Epilogue I - Archie

EPILOGUE I - ARCHIE

NEAR INNIS CHONNEL CASTLE ON LOCH AWE - 1301

T he man asked, “What do ye mean? Where is this place?”

“Ye are in the past, the long ago past. From the looks of yer clothes ye are not used tae it.” I looked at my watch, one of the last vestiges that remained of our former modern lives.

Ben returned from checking for others, he said, “Nae one else.”

I asked the travelers, “Ye are alone? Were ye chased?”

The man said, “Aye, we are alone... I daena ken how, but I brought ye somethin’.”

He struggled tae reach his pocket, pulled out a letter, and passed it tae me.

I unfolded it and read. Twas from Lady Mairead, tellin’ me tae take the working vessel and set this whole problem tae rights. “How did ye get this?”

“A woman named Lady Mairead?—”

“My grandmother. How was she?”

The woman said, “We talked to her by video, she seemed fine, I guess, worried. She dictated it to us, we — I’m Blakely, by the way, this is Liam — aren’t sure what happened, but?—”

“Where did ye get the vessel?”

Liam said, “She told us tae dig it up. I promise we werna stealin’, she told us we would be delivering it, we had nae idea what that meant.”

I looked at Ben, “We have a vessel.”

“ Finally , should I tell everyone tae get ready tae go?”

I chewed m’lip and passed him the letter. “Nae, we canna — read it, Lady Mairead says nae, she says everyone needs tae stay while I try tae solve it.”

Ben looked it over and said, “Damn it… But ye ken, Mom. Maybe ye could get her tae the hospital.”

I nodded. “I ken.”

“Dad will be pissed, she needs medicine, she’s goin’ tae lose the other foot.”

“Aye, but if I can solve this, then I can rescue us earlier…before the accident. Before Jack grows up without parents. Haggis is at death’s door.”

Ben nodded, “Yeah, years ago would be good… aye, I agree. But maybe ye need a second person, I could come, if I could get some medicine and bring it back, just in case, so she’s nae in pain, ye ken, in case ye canna get us earlier?—”

I said, “Emma would never forgive me, I canna risk yer?—”

Uncle Fraoch and Uncle Zach rode up on horses.

Uncle Zach said, “I wondered if I ought to cover my tattoos for company, but these guys are modern — Wait! These guys are modern! There’s a vessel?”

Uncle Fraoch said, “Och aye! Time travelers, their vessel works!” He swung down off his horse, drew his sword and pointed it at Liam and Blakely. “Friend or foe?”

Liam put his hands up, “Friend, I think.”

Uncle Fraoch sneered. “Prove it— “ Then he peered at him, “What year are ye from? Och — I dinna recognize ye! Tis Liam, Liam Campbell! Ye ken...?” He looked around at us all as he sheathed his sword. “Och, none of ye were there. We gave him Balloch castle, he’s a direct descendant of Sean!”

I looked him up and down. “Ye do look a bit like how I remember Uncle Sean.”

Liam said, “That’s right — ye’re Fraoch! Last time I saw ye, twas a few months ago, ye were in my pub. Ye hae changed, yer hair is gray, this might be the first proof we hae of time travel — inna it, Woodshee?”

Uncle Fraoch said, “Seems a verra verra long time ago. Twas almost ten years as the wheel rolls... and ye daena believe in time travel yet ye are in the fourteenth century? Och nae, this has been an exciting day for ye, Liam Campbell, how was Balloch treatin’ ye?

Liam said, “We were there for one night.”

While they talked, I plucked the vessel from the dirt and held it, it did feel like twas alive. I passed it tae Uncle Zach.

He said, “It’s working! Hot damn!” He kissed it.

Uncle Fraoch said, “But ye ken, Archibald, they happened tae be friends, but they might hae been foes. Ye canna ride out alone, especially chasin’ storms tae meet time travelers?—”

Ben said, “He wasna alone, I was with him.”

“Aye, but he is an exiled king! Ye ken we are at war with Longshanks, tis a brutal lawless time. Ye are supposed tae be livin’ in secrecy, Archibald — what if the visitors had meant ye harm?”

“I am armed, and they were lyin’ in the dirt. They couldna hurt me. I could hae stabbed them through afore they wakened if I wanted.”

Liam groaned.

Uncle Fraoch said, “I am only sayin’, ye are a king, ye ought tae take more caution.”

I said, “If I am truly the king, I daena think I ought tae be cautious at all. I am nae certain why I ought tae be anythin’ but fierce while I take back m’father’s throne.”

Uncle Fraoch said, “I ken, Archibald, I ken, but we ought tae wheesht, the forest overhears.”

Uncle Zach said, “Let’s focus on the issue at hand — when do we leave? Florida is calling our name, we need to get Em to a hospital.”

I chewed my lip.

Uncle Fraoch said, “From the looks on their faces, daena get yer hopes up, Chef Zach.”

Ben said, “Dad, think it through, we daena get tae leave?—”

Uncle Zach said, “What the—? But Emma needs a hospital, and we’ve been here for years! No, I won’t stand for it, fuck that, no.” He sighed. “Fine, I get it, yeah… if we get rescued before Emma’s accident, before we run out of our first aid kit?—”

Ben said, “Before Jack grows up without parents.”

“Aye, I know, I understand, but damn... this sucks, right, Frookie?”

“Och, ye went through all the emotions, and aye, it sucks verra bad, but ye ken we will save Madame Emma long months of pain, and besides that, ye daena want tae get rescued in yer current state. I ken ye daena hae a mirror, but ye’ve gone well wrong.”

“Speak for yourself, Frookie-bear. I look lovely, everyone thinks so.”

Jack, Isla, and Zoe rode up. Uncle Zach said, “Isn’t that right, Zoe?”

“What, Dad?”

“That I look lovely.”

Isla and Zoe laughed.

Ben said, “Ye ken Mom wants ye tae cut yer beard.”

Uncle Zach’s beard was so long he kept it draped over his shoulder. “That’s because your mom doesn’t know anything about high Scottish medieval fashion.”

Jack dropped down from his horse and stood beside Ben. “What’s it say?”

I said, “Lady Mairead, our grandmother, sent us a message. She wants me tae take this vessel and go get our Ma and Da.”

Jack nodded his head. “Can ye?”

“Aye, I think I can, Jack, I will?—”

Jack said, “Promise?” Then he howled, “Awhooh!” like a wolf.

I said, “Aye,” and howled like a wolf back at him, “Awoooh!”

Ben, Isla, and Zoe joined us, “Awoooh!” our full pack howl.

Liam and Blakely seemed dazed as they quietly watched our discussion.

I said, “I promise I will either get them back, or I will return. I promise, ye winna miss me, Jack, because nae matter what I will be back. But, all that aside, the letter said I must move fast. This vessel was dug up, then used, it might be fleeting. It could terminate at any time.”

Ben said, “I still think ye might need me though, I am offerin’ tae lend ye my sword, ye ought tae consider it.”

I said, “Ye ken what I am sayin’, Ben…” I glanced at Jack. “I need ye tae stay behind and watch over the family.”

Ben nodded. “Aye, I ken.”

“And I will be right back as soon as I can.”

Uncle Fraoch grinned, baring the hole where his tooth had been, now just a screw sticking out of his gum as he had broken the fake tooth off five years earlier. “What about me? Why canna I go? I ken a lot more about the vessels. Ye daena remember even usin’ them, ye are just a bairn in the scheme of it. Ye ought tae stay and let Uncle Frookie solve all of this.”

I exhaled, considerin’. “Uncle Fraoch, I need ye tae stay here, watch over Jack. Ye ken, I need ye tae, we need continuity in case , plus Aunt Hayley would kill me.” I turned my attention tae Ben. “Besides we hae Uncle Wallace’s battle comin’ up, and we’re helpin’ Uncle Cailean build our army, when I get back we are goin’ tae ride intae battle, we want tae retake my throne.”

Ben said, “Aye, I understand, I get it, but when ye come back could ye bring medicine for Mom?—?”

Jack said, “Ye will come home, right, Archie, promise? ”

“I promise. I will come home, I will bring medicine.”

Uncle Fraoch said, “Ye are verra young tae go on a dangerous trip alone, how old are ye, barely eighteen?”

Ben said, “Uncle Frookie, he’s practically middle-aged.”

Uncle Zach nodded, “If we can get rescued before Emma’s accident that would be... you know, really good — need anything, want food for the trip?”

I said, “Nae, I ought tae get movin’.”

Uncle Fraoch climbed off his horse and came over. “Ye hae some coins?”

“Aye, in the bag.” He poured some gold coins in my hand anyways.

Ben said, “And ye hae yer sword. Tis all ye need.”

Uncle Fraoch said, “Och, lads, it has been a long time since ye’ve been in the modern world. I can think of many things Archibald might need?—”

Uncle Zach said, “A phone, a credit card, a?—”

Jack asked, “What’s a credit card?”

Chef Zach pretended tae cry. “Tis a glorious card with which ye can buy all the food ye want.”

I said, “I hae all I need, and as soon as these people... Liam and Blakely are ready, we will jump.”

Liam groaned. “Again? Och nae.”

Isla interrupted and looked at Blakely, “Did ye bring anythin’ with ye from modern days? We are out o’ everything .”

Blakely said, “Oh, let me see.” She dug in her pockets. “My phone, the... I have a chapstick and a pack of gum.”

Isla’s eyes went wide.

Blakely stood with a groan and approached the lassies. “I wish I had more.”

Zoe said, “Tis alright, we can share.” She opened the pack and counted. “Jack, ye want a piece of gum?”

He put out his hand. “What is it?”

Uncle Fraoch said, “Ye chew it. Twill taste like mint and sweet honey, dost ye hae anymore, Zoe?”

Zoe said, “There are only three pieces, Uncle Frookie, ye can hae mine.”

Uncle Fraoch said, “Nae, ye hae it, lassie, twas verra sweet ye offered. I will chew on that, twill keep me comforted.”

Jack chewed three times and swallowed. “Twas verra good!”

Isla frowned. “Ye are supposed tae chew the whole time and not swallow, Jacky!” She tore her piece in half and gave him the other. Zoe tore her piece in half too and gave it tae Jack. We were always lookin’ out for him, as he was verra young when he lost our ma and da. And we remembered them and he dinna, so we tried tae make it up tae him.

Blakely said, “I wish I had more.”

Liam said, “Aye.”

I said, “We need tae jump, as soon as ye are able, I hae tae get ye back. What was the date when ye left, Liam? I need tae ken, as far as I can tell this is the only vessel in the world that is still workin’.”

Blakely said, “I don’t understand any of what is going on at all.”

Uncle Fraoch asked me, “Ye ken how tae set it?”

“Aye, ye hae instructed me, for many long years ye instructed me.”

Ben said, “We all ken how tae do it.”

Uncle Fraoch said, “In m’defense it has been verra borin’, daena forget or ye will get stuck somewhere.”

Uncle Zach said, “Check twice, jump once. That’s the rule. There are a shit ton of people you have to rescue and get back here to rescue us before Emma had her accident in June of 1300.”

I said, “Before that, definitely, I will do everythin’ in my power tae get back before that.”

Uncle Fraoch said, “As long as we are listing our dates, ye could come before we ran out of batteries.”

I nodded.

Jack said, “Daena forget tae come home, Archie.”

I said, “Of course I winna forget, Jack, I promise, I am goin’ tae solve this.”

Uncle Fraoch said, “And go fast, ye need tae gather everyone before that vessel gets shut down too.”

Blakely said, “That’s a thing that can happen? Ugh.”

Liam told me the date they left.

I worked on the setting, when he said, “Somethin’ tae mention though, I daena ken if this is applicable — we were at Taymouth Castle and right before that vessel thing, did... ye ken, what that thing does, there were armed men surroundin’ the castle...”

My brow drew down. “Truly? Och nae.”

Uncle Fraoch said, “Well, ye canna go back there, ye hae tae go somewhere else.”

I asked, “Can I take ye tae... Florida?”

Uncle Zach put his hands over his ears, “I can’t listen, it’ll break my heart.

Liam checked his wallet. “We don’t have our passports, I didn’t?—”

“Dost ye hae any money? I need tae drop ye somewhere and ye will hae tae get back, or ye hae tae come with me, but ye would hae tae ride a horse, possibly get in a sword fight, are ye an accomplished horse rider and sword fighter?”

Liam said, “Nae, I am no’… Blakely, can we get back from Florida?”

Blakely nodded. “We’ll rent a car, we can do it. I have my phone in my pocket, we can do what we need to do.”

I said, “Good, thank ye for understandin’.”

I finished workin’ on the settings on the vessel.

I shewed it tae Uncle Fraoch.

He nodded. “Aye, tis right.”

“Uncle Zach, ye want tae look it over too?” I handed it tae him.

He looked it over. “I am so damn proud, you’re a time traveler.”

Ben said, “He will be in a minute. He gets all the glory.” He brought my horse tae the center of the clearing. “Daena eat anything good without me.”

Liam said, “I daena understand anything about this situation, but I am makin’ out that ye want me tae touch that machine again.”

I said, “Yer other option is tae stay here, but I warn ye, I am not comin’ back tae this time, I’m returnin’ years earlier, ye will be stuck.”

Ben said, “Being stuck is nae fun.”

Blakely asked, “What happens if we are stuck?”

Uncle Zach said, “Well, the food sucks, there’s no television, and an over-turned cart can injure you terribly and there’s no hospital.” He exhaled.

Blakely nodded, “I don’t want to get stuck.”

I said, “Ben, tell yer mom that I am going tae either get medicine and get her tae a hospital, or rescue her before the accident. Make sure she kens I’m nae desertin’ her.”

“I will.”

Uncle Zach said, “She’ll understand, Archibald, she’s proud of you.”

I nodded, my eyes mistin’. “And tell Aunt Hayley I love her. Tell her I am solvin’ it.”

Uncle Fraoch nodded. “I will make sure she kens.”

I wanted tae say goodbye tae everyone, but I dinna want tae frighten Jack, so instead I held m’horse’s reins and repeated, “We ought tae go,” and straightened m’back and said, “Jack, tell Haggis I love him, and he is a cù math. Tell him tae hold on, daena die, he needs tae wait for me. Tell him I am goin’ tae get Da.”

Jack said, “I will.”

Liam and Blakely stood with me, formin’ a circle.

Ben and Jack and everyone else moved tae the trees around the clearing, Ben called out, “Kick some arse.”

Jack said, “Wolf King it!”

“Aye, I will,” I howled, “Aarh-ooooooooooh!”

Ben and Jack and Isla and Zoe and Uncle Zach and Uncle Fraoch all called out, “Arh-oooooooh!”

I said tae Liam and Blakely, “Hook yer elbows, daena let go.”