Chapter 5

They rode slowly down the road. Jennifer still wasn"t sure what was happening, but she tried to remain calm. She moved herself against the saddle that was so unfamiliar to her.

"Are you uncomfortable, lass?" Cam asked.

"No, I"m fine, thank you," she said. Then it was quiet once more. A scent caught on the breeze, and she inhaled the fragrance. "What is that smell?"

"'Tis the heather," Cam said. He pointed at the field ahead where the heather stood tall and swayed in the breeze.

"It"s beautiful," she said. She did admire the magnificence of the Scottish countryside that unfurled before her. It was a view of lush green hills with grazing sheep framed by majestic mountains in the distance.

She held on tighter to Cam, his presence both comforting and intriguing. As the horse"s hooves tread upon the well-worn path, the silence was broken by the symphony of nature—the whispers of the highland winds, the rush of water in the brooks, and the chorus of the land"s birdsong. It was as if the landscape told a story, mysterious and beautiful.

As they continued to ride slowly, Jennifer"s gaze traced the rolling hills, her eyes lingering on the vibrant colors that painted the scenery. Emerald fields stretched to the horizon, undulating like waves in the sea while waterfalls cascaded over the rugged cliffs, glistening in the sunlight. The beauty of this land captivated her, momentarily easing the weight of the unknown that still rested upon her shoulders.

Cam"s deep voice shattered her reverie, his words laced with a hint of curiosity. "You said you have not heard of Islay, which means you"ve come a long way, lass. What brings you to these distant shores?"

Jennifer didn"t know how to answer. She didn"t want to unknowingly put herself in danger. "I... I"m not quite sure," she admitted, her voice tinged with wonder and uncertainty. She decided to trust Cam though, and added, "I find that I"m far from home and also possibly lost in time, which is just crazy."

Cam"s brow furrowed, his gaze searching her face over his shoulder. "Lass, you speak of being lost in time, which defies explanation. It seems to me that 'tis nothing but a tale you carry to conceal something, and that demands unraveling."

"Conceal? I"m not concealing anything. It"s just that—." Jennifer sighed and shook her head. "You wouldn"t understand."

"You cannae know that, lass, without sharing," he said.

Her words caught in her throat. He was right, but she was sure no one would believe her. As she contemplated the weight of her story, she didn't believe it. How could she begin to explain the impossibility of something like her situation? Somehow, she had been brought through time from the future to this time and place. From the modern world to this Medieval one. She didn"t understand how it was possible, so how could he? How could anyone from this era possibly understand?

"I"d rather not," she said.

Cam grumbled but did not press her.

As the horses continued their steady rhythm up the road toward the fort, Jennifer found herself drawn to Cam"s rugged nature. Attraction and curiosity danced within her, compelling her to seek solace in his presence. She glanced at his strong profile. His strong broad shoulders were like oaks, and she wondered what secrets lay behind those piercing eyes.

A question popped into her head, one she felt compelled to ask. "Cam, have you ever encountered anything... unusual? Something that could defy explanation?"

"Aye, lass, many a time," he replied, his voice soft. "The Highlands hold secrets that cannae be easily explained. There are all sorts of old stories on the tongues of our people. There is ancient magic here, and you can hear it whispered in the trees." His lips curved up into a smile.

Her heart skipped a beat as she thought about the scarred man in black at her father"s funeral. The implications of his words reverberated through her. Could the mysterious man who had spoken of an adventure be behind her trip here? Was it possible that he somehow used some ancient magic to get her here? And if so, what did that make him? A witch? A warlock? Something else? If she ever saw him again, she"d be sure to ask.

The rhythmic sound of the hooves and the sway of the horses carried Jennifer and Cam farther up the hill toward the fort. The beauty of the landscape unfolded around them, each corner revealing a new vista to behold. They rode on, the tension between them palpable, and she had a feeling that Cam could feel it, too.

"I really do think I"ve traveled through time," she said quietly, whispering in his ear so the other men couldn"t hear.

"What is this you're speaking of, lass? Traveling through time isnae possible."

"Cam, I promise you. I came from the future. From a time and place about four hundred years from now."

He let out a hearty laugh. "Lass, your mind must be addled by the encounter with the highwaymen."

"It is not," she said, feeling indignant.

"Surely, you must have taken quite a blow to the head, lass, to believe such a thing." Cam chuckled again, his voice rich with amusement. "No need to worry. We"ll get you back to Fort Donald, where you can have a hot meal and a comfortable bed. A good night"s rest will clear your mind of these fanciful notions."

Jennifer sighed, frustration welling within her. How could she make him understand the inexplicable nature of her situation? She had been torn from her familiar world and thrust into this unfathomable era. Yet, she could sense Cam"s genuine concern and willingness to help.

"Cam, I swear, I"m telling the truth," Jennifer insisted, her voice tinged with determination. "I"m serious. I"m from a different time far from now. I live in a place across the ocean called America, four hundred or so years in the future."

Cam"s laughter subsided, replaced by a skeptical, quiet sigh.

He looked over his shoulder to study her intently, searching for any signs of deceit. "Lass, I know you believe these words you speak, but they defy reason and logic. If your words are true, then it must be the work of the Sidhe."

"The Sidhe?" Jen asked, wondering what the heck he was talking about.

"Aye, the fae, lass. They are a mischievous bunch." He paused. "We only have a little bit longer before we reach the fort, and we shall speak more then. If I cannae understand you, well, there is an old wise woman who might. Her name is Aine, and she is very wise and knows much more about the fae than I."

Relief washed over Jen as Cam offered to take her to someone who might hold the answers she needed. She accepted his proposition with a nod, aware that she had no other options. She clung to her truth, even as doubts swirled around her.

The wind swept through the rugged Scottish moors, carrying the scent of heather and the distant sound of crashing waves. Jennifer clung tightly to Cam"s waist as their steed galloped with determination toward the ancient fortress that stood proudly atop the hill. The rhythmic beat of the horse"s hooves echoed in her ears, matching the pounding of her heart. Her eyes scanned the horizon, her gaze fixated on the formidable silhouette of Fort Donald.

As they drew nearer, the majesty of the fort revealed itself. Perched high above the lake she could see nearby, it commanded a panoramic view of the surrounding lands. The hill on which it stood was a natural bastion, boasting a sheer drop on two sides. Extra timber walls and sturdy towers guarded the remaining approaches, a testament to its formidable defense. Jennifer marveled at the craftsmanship that had gone into constructing such a stronghold, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Scottish people.

"Welcome to Fort Donald, lass."

"It is beautiful. What is the lake there?" She pointed.

"That be Loch Ballygrant."

"It is breathtaking."

Within the fortress, the sprawling layout unfolded before their eyes. The ground was a hollow square with a large courtyard she imagined could shelter the clan"s livestock in times of peril. The castle—for that was what this fort appeared to be to her—had to hold a labyrinth of rooms that she imagined held the promise of safety and warmth for the entire clan. Jennifer had a feeling, though, that many of the hardworking farmers and herders in the courtyard lived in cottages down the slope in the small grouping of homes they"d passed. The homes were probably connected by an unyielding bond to their ancestral lands, which were overseen by whoever was in charge here at the fort. She assumed that was Cam, since he"d said he was the chief.

A sense of awe and trepidation washed over Jennifer as they approached the towering gates. The courtyard of the fort, which she could see through the gates they approached, revealed its multifaceted nature, from the grandeur of the fort to the practicality of the barracks, armory, forge, and stables. Each structure faced the expansive courtyard, which was a bustling hub of activity. Jen could barely contain her excitement as she watched the people here going about their business.

As Jen and Cam made their way through the imposing gates, excitement intertwined with the rich history of the fort, which she hoped to learn about while she was here.

Riding through the towering gates of Fort Donald, Jennifer"s eyes widened again at the sight that greeted her. The stone walls of the fort rose majestically, encasing a community that seemed frozen in time. The air carried a sense of history, whispers of battles fought, and legends born.

After dismounting by the stables, where a stable boy hurried to take their horses, they strolled along the muddy courtyard. Jen pressed Cam for more information about the wise woman he"d mentioned. His reluctance to share his knowledge piqued her curiosity even further. With each step, she prodded him, urging him to reveal the secrets he didn"t seem willing to disclose.

Finally, with a hint of resignation, Cam relented. "Aye, lass, the woman I speak of, Aine, is very wise indeed, and she knows much of the fae"s doings. If what happened to you has been done by the fae, she will surely know the whys and hows of it. We do not like to speak of the mystical things she knows, as it could lead to much trouble for her and the clan."

A flicker of hope ignited in Jennifer. If this woman knew about the supernatural, maybe she"d be able to tell Jennifer how she'd been brought here. "I must meet her," Jen declared, her voice steady. "If there"s anyone who can understand what has transpired and find a way to send me home, it"s this wise woman."

Cam"s gaze softened, and there was a glimmer of admiration in his eyes that sent butterflies aloft in her stomach. "Aye, lass, I shall take you to her. But I have a request before I do."

Jennifer raised an eyebrow, curiosity intertwining with caution. "What request, Cam?"

A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I"d like to request you teach my guardsmen how to fight as you do. I"ve never seen anyone take on so many and come out of a fight as you did. The way you countered their attacks, and without weapons, was a sight to behold, lass. So that is my request if you wish for me to take you to meet Aine."

Jen hesitated, momentarily taken aback by his wish for her to teach his men to fight like her. Of all the things he could have asked for, that hadn"t occurred to her. Although he had complimented her on her fighting, his men carried swords and probably brawled all the time. It seemed absurd and unlikely that they would even listen to her well enough to learn anything of use. Still, she would do anything to get back home.

As she studied Cam"s earnest expression, a realization struck her. It was possible that this wise woman wouldn"t be able to send her back to her own time. If that was the case, then it would probably be in her best interest to accommodate Cam"s request and keep him as an ally. Especially since she had nothing and no one here, and it was probably not the safest time and place on the planet for a woman on her own.

"I"ll think about it," she hedged.

"That"s all I can ask." He smiled, his eyes lighting with amusement.

Jen glanced at him, wanting to know more about him. Did he have a wife? At his age, he probably did. Her heart sank a little at the thought.

"Come, lass. I will show you the fort and get you a warm meal," he said.