I narrowed my eyes. “Why do I have trouble believing that?”
He narrowed his eyes in return, issued a little smirk, and shrugged. “I couldnae say because I am a man of my word.”
Whether he was or wasn't a man of his word, hewasa powerful wizard who could make me do anything he wanted if he were so inclined. And something told me he wouldn't hesitate to do so in this instance if I didn’t heed his request.
Better still, the King of Scotland's request.
“What does King Robert want to see me for, anyway?” I frowned. “Doesn’t he understand I’m only trying to prevent a clan war? Surely he knows that threat is tenfold now.”
“I cannae speak to his reasoning,” Adlin said. “But I dinnae see the harm in it. If anything, ‘tis true to the man King Robert is. He doesnae rush into things blindly but gets a sense of them, oryouin this case, beforehand.”
“What if I see Tavish while I’m there?” I worried because it sounded like the chances were good.
“Then you see him.” Adlin shrugged again. “According to everything you’ve told me, he still pines for his lost love and doesnae know you in this life beyond a few scattered dreams, so Idinnae think it should be an issue. Not just that, but the king has kept him busy, so ‘tis verra likely you willnae see him.”
“You forget I’m a pretty powerful witch in my own right,” I reminded him, no fool. “So I know the chances of running into Tavish are good rather than slim, given how close King Robert is to him, and he’s a MacLeod dragon who could very well be part of the pact. That means, if I were to guess, given what I know of the king, he’ll want Tavish there when I arrive so he can decide with his own two eyes if his second-in-command will have a role to play in all this.”
“Either way, the point of the matter is you were summoned by the king.” Adlin nodded with approval and looked at me with renewed pride. “I knew you would come to the right conclusion.”
I furrowed my brow. “And what conclusion would that be?”
“That you should put King Robert’s wishes first, of course.” He cocked his head and eyed me curiously. “I assume that’s what you meant when you said you would arrive, having heeded his request. ‘Tis wise, too, given Robert represents, above all, the poor Scottish folk you so wish to protect, as he knows them best. Therefore, honoring his summons makes good sense.”
He winced and shook his head, continuing on so I couldn’t get a word in edgewise. “Not just that, but I would hate to think how he would look upon the MacLeods if you didnae heed him, as you are verra much a MacLeod at this point, considering three of your sisters have married into their clan.”
Frowning at him because he excelled at talking in circles and spinning things in his favor, I knew at the moment my hands were tied. Adlin would get his way for now, as would King Robert.
Resolved to my altered course of action, however brief I intended it to be, I knew I had no choice, so I looked around, trying to focus on anything but what lay ahead. Despite havingprepared myself for this years ago, it was still nerve-racking to know I was leaving the twenty-first century for good.
“What will happen to this house?” I wondered, wrapping an era-appropriate fur cloak around my shoulders because it was chilly where I was heading.
“Once I return, it will remain in my verra capable hands.” His eyes turned merry, and he winked at me. “Who knows? Mayhap someday another time traveler will drift this way?”
“Ah,” I murmured. “Once you return? So I assume you’re joining me in Scotland?”
“Of course,” he exclaimed. “I willnae have you traveling across medieval Scotland alone, especially during these trying times.”
“I won’t be alone if the Hereafter has anything to say about it.”
As it were, its inhabitants tended to make themselves known to me no matter where I was. Some called them spirits or ghosts, but I knew they were just people lost in another place and time, at least for now, where some could see or sense them while others could not.
“Verra true,” Adlin agreed, ushering me toward the front door, making it clear it was time to go. “But spirits cannae protect you from flesh and blood men and medieval weaponry.”
Rather than remind him that I could hold my own with a sword, if need be, I let it go for now and tried to focus on remaining calm as we stepped outside into the cool, blustery autumn day.
“Are you ready, then, lass?” Adlin asked softly.
Was I? Truly? Again,what choice did I have?So, I nodded at him once, rallied my courage, and walked toward my tree, passing through it for the final time into another century and a very uncertain future.
Chapter Two
Just North of the Scottish Border
1375
–Tavish–
“YE CANNAE BE serious, my king,” I exclaimed, frowning at my liege and good friend, Robert, when he suggested I return to MacLeod Castle. We sat in his sizeable tent toward the center of his encampment. “Ye need me here, and we both know it. The Sassenach are encroaching on—”
