by Sherry Ewing
Danior and Tiernan remained aloof and ill at ease with good cause, considering they were hopefully traveling to the future, if all went according to plan. They’d made it perfectly clear they were uncomfortable with Katherine’s idea of how to gain access to the interior of Bamburgh. They’d ended up taking out their frustration on one another in the lists the day before. At least, that had been the story Katherine had been told upon their return to Berwyck. From the look of things, Danior, in particular, appeared as if he were ready to voice his displeasure...again. It was only Juliana’s hand, reaching out for his, that seemed to calm him.
The women could only stare at one another, as if impending doom was about to fall on top of their heads. In a way, this was true, so they took what time they had left to memorize each other’s features, knowing their paths may never cross again. Their eyes were bloodshot from the amount of tears they had shed. There was no amount of comfort they could receive or give to one another that would make the moment of their separation any more bearable. It was inevitable their friendship would be torn apart.
Katherine took her gaze from the scenery that couldn’t hold her interest and looked over to Juliana with a gloomy expression. “You have my phone to give to my mother?” Katherine asked, in a barely audible voice.
“Yes,” Juliana replied, her voice cracked with emotion. “It’s safely tucked away in my purse.”
“I don’t know why you don’t keep it with you, Katie,” Brianna stated solemnly. “I for one just wanted to hold on to something from the future.”
Emily nodded her head. “We could always record something for your mother on one of our phones to give her.”
Katherine only gave them a timid smile. “There’s no point in me keeping it. I made the video while with Riorden and at our leisure. I can only pray it will give my mother and brother some comfort, knowing I am happy with my decision to remain here in the past. Besides, Riorden wanted to listen to music on our night together, so I’m afraid I ran the battery down until it died. It’s only a useless piece of electronics until it can be recharged.”
“But you’re so close to your mother, Katie,” Juliana whispered. “She’ll be devastated.”
“She’ll understand…in time,” Katherine said tearfully. “You’ll watch over her, won’t you Jewels?”
Juliana reached over and took her hands. Her voice cracked with emotion. “You know I will.”
“Then that’s all I can ask of you.”
“You know we’d do anything for you, Katie,” Emily sniffled, trying her best not to cry.
Katherine looked around at these women who were most dear to her. “Just be happy, my friends and always keep in mind you, too, have been given a rare and special gift. Forever remember…love transcends time itself. Somehow, I have the feeling our paths may just cross again.”
“At least Katie and I will have each other, just as you and Juliana will,” Brianna added brightly, giving them hope.
Tiernan leaned over and gave Emily a kiss on the cheek. “I am most grateful to have found my Emily, but am still concerned on how I shall provide for ye in this future of yers.”
Emily laughed and reached down beneath her feet for her purse. Digging around in the bottom, her face lit up when she finally showed him the handful of coins he had given her in the forest. “We’ll live on these,” she declared triumphantly.
Tiernan laughed. “Em…have ye lost yer senses, lass? Those willna last us but a se’nnight, if that.”
The women laughed.
“What is so amusing, Juliana? I am just as mystified for my predicament, since I am no better off than he is,” Danior asked with a frown, “and I will not have my wife become some washerwoman to support her husband.”
Katherine squeezed Danior’s arm. “Have no fear, gentlemen. The coins you possess may not seem like much here, but they’re worth a small fortune where you’re going. They are in mint condition, and, trust me when I tell you, the right buyer will pay a great deal for even one of those pieces.”
“Yer future must be wealthy then to pay so much for a bit o’ coin,” Tiernan said and watched as Emily put away their future.
Danior nodded, but still seemed puzzled. “Coin shall only go so far. I will need to do something to bring in more wealth. I am not one to just sit idly by, doing nothing day after day.”
“Aye! I will also go mad without something to occupy me,” Tiernan joined in and, for once, the two men seemed to have a common bond.
“Well, you’re both fantastic with a sword, you could teach the techniques of that,” Brianna suggested. “Or, you might try lecturing on medieval studies. You do have firsthand knowledge of the time period, not that anyone would know such information, other than us.”
Danior laughed aloud. “Someone will pay us to speak of such things? They must be daft.”
Katherine smiled, thinking of how these men would see their time period. “Get a hold of Simon when you return to present day Bamburgh, ladies. I have the feeling he’ll know exactly how he can help you.”
“You think so, Katie?” Emily asked, somewhat hesitantly.
“I have the feeling he’s looking for us even as we speak and will most likely be able to solve the issues of passports, identification, and even a buyer for some of those coins, if he’s not interested himself. I wouldn’t be surprised if he bought the whole lot.”
“We’ll find him,” Juliana promised.
The carriage began to slow, and Katherine saw the walls of Bamburgh rising up in the distance. “We’re almost there,” she whispered softly, and took her two friends by their hands.
“Oh God, I can barely stand it, knowing Em and I will never see you both again,” Juliana cried out.
“Never? I think fate will be in our favor, someday,” Brianna answered as she waved out the window to Gavin when he passed by.
Emily squeezed her friend’s hand. “Of course it will. I can’t go through the rest of my life not calling Katie a pansy now and then, can I? How could I do that, if we never see each other again?”
“By the way,” Katherine said with a smirk towards Brianna, who winked at her, knowing her thoughts. “Brie and I, or maybe I should say our significant others, have added to your wealth. I’m sure you’ll find it enough to ensure you live comfortably for the rest of your lives.”
“That was very generous of them,” Juliana answered breathlessly.
“Purely selfish reasons on our part, I assure you. Who knows...maybe someday you’ll both decide to buy a castle somewhere here in England, knowing that, perhaps, Brie and I rode over the same land as you now own.”
“I like that idea,” Emily ventured to say.
“Sounds like you thought of everything, Katie,” Juliana said, managing a meager smile.
Katherine leaned forward and placed a kiss on both Juliana and Emily’s cheeks. “Anything for the cause, my dearest sisters…anything for the cause.”
* * *
Riorden swept the inner bailey with a practiced eye as the carriage carrying his wife rolled in behind his small procession. The king’s guards took notice of his entourage, but since he wore the colors of Warkworth and carried its standard, he was not questioned as to his business with the king. He was an Earl, after all. He might as well take advantage of the privilege the title afforded him.
Dismounting Beast, he motioned with his hand, and lads from the stables quickly came to lead the horses towards shelter. He waved away another, who made his way in the direction of the carriage to open its door.
“No need. I shall see to my wife and her ladies myself,” Riorden commanded as he let down the stair. “See you to a second chamber for my wife’s attendants. She will want them close at hand, if she has need of them during the night.”
“As you wish, my lord,” the young squire answered respectfully then scurried off to see to the rooms.
Riorden’s men surrounded the carriage, waiting for the women to alight. He opened the door, and the delicate hand of his wife was
held forth. He took it gently into his own as he helped her down from the step, and she carefully held her dress so she did not trip.
She dipped down into a deep curtsey afore him, once she was on solid ground. “My lord,” she said meekly. When she stood again, she looked at him through lowered lashes.
“Wife,” he said loud enough for those nearby to hear. “I hope you have managed well enough during our journey.”
“Aye, husband, but I am most weary. Perchance, my ladies and I may rest afore we sup this eve?”
Riorden tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. “Arrangements are already being secured, my dear. Shall we?” he asked, pointing towards the main entrance of the keep.
“Of course,” she answered and looked over her shoulder. “Come, ladies.”
Riorden suppressed a grin as five cloaked women exited the carriage. None seemingly noticed two were more heavily built than the other three who were delicately framed. To the casual observer, the women were just taller than the others and none could see their features. Their hoods over their heads concealed all, and their cloaks hid their garb, with the exception of the hem of their gowns peeking through their capes as they walked. For all intended purposes, there was nothing out of the ordinary about the women, who were elegantly dressed, following their lady.
“’Tis most embarrassing,” Danior quietly complained.
“Shh!” Juliana whispered, with a quick glance around them. “Do you want to be heard?”
The door to the keep was opened for them by a richly appointed servant wearing the king’s colors. As Riorden’s eyes adjusted to the darker interior, he saw the Great Hall was filled to capacity with elegantly dressed courtiers. Noblemen and women quickly cast their gaze at those who entered, and Riorden had to firmly take Katherine’s elbow to steady her step when she faltered, ever so slightly.
“Easy now, my love,” Riorden whispered softly.
“There’s so many of them, Riorden,” she said frantically in a hushed tone, “and they’re all staring at us.”
“’Tis not every day I bring a wife to court, Kat. Besides, we need not have speech with any of them, my sweet. Just remember, we but have to make it to the other side of the room without our ruse being discovered.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she muttered.
He watched her gaze take in the women who began to step forward and noticed one, in particular, who cast a menacing glare at Katherine, as if she wished she could take his wife’s place at his side. It did not go unnoticed by Katherine, who appeared to make a point of glaring directly at the woman as they passed her. If anything, the woman’s look only seemed to deepen in its intensity.
“Are they all so grasping and eager to stab one another in the back in order to gain a title or more wealth?” Katherine asked under her breath.
Riorden brought her hand up to his lips and kissed its back. There was a collective sigh from some of the women who had witnessed such openly displayed affection. They continued forward afore he spoke quietly for her hearing alone. “What? People do not wish for the same in your time, my love?”
She gave him an annoyed sideways look and then rolled her eyes, causing laughter to rumble in his chest. “It seems different here, somehow, if that makes sense,” she said softly as she remained cautious of those who continued to gawk at them.
He shrugged his shoulders. “People are people no matter the time, Kat. There shall always be those who will do all in their power to take what is not rightfully theirs. Sometimes, the cost is more than most can bear.”
Katherine did not reply and perhaps no further words were needed. Riorden felt her nervousness radiate from the forced smile she plastered on her lovely face. Her friends were in no better shape and clearly were not used to playing their part in the intrigue they must resort to in order to save the lives of two men.
Several acquaintances hailed Riorden from across the crowded room, and yet he only gave the briefest of nods and continued his way through the hall. He was thankful His Majesty was not sitting in the chair placed on a raised dais. He was not sure if he was as yet ready to have his ears scorched from the wrath of an angry king. He would think about his part in the deception to King Henry another day and beg forgiveness from God above. If the king found out of his role in Danior and Tiernan’s escape, that is, if Katherine’s plan actually were to work, he knew his head would be hacked off and rotting in the hot sun come the morn. ’Twas not a pleasant thought he cared to consider today or any other day in his near future.
Chapter 34
The ground shook violently beneath her feet while dancing, iridescent lights flashed brilliantly before her eyes. The fear of falling through time consumed her while a heavy mist began to surround her entire being. Desperately, she reached out her hands in a hopeless attempt at grabbing the comforting strength always surrounding Riorden. She encountered nothing but air. Closing her eyes, she could still see the stunned expression on his face as he lost his grip on her hand. He had been her life line, her reason for existing. Her breath left her. Her heart actually felt as if it had stopped its beating. Panic set in until she lost all hope.
“Riorden!” she screamed, and then listened as her voice echoed all around her until even the sound of her own words faded into nothingness.
Only the stillness of silence met her ears. All was quiet now and, as she opened her eyes, she found herself alone, casually sitting on the heavily worn steps of a circular turret in one of Bamburgh’s towers. She raised her eyes to the walls, and she looked forever upward at the spiraling structure above her. Smoke no longer emitted from the torches set in the sconces, hanging on the stones above her head. Such devices were now long since gone. They had been replaced ages ago by the modern marvels of electricity and light bulbs.
“Oh God,” she cried out, “how could you take him from me so completely!”
Sobs of agony wracked her body and consumed her until she could barely breathe. Her heart was actually hammering inside her chest. She wrapped her arms around herself, rocking back and forth, trying to keep what little sanity she had left. Completely bereft, she continued to sit on the cold stone stair, wondering how she would ever possibly manage, even one day, without Riorden in her life. He had come to mean everything to her, and she had lost him.
She felt it then...that tingling sensation, knowing he was somewhere near. Raising her tear streaked face in a last ditch effort of hope, she wiped the moisture from her eyes while she looked around, trying to locate the source of where she would espy her knight. And then, she knew with every fiber of her being just where she would find him.
She practically flew up the stairs until she fell scraping her knees. But she didn’t care if they pained her. Getting back up in a frantic need to see the only man who would ever possess her heart, she dashed down the passageway until she reached his chamber door. It hung open like a welcoming invitation for her to enter. It was as if he had been waiting for her. He stood there, watching her step into his chamber with the sun glistening on his body, as if he, in truth, stood before her. And yet, this was not to be, nor would it ever be so again. Clearly, they were merely vague shadows of ghosts to each other, once more.
“Oh, Riorden,” she whispered miserably, “I’m so very sorry.”
He gave her a sad sort of smile and held out his hand for her. He had done this once before…this man, who she had come to love with all her heart. She slowly made her way to stand next to him until she too held her numb and lifeless limb but inches from his own. It was still there…that rare and special connection between them that Time could not separate. She felt the sensation of electric currents racing up her arm that she could only feel with his nearness. He made her senses come alive.
“Live your life to its fullest, my dearest love, and know, I shall always be a part of you,” Riorden whispered to her soul.
“How can I possibly hope to accomplish this, when I’ve lost you?” she said as tears of regret escaped her eyes.
; He gave her a radiant smile. “Lost me? Nay you have not lost me, ma cherie. I shall live inside your heart for always,” he said, pointing to her chest.
“Yes,” she said softly, “forever will you remain in my heart, Riorden.”
“Besides…I have given you the best part of me, Katherine. You, even now, carry it tenderly and protected well within you,” he exclaimed, with his own sense of loss shining in the depths of his vivid blue eyes. “See you to my son, my sweet, and raise him well.”
She placed her hand on her stomach. “A child?”
He chuckled. “Aye. He will be a strong healthy lad and of much comfort to you.”
“How can you know I’m pregnant?”
“You must needs ask, wife?” he queried with a raised brow, knowing she doubted his words. “Suffice to say, you, too, shall know soon enough.”
“I’ll never see you again,” she whispered quietly, and watched his image begin to fade.
“Aye, my dearest Katherine, you will. When you gaze into the eyes of our son, you shall see me for all of your days until we meet again.”
“It’s a long time to wait, Riorden.”
His roguish grin about dropped her to her knees. “’Twill be worth it Kat, I promise.”
“I’ll hold you to your vow, Riorden,” she said, trying to memorize every inch of his beloved face.
“My soul will find yours, Katherine. If it takes until the end of time itself, I will find you once more,” he swore.
She reached out her hand as if to touch him, but stopped inches from his cheek. He gave her that smile she so adored and sadly watched him disappear, knowing he was now only but a memory in her mind.
