Page 91 of Torin and the Princess

He took the vessel out of his bag and placed it on the table by his plate.

Cooper said, “So, I’m not saying I believe any of this, but to carry on as if this machine is a time travel machine, how many of the ‘markings’ are you claiming have changed?”

Torin looked down on it and turned it over in his hands. “Three of them.”

Cooper said, “Well, assuming this is true, it sounds like those are the three that sent you to a totally different century — do you remember the earlier markings?”

Torin nodded. “I do.”

Cooper said, “Then, to carry on with this test, I would put the original markings back, at least then when you,” he used air quotes, “‘time jump’ you will end up in the time period you know.”

Torin said, “Aye, I will do that, dost ye hae a basement, Mistress Lexi? I will feel much better twisting and turnin’ the vessel if I am underground.”

I grinned, “Why yes I do, I have the perfect basement, just what we need. I feel like we’re figuring this all out.” I stood from my chair and said, “Follow me.”

I stood to lead him from the room, but first I put my hands on Cooper’s shoulders. “Thanks for being cool.”

“No problem, told you I would, and this is actually kind of fun. I like a good project during breakfast, it’s taking my mind off my week.”

I asked, “Are you guys coming down to the basement?”

Jen stood from her chair. “Yep, I’m going to watch.”

Cooper said, “Yeah, I’ll come.”

We all wentto the basement door, I flicked on the dim light, and traipsed down the wooden stair into the musty cellar. Jen and Cooper waited halfway down.

In the cellar I pulled the string, turning on the bare lightbulb in the middle of the ceiling and after blinking from the ‘brightness’, Torin stood in the pool of light, holding the vessel.

“I am goin’ tae turn it, Mistress Lexi, dost ye want tae run back up?”

I said, “Yeah, I do not want to be down here, in case.” I went to the stairs, climbing past Jen and Cooper. “You coming up?”

Jen said, “I’m going to stay here, half up and down, if I have to run I can.”

I told her, “If the wind starts down here theworstplace to be will be on these stairs. I’m not doing it.”

She gulped.

Cooper said, “I think it’s highly unlikely for a tin can to start a storm in a basement, doesn’t make sense — but just wondering, have you ever turned it off once it’s started going?”

Torin said, “Nae.”

“Alright, then, do your thing.”

Jen asked, “Does this mean you believe him, Cooper, you’re finally going along with this?”

“Nah, just asking questions, always skeptical, but I do enjoy a science project.”

I went all the way up, watching from the doorway, Cooper and Jen waited on the stairs. I called down, “Okay, Torin, see if you can do it.”

Torin crouched down, so that the vessel was on the ground, I watched through the dim light as he turned and twisted it and then shoved it away. He paused and waited, then he picked it up and held it close to his eyes.

I said, “Fixed?”

“Nae, twas the first.”

He put it back on the ground and ran his hand through his hair. “Two more.”

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