Chapter 6
KAITLYN
Magnus’s voice, gentle in my ear. “Mo reul-iuil, wake up.”
“We’re here?”
“Aye, and surrounded by Campbell men.”
I heard Sean’s voice, because I wouldn’t open my eyes yet.
“Och, would ye look at the state of him. A man who travels through time itself and canna even manage tae land on his feet — nae, he’s face-down in the mud like a dropped sack of tatties.
With his poor wife down with him. Rise, Young Magnus!
Tis embarrassin’, yer horses can see ye, they are becomin’ judgmental. ”
I joked with my eyes closed, “Och, it’s my brother-in-law.”
Magnus brushed off his shirt and sat up. “Sean, ye arna glad tae see me?”
“Of course nae, tis always a trial when ye arrive, what trouble dost ye bring?”
“None, ye are being an arse. I am bringing good tidings for yer travels, good fortune awaits ye. Kaitlyn and I are naething but joy and cheer.”
“And yer horses, and all these chests that we must load up and drag tae the castle for ye.”
“Aye, I want m’horse, Kaitlyn and I are planning tae go on a ride.” He continued, “And ye are right, tis uncivilized when ye time-travel, but the important thing is it will be civilized in the kingdom when ye arrive.”
He shook his head. “But I think I will make certain tae hae soldiers greet ye and mock ye while ye are still unconscious so ye will feel as welcome as ye make me.”
“Ye are thinking strange soldiers will be the same as the mockery of yer brother? Young Magnus, I mock ye out of fraternal love! And ye canna do that tae Lizbeth, she is fretful, she winna stand for it.”
“I would never — she is truly frettin’?”
“Aye, daena tell her I said so, but she is not herself.”
“Och nae.”
“I’m glad we came.” I finally opened my eyes to look up and see Sean standing over us with his hands hooked in his sword belt.
“Aye, tis good ye are here, sister Kaitlyn, she will appreciate the company. Yet, Young Magnus, ye still haena explained why ye came, ye dinna plan tae gather us for the trip for weeks yet.”
Magnus said, “Kaitlyn and I are deliverin’ chests for ye tae pack intae.”
“We hae chests, brother, we are not so poor. I think ye hae come because ye missed me and ye are feelin’ melancholic about movin’ us from this place. Ye are as emotional as a woman.”
Magnus said, “If I did miss ye I hae changed my mind.”
He put his hand up and Sean hefted him to his feet. Then Magnus helped me up.
We set about loading the modern trailer we kept in the clearing, hitched it to Sean’s horses, and then we headed toward the castle.
The path from the clearing was familiar by now — how many times had we walked this? So many times, with Magnus talking about the forest, I almost remembered the names of the trees. Almost.
He knew it all by heart.
We wound through a thick stand with him reminding me they were Scots pines and birch. He said, “The birch sounds fine, daena it? I missed the sound.”
We paused so I could listen to the soft, crisp rustling.
I nodded, “Lovely, I missed it too.”
Over time the wheels of the trailer had worn ruts of packed earth along our way.
It made for easier walking. The ground between the ruts and along the edges, was soft and springy with fallen needles and moss.
I breathed in deeply, it all smelled fresh.
Real. It was going to be a warm summer day, and was a bit cool in the shade.
The trailer, modern, with wooden panels and rim covers to disguise it a bit, creaked behind us as the horses plodded along, rolling it down the path.
The woods hummed with life. Magnus pointed out a red squirrel as it darted up a trunk. “Ye see it, Kaitlyn, there is the animal I compare ye tae.”
I laughed. “You had me going that time you called me a majestic squirrel.”
“Aye, I ken ye dinna think tis a compliment, but I canna agree, a squirrel has many fine qualities.”
“I don’t mind, I think of you as a bear and on reflection the squirrel might have a better reputation.”
He nodded, then looked up at a buzzard circling high overhead.
I watched the side of his face as he watched it intently.
Even after all this time I just loved how freaking hot he was.
Like every scar, every soft promise of a coming wrinkle, he was only like, 30… or so, as he would say, the crow flies.
He smiled at me and raised his brow. “What ye thinkin’ on?”
“How glad I am that we have some time alone together.”
Right then a horse whinnied and stamped, and one of the men leading the trailer began to sing a sea shanty kind of a song and Sean joined in.
I joked, “By alone, you know what I mean.”
“Aye, I ken.” He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. I bumped into him as we walked then veered away as we went, my hand tucked in his.
The distant rush of the River Tay filtered through the branches, a steady murmur that grew louder as we neared and then the trees began to thin, revealing glimpses of the loch, its long, grey surface rippling and sparkling under the summer light.
Our view was framed by the rugged peaks in the far distance and the gentle green slopes closer in.
We had a view of the castle then, familiar as home.
His step quickened and his gaze became more alert as we caught the first sight of the castle’s silhouette against the landscape, Balloch’s green-gray stone, its walls thick and weathered, rising four stories with the high walls encircling round.
It was so grand. Still, after all these years, difficult to imagine what life had been like growing up here.
Magnus’s eyes swept the land around the castle, the low field walls, clipped hedges, and a few orchard trees near the kitchen gardens, where smoke rose from the chimneys, carrying the smell of peat and baking bread.
We walked along the main approach, a wide, beaten-earth track that curved gently toward the gates.
As we drew closer, villagers and castle folk paused in their work to watch us.
Sean and Magnus were the nephews of the Earl, after all.
We came to the heavy gates, standing open, flanked by two guards in Breadalbane livery who straightened at the sight of our party.
Magnus said, very quietly, “Tis always good tae come home.”
I squeezed his hand.
One thing I knew: he loved Florida, preferred Florida, but this was where his heart had grown. It wouldn’t be easy for him to say goodbye.
In the courtyard, Lizbeth stood on the steps to the Great Hall and called across, “Tis ye, Young Magnus, for what purpose?”
“Och nae, is nae one glad tae see their brother?”
“I believe we just saw ye, a few weeks ago. Where are yer bairns?”
“We left them in Florida, while we came tae see ye. We brought some chests tae pack for yer trip.”
She asked, “But the bairns are well?”
“Aye — are ye goin’ tae yell at me from across the courtyard?”
“Nae, I will…” She stepped down the stairs with her head held high, looking a great deal like her mother, Lady Mairead, haughty and cold.
She bowed her head. “Good day, Kaitlyn, tis verra fine tae see ye.”
Magnus narrowed his eyes. “What are ye about, Lizbeth?”
“Naething, I daena ken what ye mean!”
Her eyes swept the trailer and the chests piled on it, she looked away.
Magnus said, “I am verra glad tae see ye. And looking forward tae yer comin’ trip tae m’kingdom. I was thinkin’ on it as we walked today, Lizbeth, did ye ken that the forest yonder is the same as the one in Riaghalbane?”
“Tis?”
Magnus planted his feet. “Aye, the tall trunks stand for centuries.” He swept his arm out.
“Ye hae seen the beginnin’ of the seedlings here in this time, and when ye get tae the kingdom ye will get tae see them fully grown.
Tis the same forest. Here the branches reach for the sky.
In Riaghalbane the trees are ancient — strong, intertwined.
This forest will provide shelter for us, bring us strength taegether. ”
Lizbeth listened quietly, her arms folded, nodding. “This is a tale tae bring me solace?”
“Ye need solace, sister?”
She frowned slightly, then looked down and shook her head. “Of course nae, why would I need solace? My brother, the king, has asked me tae come tae his kingdom. Tis an honor.”
Sean nodded approvingly. “Aye, tis, Lizbeth, we are goin’ tae hae a good life there, ye will see.”
“I ken, of course we are, the decision has been made and tis a good one. We are all going tae be the better for it.” She dug through the bag at her hip as if looking for something, but she was hiding that she was becoming emotional.
I wasn’t used to Lizbeth getting emotional.
Sean said, “Sister, now we hae more than enough chests for packin’ yer possessions. Where would ye like them?”
She glanced at him sharply. “Why must I decide?”
Sean looked perturbed. “Because ye are usually the one tae make the decision!”
“I daena care where they go, I hae plenty tae deal with as tis. Ye will need tae decide where they go.”
“Fine, I will hae the men load them intae the store rooms on the…”
She gave him a withering look.
“Och nae, ye daena want them there?”
“They will be in my way as I am organizin’ the room, ye ken this!”
I had never heard her voice so high.
Sean looked at me and Magnus.
She finished, raising her chin. “Put them in the back of the cellar store room.”
Magnus said, “But Lizbeth, twill be difficult tae pack if ye…” His voice trailed off at her expression.
“I hae a great deal tae do, I daena want trunks underfoot. Honestly, Sean, if ye dinna want tae ken my answer, why did ye ask?”
He gave a sheepish grin. “Sister of mine, I am goin’ tae put these chests our brother brought with him tae the cellar store rooms until we are able tae begin tae pack. Twill be what ye want?”
She said, with a clipped tone, “Thank ye, it daena really matter tae me.” Then she added, “Kaitlyn, I am verra busy in the upper storerooms, so I will look forward tae seeing ye at dinner. We will discuss all ye hae been doing since ye left.”
She turned on her heels and stalked away.
Sean muttered, “Och nae.”
I glanced at Magnus, his eyes were wide. “Tis how she has been?”
“Aye, she is fretful. That is why Liam dinna come tae meet ye in the clearing, he is cowerin’ upon the walls.”
Magnus exhaled long.
Sean said, “Dost ye want more bad news, Young Magnus?”
“Nae. But ye might as well tell it.”
“The Earl is in residence, ye will need tae go pay yer respects.”
“Och, I hoped he wouldna be… but ye spring it on me?”
“Aye, ye canna even dwell on it, ye just go see him.”
Magnus squared his shoulders and nodded. “Nae his son, John?”
“John is still in Edinburgh, I believe he is arriving on the morrow.”
Magnus sighed.
I asked, “Want me to come?”
He shook his head.
“Then I will go to our rooms.”
“Aye, I will get this grim task finished, then I will join ye and we will address Lizbeth’s mood.”
He stalked away, then turned. “Sean, hae ye told him ye and Lizbeth are leavin’?”
“Nae, but there are rumors around. Be careful, ye ken how he can be when he smells change.”
“Aye, I will be careful, soon enough, none of it will matter. This might be the verra last time I must go pay m’respects tae my uncle.”