The horse was breathing heavily. I peered through the darkness. I could see the faint glow of the open field, but I couldn’t see Lochinvar. He had crept closer to the road to watch out. What if he had to fire his gun? The idea scared me — if he fired it, couldn’t it scare the horse?
I was on a horse, I had no idea what I was doing on a horse.I was terrified to stay on him, scared to get off him. I was stuck, heart racing. Facing the wrong direction.
Just sit.
I stared at the horse’s ear as it quietly flicked.
It was like he understood to be quiet, to remain still.
A few minutes later I heard Lochinvar’s footsteps. He put a hand on my hip, stroked his other hand down Finny’s neck, and whispered, “Thank ye, boy, ye did good.”
He looked up at me, “Were ye frightened?”
I nodded. “Where did they go?”
“They turned around and went back tae the village.”
“Were they time travelers?”
“Nae, they wanted tae rob us, but we were too much hassle.”
“Good, that’s a relief… but why won’t the vessel work?”
“I daena ken, tis broken.” He exhaled.
Then he climbed up on the back of Finny and settled down behind me in the saddle. He turned Finny toward the path and looked left and right as if making a decision. Then he said, “We will ride north tae Balloch.”
I said, “So, what... are we stranded?”
“Aye.” We began the ride.
A little while down the path, I asked, “What year is it again?”
“I believe tis 1683.”
“I’ve been in like four different centuries now, can’t say I’m a fan. Most of my visits have not been by choice.”
He stiffened in the saddle behind me. “Dost ye regret it...?”
“No, not like that, but I don’t like the time travel aspect of it, the actual jumping, and now that I know how dangerous it is?—”
“Aye, tis verra dangerous.”
“Especially when your vessel doesn’t behave.”
“It has become a menace.” He yawned loudly, and joked, “M’kingdom for a tent.”
I said, “That is the truth. You exhausted, m’laird?”
“Aye, but we canna stop now. We’ll be in need of a bed by tonight.”
The sun was high, warm, the day lovely, quiet and calm. “But if I fall asleep, nudge me with yer elbow.”
I laughed. “Just promise that if Ido,you won’t fall off. I don’t know what I’m doing up here.”
“Ye think yer girly nudge would knock me tae the ground? Ye hae a verra fine idea of yer elbow.”
“Hey, my elbow went to bootcamp, it can nudge like crazy.”
