WAITING FOR THE WARRIORS ONCE AGAIN - SEPTEMBER 16, 2185
It was the middle of the night, after hours of watching the road where the soldiers had gone. Claray sat beside me, frightened, but being quiet which was helpful. I didn’t want anyone to distract from my prayers, my watchful intense worries. It came to me that I needed to ask her something. With the uncles at war, maybe never coming back, she might be the only person in the world who knew the answer.
It was dark, a blanket pulled around my shoulders. “Who were the people who raised me?”
She was very quiet. Then said, “Alas, sweetie, I daena ken, but I ken Dylan was looking out for ye, we lost touch with him… years ago.”
“Uncle Dylan was a part of this…?”
She nodded, “Aye. I am sorry.”
“He’s a good liar, I will give him that.”
“He gave up a great deal tae keep ye safe, and then when we lost the vessel we lost all contact with him. It’s been years.”
“I bet he’s worried... He’s my mother’s brother? I mean, I see it, he looks like Ryan and Charlie.”
She said, “Aye.”
I saw a small tear roll down her cheek.
“I’m sorry. I know you’re just doing the best you can.”
“It has been a verra difficult for years, I ken ye lost everyone, dear niece, we hae been trying tae change it.”
“I know. I understand, I appreciate it. I’m glad you saved me so that I could grow to adulthood. It was surprising to find out that my whole life had been a lie, but at least I had a whole life.” I asked, “And my mother was from Florida?”
“Aye, hae ye heard of it?”
I nodded. “Yeah, we used to vacation on Amelia Island in the summer, Uncle Dylan was always with us, exploring.” I thought of him, headed down the beach with a shovel. “...could he have been searching for something?”
“Likely he was lookin’ for a vessel.”
“Oh.”
She reached out and took my hand and so we sat like that, holding hands, staring out at the night, waiting for the soldiers to return.
28
TORIN
FIGHTING THE BATTLE AGAIN - 1308
We were goin’ round again.
I was better prepared because I had knowledge of what had happened before — The gate blew. Smoke filled the air. Blasts and screams surrounded us, the music blared.
I was already movin’ afore the dust settled, low and fast, an eye on Max, m’other eye watchin’ the parapets. Twas the same as before.
Same smoke, same splinters, same stench of burning thatch.
I ran harder this time, the helmet heavy on my head, my shoulder already aching from the bolt I guessed was comin’.
Max’s new rifle jammed on the exact same cursed click.
He snarled, “Och, ye worthless iron whore! Shoot, or I’ll throw ye intae the sea!”
I dinna laugh. I am past laughing.
