Page 57 of A Promise Through Time

“I’m nae a doctor, lass. Ye ken it.”

“Sorry. Silly question.”

They stared into the flames of Edna’s hearth waiting for the trio to appear.

“I can see the bridge,” Maggie said. “Is anyone waiting for them here at our bridge?”

“Yes. I sent Teddy. He should be there by now.”

“Well, at least we’ve got that part covered.”

“There they are,” Edna said, pointing into the fire.

“What do ye want me to do?” Maggie asked.

“Stay right here with me. I may need some added energy to create the fog.”

“Donal, can ye hear me?” Edna asked.

“Aye. Where are ye?”

“Ye cannae see me, but in a moment or two, if all goes to plan, ye’ll be surrounded by a swirling fog. Dinnae panic. Can ye keep yer horse calm?”

“Aye. He’s as steady as they come,” he said.

“Good. Hold tight to each other and before ye ken it ye’ll be here. Stay right where ye are now.”

Edna closed her eyes, focusing on the fog and the bridge. She repeated an incantation over and over again until she heard Maggie’s voice.

“It’s working, Aunt.”

She opened her eyes just in time to see the swirling fog encircle them and then they were gone.

***

Donal’s arm tightened around Tina’s waist as the fog cleared and he saw that they were on a different bridge. The one heknew to be more than a day’s ride away. Everything seemed a bit different to his eyes and as he glanced around they came to rest on a man standing there. He seemed to be waiting for them.

“Are you here for us?” Tina asked.

“I be Teddy,” he said. “Follow me.”

Donal prodded his horse forward. It was fully dark now, but there were balls of light on posts above their heads as they rode, lighting their way. They followed Teddy as he led them to a road with unfamiliar buildings.

“The inn’s over there,” he said. “I’ll take yer horse when we get there.”

Donal’s body tensed as he glanced around at the strange buildings and other oddities.

“Don’t worry. I’m here with you. It’ll be alright,” Tina said.

“I’m nae worried,” he protested. He didn’t wish Tina to think him afraid of the things he was seeing.

They arrived at the inn and he dismounted before taking Elena from Tina’s arms. It seemed she didn’t need his help as she dismounted with ease. “We have horses on our ranch at home,” she explained.

Donal handed the reins to Teddy, who walked off down the street as Tina opened the door to the brightly lit inn.

“What candles are these?” he asked, examining a nearby lamp.

“Those aren’t candles,” Tina said. “They’re light bulbs.”