Jen followed them down the hall, peppering them with questions. “So, guy in there, a police record? Outstanding warrants? Where’s he from?”
One of the officers said, “Nope, we’ve run his information, he seems clean. We’re going to let the hospital decide what to do with him.”
Jen returned to my side.“A clean record. Surprising for someone who carries a sword.”
I nodded, “True,” and stared into the room at the curtain. “I thought by bringing the thingamajig, I’d solve a mystery but now it’s even more mysterious.”
Before she could sayanything I turned on my heel and reentered the room. As I came around the curtain I cleared my throat. “Sorry to bother you... I just wanted to make sure, you’re okay?”
“Aye, Mistress, I am battered and bruised and hae injured m’arm, but tis nae m’sword-drawin’ arm.” He dolefully chuckled. Though he looked like he was in pain, he seemed overall to have a fairly good humor. “I am assured I will be able tae commence m’verra important work soon enough.”
I laughed, “Your work is sword-drawing?”
“M’work is drawin’ my sword.”
Jen entered the room behind me and overheard. “Ah, military, that makes more sense.”
I screwed up my face. “Does it?” Then I said to the man, “There’s not a lot of need for drawing a sword in Brevard, North Carolina.”
“Aye, that is why I must return home.”
“Scotland is a long way away from here —you’re not from these parts…” I laughed awkwardly because he didn’t laugh. Then I asked, “Have they told you when they’ll let you leave?”
He was squinting at the plastic hospital band around his wrist. “Nae…” Then he raised his eyes to mine. “There is a chance they winna allow me tae leave?”
“I think you have to wait until the nurses tell you that you’re well enough to go, either that or your insurance runs out.” I laughed, awkwardly for the second time.
He looked at me with his brow drawn down.
I said, “Well, speaking of… we gotta go.”
He asked, “What is yer name, Mistress?”
“Oh um, this is Jen, I’m Lexi.”
He nodded. “Twas verra fine tae meet ye, Mistress Jen, Mistress Lexi. I am Torin of Castle Glume in Dolair.”
I bobbed my head, as if I were bowing. “Nice to meet you, too.”
Jen stifled a laugh, whispering, “Why so weird?”
I ignored her. “I have to go, gotta… you know, do some stuff. Hope your shoulder feels better and that you get out of this joint soon.” For some inexplicable reason I was doing jazz-hands. I shoved my hands in my pockets.
“Aye, I will rest and all will be well, thank ye for yer consideration, Mistress Lexi.”
I did a weird salute because I never knew how to leave a room and especially not when someone was calling me ‘Mistress’. “You and that odd thingy there... whatever it is, you know… Safe travels.”
He said, “Aye, beannachd leaibh, Mistress Lexi.”
Mid-turn I turned back, “What does that mean?”
“It means ‘blessings tae ye.’”
“Oh, yeah, blessings to you too, goodbye, Sir, um... Torin.” And left the room, glancing behind me to see he was swinging his feet from the bed, wearing his linen shirt and plaid kilt, looking like he was from some long-ago past, as if he were getting up.
Jenand I went down the hall, she looked at the side of my face as I groaned. “Was I weird?”
“You were so weird, I’ve never seen anyone as weird as you.”