9. Chapter 9 - Kaitlyn

CHAPTER 9 - KAITLYN

THE FIELD IN KING’S PARK - JUNE 16, 1291

C entered over the field, the winds were still strong, the cloud bank was high, there were thunder claps sounding, and lightning sparked from earth to sky.

We remained in the tree line watching, because it looked and sounded insane and was lasting much longer than usual, like it would not stop. Even though we were protected in the woods, I had to put my arm up to protect my face.

The gusts of wind were brutal.

The limbs above us whipped.

There was a loud crack above us and I shrieked.

Haggis barked at the sky.

Magnus yelled, “Stay here, get down from yer horse! I need tae go closer.” I scrambled down as he jumped from Dràgon and passed me the reins.

I was holding the reins of two horses in a thunderstorm, while they stomped and neighed, wanting to get away from the storm. I commanded, “Stad! Stad!” The way Magnus had taught me, but though Dràgon listened, he still looked at me like I was an arse.

One of the guardsmen took the reins from me, because I did not look competent enough.

Far ahead of us in the field the wind was whipping up dirt and detritus, making it hard to see, and the storm clouds had turned the day into darkness. The clouds bulged down in the middle. I drew in breath, as Magnus and two of the guardsmen crept closer.

Oh no, this is going to be a full-blown tornado. But it didn’t become one, instead the clouds bulged down, then rose back up, bulged down and rose back up again. A gust whipped in the other direction and I had to cover my face with my arm. When will this end?

But after a few more long moments, the next gust was less forceful. The next even less. The trees stopped whipping and went back to being tall and stationary. The wind was dying down.

Magnus glanced back at me, then headed out into the middle of the field.

When I was certain it was all clear, I went forward to get a better view — who had arrived?

But there was nobody there except my husband looking up at the dissipating storm with his sword drawn. Haggis was by his feet, also looking up. A memory flashed in my mind of Magnus when I had first met him: right after a kickball game a storm had hit and he had stood there as if he had wanted to fight the clouds.

We had never realized at the time — stupid modern people who had no idea that time travel existed — he hadn’t been a lunatic wanting to fight storms, he was a hero drawing a sword against an enemy who could travel through time. An enemy who was brutal, and living and dying by long-ago rules.

Funny how much more I knew now.

From the direction of the castle I saw Hayley, Fraoch, Sean, and Zach on horseback headed across the fields to meet Magnus. One of the guardsmen followed me and one remained with the horses in the woods, and I walked across the mud-soaked field to meet them.

As I neared, they were conferring and looking up at the sky. I looked up too — wispy white clouds were swirling, then trailing away, leaving behind a high blue sky. Three hawks flew on the high wind.

I glanced at Magnus, looking up at them.

He was noting the hawks, thinking to himself, change is coming, I could see it in his eyes.

As I walked up, I heard Fraoch say, “Twas definitely someone, they just dinna land.”

Magnus nodded. “I hae seen it before, and had it happen tae me once. I was traveling and I was pulled...” He used his hand to show being pulled at the waist to the side. “It feels as if ye are clawed aside, and forced in another direction. I daena ken if this is what it looked like when it happened tae me?—”

Chef Zach said, “That’s gotta be what it fucking looks like, that’s totally what it looked like, the person?—”

Hayley said, “Or persons.”

“Or persons, were traveling, and it looked like they were being pulled away while trying to get here.”

Hayley said, “Like a struggle.”

We all nodded, because that was indeed what it had looked like.

I said, “Who do we think it was?”

Fraoch said, “I daena want tae think of anyone in our family goin’ through it.”

We all exhaled.

Magnus said, “On a different note, Kaitlyn and I were ridin’ southwest of here and I saw a group of English men.”

Sean said, “Och nae, the English are on yer lands now, Young Magnus?”

“Aye, I saw them. Kaitlyn and I were up on the hill there, and the English were near Meikle Bin.”

Fraoch said, “How many men?”

“I saw six, they wore insignia.”

Sean shook his head. “Och, it means they are part of a larger army.”

Magnus said, “That is what I am thinkin’ as well.”

Sean said, “It must involve Longshanks.”

Hayley whispered, “Who is Longshanks?”

Fraoch said, “Edward, the English King. He wants tae start trouble.”

I gulped.

Zach said, “Wait, how far away were the English men?”

Magnus pointed, “Near that ben.”

“Well, that’s fucking formidable — I can see right over there, that’s close.”

Magnus said, “But remember, Chef Zach, the English King can threaten us, but we are time travelers. We hae time, power, and weapons beyond his imaginings.” Then he looked over at Sean, chewing his lip, looking out at the mountains. “I am concerned, but I want tae set yer minds at ease, we hae dealt with worse things than a vexatious troll on a weak throne.”

Sean said, “Ye think the English hae a weak throne?”

“Aye, or why else would they be scoutin’ around in my bens? If he was a king with strength he would call a meeting. He would ask for a treaty. Instead, Scotland is allied with France, and who is he allied with? Nae one. He is sneakin’ around, tryin’ tae find out about what we are doing, and I saw his men, he has been found out — I can ready for any disquiet he brings.”

Fraoch said, “Aye, Og Maggy, I agree, ye are king of time, surrounded by good men. Tomorrow Lochie will arrive. Two days later, Quentin will arrive with a large cache of weapons, James will come soon. And daena even get me started on Lady Mairead up in Riaghalbane, if she catches wind of the English scouting around she will become irritated. I wouldna want tae be in his shoes if Lady Mairead gets annoyed.”

Magnus nodded. “Though I daena need m’mother tae fight the English King, I agree, tis good she is on our side.”

I said, “I need to get back to the kids.”

“Aye, I will accompany ye tae the castle. I will send scouts out lookin’ for encroaching English. None of ye needs be overly worried, but if ye do go out, make certain tae hae guardsmen with ye.”