“Ye were too deep intae yer thoughts tae hear the warning noises I made. Have a care in the future. Mayhap ’twill be a time when some who approach willnae have yer best interests in mind.”
“I ken there’re none alive but ye, Soni and the lads who would.”
Though Sean’s gratitude for Soncerae’s incredible gift couldnae be measured, ’twas still a fact that each of The 79 faced their new existence completely alone. After centuries together on the moor, Sean kenned the loss of this forged-family would require getting used to. No’ that he wasnae up tae the task. He was, in fact, eager to get on with it. If he could only ken whatitwas.
Wickham fell into step beside him and they walked a bit in silence.
“I overheard ye speakin’ with some of the lads about a task ye must accomplish,” Wickham finally said. “A debt of honor ye’re anxious tae address if I understand correctly. Yet ye remain here. If ye’re so eager, what is it that holds ye back?”
Sean’s jaw ached from clenching his teeth and somehow an invisible vice held his skull in its grip, producing a monster of a headache. “Ye heard correctly,” he snapped.
“Ye’re angry about the task, then?”
“Nae!”
Seconds passed before Sean sighed and consciously tried to let go of the tension in his shoulders. “Forgive me. Nae, ’tis no’ anger I’m feeling. No’ at the task, anyway. But at myself for selfishly creating the need of it in the first place. I’ve been given this incredible gift from Soncerae; a chance tae do my life right, pursue the things I dinnae get a chance to in the last one. But because of my earlier choices, I’ve old debts tae pay, first.”
He gestured into the darkness. “Beyond this spot all of Scotland, and more, awaits my exploration and discovery. Yet here I am wasting my days because—”
“Because…?”
Sean grunted almost painfully as he searched for the right words. “Because I dinnae ken where tae start. Where or how do I find the deed that might meet the level of restitution I must make? How will I ken when ’tis met? I only know I’ve got tae accomplish it before Fate comes knockin’ wi’ a terrible plan of its own.” He turned to Wickham. “I dinnae suppose ye have a crystal ball tucked away with the answers I need?” Sean laughed, though he half-wished Wickham would actually produce one.
“I do not. Nor would I offer ye such a crutch,” Wickham snarled. “What use is a life that’s wholly predictable? Are ye wantin’ tae live yers or simply watch it play out inside a misty sphere?”
Sean stopped and faced Wickham.“I want tae live it!”
“Then quit stalling and go live it.” Both Wickham’s face and voice betrayed his impatience as he turned both palms up. “Do, or don’t do. ’Tis that simple.”
“But I explained. ’Tis no’ simple a’tall.” Had Wickham no’ listened to anything he’d said?
“Laddie, ’tis as simple as walking away from yer past and intae yer future. ’Twill take a wee bit of bravery, tae be sure, but I ken ye’re up tae the task.” Wickham’s stare was hard. Unforgiving. “ ’Tis cowardly tae waste yer days wallowing in indecision, Sean McCulloch. Ye’ve just spent almost three centuries in limbo. Wouldnae even a misstep be better than more of the same?”
Wickham dropped back, started to turn away and paused. “Go. Find your destiny. ’Twould at least take ye in some direction, aye? Take that first step. If ’tis wrong, the world willnae end and besides, ye have the power tae correct it, aye?” The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “Who knows? Mayhap ye’ll stumble onto an amazing life.”
As Wickham blended into the darkness, his words echoed in Sean’s head.Go find your destiny.
Alone in the inky darkness, Sean laughed at his foolishness. He’d been so caught up in making theperfectmove, he’d become afraid to makeanymove. He’d let indecision paralyze him. But no more. He’d bloody well take those first steps! And more.
He turned his face to the heavens. “Da, if I’d listened tae what yer truth-gift dictated, I wouldnae be in this position.I vow never tae turn my back on anyone in need, ever again.”
Aye. He’d take those first steps and remain vigilant of every opportunity he came across to make amends. And mayhap, along with his daily searches for someone to serve, he might find the opportunity to put a bit of charcoal to paper and see what comes of it.
And if his luck held and his actions and determination to keep his vow proved true, mayhap the Fates would steer him down the right path.
Chapter Two
Armed with a small pack containing enough food for several days, some cash Wickham insisted he take and three days of hiking anywhere his legs took him, Sean stumbled onto the ruins of a crumbling, centuries-old kirk.
Perched on a small hill several miles from the nearest town, only a roofless shell remained of the ancient church, its walls partially intact. Flanking the kirk’s south side, long grasses and wild vines choked several dozen tipped and tumbling headstones, giving the place an otherworldly feel.
Sean closed his eyes, paying special attention to any subtle signs of trapped or lingering souls. ’Twas folly to think there wouldnae be some. No’ every soul gets to pass over at death, as each of The 79 well kenned.
Though naught stirred in the still, warm air, Sean bowed respectfully. “Good day tae ye. I pray ye fare well and yer stay in this place willnae be too long. If ye dinnae mind sharing yer space for an hour or two, I’ll take my rest in the shade of that wee kirk wall.”
Settling in the cool shade at the base of the ancient wall, Sean set his pack beside him and took the liberty of scratching his back on the worn stones, smiling at such an indulgentmortalpleasure as he looked over the graveyard.
An air of melancholy lingered over the scattered stones and decaying markers. Beyond them, only the remnants of a once substantial wall surrounding the kirk and graveyard remained. Dilapidated as it was, it still seemed to keep the sacredness within and the worldliness without.
