“Ye call my sister, Mistress Lexi?”
“Nae, I call her Princess. But all else ken her as Lexi.”
His brow drew down.
I said, “Once, the markings were altered, and I arrived far north, many years in the future, long after ye were gone. But I figured it out — if I twist them in this order, the vessel will bring me tae the Princess’s time, and then finally here.”
Max picked up the vessel, turning it over in his hands. “Ye ken a great deal. How did ye change the markings?”
“Twistin’ the form.” I warned, “But daena try it — ye must be in a cellar, I think. We hae tae be cautious.” I hesitated. “I thought ye would ken this…?”
“Nae,” he admitted. “I was verra young when I last held a vessel. All I hae is the message.” He drew a worn page from his sporran, edges creased and softened by months of study. He spread it flat and slid it tae me.
I squinted at the markings in the dim light. “Does it tell ye the meanin’? Twould help tae ken.”
“Some.” He frowned. “Twill take more figurin’ out.”
I leaned back, letting out a breath. “I was verra angry with ye, for not tellin’ me how tae work it. But… it seems ye dinna ken much either.”
“Nae, but I wish I had told ye more.”
“Aye.” We drained our ales, and Max waved Mistress Sarie over for two more.
When she left, I leaned closer. “I learned there is more than one vessel.”
Max’s eyes lit. “Och aye! I knew, but I dinna ken if others used them.”
“One was. I was chased tae the Princess’s lands. The man escaped me, and a storm rose — he had a vessel as well.”
“Ye learned a great deal.” He tapped the table. “Then we must see her. We should go back tae when she was a child and?—”
I shook my head. “Nae, Max. That wouldna be right. What would happen tae her memories? Her whole life — gone.”
“Why nae, Torin? Twould solve many troubles! I will win back my throne and she would start over in Riaghalbane, grow as the princess she was born tae be?—”
I interrupted, “Wouldyewant yer life redone without yer say?”
Max stiffened. “Nae, I?—”
I leaned in. “What if I twisted this vessel right now, went back tae yer boyhood. I could find ye and carry ye off? The man afore me would cease tae be.”
“Ye wouldna dare!”
“Why would ye care? Ye could live yer life over. I could keep ye safe. I could raise ye as m’son.” I smiled.
“Och nae, a chill of darkness has crossed over my life, Torin, daena speak on it, I say nae. Daena even think it.”
“Then ye see. Ye are the man afore me because of the trouble ye hae lived through. The princess has seen her share of troubles, but she is the same. Her troubles shaped her, and her memories are her own. Ye see how she would feel the same?”
“Aye. I see it.”
He nodded, his eyes narrowing. “How did ye grow so wise about Alexandria?”
I said, “I spent a long time at her side. She and I were taken captive, we were on a journey together. I had tae rescue her.”
He exhaled, watching me intently.
I drank from my ale and kept my eyes on the fire, as he watched the side of my face.
