38. Chapter 38 - Lochinvar

CHAPTER 38 - LOCHINVAR

AN UNKNOWN CLEARING - AN UNKNOWN TIME

I was up, crouched above her, m’gun in m’hand. We werna in the right place again. I had felt the tug in m’middle — we had been pulled. I dinna ken where or when we were. A different forest, a different mountain in the distance.

I looked over m’shoulder and around in every direction. Nae one was coming, nae one was here tae greet us. Finny was grazing without a care in the world.

The vessel had been set for the right place and time, I ken twas. I dinna hae as much experience as the rest of the men in m’family, but I kent enough. I knew how tae get where I meant tae be, and I had Ash with me. I was being cautious. I was serious about fixing this issue, certain that I knew where and how tae go.

I looked up and saw a streak of a cloud — but twas natural, not caused by airplanes.

Ash was still, her eyes closed, her mouth drawn down intae a deep frown.

I said, “Ash, are ye angry?”

Without openin’ her eyes she said, “I’m furious.”

I said, “At yer Lochinvar?”

“Yes, at my Lochinvar, you bossed me around again.”

“Och, ye told me tae!”

“Doesn’t mean it was okay.”

“Ye are bellyachin’ because I told ye tae listen tae me and we were goin’ tae jump. Would ye hae jumped if I haena? Nae, ye would be standin’ in the field still.”

“You would have left me?”

“Nae, of course not. I would hae stayed, but och, tis not manly for me tae stay and cajole ye tae come, ye must come when ye are told tae.”

“I am not okay with taking orders, just so you...” Her voice trailed off. “Why are you so ornery?”

I exhaled, checking behind us again. “Somehow we ended up in the wrong place again.”

She said, “But you were sure we were going to the right place!” She sat up, running her fingers around in her hair to set it tae rights.

I asked, “Did ye feel the tug?”

She nodded. “Yes, I did, actually, it felt like I was being forced in another direction, who would do that... ?” She whispered, “Asgall?”

“I am not certain but we must get tae a secluded place in the trees, can ye rise?”

She put out a hand and I heaved her up. I led her tae the cover of the trees. “Pull yer gun, I want ye tae remain here, guard well, I am goin’ tae grab Finny.”

I pulled my gun from my holster and jogged out, gave a quick glance around as I picked up Finny’s reins, and led him tae the woods.

Ash said, “Sorry I didn’t help.” She patted her cheeks. “Need to wake up.”

“Nae, tis fine, we need tae be on guard, but it seems as if nae one else is here.” I added, “Och I need a tent.”

“Why do we need a tent?”

“Tis about tae rain.”

She looked around at the trees and up at the sky. “Ugh.”

We sat down on a log. Ash had opened the flap on Finny’s saddle bag, pulled out a piece of bread and tore it in two. She gave me the biggest piece and we sat chewing. “Could the vessel be broken?”

“I hae never heard of it. But I do remember hearin’ a story of someone in the family bein’ pulled against their will, I canna remember who told the story. I wish I had paid attention tae it.”

“We have to jump again?”

“I canna decide. We might need tae search for a village tae find out where we are. Unless...” I dug through the pack until I found a phone tucked in the back. I passed it tae her. “Can ye see if it will work here?”

She worked on the phone for a few moments then said, “It’s not picking up any wifi or signals at all. Clock is...” She banged it and held it tae her ear. “I think we must be pre-phone.” She climbed tae her feet and stepped away from the tree line tae look up at the sky. “It doesn’t feel medieval, right? Do you notice that?”

“Aye, but I canna place why — m’thinking inna as muddled, tis not as dark as it would be.”

“I agree. It was really dark when we went to Stirling. This, not so much, but maybe we are used to it… We ought to get higher.”

I said, “Aye, tae do it, ye will need tae ride, without complaint, on Finny.”

“Without complaint? I reserve the right to complain about anything.”

“Fine, ye can complain, I daena mind, but ye will hae tae ride and he might mind.”

She put her hands on her hips and huffed. “I don’t think he likes me.”

“Aye, he likes ye, because I like ye, I spoke tae him about it while ye were sleepin’. He just has an expression of dismay because ye daena trust him. He has assured me he is a verra good horse, he just wants yer respect. Ye dinna even say hello now that ye are up, ye forgot tae ask if he was well.”

“He needs me to be polite — that is why he looks at me like that?”

“Aye, sort of, tis also just the way his face looks. Tis a horse face. He daena mean anything by it, but he told me if ye are polite he will be accommodatin’.”

“Fine.” She looked at the horse. “My apologies, Mr. Finny, I should have been more polite. How are you today? I am sorry about the jump, it feels terrible. I’m sure you agree.”

Finny raised his head and whinnied. She smiled. “Does he understand me?”

“Aye, every word ye say. Horses ken, they just canna answer because their mouth inna the right shape. That is what Beaty told me about my horse, Cookie. Cookie would answer me if he could, so would Finny. I hae learned tae listen tae what a horse means tae say.”

“Mr. Finny, I take back everything, I didn’t realize I was hurting your feelings. My apologies. I think we are about to ride you now.”

Finny nuzzled his muzzle against her shoulder.

She frowned. “Yes, it was ouchy, but it is feeling much better now, Sir Finny, thank you for asking.” He stomped his feet and turned so his side was tae us.

I said, “Ye ready tae climb on, Ash?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

I pushed her up with my shoulder and held her thigh while she lay there for a moment getting her balance, holding on with her one strong arm, then twisting around and sliding her leg across and finally coming down in the saddle.

“Ye good?”

She nodded, she looked frightened, but said, “Very good, this is fine, not worried at all.”

I grasped the reins, fit my boot to the stirrup, and pushed myself up, swingin’ intae the saddle behind her. I raised her hips a bit, pushing her forward, so I could fit. She settled down between my legs.

She asked, “Is this good?”

I joked, “Ye mean the way ye are positioned? Or the feel of m’wife between m’thighs?”

“Both.”

“Aye, both are good.”

I turned Finny tae the path and we left for higher ground and a view.