Liam called, “Is everything well?”
I passed it to Quentin. “Our vessel isn’t working!”
He twisted it and then lowered it by his side, exasperated. “I’m supposed to get you to safety and then deliver a pile of weapons and supplies to Magnus and the freaking vessel isn’t working.”
“But what if we need to get out of here? We’re stuck?”
He nodded. “In the eighteenth century, but look at the bright side, at least we’re not in the thirteenth century. Magnus isn’t going to get his delivery of weapons.” He sighed. “He needs the weapons.”
I said, “But probably Lochinvar’s vessel will work, when he gets here you can use his.”
“You think his is working?”
I shook my head. “I have no idea.”
He said, “Let’s think this through, if ours isn’t working, what could go wrong because of this — so much could go wrong.”
I said, “First thing, most importantly, we’re not getting the weapons to Magnus, he’s probably going to need them.”
Quentin joked, “Glad he’s got a chill temper.”
I laughed. “Hide his sword — was there anything he was expecting besides weapons?”
Quentin calculated. “Diapers, toilet paper, I have everything a man needs to stay in a good mood, I just have to get it there.”
“Maybe it will work tomorrow.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Who did this?”
I said, “Shit, I don’t know, could it be Arsewipe? Damn.” I looked around at everyone. “I guess it’s good we have the weapons now.”
Quentin said, “At least Lochie is coming, day after tomorrow. No panic, not yet.”
“Unless he’s stuck.”
“We ought to get back.”
We all returned to Balloch.
CHAPTER 38 - LOCHINVAR
AN UNKNOWN CLEARING - AN UNKNOWN TIME
Iwas up, crouched above her, m’gun in m’hand. We werna in the right place again. I had felt the tug in m’middle — we had been pulled. I dinna ken where or when we were. A different forest, a different mountain in the distance.
I looked over m’shoulder and around in every direction. Nae one was coming, nae one was here tae greet us. Finny was grazing without a care in the world.
The vessel had been set for the right place and time, I ken twas. I dinna hae as much experience as the rest of the men in m’family, but I kent enough. I knew how tae get where I meant tae be, and I had Ash with me. I was being cautious. I was serious about fixing this issue, certain that I knew where and how tae go.
I looked up and saw a streak of a cloud — but twas natural, not caused by airplanes.
Ash was still, her eyes closed, her mouth drawn down intae a deep frown.
I said, “Ash, are ye angry?”
Without openin’ her eyes she said, “I’m furious.”
I said, “At yer Lochinvar?”
