“Yeah, that was devastating. Archie was freaking out just a couple of days ago about you dying — he’ll be inconsolable.”
He nodded. “If only I could give him peace and prosperity, a throne with nae usurpers… I would, but I canna figure out how tae do it. I wasna prepared for Asgall tae gain so much power. I did nae suspect the English King was time traveling. I failed immensely.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I ken ye are tryin’ tae set my mind at ease, Kaitlyn, but this is all m’fault. I dinna ken that the danger was comin’, until I saw m’brother’s life taken in front of me. What if something had happened tae Archibald? I put everyone in danger, and Sean lost his life because of it.”
“He wanted to be there. Everyone was there because they wanted to be at the meeting. This is a lot to have on your shoulders. Please don’t let it break you.”
“Aye. I winna, mo reul-iuil.” He ripped up a weed and pulled apart the leaves and tossed them in front of his feet. “There will be a wind at m’back. Asgall will rue what he has done.”
I nodded. His jaw was set, he was angry and determined.
“What will we do?”
He chuckled dolefully. “First we are goin’ tae need a miracle tae get out of this ancient forest.”
I said, “Yep, a miracle would be nice. We are in a pickle.”
He laughed.
“You never heard that before?”
“Nae, but aye, we are in a salty brine-filled barrel and we will need tae break out of it. Tis a good metaphor.”
I asked, “What do you think Fraoch is doing right now?”
“He is raisin’ an army, but...” He tossed a pebble in front of us. “He will need a vessel tae deliver the army tae Asgall’s shore, an army is nae good if ye canna travel.”
“It’s true, we’re stuck in a pickle, he’s trapped in a dilemma.”
“Aye, and we need tae get a message tae Lady Mairead tellin’ her where we are. She is in a fog.”
“How do we get a message to her?”
“I daena ken, so first we ought tae pray.”
I nodded. “Yeah, we should.” I clasped my hands and bowed my head.
He pressed his hands together and said, “Dear God in Heaven, please watch over our bairns in our absence. Guide them tae find courage while we are apart and solace in the arms of their friends and family. Father, please keep them from despair, and let them ken we are searching tae find our way home tae them. Give Jack, Isla, and Archibald comfort, and though I ken tis not usual, I ask that ye keep Haggis safe, so he may guard them well until m’return. And I ask of ye tae give our friends, Fraoch and Hayley, Zach and Emma, and their bairns, the strength and wisdom tae hold our family taegether until wereunite, please keep all our bairns safe. And please, Almighty Father, I ask also that ye welcome Sean intae yer arms,” his voice broke, “tell him that I am sorry for it... in yer name we pray. Amen.”
I said, “Amen,” and put my arms around him and held him tight. “Want to talk about it?”
“Nae, not now.” He took a deep long breath, then asked, “Which direction ought we go?”
“You’re asking me because I am the native to these colonial shores?”
“Aye.”
“Well, if we are in colonial America, then we need to walk east towards the ocean, that’s where we will find the port towns, where we can, hopefully, get a message out.”
“I agree.” He stood up. “And though I am verra tired, we ought tae walk for a time, we can sleep at nightfall.” He teased, “Point the direction.”
I stood and thought, “Umm.... I think...”
He laughed and started walking down the hill. “Follow me, mo reul-iuil, we must head east.”
I laughed. “I knew that was the way, I just needed a minute.”
