I had tae get home. Max was supposed tae hae the vessel — twas his, not mine. He had been haunted by its loss, desperately searchin’ for it, and yet, here I was, with it in m’possession.
Except I dinna hae it in m’possession anymore — I could see a pale white bag with m’few belongings on the chair beside m’bed. I had struggled tae reach it and pulled it close, feelin’ around the bottom before lettin’ it go. The vessel wasna inside it.
Max and I had been working tae get our hands on it for long months, I had mistakenly spirited it away, and now twas no longer with me. I dinna ken where it had gone or how I had ended up here, in this hellish chamber.
Och nae.
And m’sword was missin’ as well.Where was m’sword?
I kept my eyes closed while the physician worked upon me, only openin’ m’eyes when a nursemaid yelled “Sir!” intae m’face.
Their shrill voices made a piercin’ clamor that vexed my ears. The room was filled with an endless din and jangle, so I could scarce hear. They cast a blazing beam intae m’eyes, and all about was a wild uproar.
I shook m’head or nodded in answer when they forced me tae speak —who were these people?
They asked numerous questions and demanded answers.What had happened tae me? What had happened tae Max?
Och, he would be so disappointed in me. He had received a message tellin’ him where tae find the vessel and that had been the first time I had seen him with hope in his heart.
Where was he now?He had been near me. Now I couldna tell where he had gone and this place was a quandary, twas confusin’ tae be in a bed in the middle of it — when a bonny maiden entered the room.
She was radiant, most of her skin bare, and she smelt like sunshine beaming upon a field of blossoms. Her presence was a blaze of brightness, almost blinding, clashing with the glare of the chamber. The light she emanated overwhelmed m’senses, making it hard tae focus.
And then she handed me the vessel.
Twas a moment of grace in a terrible day.
She stood beside m’bed, speakin’tae me, I asked her where I was, but her answer increased the mystery.
And then shewithdrew when the guards entered and forced me tae press m’finger tae their ink and then their paper. I hid the vessel under the covers.
The men asked who I was and where I lived. I answered, “Torin,” and that I was, “From the Highlands.”
One of the men said, “Highlands, that’s right up the road. His prints are clear, he’s got no record.”
The other said, “Do you have a way to get home?”
I opened my eye. “Aye.”
The other man said, “As soon as you are released, head on home. Don’t stay here causin’ trouble.”
“Aye, I will.”
After a time of extreme discomfort and confusion, the guards left the room. Then Mistress Lexi spoke with me further, and then she left. And through it all I had gained an awareness: I was being held captive. They wouldna allow me tae leave this strange place.
I couldna remain if I wanted tae be free. M’shoulder ached, but I had tae go.
I opened an eye as best I could and scanned the room. I could leave through the window, but best tae go down the hall. I had seen the direction Mistress Lexi had gone, I simply needed tae go that direction.
I shoved the vessel intae the wrappin’ on m’shoulder so that twas hidden at m’chest, under m’arm and dropped m’feet tae the floor. Takin’ brief glances, moppin’ m’burning eyes with m’wrist so I could see. I found m’boots under the chair.
A nurse rushed in. “Sir! You have to get back to bed!” She made me lay back and lifted m’feet up tae the end of the bed and patted my knee. “There, we have some paperwork before you can leave.”
I said, “I need m’sword, dost ye ken where tis?”
“It’s a valuable, we are sending it down to the locker. You can pick it up there when you’re free to go.”
“Tis nae there yet?”
