Chapter 13 #2
Melusina interrupted the conversation taking place between Sara and Logan. “Ye can catch up when this is all over with. For now, Sara, we need to ask ye some questions.”
“Why? What’s going on?” Sara asked.
“We’re having a trial,” Melusina explained.
Sara looked to Logan seeming puzzled. “For who?”
Logan opened his mouth to speak, but Melusina put up a finger to stop him before answering Sara. “Evanore and Edna. Evanore has kidnapped Edna and accused her of killing her sister.”
“Oh!” Sara’s hand went to her open mouth.
“She has accused Edna of misusing her powers to manipulate people into traveling to and from the past.”
“I can tell you right now that Edna didn’t manipulate me at all. I wanted to go back in time.”
“Why is that?” Melusina asked.
“Because that’s where Logan lives and I wanted to be with him.”
“Ye said ye weren’t manipulated. Can ye explain that further?”
“It was my idea to go back. I had to convince Edna to send me. And you might as well know that because she did, a man’s life was saved and another couple also had the chance to be together.
We both have children now, too. My baby, Lily, is not even one year old yet.
She needs me. I want to get back to her and my husband as soon as I can. ”
Mardella, Melusina and Daire looked over their notes and spoke in low tones. They called more witnesses to the fireplace and when they were done a few more of the warriors were called. It had been a long day, but they weren’t done yet.
“Finally, I’d like to call Sir Richard Jefford.” Melusina cast her gaze over the crowd and seemed pleased when Richard stood and walked towards her.
“I’m Richard Jefford,” he said as he approached the bench.
The Council witches nodded, acknowledging his presence.
“Tell us yer story, sir,” Melusina said.
Richard was silent for a moment, obviously gathering his thoughts.
“Edna Campbell is a good woman. She saved my life on more than one occasion and I am grateful to her for that. She also gave me a life. It is filled with joy and love. Ye see, in the past I was not a good man. I was jealous, vindictive and selfish. All of that changed when Edna came into my life. She saw something in me that I could not see in myself. She gave me a chance to be a better man and in doing so, I met my wife, Angelina. She is, as her name would suggest, my angel. We have a young son. He needs his mother as much as I need my wife. I cannot imagine my life without her. It would be empty and dark.” He glanced at Edna, who couldn’t be more proud of him.
He really had become a new man. “I don’t know that I can ever thank Edna enough for what she’s done for me.
I am indebted to her.” He turned to Edna. “Thank you, Edna.”
“Thank ye, sir. Ye may be seated,” Mardella said.
“Before I sit, there’s one more thing I’d like to say.”
“Make it quick if ye would, sir.”
“I told you Edna saved my life, but what I did not tell you was that she saved me from being killed by Brielle.”
The three witches exchanged glances.
“Exactly how did she do that?” Daire asked.
“She swept me up out of harm’s way and sent me to the future where I met my wife.” His steady gaze swept across the jury.
“Ye would be dead otherwise?” Daire asked.
“I would. I was prepared to die on that day, but it wasn’t my time. Edna made sure of it.” Richard bowed to them before turning to head back to his seat.
Evanore’s cool and calm demeanor was beginning to crack. She glared at Richard and followed him with her eyes as he walked away.
The council put their heads together and spoke in muffled tones. They glanced over their notes and looked out at the crowd of onlookers and witnesses.
“Thank ye. I think that is enough for today. We’ll meet back here tomorrow morning at ten.” Melusina banged her gavel and everyone rose. The jurors wandered off into the woods once again while Edna, Evanore and the Council went back into the house.
***
“May I join ye?” Angus asked. Not waiting for an answer he took a seat on the ground next to them.
“Yer always welcome, Angus,” Cormac said.
“Can ye no’ sleep?” Cailin asked.
Angus slowly shook his head.
“Neither can we,” Cormac said, pouring him some whisky.
“Our wives are well, but we miss them,” Cailin said.
“Are ye worrying about them being able to come back?” Angus took a sip of his drink.
“We must believe they will. It’s too hard to think otherwise.” Cailin wrapped an arm around his brother’s shoulders.
“I could no’ believe this would happen,” Cormac said. Dark circles under his eyes showed the wear the past few days had been having on him.
“All will be well, brother,” Cailin assured him.
“I pray ’twill be.” Cormac replied in somber tones.
Angus didn’t want to get their hopes up about the next day. Whatever was going to happen might not affect the Council’s ruling on the couples that had been separated so it was best not to say anything.
“What’s going on here?” Hamish asked as he joined them with Donal and Latharn by his side.
“We’re reminiscing about our wives.”
“I miss Sophia,” Latharn said, sitting and stretching his legs out in front of him. “When she’s back I’m going to marry her.”
“It’s about time!” Cormac clapped him on the back. “What’s taken ye so long?”
“I was afraid she would no’ have me,” he admitted. “I’ve nothing to offer her. Nae land. Nae home.”
The men all laughed at this.
“Why do ye think that to be funny.” Latharn seemed puzzled.
“Because she loves ye for some unknown reason and yer practically married already. Little will be different for ye.”
He seemed to think about that for a moment before chuckling. “Yer right. I’ve been a fool to have put it off for so long.”
“What of ye, Donal?” Angus asked.
“I’m verra happy. I work for Zeke teaching medieval martial arts at the studio in our town. Tina has a tea shop that is verra successful and we’re expecting a wee one soon.”
“Ye’ll be wanting to get back then,” Cailin said.
“The sooner the better,” Donal replied.
Logan turned to Hamish, “How is yer life in San Francisco?”
“I’ve a son now,” Hamish said. “His name is Jake.”
“Is yer wife still a famous singer?” Cormac poured himself more whisky and offered his flask around to the others.
“Aye. We’ve spent a lot of time on the road traveling from place to place to play music for crowds of people.”
“Where have ye been?” The men all leaned in to hear of his adventures.
“All over the world. Paris. Rome. We’ve been to Spain as well. I’ve sampled good food and wine. I must admit some of it seemed strange to me at first, but I’ve done it all with Elle by my side. It’s been the greatest adventure.”
“Congratulations!” Angus said. “Come now, sing us a song, Hamish.”
“I’ve nae music to sing to, but if ye doona mind me voice alone I’ll sing ye a song I wrote with Elle.”
As Hamish sang, Angus listened, enjoying the music and camaraderie he shared with these men. He also thought about Edna and how special she was. How she saw these people across thousands of miles and hundreds of years and helped them find each other.
When Hamish was done the men all cheered for him and talked excitedly about their lives, their wives and their children while Angus listened.
They all wanted back what they may possibly lose if things didn’t go well the next day.
He would keep that thought to himself, not wishing to cause them any upset.