That thought kept pushing into my brain, I kept tamping it down, no. He was fine.
He just got held up somehow.
CHAPTER 17 - MAGNUS
Ijumped alone to the beach at the end of the island. It was a warm day, the sun baking me as I awoke.Ah Florida, how I had missed ye.
I lumbered tae my feet and began the long walk tae m’house, aware that m’garb was verra wrong for the time: I was wearin’ a tunic, a fur wrapped around m’shoulders, leather boots with nae proper soles upon m’feet, belts slung at m’waist, and a sword at m’hip.
I adjusted my face intae a friendly, jovial expression,look at me, wearing a costume at midday, walkin’ down the street, there is a funny story here, ye might guess.
Though truly there was nothing funny about this story. Kaitlyn hadna come tae the thirteenth century as she had promised. The future kingdom of Riaghalbane was a desolate wasteland. Now I had traveled home and m’family hadna met me when I arrived. Twas worrisome was what it was. But I smiled anyway.
A small lizard scurried across m’path.
I grew apprehensive as I drew near the house. Twas dark and lifeless. The gate locked, I skirted the dunes tae the north and snuck up from behind the sheds. From my guard station on the walls, I knew there was a blind spot here and I was the only person who kent about this weakness.
I watched the empty house for about an hour, because I saw a glimpse of something on the upper walls, a shimmer as if there were someone there. I craned tae see, and wished I had binoculars. Twas difficult to make out what it was — then I saw it in another place, on the walkway, a glimmer in the air, near where we would stand.
I walked down the main road to the small food store. I was dripping wet from sweat and worry, but tried for a pleasant expression again, askin’ the lady behind the counter, “What say ye—” I stopped myself. “M’apologies, I was in character.”
She laughed. “Where are you going in that costume?”
“This? Och, I hae a play tae put on.”
“Oh,” she said and narrowed her eyes. “It’s very authentic.”
“Can ye tell me the date?”
She laughed, then said, “Oh, you serious?”
“Aye.”
She told me the date and it matched what I had thought.
I returned tae the house and watched it for a bit longer, wishing I had remembered tae bring money.
I decided tae jump tae our safe house, the one in Maine, the most recent one, tae see if I could find them.
I kent there was a safe there with cash in it.
I landed in a faraway field and trudged a few miles up the road. We had three dates planned for convening here. I had picked the nearest date, and was worried nae one would be there.
But as I neared the house I saw a canoe in the water. I approached cautiously, until I saw Isla run across the dock with orange floats upon her upper arms.
Relief washed over me. “Isla!” I jogged toward her.
She ran intae my arms, “Da!”
I scooped her up.
She said, “Da, you weren’t here. Emma said I could not call you.”
“I ken, wee’un, I dinna hae a phone.”
“You ought to get a phone da, so I can call you to tell you Archie is being a pain in the arse.”
I laughed as Zach rushed out of the house sopping wet. “Shit! I was in the shower and didn’t notice your storm, but I just saw the vessel on the tracker.”
