Page 58 of All In Good Time

“How do ye ken all this?” Aisla asked, her voice cracking with emotion.

“I have me ways and ye’ll understand more soon. Dr. Ferguson and I are leaving tomorrow morning for Dunaill and we’d like ye to come with us. I believe ye can help Rory. He needs a reason to live. Ye see, he’s been fighting hard for his life and he’s tiring of that fight. Seeing ye may be all he needs to continue battling.”

Aisla gazed around the room at the others, who all stood silently focused on her. “Aye. I’ll go with ye. I’d do anything to save Rory.” She wiped a tear from her cheek and taking a shaky breath, looked to her father.

“I understand ye love the lad, Aisla. Ye have me permission to go.” He turned his attention to Edna and Dr. Ferguson. “Ye’ll take good care of me wee lass, will ye?”

“Aye. Ye have nothing to fear. She will be safe with us,” Dr. Ferguson assured him.

“I’ll have her here in the morning then. If ye dinnae need her fer anything else, we’ll take our leave now. She’ll need her rest before the journey.”

“We’ll see ye tomorrow then,” Edna said.

“Come, Aisla,” Alpin said. He helped her up from the chair and placing an arm around her shoulders, escorted her from the hall.

* * *

Brightand early the following morning Aisla and Alpin were at the doors of Breaghacraig, where they found Edna and Dr. Ferguson waiting for them.

“Good morn to ye,” Alpin said. “’Tis a fine day fer a journey.”

“Aye. Good morning to ye both. We’re waiting on our horses. Do you ride, Aisla?”

“Aye, ma’am.” Aisla answered.

“Please, call me Edna. No need fer formalities.”

“Edna, how long will it take us to get there?” Aisla asked.

“It’s about a three-day journey, from what I understand.”

“Will Rory still be alive when we arrive?” The worry in her voice touched Edna deeply.

“Aye. Dinnae fear.” Edna noted that Aisla was shaking. Either she was cold or afraid. “Bundle up. We dinnae wish ye to be cold.”

“I’m warm enough.”

“Och! So yer shaking from fear?”

“I dinnae ken I’d call it fear. I’m anxious to leave and anxious to see Rory.”

“Good, because as I told ye last evening, ye’ve nothing to fear. We’ll take good care of ye.”

The two men Robert tasked with leading them to Dunaill arrived with their horses, all loaded with food and supplies for the trip. All three said their good-byes to their friends and mounted their horses. Alpin stood by his daughter’s side appearing worried, like a good Da. “I’ll miss ye, sweetling.”

“I love ye, Da.” She leaned down and kissed Alpin who clasped her hand as if he wouldnae let go.

“It was lovely to meet ye, Alpin. We’ll be back before ye ken it.” Edna turned her horse towards the gates and the others followed. Alpin walked with them as far as he could before waving goodbye and heading home.