by Kit Morgan
“Oh. Yeah.” There was more he wanted to say, she could tell, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to know what. “My stomach … I felt like I was being stabbed. Not that I ever have been, but …” She stopped, waiting for his response.
“Yes.” He cleared his throat and looked away. “I could tell you were uncomfortable.”
“That’s one way of putting it,” she chuckled. “I hope I don’t make a habit of it.”
He rubbed his own belly. “Nor I.” He looked at her and their eyes locked again. “The royal physician is very good.”
“Yes, quite so.” Andel glanced at his son and back. Was it just her imagination, or were Asger’s parents starting to look nervous? “You should go to your chambers, son.”
“Why?”
“Why?” his mother said, aghast. “You just passed out!”
Asger went back to gazing into Mitzi’s eyes. “Maybe it was just something I ate.”
His mother rolled her eyes and shook her head. “All the more reason you should be in bed. You don’t want to get the young lady sick, do you?”
He turned and looked at her skeptically. “From something I ate?”
“If both of you have a bellyache, maybe it’s catching.”
“She’s right,” Mitzi agreed. “It wouldn’t be food poisoning.”
His father looked at the doors. “I don’t know what’s keeping Dag, but I agree that you two should return to your chambers immediately. Do you need help, son?”
“I don’t need to be carried like a sick babe, Father. I can get there on my own.”
“No need to be so sharp – I didn’t imply …” Andel tossed his hand in the air. “Never mind. Just go to your chambers.”
“You seem in an awful hurry to get rid of me,” Asger commented.
Mitzi glanced between the handsome prince and his father. Were his parents trying to get rid of him? Perhaps to separate them? She didn’t know why he would, other than they were both unwell.
Maddie smiled at Mitzi. “I’ll have Lady Mildred help you back to your room. I’m sure some added rest will do you good, dear.”
Mitzi stared at her, then at Andel. Both were looking at her as if they were trying to will her out of the room. So they didn’t want her around their son, eh? And if her guess was right, it had nothing to do with bellyaches. “Thank you,” she finally said, being in no position to argue.
Then a thought struck. Andel had made Asger leave yesterday just before informing her she was in 1889. Was that why they didn’t want her talking to their son – did they not want him to know she was from the future? It was either that or the coma, and she didn’t think she could dream up a bellyache like she’d just suffered.
“I must go,” Asger said softly.
“I understand,” she said. But did he? Did the man have a clue what was going on? She sighed. Who was she kidding – she was still trying to figure it out.
“I look forward to our next meeting,” he said.
That got her attention. “Next meeting?”
“Of course. You’re a guest in our castle. I’d love to show you around.”
“There will be time for that later.” His mother shooed him toward the doors. “As Mitzi is our guest, we must endeavor to care for her. If she’s sick, I want her in bed.”
“I feel fine now,” Mitzi commented. It was worth a try.
“Be that as it may,” Maddie said, “we can’t risk you becoming any more ill than you already are. Nor you, Asger.”
“Your mother’s right,” Andel said. “Besides, the last person we want battling a stomachache around here is the queen.”
Maddie nodded and headed for the doors. She poked her head out, spoke a few words and Mildred hurried in. “Oh, you dear sweet girl! What happened?”
“Mitzi is feeling ill, Lady Mildred,” Maddie said. “She must be returned to her bed. See to it.”
“Right away, Your Majesty.” Mildred took Mitzi’s hand, ignoring Asger and almost running him over as she pulled her to her feet. He realized just in time and scooted out of the way.
Mitzi didn’t want to leave, but she also didn’t want to feel worse than she had a few moments ago. She glanced over her shoulder as Mildred dragged her toward the doors. “Perhaps we can play checkers later?” She didn’t know why she said something so silly, but if they were going to be sick, they might as well do it together. And maybe she could find out a few more things about this place.
“Out of the question,” Maddie cut in.
“I think it’s a splendid idea,” Asger said.
“No,” his mother said. “Which reminds me, what is taking Dag so long?”
Andel groaned. “I hate to think.” He quickly spoke to a nearby guard, who hurried off, presumably to fetch the missing doc.
“Come along, young lady.” Mildred led Mitzi into the hall. “If you’re not yourself then there’s not a moment to lose!”
“Why?” Mitzi asked with a hint of alarm. How did they handle a tummy ache in this century? Presuming it was another century …
“Who knows what ails you?” Mildred said. “The last thing we want is for it to get worse.”
The word “worse” stuck in Mitzi’s mind. What if the woman was right? But she was fine yesterday … okay, not when she hurled into that chamber pot last night, but that was because she was in shock. She wasn’t in pain until she locked eyes on Asger. He seemed fine too, until he looked at her. That was weird.
She glanced over her shoulder to see Asger in the hall, watching them. She smiled faintly before she could stop herself. Did he notice?
By the time Mildred got her back to her room and tucked into bed, the pain was back. “Oh, you poor dear, you’re very very pale again.”
“I can’t understand what’s wrong with me. I feel awful all of a sudden.”
“Where does it hurt?” Mildred went to the sideboard, poured her a glass of water and brought it over. “Here, drink this.”
“I’m not thirsty.” Mitzi waved the glass away and put her hand over her belly. “It hurts here. Also here.” She touched her heart. “But it’s not quite a physical pain, it’s… well …”
“Whenever I get pains in those areas, it’s indigestion,” Mildred said.
“What do you do about it?”
“For me, it’s nothing a good belch can’t cure.”
Mitzi did her best not to smile. “Oh.”
“Not that you have to resort to such unladylike behavior,” Mildred assured her. “But it wouldn’t hurt.”
Mitzi sighed as she settled under the covers. “I don’t think burping will help.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. It pains me to see you like this, my dear.”
Mitzi laughed. “Why? You don’t know me.”
“But I do. I know we’ve only just met, but a person can learn a lot watching over another.”
“Watching me or guarding me?”
“A little of both, but it’s not what you think.” Mildred went to the door, opened it, spoke to the guard outside, then returned. “I ordered you some broth – it’ll help. And for your information young lady, I’m not here to keep you from leaving.”
“No, that’s what the guards outside are for.”
Mildred clasped her hands and hemmed and hawed a bit before answering. “They’re for our protection. After all, if you were kidnapped, as the prince seems to think, we wouldn’t want your abductors getting their hands on you again, would we?”
“Two points for you,” Mitzi conceded. She’d forgotten about the kidnapping scenario since Andel and Maddie said their friends were responsible … “Oh, good grief. Dallan and Shona.”
“The MacDonalds?” Mildred said in surprise. “What have they to do with anything?”
“Everything, is my guess. They brought me here – at least that’s what Andel and Mad … I mean, Their Majesties think.”
“Most curious. I haven’t seen them for years.” Mildred went back to the sideboard and poured herself a glass of water. “I’ve often w
ondered whatever happened to them.”
“Why? How many years has it been?”
“Well, for me, I’ve only seen them once since I came here.” Mildred quickly drained her glass and refilled it.
Mitzi sat up, ignoring the odd feeling of emptiness that was growing. “What are you saying?”
“Nothing. Nevermindnevermind.” Mildred emptied her glass again. “Oh, dear – if I keep this up, I’ll have to run off to relieve myself.”
“Mildred? What aren’t you telling me?”
Her eyebrows rose. “What? Me? Whatever do you mean?”
Mitzi folded her arms. “You are one of the worst liars I’ve ever seen.”
Mildred’s glass fell to the floor and shattered. “Oh, now see what you’ve made me do? You’ve got me so upset I’m dropping things!” She bent to clean up the mess.
“Be careful, don’t cut yourself.” Mitzi began to get out of bed.
“Stay where you are, young lady. Don’t worry, I’ll fetch a broom.” Mildred rose, her knees cracking, and headed for the door. She poked her head out again, said a few words and returned. “I’ve sent for a chambermaid – she’ll clean this up in no time.”
Mitzi fell silent. Chambermaids, guards, a queen, princes and princesses … oh, and the castle. It was like something out of a fairy tale – or the past. But the pain in her gut was undeniably real. Besides, she didn’t have the imagination to dream all this up. All of which begged the question: what should she do next?
Chapter Twelve
Dallan watched the townsfolk go about their business. Dalrovia was a tiny but prosperous country, and it was most evident in Asgerias, the de facto capital city which surrounded the castle. He, Shona and Lany were making a sweep through the surrounding area, looking for any signs of the men who’d taken and almost killed Tory Phelps during their last assignment. They’d passed through several hamlets, farmland, orchards and other villages, but none compared to Asgerias.
Shona was enthralled. “Dallan, look at that!” She pointed.
He looked at the cobbler fixing shoes in front of his shop. “Aye, I see him.”
“This is like something out of a movie. It’s beautiful here!”
He smiled. “I’m glad ye like it, Flower. The food is good too.”
Lany approached carrying a loaf of bread and a small wheel of cheese. “I bought lunch.”
“Too bad we don’t have any mayonnaise,” Shona commented. “But this will have to do.”
“At least the bread is fresh.” Lany tore her off a hunk and tossed the cheese to Dallan, who whipped out his dirk and started cutting it. “Let’s find someplace to sit and eat.”
Shona pointed to a grassy spot near a stream that ran through the center of town. “There’s a town in Washington state – Leavenworth. I’ve never been, but I’ve seen pictures. This place reminds me of it. That and some places in Europe.”
Dallan laughed. “Aye, imagine that.”
She caught her slip and rolled her eyes. “Okay, this is Europe, but I’m talking modern-day.”
“I wonder what this place looks like in Mitzi’s century,” Lany said. “I know it’s part of Germany by then. We should look when we have the time.”
“Which we don’t right now.” Dallan handed them each a wedge of cheese, then sliced one for himself. “Did ye see anything suspicious, Master Lany?”
“No. Just people buying goods, bartering. Wagons, horses, that sort of thing.” He slapped his cheese onto some bread and took a healthy bite. “Mmm, that’s good.”
“We haven’t sensed anything,” Shona said. “But we didn’t when we were chasing the men that took Tory. If they’re here, how would we know?”
“A good question.” Dallan took a bite of cheese and chewed thoughtfully.
“You two should see Andel and Maddie and make your presence known at the castle,” Lany advised. “These guys might not be inclined to cause trouble if they know you’re here.”
“He’s right,” Shona agreed. “That is, if they know who and what we are.” She turned to Lany. “What if they don’t?”
“Then you have a good chance of catching them.”
“Element of surprise?”
Lany nodded. “Melvale and I talked about it. If Philip Brennan was working with these people before Dallan became a Time Master, there’s a good chance they know nothing about you two. Brennan wasn’t one to tell others about his prizes.”
Shona exchanged a look with Dallan. “So he might not have told them about me. That would be to our advantage.”
“Aye, but surely they know of Time Masters,” Dallan said.
Lany shrugged. “Depends on what Philip told them. Maybe he didn’t tell them what he was.”
“And was he still a Time Master when he got together with these men?” Shona asked. “Or was he dependent on someone else to travel through time? If his wife Lissa wasn’t around anymore to make the time travel possible …”
Dallan cut off another wedge of cheese. “We’ve discussed the possibility of another corrupted Time Master, have we no, Master Lany?”
“Yes, in certain circumstances there would have to be another,” he agreed. “But that could’ve been Bartrol. The best we can do is concentrate on our current assignment and make sure Miss Fine and Prince Asger get together, marry and live happily ever after.” He glanced at their surroundings. “This is the type of place that screams ‘happy ending’.”
Shona laughed. “It sure does. I wish Kitty could be here to see this.”
“Och, no.” Dallan shuddered. “I ken how much ye like yer friend, Flower, and she’s been a big help in the past. But she canna keep coming on assignments with us.”
“She has her own life to lead,” Lany added.
Shona hung her head and fiddled with her bread. “I know.” She took a tiny bite and chewed.
Dallan put his arm around her. “She’ll have her share of adventures. I’d just like to see them happen in her own time.”
She smiled lopsidedly. “I know she drives you crazy.”
He smiled back and kissed her forehead. “Aye, but she’s proven herself in a pinch, has she no?”
“Her family was getting awful suspicious of her being gone all the time,” Shona said. “I know she’s not happy about having to stay home this time, but …”
Lany held up his hand. “Look.” He pointed toward the street. “I could be mistaken, but I don’t think polo shirts are in fashion yet …”
“What?!” Shona stood and looked where he indicated. “Oh my gosh!”
Dallan took her hand. “Sit down, Flower.”
She sat. “He’s not only wearing a polo shirt, but tennis shoes,” she hissed.
Lany craned his neck to see. “Yes, those are Nikes all right. He sticks out like a belly dancer in a monastery.”
“But where did he get them?” Dallan wondered.
“Mitzi was wearing her security guard uniform when we got her through the door,” Shona mused. “And those ugly black work boots.”
Dallan shook his head. “Och, the wee chirper isna even here and we’ve got problems already.”
“Hey,” Shona said. “Kitty’s not that bad … okay, sometimes she is. But you can’t blame this on her. Maybe someone managed to get through before we closed the door and we didn’t notice.”
“Aye, the light we produced was so bright, none of us could see well.”
Lany sighed. “I have to agree. I was running blind through it – even when I reached the woods I still couldn’t see where I was going.”
“Great. There’s another thing we need to add to our training,” Shona said.
“That’s just it, Flower. We are still learning. It takes time.” Dallan put his arm around her again and kissed her. “Dinna fash, if someone else came through, they’ll be noticeable. Best we start looking for him.”
“And question the man wearing the polo shirt and Nikes,” Lany added. “Whoever came through wouldn’t look like one of the locals.”
“Aye,” Dallan agreed. “Best start with him.”
Lany brushed crumbs off his hands and lap and stood. “I’m on it. He looks like some sort of traveling seller.”
The man in question stood next to a small cart pulled by a single horse. He was wearing a light cloak, but it was easy to see the Nikes and white polo – especially since both drew his customers’ attention. “Look like you’re going shopping for a cookpot,” Shona said. “Do you have money left?”
Lany pulled some coins out of his pocket. “At least we have the correct kind for this century.” He closed his fist over them and sighed. “Anyone want a tin cup?”
“I’m sure Cari would love a teapot.” Shona smiled. “We’ll be right behind you.”
Lany nodded, put the coins back in his pocket and headed for the peddler’s wagon.
Mitzi stretched, yawned, stretched some more. She’d had a lovely nap and was surprised to wake up refreshed. The pain and emptiness were gone. It was a sad, lonely feeling that she’d never felt until a few days ago. She had no idea of the source – unless it was the reality of her bizarre situation.
“Oh, lovely.” Lady Mildred approached the bed. “You’re awake. Hungry?”
“Famished,” she said with a smile. “That’s a good sign.”
“Indeed, it is,” Mildred gushed. “I’ll go tell the guard to send up some food.”
“Mildred? Um … why do I always have to eat in this room? Couldn’t we go someplace else?”
Thankfully, the woman didn’t take offense at not being called Lady Mildred. “I suppose we could picnic in the gardens.”
“A picnic?” Mitzi said brightly. Some sunshine would do her good – she couldn’t stand being cooped up indoors. “Could we?”
“I don’t see why not, so long as we have the proper escort.”
Mitzi’s shoulders slumped. “You mean more guards.”
“Of course – you’re a guest. We can’t have anything happening to you, now can we?” Mildred turned toward the door.
Mitzi rolled her eyes. This again? She still wasn’t able to shake the feeling they were holding her prisoner. But why would they? Other than the fact she was from another century.