His eyes widened as he accepted the bowl. “It’s in perfect condition!” He closed his eyes for a long moment. “And old. So old. An ancient piece from the distant past.”
“Unfortunate that it can’t talk,” Signy said. “It would have tales to tell.”
Ramsay smiled. “It would probably complain of how boring it was to be buried by that fort for a few centuries.”
“Perhaps the bowl found it restful,” she said thoughtfully. “I’m not going to have the energy to make a return trip today, but when you come back with the cart, make sure that there is material for packing the china.”
“Of course.” He surveyed her and was probably unimpressed. “You look tired. I need to get you home.”
It was proof of Signy’s fatigue that she didn’t argue the point. “Do you want to carry my old bowl with you?”
“Indeed I do. Puff’s saddlebags have room for it and some of your sodden garments. After you, my lady.”
She wanted to point out that she wasn’t his lady. But she didn’t have the energy for that either. She closed the doors of the cupboard, then picked her way across the kitchen to the door, keeping as much weight as possible off her damaged ankle.
It was a relief to get out into the fresh air. Everything worth saving must be removed and cleaned before mold set in. For that matter, the whole cottage needed to be cleared out. Ramsay would probably lend her a couple of people to do the job.
Fiona hadn’t liked being in the ruined cottage, so she’d withdrawn to the outside bench. Her head came up when she saw Signy. “Yes, we’re leaving now, Fee.”
The dog jumped from the bench and trotted over to the path, then looked to see if her mistress was following. Signy was, though much more slowly. She hauled herself upward with the railing while Ramsay positioned himself directly behind to catch her if she fell.
She was panting by the time she reached the top. Ramsay stepped around her and tucked the bowl and the garments he’d collected in the saddlebags, then swooped her up in his arms and planted her on Puff. She suppressed a squeak. Then glared at him.
He chuckled. “Even a goddess doesn’t have to do everything herself. That’s what minions are for.”
She had to smile. “So you’re a minion?”
“When one is required.” He took the reins, since her position made it difficult to direct the pony herself. He turned toward Skellig House, then paused when Fiona began yipping and heading up the coastal path in the opposite direction. “I wonder if someone else needs rescuing.”
Signy glanced over her shoulder and saw nothing but grassy turf and the coastal path. “We should probably follow and see what has caught her attention. It’s likely just a hare.”
As they ambled after the dog, Signy shaded her eyes and looked ahead. “I think there’s been another cliff fall ahead, because the path used to rise a little here. Maybe someone fell over the edge and needs help?”
She was proved right when the path ended abruptly at a new, wave-carved cliff. The storm tide had ripped away a stretch of grass-covered dunes.
And cupped in the curve of the newly made cove were three ancient, connected stone buildings that looked older than time.
Chapter 20
“Dear God in heaven,” Ramsay said in a stunned whisper as he stared down at the newly revealed site. Thorsay abounded with ancient ruins, but he’d never seen anything like these buildings.
“Buried homes that have been revealed by the storm,” Signy said, her voice showing the same awe that he felt. “The way the houses are connected makes this place look like an ancient village or family compound. There could be more houses still hidden in the hill. Do you have any idea how old they must be?”
“Two thousand years? Four thousand? I have no idea.” He studied the solid walls made of flat stones laid on top of each other. The roofs were gone, allowing the two of them a bird’s-eye view of the rooms and passageways. “As old as anything I’ve seen in the Middle East, I think. Perhaps older.”
“Older than the pyramids of Egypt?” she asked incredulously.
“Perhaps. I wish we had a good way of judging the age of ancient sites like this. Maybe someday we will, but now it’s mostly guesswork.”
“Let’s go down there for a closer look,” Signy said, almost vibrating with excitement.
Surprised, he said, “But you said you’re tired. I need to get you back to Skellig House.”
“And not explore this amazing piece of the past?” She grinned. “You know you’re itching to see more.”
“True.” He studied the site to determine whether going down was feasible, then pointed. “That slope to the left looks like it wouldn’t be too hard to climb down and then scramble back.”
“I wonder if Puff could manage it both ways,” she said thoughtfully.
