by Jennae Vale
“Shall we?” Edna escorted Maggie outside where Angus sat astride an enormous bay horse with a black mane and tail. Alongside him stood a petite blue roan mare, perfectly sized for Maggie to ride.
“Look at ye lass. I mean lad,” Angus chuckled. “I hardly recognize ye.”
Maggie rolled her eyes at Angus and followed the uncharacteristic reaction with a bright smile, to let him know she wasn’t offended by his comment. “Goodbye, Auntie,” Maggie said, turning to Edna.
Edna gathered Maggie in her arms and hugged her tightly. “All will be well, Maggie. Dinnae fear. I love ye.”
“And I love ye,” Maggie responded, kissing Edna’s cheek.
“Do ye need help mounting yer horse, Alec?” Angus questioned. It was obvious he was having far too much fun teasing her and Maggie wondered how long it would continue before he tired of the game.
“Nae, Uncle. I can do it meself. How would it look if ye had to assist me every time I needed to do some manly thing?” Maggie questioned, with a touch of sarcasm. She turned to Edna, gave her aunt one last big hug and another kiss goodbye and then mounted her horse. She glanced towards Angus with a ‘see-I-told-you-I-didn’t-need-any-help’ look of triumph on her face. “What’s her name?” Maggie asked.
“Blue, of course,” Angus responded, as he effortlessly dismounted and wrapped Edna in a warm embrace. “I love ye, my sweet,” he said as he kissed her forehead. “We’ve nae been apart since we first met. ’Twill nae be an easy thing to do – leaving ye here.”
“I ken it, my love. Come back to me safely. Protect each other and if ye need me, I am here.” Tears formed in both Edna’s and Angus’ eyes and Maggie herself choked up as she watched. Angus bent low and lifting Edna’s chin with his fingertips, placed a gentle kiss on her lips. It seemed neither of them wanted it to end. Maggie couldn’t help but think of Dylan and hoped she’d found a love like the one her aunt and uncle shared. She’d know soon enough and the anticipation of seeing Dylan had her anxious to get started.
Angus reluctantly let go of Edna and remounted his horse. “Shall we go, Archie?” he said to his equine companion. They both turned their horses and headed away from the village and towards the bridge that would take them back to the year 1514 – and a less than certain outcome to the confrontation they were heading towards.
* * *
APPROACHING THE BRIDGE, Angus and Maggie noticed a thick, swirling fog bank which had descended over the bridge, leaving it barely visible to them.
“I believe we’re to go through the fog,” Angus stated. He nodded to Maggie and she nudged her horse, forward into the grey abyss. “Hold onto me hand, Maggie, and don’t let go until we reach the other side.”
Maggie inched Blue closer to Angus and held out her hand, which Angus grasped. They slowly made their way into the fog, unable to see even each other. Maggie could feel her horse shaking and quivering with fear beneath her. She laid a comforting hand along Blue’s neck. Bright lights flashed around them as they moved further into the mass of grey. And then, in a flash, it was completely gone and they were being greeted by a handsome, dark-haired man astride a horse that looked very much like the one Angus rode.
“Ye must be Angus. Welcome! I be Ewan, yer son-in-law, sir.” Ewan extended his arm towards Angus.
“Thank ye for awaiting our arrival,” Angus said. “I’m verra happy to finally meet ye.” He pulled his horse up alongside Ewan’s and reached out to clasp his hand. “And where is my daughter, Ewan?” Angus asked as he glanced around searching for Lena.
“Lena is back at home with the boys. We’ll all join ye at Breaghacraig once this business with Sir Richard and the witch is taken care of. I’m here to travel with ye to yer campsite for the night.”
Maggie noted the look of disappointment on Angus’ face. He had been looking forward to seeing Lena and his grandsons sooner rather than later.
“When ye return home, tell them that I’m anxious to see them.” Angus sat a little taller in his saddle, obviously putting on a brave face.
Maggie searched her surroundings for any sign that they were actually in a different time period, but nothing about the forested area they stood in gave even a hint of the past, present or future. She found herself looking forward to seeing the castle with her own eyes and meeting the people she’d heard so much about.
“And who is this lad ye’ve brought with ye?” Ewan questioned with a knowing grin. “I was expecting ye to be travelling with another.”
“This be Alec. He’s along to give me assistance.” Angus winked at Maggie and she nodded in acknowledgement.
“If Edna hadnae told us who ye be,” Ewan stated, “I’d truly take ye to be a lad. Maggie, isn’t it?”
“Aye. Maggie it was, but from now on I’m Alec.” Maggie experimented with deepening her voice to complete her disguise. The two men chuckled at her awkward attempt.
“Well, Alec and Angus, shall we get started? I will camp with ye tonight and I’ll see ye on yer way in the morn, before I head back home.” Ewan turned his horse to lead them away from the bridge.
“Camp?” Maggie repeated. She’d never been camping before. This was truly going to be an adventure.
‘Aye. We’ll nae want to travel in the dark, so ye’ll have nae choice. We’ll make it quite far before the sun sets,” Ewan explained.
“Alright. We should get going then.” Maggie took one last look back at the bridge they had crossed only moments before, and taking a deep breath, nudged Blue into a trot beside her uncle and Ewan.
Maggie did her best to relax and enjoy the scenery, but the weather was getting colder and the dampness was seeping into her bones. The end of October was near and with the change of months, would come even colder temperatures. She didn’t know how she was going to stay warm in this strange world. Her toes were already numb from the cold and she wasn’t certain she’d be able to uncurl her fingers from the reins she held so tightly.
After hours of riding, they arrived in a small clearing, hidden amidst the trees. This was to be their campsite, Ewan explained. Angus and Ewan set about making a fire and once it was blazing, Maggie sat as close to it as she safely could manage. Once her teeth stopped chattering and her toes were no longer tiny ice cubes, she asked, “Can I help ye with anything?”
“Nae,” both men answered in unison. Angus was preparing their bedding and Ewan was busily unpacking food from his saddlebags for their evening meal. With her offer of help unnecessary Maggie sat watching the flames as they danced in the evening breeze. She was mesmerized by the colors, the sounds and the way the fire flickered high in one spot and then another. Maggie was surprised when she realized she was watching herself in a scene that was unfolding in front of her eyes. This was a first for her. She’d never experienced a vision before and had never imagined she could. This was Edna’s territory and Maggie mimicked what she had seen Edna do on countless occasions when she was experiencing a vision. She steadied her breathing and cleared her mind of all doubt as she allowed herself to be immersed in her first experience with the sight. She quickly concluded that she wasn’t seeing herself in the vision, but rather this was Brielle, doing an incredible job of impersonating her. Maggie saw a man enter the vision and she smiled warmly when she realized it was Dylan who approached Brielle. Her smile soon faded when she watched him take Brielle’s hand, gazing lovingly into her face. Brielle reached up, ran her fingers through Dylan’s hair and cupped his cheek against her palm. Abruptly, she turned her head and looking right into Maggie’s eyes from within the vision, sneered at her before she let loose with a wicked laugh. Anger bubbled up in Maggie, breaking the trance. How dare Brielle touch Dylan? How dare he let her? And most disturbing of all to her, how could Dylan be fooled by Brielle? He was looking right into her eyes, not Maggie’s. He should have known the difference.
“Steady, my girl.” Edna’s voice floated to Maggie on the soft evening breeze. She quickly scanned the area searching for the location of her aunt. Ewan and Angus were s
till busy, and obviously unaware of Maggie’s vision or the sound of Edna’s voice. “Things aren’t always as they appear.” Silence followed and Maggie let go of her anger. Edna was a wise woman and was far more experienced than she was. Maggie was also happy to know that Edna was keeping an eye on things, even though she wasn’t physically present.
* * *
“SHALL WE EAT?” Ewan asked. Maggie, still recovering from the strange vision, noticed that the men had finished setting up camp and were staring at her expectantly.
“I’m sorry, I guess I got lost in thought.”
“I can see a family resemblance between ye and Lena,” Ewan said. “The same fiery red hair and emerald green eyes.”
“Aye. The women of the family all share those features. Edna as well, when we were younger. Now her hair is completely white, with streaks of blue, of all things.” Angus chuckled and winked at Maggie.
“Are ye excited to be here, Maggie?” Ewan asked.
“Excited probably isn’t the word I’d use. If the circumstances were different, then I would definitely be excited, but as it stands, I’m more anxious, you could say.” Maggie watched Ewan as he nodded his understanding. She could see why Lena had decided to stay here. He certainly was handsome with his dark hair and eyes. It all seemed so romantic to Maggie – Arlena crossing the bridge and meeting the love of her life when Ewan found her, and brought her back home with him. Now they were married and had a family together. If all went well, she hoped she’d get the chance to see her cousin while she was visiting this century. Things had to be much more serious than she’d assumed, for Lena, Ewan and the boys to stay away from Breaghacraig. Maggie wished she could shake the sense of dread that had settled on her, ever since she’d seen Brielle in the vision.
The three of them sat around the fire, Ewan and Angus getting to know each other better, while Maggie remained quiet and introspective. The men certainly seemed to be enjoying each other’s company. This meeting had been a long time coming and it was nice they hit it off so well.
“I’m tired,” Maggie said, yawning deeply as if to prove her point. “I’m going to get some sleep.”
“Alright, love,” Angus replied. “We’ll get an early start tomorrow morn.”
“Good night, Ewan,” Maggie said.
“Good night, Alec,” Ewan responded, with a teasing tone in his voice.
Maggie curled up with a blanket and closed her eyes, listening to the comforting sounds of Ewan and Angus quietly talking and laughing. It was all she needed to drift off to sleep.
* * *
THE PRACTICE FIELD was the place Dylan always chose to rid himself of his frustrations and today’s target was Cormac. The two men circled each other, looking for an opportunity to strike. Cormac and Cailin had both been working with him since his arrival in Breaghacraig and Dylan was confident that he had made much progress since his first days of holding a sword in hand. He now hefted it easily and with precise control. If his football buddies back home could see him now, they’d be amazed. They’d make fun of him for sure, but that was to be expected. His body had gone through some changes as well. He wasn’t big and bulkily muscled anymore - instead, he was lean and chiseled. He assumed he must look good, based on the way the women around the castle stared at him when he passed by. He had to admit, it did his ego good, but he wasn’t interested in any of them. He wanted Maggie – the Maggie he’d known from Glendaloch.
Cormac struck first and Dylan blocked him with his guard. He shoved Cormac away from him and then attacked immediately. Cormac was fast, parrying with a countermove of his own. This went on for a good long time, neither man besting the other before they were both completely winded, Cormac calling a halt to their practice first.
“Were ye fighting me or someone else, my friend?” Cormac asked, holding his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
Dylan was in a similar state and he shrugged in response.
“I think that lass, Maggie, is getting under yer skin.”
“How did you know?” Dylan asked.
“Just a good guess,” Cormac answered.
“Yeah, she is, and not in a good way. I don’t know what happened to her, Cormac. She was sweet and funny and I felt such a connection with her back in Glendaloch. Now she’s anything but sweet and funny. She’s more like a pesky fly.”
“I wish I could disagree with ye, but she hasnae done anything to endear herself to anyone while she’s been here. Jenna has done nothing but complain about her since her arrival. At first, I thought it was just that she was concerned fer yer welfare, but as the week has gone on, I can see that she truly doesnae care for Maggie. Cailin tells me Ashley feels the same. And as for Irene, well, let’s just say she’s ready to cast her out on her ear.”
“I don’t know what to do and I’m not sure why she’s so different. It’s as if she’s someone else.” Dylan stood to his full height and waited for Cormac to do the same. “What would you do?”
“Me? Well, ye ken yer cousin was a might bit prickly when I first met her, but I remained patient, showing Jenna that I was the right man for her. It took a while, but she came around and now look at us.”
“Yeah. You’re both nauseatingly in love,” Dylan joked. “Maybe you’re right. I’ll try to be patient with her and we’ll see if she comes around. I just don’t know why she bothered to come here, if not to see me.”
“Mayhap ye should talk to her about it. It might help, especially if things are as bad as they seem to be.”
“I think I will. You’re right, it can’t hurt.” Dylan made up his mind he would confront Maggie about her behavior. Maybe she’d open up to him and explain why she was acting so badly.
* * *
DYLAN FOUND Maggie up on the battlements, staring off into the distance. “Maggie, I want to talk to you about something.”
“Talk to me? About what?” Brielle questioned sharply, looking suspicious.
“About us. I’m not sure why you’re here. I thought it was to see me, but you don’t really seem that interested in spending any time with me. I’m always having to search for you and you’ve been rude and unfriendly to everyone here at Breaghacraig and well, I’m not sure I want you to stay any longer.” There he’d said it. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but she needed to know what he was thinking. Tears welled up in her eyes and Dylan immediately felt terrible. “I’m sorry, Maggie. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, but I don’t know what’s happened to you. You seem so distant and different from the girl I left in Glendaloch. I’m feeling really confused about us.”
“I’m so sorry, Dylan,” Brielle said. “I didnae mean to behave so badly. It’s just been a difficult time for me.”
“What’s wrong? You can tell me.” Dylan wrapped her in a hug. She was apparently having some sort of problems and he’d made her feel bad. Now he felt like a complete ass.
“I don’t want to talk about it just yet.” Brielle snuggled a little closer to him and tentatively put an arm around his waist. “Can ye forgive me? I’ll behave better. I promise.”
“Everyone deserves a second chance. Of course you’re forgiven.”
“Will ye tell me when I’m being rude or unfriendly, so I’ll know?” she sniffled. “Everyone must hate me.”
“No one hates you. They don’t know you, that’s all. Whatever you’ve been going through, I hope you know that I’m here for you.” Dylan knew the others didn’t hate her, but he was reasonably positive that they didn’t like her. Hopefully, with his help, she would show them the real Maggie and they could be convinced to change their minds.
CHAPTER 4
M aggie and Angus approached Breaghacraig around midday. They bid goodbye to Ewan soon after sun up and they’d all agreed once again that Ewan and the family would come to Breaghacraig once the danger had passed. Maggie was happy Angus would finally get to meet his grandsons and reunite with his long absent daughter. She only wished Edna could visit with them, as well.
“Un
cle, will they know who we are?” Maggie asked as they reached the gates. Her fingers instinctively went in search of her hair, for a bout of anxious twirling, but much to her frustration ’twas out of reach, neatly tucked beneath her cap.
“Ye’ll need to call me sir, Maggie, and I’ll need to call ye Alec, if we’re to make this work.”
“Yes, sir,” Maggie snapped a salute in his direction and they both laughed.
“To answer yer question, even though this is my time, Robert & Irene willnae ken who I am as I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting them, even though I did know their fathers. I’ve not met Cormac either. Jenna, Ashley and Cailin, however, have all met me at The Thistle and Hive, so they will no doubt recognize me.”
They drew their horses up at the gates and Maggie admired the completely intact castle. There were hundreds of castles dotted around Scotland, but not many looked as fresh and new as this one did. She realized, of course, that ‘new’ was a relative term, because even in 1514, this castle was more than likely already a few hundred years old. Still, it was a thrill to see it in daily use and occupied by the MacKenzie clan – instead of operating as a museum, open to the public and manned by employees who sold tickets and souvenirs.
“State yer business,” the guard called down from the barbican.
“Me name is Angus Campbell – an old friend of the laird’s father and this be me companion, Alec,” Angus called back.
The guard continued staring at them for a moment longer, before giving the signal to open the gates. Angus and Alec passed through and into the very busy courtyard, where they were met by boys from the stable who waited for them to dismount and then took their horses.
Maggie was fascinated by it all. She’d heard so much about this castle and she’d been excited about being able to see it firsthand. It was pleasing to discover it was everything she had expected and more, and she was not disappointed in the slightest. Everything about it seemed larger than life and it met all her expectations. Maggie couldn’t believe she was actually in medieval Scotland, and that in her time, these people were all long dead. Or were they? She’d have to ask Edna about this question, wondering whether it could be possible that they were all living at the same time, just on different planes of existence? She was going to give herself a headache if she kept thinking along those lines, but for some reason, it was easier to believe that, than to believe she’d actually travelled back in time five hundred years.