17. Chapter 17 - Ash

CHAPTER 17 - ASH

THE GREAT HALL, BALLOCH CASTLE - MAY 28, 1710

L ochinvar sat beside me at dinner in the Great Hall. It was dark outside but there were candles burning on the table and the occasional battery-powered lantern to beat back the shadows. A warming fire in the hearth. Lochinvar was in a mood, overly polite and a bit cool. He also kept quiet, being a little bit sulky, but I forgave him. He was used to getting what he wanted, he was used to fighting and winning prizes, and he had come really close to a prize and then had it taken away.

His clenched jaw meant he was focused on winning it again, and struggling with keeping himself calm while going for it.

I was the prize, of course.

He brought me my meal and an ale — we knew danger was afoot but drinking one wouldn’t hurt. And having Quentin and James back made the meal a bit jovial, even though the guards were on alert and everyone was taking the security of the castle very seriously.

Liam ate a quick meal, but then left for the walls.

It was unnerving to have this unspecified danger surrounding us. Men rushed around and were determined to protect us, but from what? From who? They were protecting me, mostly. And I didn’t know any of them.

Beaty said, “Madame Ash, are yer eyes used tae the darkness?”

“Not yet, it’s awful, so dark, like they haven’t adjusted. And my breathing is really heavy sounding, it’s giving me a headache. It’s deafening.”

She said, “Ye will grow used tae it, though twill take some time.”

James said, “It’s all stuff you get used to, but the shifts in light and the sound differences are jarring at first.”

I said, “Especially if you don’t know you time traveled.”

Quentin said, “ That must have sucked.”

Lochinvar, quietly looking down at his plate said, “Och nae, I am sorry I dinna warn ye about the time travel.”

I sighed, watching the side of his face. “It’s okay Lochie, I lived through it, it’s actually made me pretty badass, you know? Like I’m one of the most badass people I know, kidnapped to the thirteenth century! There was a firefight to rescue me, I dislocated my shoulder, barely cried — this is all going down in my heroic story... Wait! This gives me an idea, I should write an epic poem about it. Then when we go in bars I can recite my poem after yours.”

He grinned. “Och, that is an excellent idea, an epic, heroic tale about Ash, named for the Tree of Life.”

“I will talk about my trusty weapon, the spike I carried around. I never got to use it, but boy did I want to. I was so badass as I dragged it along the river when I escaped.”

Quentin shook his head. “You must... and I can’t stress this enough, carry a weapon on you, at all times, from now on. Don’t be a Katie, she never has one when she needs it, don’t do that.”

“You won’t have to tell me twice, there’s no way I’m going anywhere unarmed. Though when I was taken I was armed — it was just in my purse, I couldn’t get it out in time while I was driving.”

Lochinvar said, “If ye had a blade ye might hae been able tae fight yer way from the mess. Ye need a gun and a blade.”

Quentin said, “Lady Mairead is a perfect example, she never leaves home without a gun, three blades, and some surprise weapon, like a vial of poison or a razor blade.”

Lizbeth said, “Och tis one thing about m’mother, she is always ready for some kind of intrigue or scandal.”

I said, “I will model after her, without actually talking to her — no offense, Lady Lizbeth, but she’s kind of scary.”

“Nae offense taken, she is a formidable lady, not tae be crossed. Ye must be wary though ye want tae win her ontae yer side.”

Lochinvar said, “Och, she is a gentle auld crone, verra sweet, ye just hae tae get tae ken her, and also, never trust her and never give her any information she can use against ye.”

We all raised our glasses.

We finished our meal and then I glanced over at Lochie. He was thoughtful, looking down at his plate, guarded and quiet. I just wanted to roll up in his arms and tell him I had been wrong, this was stupid, let’s go back to being ‘married’ and... because man, he was so hot — I could just take him to bed, make this all better... couldn’t I?

What if I climbed in his lap and said, “Let’s go up to our room.” He would probably forget all of this, he would forgive me for last night, and we could actually have a ‘night two’ together, before we leapt into the great unknown. Because something could happen, anything might, you only lived once and... I mean, night one was awesome, I bet night two would be amazing.

I was eating and his hand was beside his plate, and mine was beside my plate, and he brushed the back of his hand along mine. An electric, static, charge, I sighed.

He nodded.

His nod acknowledged my sigh, but it meant a lot more, it meant this is good.

And I agreed.

He said, “Tell me when ye are tired, I will walk ye tae yer room, Ash.”

“Where will you sleep tonight?”

“I will sleep in the passage outside yer door, Ash, but daena worry on it, I winna complain."

I frowned, and whispered, “I know you won’t but I miss you, and wish I could invite you in.”

“Ye changed yer mind?”

“Kinda, I’m nervous about what’s going on and it would be nice to have you... You know.”

“Ye are feelin’ warm taeward yer Lochinvar?”

“Yes, warm.” I sighed again.

“I miss ye as well, Ash, but ye ought not change yer mind on this, tis important, the long cold nights on the stone floor in the passage hae given me time tae think, I see it now.” He drew my hand to his mouth and kissed my knuckles and then folded my hand in his, resting on his thigh.

“Besides I will need tae be on guard taenight, I canna spend the night holdin’ ye, though I might want tae. I hae tae watch for trouble.”

Quentin said, “And you’re leaving for Florida first thing in the morning, Lochinvar?”

He nodded.

I winced.

He squeezed my hand, comfortingly.

I did not like the idea of time traveling again, it hurt, man, did it hurt. I had also been growing used to this, living in this dream castle of the dreamy past, it still didn’t feel real, but it was as if I had become accustomed to the unreality of it. Like being on vacation I supposed, protected by high walls, and medieval looking guards, and now I was expected to time jump back to Florida, but as a visitor, to check in and say goodbye, then I would return to the thirteenth century.

Quentin said, “You’re certain you don’t need me to come help protect you?”

Lochie said, “Nae, Quennie, ye stay here Liam needs ye, I can protect us well enough.”

“I have a few things I need you to pick up...” He tapped the pocket-sized spiral notebook beside him, but then shook his head. “You know, don’t worry about it, I got the weapons, the biodegradable diapers, the compost stuff — we can always return later. You know where the safe house is in Yulee?”

Lochinvar nodded. “And I ken where the keys are.”

James leaned forward. “You hear that, Ash? He’s talking about the keys to the truck. That’s my truck. Lochinvar doesn’t get to drive my truck, you drive, he’s not good enough at it.”

“I am, I can do it.”

Quentin said, “You don’t have to, let Ash drive, that’s an order. No one will be there to bail you out at the police station for driving without a license?—”

James said, “Or any skill, or enough practice.”

Lochinvar said, “Fine, I winna.”

“Good, because the only person who could get you out of trouble is Lady Mairead.”

Lochinvar shrugged. “Would like tae see the auld broad but I will let Ash drive if ye will stop houndin’ me on it. We will be back day after tomorrow and then we’ll all go tae Stirling tae meet Magnus taegether?”

James ran his hand through his hair. “Man, I am not ready to move Junior yet, he’s still just days old. But yeah, we’re going to sit tight until you’re back and then we’ll all go to Stirling.”

Quentin said, “Shit, just remembered I forgot some things.” He pulled a pen from his sporran, uncapped it in his teeth, opened the notebook, and began writing.

Beaty said, “Quennie, it canna hurt tae add more diapers.”

He nodded, “I have a lot and some of these babies can potty train.”

James said, “Dude, Junior is a few days old.”

Quentin said, “I gotchu man, writing it on the list.” He tore off the page and handed it to Lochinvar. “Don’t fret it if you can’t get to a store, but if you get a chance, it will save me a trip.”

Lochinvar read the list with his mouth moving. “What does this word — yer handwritin’ inna good.”

Quentin said, “Mac and cheese.”

Lochinvar nodded and tucked the list in his sporran.

I whispered, “Lochie, m’laird, I’m tired.” I yawned loudly. “If they don’t need you...”

He pushed out his chair and stood. “M’apologies, Mistress Ash is tired, I will accompany her tae her room.” He bowed and took my elbow to help me up.

I said, “Thank you for the lovely meal.”

Lizbeth said, “Ye are welcome, Mistress Ash.”

And Lochie led me from the Great Hall up to our room.

In our room, Lochie crouched in front of the hearth to stir the coals, draw up the fire, and make it warm again.

I said, “I’m nervous about the jump tomorrow.”

He stood up and brushed off his hands. “It helps tae remember that the bairns hae done it. Sophie has done it, Beaty has done it. The bairns hae a gold thread that keeps the pain away?—”

“They do?”

“Aye. But we canna hae it, there arna enough for all, and we must have them for the bairns — we dinna hae enough the last jump and Archie went without. Twas verra brave, we canna expect the bairns tae hae that much courage every time.”

“Wow, that was really brave of him.”

“Aye, and if ye think how Archie’s so brave and so wee, it will help ye find the courage tae do it.”

“It does help.”

He asked, “Need me tae assist ye in takin’ off yer arm sling?”

I pulled the back of my hair to the side and he stepped close, untied it, and pulled it free. I held my shoulder and moved my arm around in a small circle, testing its limits. I said, “It feels a little better.”

“Good.” He kissed my shoulder. “Ye hae all ye need?”

I looked around: chamberpot, pitcher of water, wash pan, fire, bed. “Kinda, but I really wish there was a PlayStation.”

“Och aye, tomorrow, all goes well, after we finish our meetin’ with Don we ought tae go home, hook up the PlayStation, and play.”

“I don’t think we’re allowed to, it’s too dangerous.”

He scowled. “I am of a mind not tae allow Asgall tae come between me and m’games.”

I grinned. “That is the truth.”