Maggie turned back to the mirror. She was wearing brown trewes and a saffron liene. Over the shirt and pants was a voluminous brown cape, the hood of which, along with a cap hid her lustrous red locks. “If I didn’t know it was me I was looking at, I’d wonder who this lad was,” Maggie giggled, finally coming to terms with her newlook. “’Tis a fine costume.”
“I’ve equipped ye with the very best sword, knives and bow. I feel confident ye’ll know how to use them, should the need arise. Yer uncle will look after ye and protect ye to the best of his ability. There will be some things, though, that he’ll not be able to defend against.”
“Ye mean the witch, Brielle,” Maggie stated.
“Aye. Brielle.” Edna seemed especially sober as she repeated the witch’s name, which gave Maggie a distinctly uneasy feeling.
The sound of horses’ hooves approaching and coming to a halt in front of the inn caught their attention.
“Shall we?” Edna escorted Maggie outside where Angus sat astride an enormous bay horse with a black mane and tail. Alongside him stood a petite blue roan mare, perfectly sized for Maggie to ride.
“Look at ye lass. I mean lad,” Angus chuckled. “I hardly recognize ye.”
Maggie rolled her eyes at Angus and followed the uncharacteristic reaction with a bright smile, to let him know she wasn’t offended by his comment. “Goodbye, Auntie,” Maggie said, turning to Edna.
Edna gathered Maggie in her arms and hugged her tightly. “All will be well, Maggie. Dinnae fear. I love ye.”
“And I love ye,” Maggie responded, kissing Edna’s cheek.
“Do ye need help mounting yer horse,Alec?” Angus questioned. It was obvious he was having far too much funteasing her and Maggie wondered how long it would continue before he tired of the game.
“Nae, Uncle. I can do it meself. How would it look if ye had to assist me every time I needed to do some manly thing?” Maggie questioned, with a touch of sarcasm. She turned to Edna, gave her aunt one last big hug and another kiss goodbye and then mounted her horse. She glanced towards Angus with a ‘see-I-told-you-I-didn’t-need-any-help’ look of triumph on her face. “What’s her name?” Maggie asked.
“Blue, of course,” Angus responded, as he effortlessly dismounted and wrapped Edna in a warm embrace. “I love ye, my sweet,” he said as he kissed her forehead. “We’ve nae been apart since we first met. ’Twill nae be an easy thing to do—leaving ye here.”
“I ken it, my love. Come back to me safely. Protect each other and if ye need me, I am here.” Tears formed in both Edna’s and Angus’ eyes and Maggie herself choked up as she watched. Angus bent low and lifting Edna’s chin with his fingertips, placed a gentle kiss on her lips. It seemed neither of them wanted it to end. Maggie couldn’t help but think of Dylan and hoped she’d found a love like the one her aunt and uncle shared. She’d know soon enough and the anticipation of seeing Dylan had her anxious to get started.
Angus reluctantly let go of Edna and remounted his horse. “Shall we go, Archie?” he said to his equine companion. They both turned their horses and headed away from the village and towards the bridge that would take them back to the year 1514—and a less than certain outcome to the confrontation they were heading towards.
***
Approaching the bridge, Angus and Maggie noticed a thick, swirling fog bank which had descended over the bridge, leaving it barely visible to them.
“I believe we’re to go through the fog,” Angus stated. He nodded to Maggie and she nudged her horse, forward into the grey abyss. “Hold onto me hand, Maggie, and don’t let go until we reach the other side.”
Maggie inched Blue closer to Angus and held out her hand, which Angus grasped. They slowly made their way into the fog, unable to see even each other. Maggie could feel her horse shaking and quivering with fear beneath her. She laid a comforting hand along Blue’s neck. Bright lights flashed around them as they moved further into the mass of grey. And then, in a flash, it was completely gone and they were being greeted by a handsome, dark-haired man astride a horse that looked very much like the one Angus rode.
“Ye must be Angus. Welcome! I be Ewan, yer son-in-law, sir.” Ewan extended his arm towards Angus.
“Thank ye for awaiting our arrival,” Angus said. “I’m verra happy to finally meet ye.” He pulled his horse up alongside Ewan’s and reached out to clasp his hand. “And where is my daughter, Ewan?” Angus asked as he glanced around searching for Lena.
“Lena is back at home with the boys. We’ll all join ye at Breaghacraig once this business with Sir Richard and the witch is taken care of. I’m here to travel with ye to yer campsite for the night.”
Maggie noted the look of disappointment on Angus’ face. He had been looking forward to seeing Lena and his grandsons sooner rather than later.
“When ye return home, tell them that I’m anxious to see them.” Angus sat a little taller in his saddle, obviously putting on a brave face.
Maggie searched her surroundings for any sign that they were actually in a different time period, but nothing about the forested area they stood in gave even a hint of the past, present or future. She found herself looking forward to seeing the castle with her own eyes and meeting the people she’d heard so much about.
“And who is this lad ye’ve brought with ye?” Ewan questioned with a knowing grin. “I was expecting ye to be travelling with another.”
“This be Alec. He’s along to give me assistance.” Angus winked at Maggie and she nodded in acknowledgement.
“If Edna hadnae told us who ye be,” Ewan stated, “I’d truly take ye to be a lad. Maggie, isn’t it?”
“Aye. Maggie it was, but from now on I’m Alec.” Maggie experimented with deepening her voice to complete her disguise. The two men chuckled at her awkward attempt.
“Well, Alec and Angus, shall we get started? I will camp with ye tonight and I’ll see ye on yer way in the morn, before I head back home.” Ewan turned his horse to lead them away from the bridge.
