I mopped at my brow and relieved m’self and then sat on the boulder tae use one hand tae sheath m’dirk at m’right hip and sheathed m’broadsword on my left. I removed m’belongings from the pale white bag, coins, a few jewels, and a piece of bread wrapped in a cloth and ate it hungrily.
I pulled the cork from my small ceramic jar and guzzled down the last of the cider. “Och nae, I am still thirsty.” I capped it once more. When I arrived back in Scotland, I would need tae solve m’thirst problem first, then m’hunger. I placed everythin’ I owned in m’sporran and attached it tae m’belt. I managed tae get the silver brooch fastened tae pin m’cloak at m’shoulders. I was goin’ tae toss the bag away, but it looked useful and rare so I rolled it verra small and put it in m’sporran as well.
Then I looked down upon the vessel. I had only seen it from afar, until yesterday, and I hadna had a chance tae really look it over. I needed tae get from here. Twas bright and unsettling, but the trouble was I dinna ken how tae work the vessel.
There were grooves and markings, some numbers, and though I was in cool shade I had tae squint tae make them out — my eyes still burned by the brightness of light filtering throughthe leaves of the trees overhead. But it dinna matter, I had nae idea what their meaning was.
I thought... I wouldna be able tae figure this out, but likely it dinna matter much. If the vessel had dragged me here, then it ought tae drag me back, twas only fair.
I held it in m’good hand and raised it tae my eyes. “Go on, lad, do yer magic.”
I closed my eyes tight waiting for it tae turn on. I opened my eyes, “Tis time, do what ye need tae do — let us go, wee friend.”
Naething.
I huffed. “I ken ye can do it, ye hae done it afore. Just yesterday, ye ripped me away and injured m’shoulder, look what ye hae done tae me. Let us do it again. Now.”
I looked around at the woods and considered. Twas a verra sheltered spot, I had been in a field, runnin’, when I had been lifted.
I wasna interested in returnin’ tae the building I had left, so I headed the other way, picking a path toward a break in the trees, comin’ upon a creek. I knelt beside it and drank from m’hand then filled the jar, and replaced the cork. Twas nae easy with one hand. Then I straightened, holdin’ the vessel once more. “Alright vessel, do yer best. Ye can see the sky above us. Tis day. Dost ye need darkness? Or…” I looked all around. “I was runnin’ last time — daena ken how it happened, but I will try.” I clutched the vessel in m’fist, with all m’belongings banging against m’body, I began joggin’ down the bank of the creek, leaping from rock tae rock, concentratin’ tae keep on m’feet.
Then I drew tae a halt and addressed the vessel again, “The jostlin’ is injurin’ my shoulder anew, and for what purpose? Ye winna do yer part! And I look like an arse if someone comes upon me! They would see a grown man, an accomplished warrior, beggin’ a rock tae carry him off.”
I huffed.
And dropped m’arm, bangin’ the vessel on m’thigh. I felt it move, it seemed tae twist and grab ahold of m’hand. It felt as if twould rip m’limb from my body. A storm rose around me and I was torn asunder.
7
LEXI
2004 - LAUREL RIDGE HOUSE
Iwas enjoying the bright sunshine of a spring morning by pouring clothes into the washing machine to do a load of washing, when a chill crossed over the room. The light dimmed. My eyes drew to the window.Weird.A dark storm cloud had drawn over the sun and the wind had risen, whipping the trees outside once again — as if from nowhere.
What was going on with this weather?
Dude walked into the kitchen, trilling his head off.
Likely the porch door was open, I needed to batten down the house. I peered out again and then dumped detergent into the machine, cranked the dial and pushed go. I stalked over to the door as the screen door smacked against the house again.
I needed to remember to latch it with so many storms, but I liked to leave it because Dude could come and go as he pleased. I grasped the screen door to close it again and my eyes caught a sight — a body, lying in the fieldagain.
I froze,oh no, oh no,that was not… no.
I slammed the door closed, locked it, and then rushed to the window, kneeling on the couch, peering out. The storm seemed to be dissipating but it was unmistakable — there was that man,the same man, Torin, wearing the same clothes, lying in the same place in my back lawn.
Not even a different part of my lawn, the exact same place.
He sat up.
I shrieked and locked the window, yanked the curtains closed, and backed away.
He had been facing away, so he didn’t know I was here, but what if he came to the house?
I rushed around, closing all the curtains on the ground floor and checking the doors were locked. Then I rushed up the stairs two at a time for Cooper’s gun in the bedside table.
I pulled it from the drawer and then went to the guest room to look out the upper window.
