The Empire and the Wolf King (Kaitlyn and the Highlander #21)

2. Chapter 2 - Kaitlyn

CHAPTER 2 - KAITLYN

A DESOLATE ROAD NEAR STAUNTON, VIRGINIA - 1775

“ I can’t believe we escaped Asgall.”

Magnus said, “We are fortunate.” He pointed at a tree. “There are another three notches, we are goin’ in the right direction.”

“Good, hopefully this road leads to a big city with a library or a bank, maybe a time-traveling post office, we need to get a message to our family.” The road was straight at this point, so we walked along the edge, trying to keep in the shadows.

He said, “Aye, first thing.”

“So what…” I stepped up on a boulder and jumped off the other side, “do you think the kids, or anyone in our family who has made it back to modern times, are eating right now?”

“Och, I pray they hae all made it back.”

“Me as well, I really hope we are the only ones who are stuck.”

He nodded.

Then he said, “And Arse-gall’s vessel worked, we saw it.”

I said, “Yeah, and if his works, then other ones will work. Your mother is not going to put up with her vessel not working.”

“Aye, and if she canna use her own vessel, she can remotely activate them as I did, or she can retrieve the ones that work — she kens things she winna tell me. I am certain she has tools. Tis odd though that she dinna do anything tae help or intervene when we were under siege at Stirling. She often shows during a battle.”

“Yeah, that is concerning. Remember when she showed up at Balloch when you had been taken hostage by Roderick? She came exactly when she was needed. Though she might have been encouraged by Hammond, and he’s not around to encourage her better behavior anymore…”

He nodded quietly as we trudged. Then said, “Och, I hae lost a great many good men while m’mother remains ever the same.”

“Yeah, ironic how she has to be eternal.” But then I added, “I feel bad though, saying that about her, she is going to be devastated by the news of Sean.”

“Aye, I ought tae be there, breakin’ the news tae her. Her heart will be broken and she needs me tae be the one tae tell her. Same as Lizbeth, och, I hope she daena hear of it without me. She will think I hae deserted her, she will believe me tae be uncaring. I need tae be with them tae pray.”

I blinked back my tears. “I know it won’t help to hear it, but Lizbeth won’t think that of you… but I also agree, she needs you there. She will be distraught and she’ll need you.”

“I daena ken how she will ever forgive me.”

I was quiet, I knew he was speaking through his grief and that there was nothing I could say. He had to mourn and he was going to blame himself. I wouldn’t be able to argue him from it. Not right now, not until he could get through this part — he would simply have to grieve. Like back when Sunny passed, Magnus had to begin alone, and then come to me when he was ready. Then I would soothe him.

There was a bend in the road, so we walked in the path, cautiously checking behind us, listening for other travelers, but there was less chance of being seen. And the insects’ humming created a cacophony which meant we wouldn’t be overheard.

Magnus climbed over a large boulder and jumped off the other side, landing on two feet and then jogging for a few steps. “I did it tae wake m’self up.”

“Tired?”

“Aye, I hae missed centuries of sleep. I canna remember the last full night. Twas a long long time ago.”

“Almost five hundred years.”

He chuckled. “Nae wonder I am exhausted.”

He asked, “Ye were wondering what our family was eatin’ now that they are rescued and living in Florida, happily — tis because ye dinna hae enough tae eat with m’fancy squirrel feast earlier?”

I laughed. “I forgot I brought that up, and yes, now that you mention it, though it was delicious, I do think I need something else. I would do anything for some chocolate right now. Do you see a chocolate tree?”

He stopped, looking up and around. “Nae, I daena think chocolate trees grow in this part of the world. Twill be a time afore we get them I think.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, the Founding Fathers were pretty enlightened, they drank hot chocolate, as well as coffee. I think I remember correctly, vanilla and rose were common flavorings, but…” I looked all around, “we have been walking for miles. We’re in the wilderness, the long ago wilderness.” My eyes went wide, “What about natives, could that be a thing?” I stepped closer to Magnus.

“Daena worry on it, mo reul-iuil, we are goin’ tae come upon a village around the next bend.”

We started walking again.

“How do you know?”

“Because we hae been walking for a few miles, and though this road is narrow and not used as much as the roads we are used tae around Scottish castles, it is still used for travelers.” He pointed. “See there, another three lines, travelers must hae a place tae rest. And if ye think on it, behind us is a brothel, tis necessary that there must be another?—”

“Magnus, we are not sleeping in a brothel.”

“Nae, but if there was one town with a brothel, there?—”

He grabbed my arm and pulled me off the road behind a tree. A horse was coming. Three horses. He drew me down to crouch behind a bush, hidden well, but we were too close. It was really scary as the horses trotted by, almost close enough to touch, I couldn’t watch.

I ducked my head and held tight, trying not to breathe. Magnus had his hand on my shoulder. I just concentrated on the weight; with a tap I would scramble up and run, but the horses passed by. The rumble of their steps loud and then growing quieter in the distance.

Then the buzzing of bug hum grew louder to fill the silence.

Magnus tapped my back and I exhaled.

He said, “Told ye, right around the corner.”

I asked, “Should we wait until nightfall? Walk in the dark?”

“Nae, I would fall asleep, and I worry I winna wake til morning. We will continue on. I am armed, I hae some gold in m’pocket, and a comfortable bed in an inn is callin’ m’name.” I followed him out to the road.

We walked about the length of a football field and then I was practically dragging my arms. “Can I complain?”

“Aye, ye can complain.” He gestured at his forehead. “I hae had it tae here with wanderin’ through this terrible landscape. Tis too green, the bugs are verra—” He smacked his cheek. “Och nae, there are wee beasties bitin’ us and I am verra hungry. I need tae sleep. There hasna been enough sleep in this godforsaken hellscape. There, mo reul-iuil, I began it for ye, ye can continue it.”

“I don’t think I’ve heard you complain quite that much.”

“I daena think we hae been in such a terrible situation.”

“Remember when I had mastitis in the wilderness of a Scottish winter?”

“Aye, twas bleak, I remember, and ye forget, I complained plenty.”

“True, and it was complicated, there were a lot of reasons why we ended up in the past and we couldn’t necessarily pin it on anyone, but this…”

“This is Arse-gall’s fault.”

I said, “Yep, so complaining is easier. Now it’s my turn. I’m starving, literally. I’m exhausted. I want to make love to my husband so we can both sleep and then I want to wake up in a few hours to worry about my babies.”

“Och, I like yer complaint, it held a promise.”

“Now we can go faster.” We picked up our pace and headed to the village that was right around the corner just as Magnus had predicted.