I allowed the conversation tae wane, wishin’ that Chef Zach were here tae discuss the matters of metaphor and time.
We finished our ales and our dinner and I climbed the stair tae my room. There I knelt beside my bed tae pray. “God, in yer infinite wisdom, please help me tae understand what I am experiencing, I used tae be afraid of being dead in the past, or livin’ out of time, but I hadna considered how terrifyin’ it would be tae livebesidetime — nothing more than a ghost in one realm, with people I love as ghosts in another. Please, I beg of ye, help me tae find my…” I thought tae say ‘my correct path’ but decided tae follow Caillean’s beliefs. “Please Father, give me guidance within the wheel of time. Bring me round, through this dark time without m’wife, separated from our bairns, returned tae their arms…” I continued on for a while, and then, done with the prayer, lay with my cheek on my bed.
After a moment I felt a barely perceptible, warm hand, brush through my hair as if I were being comforted.
I did feel comforted.
I said tae Kaitlyn, “I will do everything I can tae get ye returned tae yer bairns, I promise.”
CHAPTER 23 - KAITLYN
Two men entered, the first was Domnall, who I had already met. The second seemed likely to be Ormr, though I had never met him. He was not as ugly as Domnall was, not quite as big, but a gross brute all the same.
I was pissed. I sat on the bed and glared.
His brow raised. “Ye are angry, little bitch.”
“And you are a dipshit, you’re evil and vile, and yes, I am a bitch, sure. These two things are both true.”
Ormr sat down in the chair, adjusting his furs around his shoulders.
Domnall leaned against the wall, his expression stupid and leering, dangerous.
Ormr said, “Are ye enjoyin’ yer new home?”
“Fuck you.”
He laughed.
I said, “Why am I here? Why haven’t you killed me yet?”
“I wouldna give us any ideas.”
I huffed.
He said, “Where is yer husband?”
“I have no idea, don’tyouknow?”
“Nae, I think he is hiding from us, like the big coward he is. Tis loathsome.”
“Says the man who kidnapped someone else’s wife. He’s not a coward, he’s going to learn where I am and he’s going to come and kick your ass so hard you’ll be crying to your mother that the bad man hurt you—”
“We are countin’ on him learning where ye are and waitin’ for him tae arrive.”
“And until that happens you’ll just keep me indefinitely?”
“He winna leave ye here that long, though he’s been known tae be irrational.” He shrugged. “Perhaps yer pull is nae so strong with him?”
I huffed. “Where is James Cook?”
“The dungeon.”
“He’s still alive? He hasn’t been harmed?”
“He’s alive, but nae for long.”
CHAPTER 24 - MAGNUS
