Maggie was overwhelmed at the thought of learning to fight. It must have shown on her face because Angus commented, “Don’t be frightened, Maggie. I’m a good teacher and when we’re done, I’ll be able to trust ye with me life. Now let’s get started.”
Angus started with the basics. He showed her the correct stance and position, how to hold the sword and a lot of things she should not do. Maggie’s head was full to bursting, but she wanted to learn and that was half the battle.
“Very good, Maggie. I think yer ready for yer first practice fight.” Angus smiled reassuringly as he took his stance opposite her. “Remember, keep yer distance. Ye dinnae wish to be too close to yer opponent. Yer not strong enough to get into a wrestling match just yet.”
Maggie waited in her stance, holding the sword the way Angus had shown her. “’Tis important to aim fer the weapon, not yer opponent. Ye leave yerself open to their sword if ye do so.” She took a few practice swings with the sword, which felt incredibly awkward in her hands. In fact, everything she did seemed off. “Keep at it, Maggie. Ye’ll get more comfortable the longer we do this.” Maggie took a wide swing and the sword went flying out of her grasp. Angus ducked just in time, and the sword flew over his head, landing in one of Edna’s prize rose bushes.
“Sorry, Uncle Angus,” Maggie said, feeling about two inches tall for making such a rookie mistake.
“Well, ’tis one way to decapitate yer opponent, but not the best way. When ye swing wide like that, ye leave yerself an open target. What I’d like ye to do is concentrate on deflecting my assault. If yer focus is solely on attacking, ye fall prey to injury, or worse. Always keep the correct distance. When I come at ye—ye need to back up. Think of it like a dance. Follow my steps while backing away, do ye ken?”
Maggie nodded her head and they practiced for a while. At first, she found herself stumbling over her own two feet, buteventually her confidence began to build and her feet no longer got in the way.
“I think ye’ve got it. Now we need to work on yer speed and once ye’ve mastered the art of stopping yer opponent, we’ll work on stopping them and striking at the same time.”
Maggie was panting from her efforts. This was hard work and she wasn’t sure she’d ever be good at it. “Uncle, could we take a break for now?”
“Of course, Maggie. Go see yer Auntie. She’ll feed ye and give ye something to drink. I’ll be along shortly.” With a reassuring pat on her shoulder, Angus sent Maggie on her way.
***
Lunch had been prepared and set out in the dining room. “Ah, there ye be, Maggie. Pour yerself some tea.” Maggie began to lift the pot with her hand, but Edna shook her head. “Not that way, dear. Use yer magick.” Maggie concentrated and levitated the pot, pouring herself a perfect cup of tea, every drop going into the cup.
Edna applauded. “I’m so proud of ye, Maggie. How did your lesson go with Uncle Angus?”
“I feel like a fish out of water, Auntie.” Maggie took a sip of her tea and then bit into her sandwich, swallowing down a mouthful. “Do ye really believe I can do this?”
“Aye. I do. I believe yer the only one who can.” Edna sat opposite Maggie, watching her eat.
“Why are ye nae going to Breaghacraig yerself?” Maggie wondered aloud.
“As ye ken, I must stay here and see that ye have safe passage across the bridge and then back again.”
“True. I guess I forgot about that,” Maggie said with a smile. She finished her food and then settled back in her seat for a fewminutes of rest. She desperately wanted to go upstairs and take a nap, but knew that wouldn’t be possible. She had far too much to learn and no doubt, Uncle Angus awaited her outside for another round.
Chapter 3
After days of preparation and practice, the time had finally arrived for Maggie and Angus to begin their journey. To suggest Maggie was nervous would be an understatement. She was anxious, apprehensive and terrified of what might lie ahead. The one bright spot in all of this, was that she’d have an opportunity to be with Dylan again and she couldn’t wait to see him. She smiled as she remembered his curly blonde locks, always in disarray, how soft they’d been entwined around her fingers. He had been so easy to talk to and so much fun, not to mention the most handsome man she’d ever set eyes on. Maggie had never met anyone like him and she’d known instantly he was the man for her. As she stood in the lobby waiting for Angus, she released an audible sigh.
“Are ye alright, Maggie?” Edna asked, concern in her voice.
“Aye, Auntie. The thought of what awaits me on the other side of the bridge is a bit overwhelming, but I’m prepared. Both ye and Uncle have seen to it.” Maggie fidgeted with her hair, something she always did when she was nervous.
Edna grabbed her hand. “Enough, my darlin’ girl. Leave yer hair be.”
Maggie laughed at herself. “Bad habit,” she replied clasping her hands together.
“We’ve one last thing to do before ye go, lass,” Edna explained. “As I mentioned to ye before, ye cannot go as yerself, so ye need a disguise.”
“Disguise!” Maggie had been imagining herself dressed in a beautiful medieval gown, with a hooded cape, which she’d draw forward to cover her face. She would be very mysterious, like the heroines in the books she loved to read. “But Auntie, how will Dylan know it’s me?”
“It will be for the best if he doesnae know it’s you, initially.” Maggie began to protest, but Edna held up a finger to stop her. “When the time comes, Dylan will look into yer eyes and know the truth, but until then you shall be Alec, a companion to yer Uncle Angus. Now stand still, while I work on yer appearance.”
Maggie did as her Aunt requested and while she couldn’t see anything happening, she could certainly feel it. Edna was waving her arms to and fro, almost as if she was conducting an orchestra, and with each movement of Edna’s hands, Maggie was pulled and tugged, as little gusts of air blew past her and around her. “’Tis finished,” Edna finally announced. “And I’ve done a fine job of transforming ye into a lad. Look fer yerself.”
Maggie hurried across to the mirror behind the front desk. She gasped when she saw her dirt-covered face and less than flattering clothes. She turned her astonishment on Edna, not entirely certain whether she wanted to laugh or cry. She was so shocked she couldn’t speak. This was most definitely not what she wanted to look like, not to see Dylan again. “Auntie, I don’t know…”
“Don’t worry, dear, I’ve cast a spell that will cause those who see ye to believe ye are a lad and a stranger to them.” Edna madea few small adjustments to Maggie’s new look and then stood back to admire her work.
