Fraoch said, “That is the one fortunate part of this, Sean and I will be here for the parley.”
Sean said, “Aye, at least there is one good thing…”
We crossed the damp field, cool in the darkness.
Fraoch said, “Och, we are goin’ tae be doused with rain, the weather is turning.”
Sean said, “Change is upon us.”
I had been quiet.
Fraoch said, “What ye thinkin’ on, Og Maggy?”
I chuckled. “I think I fell asleep again.”
Sean laughed.
I ran my hand up and down on my face, tryin’ tae reinvigorate m’self.
Fraoch said, “Maybe the vessel not workin’ was by chance?—”
I said, gruffly, “Two vessels.”
Fraoch said, “‘Two vessels’ not workin’ was by chance,maybe. I will try it again in a few hours, perhaps twill start workin’ again.”
I said, “By chance.”
Fraoch said, “Och, ye are in a mood. I am sayin’ we need tae keep checkin’.”
Hayley said, “Man, I hope everyone is okay.”
Fraoch said, “Aye, we are the rescuers and we are stuck, I hope someone is out there preparin’ tae rescue us.”
The thing that kept turnin’ in m’mind is that somehow I had lost m’upper hand.
CHAPTER 40 - ASH
CRIEFF, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER, 1683
We rode to the top of a hill and looked out over the valley. I said, “It’s not modern.”
“Aye, but tis not as old as we hoped.” He shifted in the saddle, looking around. “We are north of Stirling, Balloch ought tae be over there.”
He pointed behind us.
“So what should we do?”
“I see a village there. See it?” He pointed. “I believe tis Crieff, there is a market. We will go there, get some information, some food. We can spend the night if we need tae, there is... ought tae be, an inn.” He turned our horse and we rode down the path through the woods, headed in that direction.
I actually loved the ride, the gentle sway of Finny as he picked his path, rocking beneath me as Lochie’s arms were around me, holding the reins. I looked down on Lochie’s hands, bound muscles and powerful strength held in his tendons and the veins traversing them. I felt an almost electric charge when his forearm rested on my thigh, and my back rocked against this chest.
The woods were close but then opened up onto a road, and there were low stone walls marking fields. Peppered throughout were cows and sheep grazing and farmers working near low, long, pale houses with bushy thatched roofs.
Cattle meandered along the road, sometimes blocking our way. A cart rolled past us. Lochie stopped the driver and briefly conversed. I tried to tell by the surroundings what the time period was, but everything just looked old.
I was no help at all.
Then the man drove the cart away and Lochie urged Finny into a walk. He shifted and looked around in all directions and said, “He dinna ken the exact date, but he believed the year tae be 1683.” His eyes drew away and he looked thoughtful.
