Page 87 of Torin and the Princess

Cooper said, “I just held it for a moment, it didn’t seem to change.”

“Aye, I am in agreement, but the sequenceisaltered and I am unsure how tae get it back tae its original form. I went ahead and journeyed though I had misgivings… I jumped intae a different time and place than before, twas dark and cold and wet, a different season than I expected. Och, I was wearin’ the clothes ye gave me from last night, I was ill-prepared for the dreich weather, soaked through.”

Jen asked, “What did you do?”

“I dragged m’self under a tree, wrapped in m’plaid and kept watch until the morn. Once twas light enough, my plan was tae figure out where I was, but that has always been m’plan. I haena had a chance tae yet?—”

Cooper said, “Why, what keeps happening?”

“I am attacked, usually. Tis why I dinna sleep and when I did twas like this.” He leaned back in his chair and kept one eye open, it looked funny with his full beard and mustache and one eye open.

I laughed.

“But though I stayed awake all night, nae one attacked, though it might hae been because of the dreich weather. Twas not good for men or monsters.”

Cooper ran his hand through his hair. “And though you time traveled last night, you’re here at breakfast?”

Jen said, “You don’t seem wet or exhausted.”

“Aye, because in the morn I traveled along a path and found a village inn.”

He speared another big bite of pancake and then ate two pieces of bacon. He chewed, then swallowed while wiping his hands on a napkin. He explained, “I procured a room and stayed there for three nights. All the while it down-poured. Twasimpossible tae wander, ye ken, sometimes ye just hae tae stay put.”

I shook my head. “Not in this century, we just grab an umbrella, run to our car, and go. It’s fine, rain doesn’t stop us much.”

“Aye, that would be full fair. I had tae wait, m’purse growin’ lighter.” He patted his bag. “I am down tae one of the coins I shewed ye last night... I ate and drank in front of the hearth in the cellar of an ancient tavern, waitin’ out the storm, worryin’ on Max, and wonderin’ how tae get home?—”

Cooper said, “Back to gloomy castle?”

“Aye, ye remembered...!” He smiled good-naturedly. “And I had nae hope tae find Max. We had promised tae meet in Muckhart, but alas what I discovered on that first night in the tavern chilled me even more than the dreich weather that had settled on the lands of Alba. Twas the year 1635.”

I said, “But you left in 1558!”

“I ken, near everyone I knew was long dead, and I happened tae be in the land of Ferindonald, near Foulis castle, the lands of Clan Munro.” He sadly shook his head. “Nary a friend for miles or years. Och, I learned many terrible things about the future.”

I asked, “Oh no, what did you learn?”

He took a deep breath and exhaled. “The news was dire. The king was named Charles.” He scowled. “King of both England and Scotland — hae ye e’er heard anythin’ so outrageous?”

We shook our heads.

His eyes went to the window, his brow knitted deeply. “I was further told how our Queen Mary Stuart met her end, and tis as if a cold shadow has overcast m’spirit.” He shook his head. “She was sorely misused, and nae man ought tae ken such woeful futures.”

Jen said, “Remind me what happened to Mary Queen of Scots?”

I gave her a look.

She said, “I don’t remember! I gather that it sucks, but howmuchdoes it suck is what I need to know.”

Torin’s face grew mournful. “She was driven from Scotland, held captive by her cousin, Elizabeth, England’s queen, and then...beheaded.” He let out a long breath. “Our bonny queen suffered great mischance at English hands. Then I learned her bairn, James, was given Scotland’s throne, and Elizabeth passed tae him England’s crown, uniting them.”

He banged his hand on the tabletop. “Och, tis hard tae muse on it without yearnin’ tae take arms against the English.”

Jen grimaced. “Oh, beheadingisbad.” She patted the back of his hand, “I’m sorry I asked, my curiosity got the worst of me.”

“Aye, thank ye, Mistress Jen.” Torin said, his voice low. “I must return home. I hae a duty tae aid Max and I need tae stand ready tae fight for Alba.”

Cooper said, “Does sound like you need to head back, pronto.”

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