by S. M. Baker
“You didn’t read the file?” Bennett whisper-yelled, voice absurdly scandalized. Cynthia rolled her eyes and huffed elegantly.
“I was a little busy with Eyrx’s attention.” Pausing, she bit her lip, eyes finding her shoes. “I knew he liked me, but that..” She trailed off, voice dimmer and subdued than it had been before. Bennett was sorry that he’d brought it up, although he knew it had to be done, sooner rather than later.
“It’s going to be okay.” Glancing up at his words Cynthia looked like she didn’t believe him, and Bennett didn’t blame her. He didn’t know if everything was going to be alright. In fact, he had the sinking suspicion that things were going to become worse before they became better. Still, he didn’t want to worsen her already dampened mood. He smiled cheerfully, although he could feel it’s awkwardness, even though he didn’t have to suffer the sight of it.
“The task Bennett,” Cynthia stated pointedly after a long stretch of intense silence. Bennett felt himself jump, his mind, which had been a million miles away, snapping back towards Cynthia and her catlike eyes, filled with annoyance.
“R-right,” he stuttered, cursing inwardly. He could see she was hovering on the brink of control, only moments from a true breakdown. “We have to ensure that two clans will join via marriage ensuring the Moore clan will come to power; apparently.” He found himself commenting. Trying to recall any of the clans. Apparently, he was Scottish if his mother's lineage held true. Bennett was tempted, when this was all over, to look up any family that still remained alive, but even the thought of hope filled him with dread.
“And where will this meeting occur?”
“I would gather somewhere in the vicinity.” He whispered, gaze sliding to the large brutish man atop a giant horse-thing.
“What makes you say—” He grabbed Cynthia, and pulled her with a quiet protest towards the soggy earth. The man atop the creature approached, revealing the things shape to be more like a giant bear than a horse, but the creature was still not quite right. It’s eyes flicked over the distance, towards where Bennett and Cynthia who were hurled on the ground. At the approach of the man and beast, Cynthia had let a sharp hiss snake through her clenched teeth.
“What is that?” She whispered, breath unfurling across Bennett’s ear, then trailing down towards the column of his throat.
“I don’t know.” He bit back, wincing even at the low tone of his voice, glaring at Cynthia. He watched her face bleed with shock, as she thankfully grew silent and still. He wasn’t surprised at her shock. He never glared at her, not really. He must have looked very serious if her quiet demeanor was anything to go by. Bennett grimaced, thinking of what was to occur when there was no longer a beast around to protect him. Cynthia had quite an imaginative vocabulary, and she was already tense from their earlier meeting with their master. The large man glanced around the cliff edge, right where they were shrouded behind a pitch of rocks in the lush grass. A moment passed, and then the man shook his head, jerking the large reigns. The creature groaned as it turned, its dark eyes gazing at Bennett before it turned towards the distance. As soon as both had disappeared beyond the sloping hill in the distance, Cynthia pushed herself to her knees, turning to him as she finished rising to her feet.
“What was that?” Bennett was only marginally pleased that she’d not yet begun to yell at him.
“How am I supposed to know?” he bit acerbically.
“You’re the one who read the file.”
“Well, it didn’t make any mention of large beasts who weren’t supposed to exist.” He shouted, wincing as his voice echoed through the damp air.
“We had better follow him then.”
“Why?” He asked before his mind could catch up with what he’d said. Cynthia shot him an unimpressed look, her arms moving to her hips.
“Because we have to ensure the clans are joined, and I don’t see anyone else around here. Do you?” The smaller part of Bennett’s mind was glad that he’d been able to distract Cynthia so fully. However, the larger part of his thoughts revolved around the massive beast, and the large spear swung across the man's equally massive back.
“Well, we better get on with it.” He could feel Cynthia’s frustration as he turned on his heel and began to march down the hill, following in the wake of the large swathe of crushed grass left in the creature's path. Loud footsteps and the familiar swish of a dress followed behind him after a moment of petulant silence.
“You know, you really are annoying.”
“But you wouldn’t have me any other way, Would you?” Bennett shot over his shoulder, grinning roguishly at Cynthia. She huffed, but an almost reluctant smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
“Whatever you need to tell yourself to sleep at night.” Trekking forward through the grass Bennett grimaced as the water sloshed into his shoes, and soaked the fabric of his pant legs. They stuck uncomfortably to his skin, the cold, wet sinking into his bones. He wished for a flask of warming whiskey, or even the piping hot steam of hot tea. Instead, Bennett was left to feel the chill sink into and grasp at his flesh and bones. Turning slightly he glanced at Cynthia, finding her dress in much the same shape as his pants. The skirt glued to her skin, making her walk sluggishly forward as she tried to keep up with his longer pace. When he saw her teeth chatter, he paused.
“What are you—” She froze mid-word when he flung off his large wool coat and threw it over her shoulders, spearing the button through at the neckline. Licking her lips, she stared at him in askance, tears welling at the corner of her eyes. He felt himself begin to panic at the sight.
“Don’t cry. Please.” He rushed, rubbing her shoulders, trying to think of what he’d done.
“Stop it you big fool. I’m crying because I’m happy.” Sending her a strange look he stared at her for a long moment then threw his hands up internally and turned to continue to trudge forwards. As they walked, Bennett could feel the warmth leeching out of his fingers, turning them into a pale, stony ice of what they should have been. Clenching his hands into fists he tried to warm them up, without alerting Cynthia to what he was attempting to do. She needed the jacket more than he did, and he didn’t want her to try and return it out of misplaced guilt. It had been his choice to give it to her, and besides; she would freeze far quicker than he would with her smaller body mass.
As they walked further into the rocky and green terrain following the creature and it’s master Bennett began to see the shape of what appeared to be a castle melting from the low hanging clouds which were painted a sombre gray. It looked like it was still being built as the distance between them and the building crept closer. As the castle grew closer Bennett could clearly see a wall only half-built, workers scattered throughout the emerging basin of green like dots of ants marching to and fro.
“What’s with scot’s and their... Everything?” Bennett laughed as he gazed at Cynthia’s disgruntled expression.
“Seeing as I am one I could hardly speculate on my own kin the way I gather you would wish me to.”
“Your Scottish?” The curious disbelief in her voice and the shade of reluctance in her eyes told Bennett everything he needed to know. She didn’t believe him.
“Yes,” he paused, unsure if he wished to elaborate or leave her to her curiosities mercy. “When you went with my mother after we convinced them, my father gave me an endless pile of genealogy and familiar history papers just in case.” Bennett smirked, a self-deprecating slant to it. “It has been my... job to collect and conceal for a very long time, so I did what I do best and concealed it.” He watched Cynthia struggle for what to say for a long moment.
“Oh,” she finally settled on, staring at him with a plethora of emotions dancing in her eyes.
“We should keep moving before we fall too far behind.” Cursing himself inwardly for the abrupt and awkward subject change Bennett tugged at his hair, watching as Cynthia nodded, then followed behind her as she trudged her way through the soft, soaking grass. They walked until Bennet
t could hear the clang of iron and the groan of giant stone being lifted, shaped and molded.
The thundering of hooves and the nervous whinny of large creatures drew his attention from observing the new castle as it was being built. From behind the half constructed walls of the castle emerged a large gathering of men, led by a large and distinctly white creature—contrasting against the sea of black, brown and muddied grey that followed behind—mounted by a man with salt and pepper hair in a wild mass of curls stretching down passed his large neck. Cynthia, at some point, had moved to stand beside him. Glancing her way Bennett followed the direction of her gaze, which was focused on a small woman, almost engulfed by the salt and pepper haired man’s giant-like frame. From the distance they were at, the woman appeared impossibly small, particularly in comparison to the man she was seated before. She was adorned with a bright red dress, swathed with what Bennett suspected signified her as one of the Moore clanswoman. He couldn’t see her expression clearly, but Bennett thought she appeared calm, face a sombre blank. Cynthia seemed to be on the same trail of thought he was.
“She looks so calm.” Bennett could practically hear Cynthia’s thoughts as her face took on a defiant expression. I’d never be so calm and composed, being sold off like a sack of goods. He was tempted to smile, at the picture his mind conjured at Cynthia spitting the words, the glorious expression that would paint itself across her cat-like features in the aftermath.
Hours passed, the sun sinking lower and into the rocky cliffs lingering in the distance amidst the grey-white clouds that painted across the sky, and hung low in the air. Bennett and Cynthia watched on, waiting as the large party of men and a single girl remained where they were, expression continually somber, bodies poised for attack.
The distant thunder of hooves and the thud of iron against flesh brought Bennet’s eyes towards the east. A young man with bright red hair approached, seated on the back of an actual horse, not the creatures Bennett had become subconsciously accustomed to. As he and the massive party of men that rode behind him grew closer, they slowed and came to a halt only a faint few feet from the line of men and creatures that stood before the castle.
Bending towards the ground Bennett crept closer until he could smell the sweat dripping from the multitude of horses flanks and chests, and hear the distant murmur of gaelic unfurl into the open air.
“What are you doing?” whispered Cynthia, warm breath trailing down Bennett’s neck. For a moment he felt his mind stutter, before staring once again.
“Insuring our masters will is accomplished.” If they didn’t finish... Well, Bennett didn’t want to think of what the consequences would be. It was at that moment he realized this wasn’t really meeting to ensure peace. It was the start of a war. The man atop the creature into the arms of the man poised at his side. He caught the girl just as the leader drew his long sword with a deafening ring. Before the visiting side could have time to respond Bennett jerked involuntary, startling the large horse at his side. Rearing, the horse neighed, and all eyes flickered towards the pair hunched in the damn grass. The attack halted, and for a long, breathless moment the clearing settled into eery silence.
“Gentlemen,” Bennett said carefully; smiling like he wasn’t standing in the middle of what was about to be turned into a battlefield. A war cry burst from the lips of the man atop the creature and Bennett grabbed at Cynthia’s hand just as the thing roared and lunged forward, mouth open, teeth poised to devour.
Chapter Nine
Bennett scrambled through the thin and narrow hallway, the deep green of Cynthia’s dress catching at the corner of his eyes as he clamored around the corner and reached out for the ornate carved oak door that he knew would lead him home, or at the very least away from the beast and man chasing them, only a scant few feet behind. Reaching behind him with one hand, while using the other to wrench open the door Bennett grabbed at Cynthia’s small hand without looking and dragged her into the abyss as he threw himself into the inky black.
As the door slammed shut the last cry of the beast echoed in his ears. They fell through the darkness for what seemed like an eternity. If Bennett were asked to describe what it was like the closest he had ever come to it would be that it was like Alice falling through the rabbit hole; or a sensation of flying and falling all at once.
“Idiot. What have you gotten us into now?” Smile twitching at his lips Bennett squeezed Cynthia’s hand.
“Who was the one that practically ran through the door earlier today?”
“That’s besides the point, and you know it.” Cynthia had paused for a bit before she continued. “Besides, if I’d known he was going to send us into all that for the sake of confirmation of a treaty I would have stayed in the cafe with that dull little creature that cleaned our table yesterday morning.” Bennett held back the urge to protest that it hadn’t been morning where he’d been dragged from, but managed to swallow the words. In the distance, a faint glimmer of light amidst the darkness surrounding them grew. As the seconds went by it grew brighter and brighter until he was forced to reach a hand out to block the brilliant light from his gaze, patches of discolored black imprinted beneath his closed eyelids.
They landed softly in the cluttered incense laden bookshop Bennett called home. Technically he lived above the shop, but it didn’t matter so long as he was back in his little corner of the world.
“Where is this? A storage unit?” Cynthia stared disdainfully at the plants growing up the wall and across the shelves, nose crinkling up as she glanced around herself with a critical and dismissive eye.
“No, this is my home and shop.” Surprise fluttered abruptly across her face.
“You? Live here?” Nodding Bennett watched her take another peruse of the store, this time with more care than she had before.
“Yes. Welcome to my humble abode.” Silence reigned for a long moment until the jangle of the shop bell and the opening of the entryway door drew Bennett’s attention. A familiar head of brunette hair and mocha skin strolled through the doorway. Her smile was pleasant until her eyes came to rest on Cynthia, whose haughty face gazed back. Bennett felt the urge to run from the train-wreck he could see coming a mile away.
“Who is she?”
“She—”
“Why should it matter to you who I am? The real question is who are you?” Wincing Bennett watched in shocked disbelief as Cynthia observed her nails, eyes dark and pleased. He wasn’t sure why Cynthia was acting the way she was. It was probably simply to mess with his head, or her attempt to ruin his life for dragging her into his.
“Sorry Elaine, this is my foster brother’s girl...” Elaine's face smoothed. Even though it wasn’t the truth she knew little of Bennett’s past. He knew she would take it as him trying to open up to her about his history, when in reality it was a quick and undramatic way of getting her out of the way.
“Oh Bennett—”
“I know Elaine. But I’ve got to deal with this right now. Would you mind meeting later this week for dinner? I’ll tell you everything then.” Bennett hated how good he’d become at lying. Now it was no different to him than the truth. Sometimes the lies were even easier. The only exception to that rule was Cynthia. Bennett watched as a soft pout slanted across Elaine’s lips, eye full of sympathy and compassion.
“Alright Sweetie, take care of her... Then afterward come talk to me.” Bennett could feel Cynthia’s stare at the back of his shoulders, but remained stiff, eyes fixated on Elaine as he watched her leave then disappear behind the block on the other side of the street.
“What in the seven blazes was that?” Turning sharply he met Cynthia’s eyes, his voice raised and as sharp as shattered glass.
“What could ever become of you two? Would you get married and have a couple of kids in between you disappearing for days or weeks at a time? And even if she did believe you about everything, how long would it be before resentment painted over everything else?” Sighing Bennett felt his shoulders relax. He was oddly touched that
Cynthia had only been trying to protect him, even if her methods tilted the scale towards the crazy and insane.
“Cynthia, do you really think I don’t know that?” Bennett watched her bite her lip before he took a deep breath and continued speaking. “She’ll leave at some point after I miss, or am late, for one too many dates. And if it wasn’t because of that it would be because of the oddity my life is shrouded in, and my lack of... Tethers like friends and family. That doesn’t mean I won’t continue to try to have some semblance of a normal life.” Sweeping forward he laid his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them gently, with an affectionate smile creeping along his lips.
“Still, thank you for trying to protect me in your own convoluted way, even if it wasn’t needed.” Bennett watched her; his chin dipped down towards the floor so he could meet her eyes. Cynthia’s cheeks flushed before she turned, breaking the gentle hold of his hand on her shoulders.
“I’m starving. You wouldn’t happen to have anything to eat would you?” Smiling wide, the urge to laugh bubbled in his chest. Nodding Bennett stepped past her to the narrow staircase at the back of the room hidden behind an overflowing bookcase.
“Well, are you coming or not?” Bennett asked, half turned on the first step, watching Cynthia’s eyes dart between him and the shop around her. After a long pause, she darted towards him and followed Bennett as he pivoted and carefully made his way up the stairs, creaking and groaning under his weight with each step higher. When he reached the top, Bennett grasped the old brass knob and gave it a gentle tug.
“Well Cynthia, welcome to my home.”
Chapter Ten
The apartment was neat, with well-loved pieces of furniture and soft wool blankets scattered throughout. Bennett’s large gray cat Pythagoras lay on one windowsill, his tail curling down the wall below, a shock of color against the otherwise white wall.
Passing through the doorway Bennett chucked off his shoes, sighing as his feet quit aching quite so sharply as they slapped against the cool plank floors. For all the things he wasn’t grateful for time traveling his home wasn’t one of them. He’d bought it just after it had been built in 1914, and put the deed in his grandfathers name. Everyone thought he’d just inherited the place, which made them envious considering its location. Not that many knew him well enough to know such information.
