Page 21 of Awakened By Time
Chapter 8
After their meal was over, Paddraig went out of his way to keep Brenna and Zeke together. Zeke had taken note throughout the meal of the circumstances Brenna found herself in. Greer and her sister, Gillian seemed to delight in making fun of Brenna, either loudly for all to hear, or whispering to each other and giggling like the mean girls he remembered his sister talking about from high school. He also noted that her brothers barely paid any attention to her, brushing off her comments or ignoring them all together as if she wasn’t even there. Zeke knew what it was like to be an unwanted child. Abandoned by their parents, he and Sara had lived with their grandfather. At least they’d had each other. How could this family be so cruel to one of their own? He wished he could help her, but the only way he could would be to marry her and take her away from all of this. It was an impossible option. He was only here to find Sara. Once he did, he’d be on his way back to San Francisco. Brenna would then be left alone to fend for herself. It hardly seemed fair. If only there was another way he could help.
The family antics continued on long into the night. They were drinking heavily and were therefore free with their words. He got the impression that if he didn’t get away from them soon, he’d be hard pressed to leave without a wife.
“Paddraig, I hope you’ll excuse me. I’ve had a very long day and I’d like to retire to my room,” Zeke said.
“Zeke, ye’d make a wonderful son-in-law, please consider marrying me Brenna. I believe ye’d find the dowry would make it well worth yer trouble.”
He was getting tired of telling them he wouldn’t marry her. How many times could he say it? “Good night.” Zeke left the room, relieved to be away from these vultures. He’d best step up his efforts to find Sara. He thought she was at Breaghacraig, but Edna had sent him here. Or maybe Olwydd had taken him to the wrong place. Either way, before he left, he was determined to continue his search and if Sara wasn’t here, he’d have to continue trying to contact Edna to find out why she’d sent him to this godforsaken place.
Zeke opened the door to his room and was surprised to see a fire blazing in the hearth. He was grateful because its golden glow lit the room just enough for him to see. He closed the door behind him and made his way to the bed.
“Zeke!” He jumped at the sound of a woman’s voice somewhere in his room. His eyes were adjusting to the low light and he peered into the corners of the room.
“Zeke, ’tis only me,” came the voice. This time he recognized it.
“Edna?” he said.
“Aye. I’m merely checking in to see how yer doing.”
“Not very good. Olwydd seems to have taken me to the wrong place,” he said.
“No. He took you to the right place.”
“Edna, I’m not at Breaghacraig. I’m at a place called Castle Treun.”
“Exactly where you’re supposed to be, lad.”
“How can that be? I was told Sara was at Breaghacraig.”
“Yes. She is. Ye, however, are needed right where ye are.”
Zeke didn’t like what he was hearing. He had a bad feeling about his. “What do you mean?”
“I cannae tell ye everything now, can I?”
Zeke held his temper in check. It wouldn’t do him any good to anger the only person who could get him back home safely.
“Can you tell me anything?”
“Nay. Just know that things are going according to plan.”
“To plan? Whose plan?” This was getting ridiculous.
“’Tis nae as simple to answer that question as ye may think.”
Getting a straight answer out of Edna was proving to be difficult.
“Are ye enjoying yer visit to medieval Scotland, Zeke? I hope so, because I thought ye might gather some useful information for your medieval martial arts studio.”
“I did spar with a warrior here at Castle Treun today.”
“Did ye now? I imagine that must have been a dream come true for ye.”
Edna was right about that. It had been great fun and he looked forward to sparring with Duff again the next day.
“Drink it all in, dear. It will be over before you know it and ye’ll be back home to yer own time.”