Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

M ae took a deep breath and stared at the woman across from her. "So, let me get this straight," she began, her voice tinged with skepticism. "You're saying that somehow this man, sorry, this fae person, brought you back in time; brought me back in time? You actually believe that we've time traveled?"

Jen nodded. "I know it's hard to believe. Trust me, I felt the same way when I first arrived here. But you've seen this place, heard the people speak here, how can you deny that it's true? Have you seen even one car? An airplane in the sky? Anyone with a smart phone? Hell, we don't even have electricity here."

Mae sighed, her mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. She had always prided herself on being able to read people, on being adept at spotting deception and falsehoods. Yet, everything she had seen and heard since waking up in this strange place seemed genuine, devoid of any ulterior motives. She had to consider the possibility that Jen was telling the truth, no matter how fantastic and crazy it seemed.

"All right," Mae finally conceded, feeling a glimmer of acceptance. "I'll entertain the idea that we've somehow traveled back in time, for now, just so I don't go crazy. But why are we here? How did this happen to us?"

Jen shrugged. "As I said, a strange man asked me if I was ready for a challenge and a brand new life, and then I ended up here. I don't know how it happened or exactly why it was offered to me, but here I am."

"Who was this guy?"

"He never gave me his name, but he was an odd looking man with a Scottish accent. Did you meet anyone like that prior to coming here?"

Mae thought about it and realized her cab driver had sounded Scottish. "I didn't get a good look at him, I was busy trying to get away from Billy, but I'd swear my cab driver was Scottish."

Jen nodded. "Probably the same man, though I don't think he's Scottish actually. I'm pretty sure he was fae."

Mae leaned back in her chair, contemplating the implications of Jennifer's words. "Well, it's going to take me some time to get used to this. So, there's no phone to use to call anyone to come get me? No way to go back to LA? I'm just stuck here?"

"No, there's no phone. And nobody you know is alive yet, so I'm not sure who you'd call. However, you don't have to stay here at Fort Donald. We aren't going to hold you hostage or anything. But you've got a place here if you want it." Jen smiled. "If you do want to go out, I would suggest a change of clothes though. Maybe if you go out there, see a bit of the area, you'll find I'm telling the truth."

"I guess changing my clothes would help me fit in a little better around here, huh?" Mae laughed. "Can't say I'm looking forward to giving up my jeans for a dress."

Jen giggled. "Yeah, I wasn't either and I don't always wear a dress, sometimes I wear pants to work with the guards. I've been training them to fight in MMA."

"MMA? Niall mentioned you were teaching them martial arts, I didn't know what to think." She shook her head and gave her a rueful look.

Jen nodded. "Yeah. I do mixed martial arts. I was a competitive fighter before all of this. I might not be able to fight in the octagon, but I gotta say, I get plenty of satisfaction in using my skills here." Her grin widened.

Mae smiled. Jen's face lit up when she talked about MMA. She asked her a few more questions about her life prior to being here and wondered how any of this could be a con. Jen seemed so genuine; they all did. Nobody was out of place, nobody broke character, there were no wires or battery operated equipment anywhere to be seen and she was looking for it.

"This isn't an elaborate con, is it." It wasn't a question. She felt in her gut that it wasn't.

"No, promise it's not. It's all real."

Mae sighed. It was getting hard not to believe her.

Sally returned, knocking on the door. "I've brought your meal," she called through the door.

Jen hopped up and opened the door wide. "Sorry, Sally, I should have just left the door open for you," she said as Sally moved in with a heavy looking silver tray.

Sally set the tray down on the cabinet and then moved two covered dishes to the table. "I've brought you roast, potatoes, carrots, and baked bread. Did you want some ale to go with it?" she asked.

"Yes, that would probably be good," Jen answered.

Mae couldn't help but agree.

Jennifer gestured toward the table. "Come sit. I promise the food here is going to blow your mind."

Mae pulled out a chair and settled herself at the table, her stomach grumbling at the scents wafting off the plate. "It smells delicious." She took a bite and the rich flavors danced on her tongue. "Oh my God, this is so good."

"I'll leave you ladies to enjoy," Sally said and left the room.

"That's one of the best things of being here. The food is just amazing and flavorful. I think we're so used to everything being processed and full of chemicals, and now there's none of that to mess with the way it's supposed to taste." Jen took a bite of her roast, her eyelids fluttering closed as she chewed.

"I could get used to this," Mae murmured.

As they ate, Jen began to tell her a little about the history of the area. She told her about the Highland clans, their customs and traditions, and the ever-present undercurrent of intrigue and danger that pervaded their lives.

Mae listened intently, her mind spinning at the craziness of it all. It was all so different from her life in Los Angeles. But was it real?

With every passing moment, Mae's doubts and uncertainties began to fade. The evidence was all around her—the ancient stones that formed the castle, the genuine sincerity in the eyes of those she had encountered so far, and the undeniable connection she felt with Jen and this mysterious place. She had somehow come on this crazy trip to the past and she knew it was going to be a challenge to navigate it all on her own. She was glad to have Jen here with her.

"So you said you were a psychiatrist?" Jen asked a few minutes later.

"I just finished getting my degree a few weeks ago. I was getting ready to set myself up as a therapist." Mae sighed.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I know that took a lot of work. Um, about your title… I know you're proud of it, but probably best not to use it here, at least not until they understand you aren't a medical doctor, or they'll come to you for all their ailments." She smiled, but her eyes held empathy.

Mae nodded. "Yeah, I get that. And it's not like I'm used to it. Besides, I'd rather they all just call me Mae. You know?"

Jen giggled. "They are very polite around here, and respectful. Especially the men." Her cheeks flushed.

"You mean Cam… the Chief?" Mae teased.

Jen laughed again. "Yes, but the others too."

They spoke a little more about how Jen and Cam got together and then Mae raised her glass. "Should we toast?"

"What should we toast to?" Jen asked, giggling.

"How about to the Highlands, and to you finding love here? And to whatever I have to face ahead?"

Jen grinned. "That's a mouthful, but let's. To the Highlands, to love, and to the future."

A few minutes later, Sally returned and cleared away their meal. "Anything else you be needing, Lady Jen?" she asked.

"Yes, I forgot to ask, but has a room been prepared for Mae?"

"Aye, I saw to it meself," Sally said with a smile. "Arranged some clothing for her as well. We've put her in the guest chamber on the second floor, the same one you used when you first arrived. And some of the other staff are filling a tub for her as we speak. I thought you might enjoy a bath, Miss."

"I'm so glad you thought of it and did that, Sally, I don't know what I would do without you," Jen replied.

"Mae, you can call me Mae, Sally. Thank you, a bath would be great." Mae was surprised at her thoughtfulness.

"Was there anything else?"

"No, thanks, Sally, I'll take Mae to her room so she can relax." Jen rose and waited for Mae to join her. "It's not too far," she said.

Jen led the way back into the hall and over to the stairs, then down a flight and through another two hallways that were lit with torches on the walls. That was going to take some getting used to. When Jen opened the wooden door to the room, Mae took in the cozy surroundings. A plush bed adorned with a thick, green, fabric bedspread stood against one wall, its inviting softness beckoning her to lie down. A hearth crackled nearby, providing warmth to the room and cast a gentle glow that illuminated everything. A wooden table and chairs sat by the window, offering a view of the distant lake, its shimmering waters reflected the golden hues of the sun.

Upon the bed lay a pile of clothing, several held those vibrant shades of blue and green. A tartan that had become all too familiar to her eyes now. Mae's gaze drifted to the tin tub situated in front of the crackling fire where a maid was dumping yet another bucket into it, filling it with steamy water.

Mae's mind raced with the realization that such meticulous attention to detail wouldn't be undertaken unless she truly had traveled back in time to the seventeenth century. The weight of the truth began to settle upon her, her surroundings serving as a tangible reminder of the reality she now found herself in.

A moment of introspection washed over Mae as she contemplated the extent to which people here went to ensure her comfort and well-being. It was a stark contrast to the fast-paced, impersonal world she had left behind. "Thanks, Jen. I appreciate being treated so nicely here," Mae said.

"I was in your shoes remember? I know it's tough." She smiled. "I'll leave you to your bath and a nice rest, and then tomorrow I'll show you around the castle."

"Sounds like a plan." Mae smiled. "After that meal I'm about ready to pass out."

Jen laughed. "You'll probably sleep like the dead. I know I did when I first got here. I'll see you in the morning, okay?" She gave her a little wave and headed out the door.

Alone in the cozy chamber, Mae took a moment to survey her surroundings, meticulously inspecting every nook and cranny. She scrutinized the cracks between the sturdy stone walls, half- expecting to uncover hidden cameras or some modern trickery. Yet she found nothing but the authentic charm of the castle. "This can't really be happening," she whispered, caught between disbelief and a growing sense of intrigue.

Drawn to the window, Mae was captivated by the breathtaking sight of the sun casting a golden glow over the serene lake. The tranquil beauty of the landscape offered a momentary respite from the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.

She turned toward the tub and realized she'd need to take her bath before the water grew too cold. As she undressed, she noticed a large square of cloth folded in half on a low stool near the tub, and realized it must be her towel. She rubbed the material between her fingers and realized it was made of wool.

Slipping into the tub, Mae sank into the soothing hot water, allowing its warmth to seep into her tired muscles. She had to sit with her knees bent, as the tub wasn't that big, but it was deeper than she'd thought it would be. As she soaked, her mind drifted back to the strange events that had brought her to this place.

The flickering candlelight and remaining sunbeams cast dancing shadows on her bedroom walls, and the soft lapping of the water against her skin provided a soothing melody, making her relax further, despite her worry about her future and what being here in this time was going to mean for her.

When the bath water cooled, she scrubbed using the soap that had been left for her and climbed out, unsure of what to do next. She dried off and wrapped the fabric around her, moving toward the pile of clothes on the bed. She'd just picked up something that looked like a nightgown when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in?" she called, hoping it was Jen.

"Evening, Miss Mae," Sally said, popping her head between the door and frame, her eyes closed. "I donnae mean to disturb you, but if'n you were done with yer bath, I thought I might help you with yer clothes an' have the staff remove the tub?"

"That would be great, Sally, thank you, and it's just Mae."

Sally stepped in and moved to the clothes on the bed as others came in to remove the bathtub. "Here," she picked up the same nightgown Mae had held a moment earlier, "this is yer nightshift."

Mae took it and slipped it over her head, letting the fabric towel drop as the dress slid down to cover her. "What about panties? Aren't there any?"

Sally looked at her questioningly. "Unmentionables you mean?" Her cheeks turned pink. "We just wear the shift."

That was going to take some getting used to, Mae thought with a yawn.

"Yer tired. Let me hang these up for you in the wardrobe, and I'll come by and help you in the morning." Sally made quick work of hanging the garments up and then turned to stoke the fire before leaving the room with a small wave.

As Mae climbed into bed, she couldn't help wishing that she was back in her own room in LA.