapestries were hanging to display their beautiful artistry or if it was another way to provide insulation against the damp cold that seemed common to Scotland. A grunt of frustration tore my attention away from a portrait of a woman in a blue ball gown with a small dog on her lap. If I squinted my eyes, the dog could have been an ancestor of Sir Buster’s. Turning, I saw an arched doorway with the door only partially closed and light spilling into the corridor. Curious, I stopped at the door, nudging it with the hilt of my dirk until it swung a touch wider.

Lachlan sat at a desk, paperwork strewn about in a mess that immediately made me itchy, and ran a hand through his hair. My mouth went dry. It was the wire-rimmed glasses perched on his nose that did it. Never had I wanted to jump a man more than I did at this moment as he cursed long and low at the computer screen.

“I don’t think Siri responds to curses,” I said, and Lachlan jumped in his chair. Turning, he narrowed his eyes at me.

“Who is Siri?”

“Um, she’s the…voice-activated assistant. In your Macbook there?” I pointed at his computer, and he just looked blankly at me. Taking pity on him, I leaned against the doorframe and glanced around the room. It was clearly his office and was a really cool room. The stone walls were painted white, and a hallow arch showcased a matching curved window, and the ceiling rounded above it. An oriental-style carpet was tossed on the floor, and a cluttered bookshelf hugged one wall. Two lamps cast a warm glow across the room, and I felt some of the tension ease from my shoulders. Here was a man with a problem, and I could help. At least it would give me something to do.

“I don’t know what you’re on about,” Lachlan said, glancing back at the computer.

“Spreadsheets giving you trouble?” My fingers literally vibrated with the need to nudge him out of the way and tidy up his desk.

“They are the bane of my existence. It’s what makes me so tetchy, I swear it.” Lachlan glowered at the pile of papers in front of him.

“Is it to do with the business of MacAlpine Castle?” Oh please, let it be something to do with the business. At least then, I’d have a viable reason for butting in to help.

“Aye, it’s the accounts. They’re not matching up, but I can’t find the error.” Lachlan poked at a pile of papers in front of him.

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