The Wellspring (Kaitlyn and the Highlander #12) - Diana Knightley Page 0,98

I will see you on the morrow.”

And he and Fraoch and James climbed on their horses, saddled and loaded with as much gear as they could carry and they rode down the beach to the south, where they would jump to the moment that might change everything.

Fifty-five - Magnus

We landed near the Fartairchill church within sight of the yew tree. Twas just the other day, on vacation, that I had learned twas the oldest tree in Scotland.

Now the tree was young.

I had seen it in its middle age and now at the beginnin’ of its life… I had nae travelled tae see it during its grand age, at the time of my kingdom. Did it remain standin’ eight hundred years on?

I should hae gone tae see it.

My kingdom was lost.

These were m’thoughts as I sat up, adjusted m’straps across my chest, and then slowly gained my feet. Fraoch and James were careful with me, checkin’ tae see I was healthy and m’blood was coursin’ as it should.

I was grateful for the care, and in turns irritated by it, as we gathered ourselves and readied the horses tae move.

We rode tae check the clearing.

Twas the year 1557. The trees were nae changed from arrivin’ in the year 1551, but were different from the year 1705. I had a familiarity with this clearing, centuries of knowledge about it.

My eyes landed on the sunken earth over Bella’s grave.

Fraoch said, “What gives ye pause?”

I said, “Archie’s mother, Bella, is laid tae rest there.”

He grimaced, “Och, and tis All Saints Eve, there will be dark spirits about.”

James asked, “How many years ago was she buried?”

“Five years.”

James said, “Seems ominous to have a grave in the clearing.”

I said, “I ken.”

Fraoch said, “Nae matter in it, all the land is full of bodies. This is Scotland, the battles hae been bloody and have been waged from sea tae sea.”

I said, “Och, yet this grave is fresh tae me, the duty of it.”

“Twas nae yer duty, Og Maggy, yet ye did it all the same. Naethin’ but a chore, burying a woman who was a liar and a whore.”

“There was still dirt under m’nails all the same.”

“Well,” said James, “on that note, should we set up camp?”

We found a place tae camp that would be well away from all the souls we expected tae be drawn to the clearing. I kent that Kaitlyn would be here, younger, newer tae the dangers of time travel. She would be accompanied by her friends, Hayley and Quentin, he newly married tae a Scottish lass named Beaty, who was verra altered from the young American woman who shared our household now.

They would all be staying the night on the southern hill overlookin’ Balloch.

We went tae the opposite hill, locatin’ a place distant from them for safety but close tae the clearing. We ate cold military rations for dinner.

I said, “Och, I daena miss eating these. This was all Kaitlyn and I had for a week, then once they were gone, we were tae eat fish and hare for weeks on end.”

James said, “I can’t imagine it.”

Fraoch licked the wrapper. “Why nae, tis good!”

We laughed.

Soon after, James leaned back against a tree, and said, “So, I’ve been wanting to ask, Fraoch, what happened with you and Quentin?” He grinned. “I think he said: night twenty-seven? The secret is safe with me, of course, and I’m sure Magnus is cool with whatever happened. But Quentin, see, he’s been my closest friend since elementary school. I think I have to know what happened.” His eyes glinted.

Fraoch joked, “Och, tis exactly what he told me ye would say tae get it from me!”

“Damn it. I didn’t know he was so good at this. Come on, tell me, we’re in the dark of a sixteenth century forest. I hae tae ken what it was. It might be the last thing that I get to laugh about in my whole life.”

Fraoch drew his dirk and rubbed the blade with a cloth. “Tis the second thing he told me ye would say.”

“All of that?”

“Nae, but he said ye would try tae make me feel sorry for ye. He told me nae tae fall for it.”

“I guess it would be too much to remind you, I let you use that boat all you want.”

Fraoch said, “Third thing.”

“Well, shit, fine. I’ll have to die not knowing.” He pulled his hat lower on his eyes.

Fraoch said, “I ken ye are great friends. I promise ye, Master James, someday when we are all