24
Istood before my open trunk, excitement prevailing as I carefully packed each item for our journey to the past. My hands moved with purpose, folding delicate dresses and cloaks made from period-appropriate fabrics, placing them alongside ancient-looking leather-bound books and other essentials. Each item held a special significance, a physical representation of the life that awaited us in a bygone era. The rustle of fabric and the faint scent of lavender filled the air, adding to the anticipation rolling through my belly. Nicholas said it should not be a problem to bring the trunk with us; after all, he had traveled with various items at other times without issue. The worst that might happen would be to lose it in the vacuum of time, and for that, I was prepared, although I hoped the heavens would favor me in my simple desire to take a few items with us.
As I reached for the bloodstone pendant resting on the vanity, my thoughts drifted to my previous visit to the past when I went looking for Nicholas. The memory of him saving me that day, living as the warrior Mahtake, still sent shivers down my spine. His face had been painted in a menacing two-toned pattern, splitting his features in half. Black covered the upper part of his face, from the crease in his lips up over his brows to his hairline, while a deep crimson red stretched from his lower lip down his throat and chest. He wore breeches and a loose linen shirt beneath a grey wool overcoat, open at the neck, displaying a tangle of beaded necklaces and pendants. His dark hair, just brushing his shoulders, was hung loosely at the nape of his neck.
Although I was well versed in the style of weapons men carried in that era, I was still shocked to see the decorated war club secured at his side and the rifle carried on his back, hanging by a flat leather strap across his body. I briefly glanced past him and saw the second casualty, the wiry man, who lay motionless a few paces away. At first, I had been afraid of him - this savage warrior - but when he stepped forward without hesitation to protect me, my fear was replaced with respect and awe.
”Is everything ready?” Bash”s voice startled me from my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.
I turned to face him, my hand instinctively moving to fasten the bloodstone pendant around my neck. ”Yes, I think so,” I replied, not quite able to hide the surprise in my voice as I studied him. Bash was dressed in period-appropriate clothing, his determination etched on his face.
”Are you sure about this, Bash?” I asked with a hint of reluctance. ”You don”t have to come with us.”
Bash shook his head, his eyes never leaving mine. ”I want to go, Sophia,” he said firmly. ”I want to be there for both of you. I”ve made up my mind, and nothing will change that.”
As I looked into his eyes, I realized the depth of his resolve. He was determined to see this through, regardless of the consequence. He was eager and ready, and there was no stopping him. And though I still harbored some concerns, I couldn”t deny the comfort his presence would bring. With a nod, I closed the trunk and prepared myself for the journey that lay ahead, knowing that the past held secrets and dangers we could scarcely imagine.
As I stood in the dimly lit room, my eyes darted to each corner in anticipation and worry. Suddenly, my father appeared before me, his shoulders slumped and his face etched with lines of burden. It was as if he carried a heavy weight that was about to crush him.
”Sophia, there is something you need to know before you go back to the past,” he began, his voice wavering. ”It”s about Bash.”
I tensed, wondering what revelation he had in store. I was weary of secrets, and I wanted to start this new life fresh and whole. ”What is it, Father?”
”Samuel Crowshaw, or Derek as I knew him, is Bash”s father.”
The words hit me like a bolt of lightning, and I shook my head, disbelief flooding my mind. ”What? How can this be?”
”Samuel and I were once good friends, and our families were closely connected. We shared a deep brotherhood, but events unfolded that caused a rift between us.” He paused, looking troubled. ”Though we”ve had our differences, I still consider him a true friend. It’s why he helped us that day we went to the past for Alec.” I recalled how Samuel had arrived to aid us, and in the chaos of the moment after being shot with a crossbow, I was ashamed to admit the questions about it faded from my mind.
”Is Samuel aware of this connection?” I asked, still trying to process the information.
”Perhaps,” Connor replied hesitantly. ”But that”s not what”s important right now. What you need to know is that you can trust him. He will always be there for you if you need him when you go back to the past.”
I nodded slowly, absorbing his words. The weight of this new truth settled heavily on my shoulders, but I knew I had to accept it. ”Thank you for telling me, Father.”
”Life in the past will be difficult,” he continued, ”but I have faith that you will thrive with Nicholas by your side. And when you see Samuel, tell him that I wish him the best. Tell him that his son is a good man, and I am proud of the man he has become.”
My eyes filled with tears as I embraced my father. Our parting was filled with emotion, and I could feel the depth of his love for me. ”I will, Father,” I whispered into his chest. ”I promise.”
”Take care of yourself, my dear,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. ”And remember that life is too short to live unhappy, even for those like us.”
”I know,” I said, pulling back to look into his eyes. ”But you deserve happiness, too. You”ve spent so long mourning Mother; maybe it”s time for you to find someone to share your life with again. I think she would want you to be happy again.”
For a moment, sadness clouded his eyes, but then he nodded. ”I can’t make any promises on that. But I’ll keep it in mind.”
My father”s strong arms wrapped around me one last time, holding me close in a tearful embrace. I could feel the warmth of his love and the sadness of our parting mingling together. But I knew it was time to let go, to step away and face my new life in the past with Nicholas by my side. The past would become my future, a world full of unknown adventures and possibilities waiting for us. And perhaps, someday, my father would sit by the fire and read stories about our daring escapades, filled with laughter and tears alike.
The world spun wildly around me as I clung to Nicholas, my vision a blur of colors and shapes. The sensation of time travel was like being pulled through a vortex—disorienting and nauseating. When the spinning finally ceased, I found myself sprawled on the ground in a field, gasping for breath.
”Welcome back to 1678,” Nicholas said, already back on his feet. He held out a hand to help me up, a grin playing at the corners of his mouth. ”You”re doing much better this time, Sophia.”
I accepted his help, still fighting a wave of nausea. ”If by ”better” you mean I haven”t vomited all over your shoes, then yes,” I retorted weakly. As I looked around, I realized that Bash had not yet arrived. ”Where”s Bash?”
”Travel isn’t always predictable,” Nicholas explained, scanning the area. ”But he”ll catch up with us soon. We set the same destination after all.”
”Let”s hope so,” I murmured, my heart swelling with concern for our unexpected companion. Despite my initial reluctance, I worried for his safety.
Nicholas must have sensed my unease, for he gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. ”He”ll be fine, Sophia. Trust me.”
With a small smile and a nod, I followed him as he led me towards his home. The gentle tinkling of rushing creek water echoed through the air, creating a calming soundtrack to our footsteps. As we walked, memories of the past flooded my mind, each one bringing with it a wave of emotions - anticipation for what was to come, anxiety over whether things would be different this time around, and a fierce determination to make the most of this second chance. The crisp scent of freshly fallen leaves mingled with the earthy aroma of damp soil enveloped us, transporting me back in time and filling me with a sense of nostalgia. Despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, I couldn”t help but feel a sense of excitement building within me as we approached his home.
As we walked through the tall grass, the scent of wildflowers and damp earth filled my nostrils. The late afternoon sun cast a warm golden glow over the landscape, giving it an ethereal quality that made the past feel almost surreal. We approached Nicholas”s home by the creek, and I could see two familiar figures working diligently in the garden.
Mary Elizabeth, her long dark hair cascading down her back, knelt beside a row of vegetables, carefully pulling weeds from the rich soil. She moved with a grace born of years spent tending to the earth, her face a picture of concentration. Her husband, Henry, stood nearby, his strong hands gripping the handle of a hoe as he prepared another patch of ground for planting. The rhythmic sound of his labors echoed softly through the air, mingling with the gentle babble of the nearby creek.
The scene before us was one of peace and contentment, a stark contrast to the turmoil I felt inside. Despite the beauty of the moment, I couldn”t help but feel a twinge of envy for the simple life they led. Would Nicholas and I ever find such tranquility?
”Are you ready for this?” Nicholas asked, his eyes searching mine for any hint of doubt.
”More than anything,” I answered, my voice barely above a whisper. For despite the risks and the uncertainty, there was nowhere else I would rather be than by his side, ready to face the past and forge a future together.
”Then let”s go,” he said, a determined gleam in his eyes. Hand in hand, we walked toward the life that awaited us.