“Camp?” Maggie repeated. She’d never been camping before. This was truly going to be an adventure.
‘Aye. We’ll nae want to travel in the dark, so ye’ll have nae choice. We’ll make it quite far before the sun sets,” Ewan explained.
“Alright. We should get going then.” Maggie took one last look back at the bridge they had crossed only moments before, and taking a deep breath, nudged Blue into a trot beside her uncle and Ewan.
Maggie did her best to relax and enjoy the scenery, but the weather was getting colder and the dampness was seeping into her bones. The end of October was near and with the change of months, would come even colder temperatures. She didn’t knowhow she was going to stay warm in this strange world. Her toes were already numb from the cold and she wasn’t certain she’d be able to uncurl her fingers from the reins she held so tightly.
After hours of riding, they arrived in a small clearing, hidden amidst the trees. This was to be their campsite, Ewan explained. Angus and Ewan set about making a fire and once it was blazing, Maggie sat as close to it as she safely could manage. Once her teeth stopped chattering and her toes were no longer tiny ice cubes, she asked, “Can I help ye with anything?”
“Nae,” both men answered in unison. Angus was preparing their bedding and Ewan was busily unpacking food from his saddlebags for their evening meal. With her offer of help unnecessary Maggie sat watching the flames as they danced in the evening breeze. She was mesmerized by the colors, the sounds and the way the fire flickered high in one spot and then another. Maggie was surprised when she realized she was watching herself in a scene that was unfolding in front of her eyes. This was a first for her. She’d never experienced a vision before and had never imagined she could. This was Edna’s territory and Maggie mimicked what she had seen Edna do on countless occasions when she was experiencing a vision. She steadied her breathing and cleared her mind of all doubt as she allowed herself to be immersed in her first experience with the sight. She quickly concluded that she wasn’t seeing herself in the vision, but rather this was Brielle, doing an incredible job of impersonating her. Maggie saw a man enter the vision and she smiled warmly when she realized it was Dylan who approached Brielle. Her smile soon faded when she watched him take Brielle’s hand, gazing lovingly into her face. Brielle reached up, ran her fingers through Dylan’s hair and cupped his cheek against her palm. Abruptly, she turned her head and looking right into Maggie’s eyes from within the vision, sneered at her before she let loose with a wicked laugh. Anger bubbled upin Maggie, breaking the trance. How dare Brielle touch Dylan? How dare he let her? And most disturbing of all to her, how could Dylan be fooled by Brielle? He was looking right into her eyes, not Maggie’s. He should have known the difference.
“Steady, my girl.” Edna’s voice floated to Maggie on the soft evening breeze. She quickly scanned the area searching for the location of her aunt. Ewan and Angus were still busy, and obviously unaware of Maggie’s vision or the sound of Edna’s voice. “Things aren’t always as they appear.” Silence followed and Maggie let go of her anger. Edna was a wise woman and was far more experienced than she was. Maggie was also happy to know that Edna was keeping an eye on things, even though she wasn’t physically present.
***
“Shall we eat?” Ewan asked. Maggie, still recovering from the strange vision, noticed that the men had finished setting up camp and were staring at her expectantly.
“I’m sorry, I guess I got lost in thought.”
“I can see a family resemblance between ye and Lena,” Ewan said. “The same fiery red hair and emerald green eyes.”
“Aye. The women of the family all share those features. Edna as well, when we were younger. Now her hair is completely white, with streaks of blue, of all things.” Angus chuckled and winked at Maggie.
“Are ye excited to be here, Maggie?” Ewan asked.
“Excited probably isn’t the word I’d use. If the circumstances were different, then I would definitely be excited, but as it stands, I’m more anxious, you could say.” Maggie watched Ewan as he nodded his understanding. She could see why Lena had decided to stay here. He certainly was handsome with his dark hair and eyes. It all seemed so romantic to Maggie—Arlenacrossing the bridge and meeting the love of her life when Ewan found her, and brought her back home with him. Now they were married and had a family together. If all went well, she hoped she’d get the chance to see her cousin while she was visiting this century. Things had to be much more serious than she’d assumed, for Lena, Ewan and the boys to stay away from Breaghacraig. Maggie wished she could shake the sense of dread that had settled on her, ever since she’d seen Brielle in the vision.
The three of them sat around the fire, Ewan and Angus getting to know each other better, while Maggie remained quiet and introspective. The men certainly seemed to be enjoying each other’s company. This meeting had been a long time coming and it was nice they hit it off so well.
“I’m tired,” Maggie said, yawning deeply as if to prove her point. “I’m going to get some sleep.”
“Alright, love,” Angus replied. “We’ll get an early start tomorrow morn.”
“Good night, Ewan,” Maggie said.
“Good night, Alec,” Ewan responded, with a teasing tone in his voice.
Maggie curled up with a blanket and closed her eyes, listening to the comforting sounds of Ewan and Angus quietly talking and laughing. It was all she needed to drift off to sleep.
***
The practice field was the place Dylan always chose to rid himself of his frustrations and today’s target was Cormac. The two men circled each other, looking for an opportunity to strike. Cormac and Cailin had both been working with him since his arrival in Breaghacraig and Dylan was confident that he had made much progress since his first days of holding a sword in hand. He now hefted it easily and with precise control. Ifhis football buddies back home could see him now, they’d be amazed. They’d make fun of him for sure, but that was to be expected. His body had gone through some changes as well. He wasn’t big and bulkily muscled anymore – instead, he was lean and chiseled. He assumed he must look good, based on the way the women around the castle stared at him when he passed by. He had to admit, it did his ego good, but he wasn’t interested in any of them. He wanted Maggie—the Maggie he’d known from Glendaloch.
Cormac struck first and Dylan blocked him with his guard. He shoved Cormac away from him and then attacked immediately. Cormac was fast, parrying with a countermove of his own. This went on for a good long time, neither man besting the other before they were both completely winded, Cormac calling a halt to their practice first.
“Were ye fighting me or someone else, my friend?” Cormac asked, holding his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
Dylan was in a similar state and he shrugged in response.
“I think that lass, Maggie, is getting under yer skin.”
“How did you know?” Dylan asked.
“Just a good guess,” Cormac answered.
“Yeah, she is, and not in a good way. I don’t know what happened to her, Cormac. She was sweet and funny and I felt such a connection with her back in Glendaloch. Now she’s anything but sweet and funny. She’s more like a pesky fly.”
“I wish I could disagree with ye, but she hasnae done anything to endear herself to anyone while she’s been here. Jenna has done nothing but complain about her since her arrival. At first, I thought it was just that she was concerned fer yer welfare, but as the week has gone on, I can see that she truly doesnae care for Maggie. Cailin tells me Ashley feels the same. And as for Irene, well, let’s just say she’s ready to cast her out on her ear.”
