Page 6 of A Keeper of Time

“Surely she did no’ mean ye could no’ tell me yer name.”

“She said I’m to tell ye nothing.”

“Where is she then?” Edna asked, testing him.

“Nothing.”

“Grrr…” Frustration was getting the better of Edna, but she refused to let it. “Fine then. Show me to my room, please.”

The servant Evanore called Joseph turned and headed towards a grand staircase that led to a second level. The steps were carpeted with a fine wool rug in hues of red, blue and black. The railing was a polished black marble that hovered above the steps at hand level and ran all the way up the stairs, ending as it reached the second-floor landing. Edna touched it, assuming it would move since it wasn’t tethered to the stairs in any way, but it didn’t budge. She climbed the stairs, holding tight to the strange handrail. She peeked behind her and almost bonked her nose on the orb, which was now following along behind her. Edna assumed the orb was also meant for Evanore to keep an eye on her, just in case she had a brilliant idea of how to escape.

The servant led her to an ornately carved wooden door. He motioned to it with his hand.

Edna tipped her head as she gazed at his unmoving face. She stood in front of the door unsure if she wanted to open it and when she didn’t, the servant reached in front of her, turning the doorknob and pushing the door open. Edna walked through and the door closed behind her. She took in the room starting with a window that looked out onto a great, grey fog. Heavy brocaded curtains of a dusty rose color adorned the one window. A large armoire stood to its left, she opened it to find bedding, towels and toiletries. Closing those doors, she turned to face the large four-post bed on which a coverlet matching the curtains was neatly positioned. Pillows were arranged against the headboard and an extra blanket was laid across the foot of the bed. A large woven carpet covered the dark hardwood floors. It was worn in some places, proving its age. Lamps were lit on either side of the bed giving the room a warm, cozy feel.

Despite the circumstances she found herself in, Edna felt very uncomfortable.

A loud purring sound came from a chair Edna hadn’t noticed when she’d come in. It was positioned in a darkened corner near the armoire. On closer inspection, Edna found a large orange cat, curled up and appearing quite peaceful and unaware of Edna’s presence. She moved closer. “I did no’ see ye there,” she said in a soft voice, not wishing to startle the cat. It lazily opened its eyes and seemed to be sizing her up before standing and stretching its back into an arch and then settling back to a seated position facing her. “May I touch ye?” Edna asked as she reached out her hand.

The cat’s only response was to purr more loudly.

“I’ll take that as an aye,” Edna said. She stroked the soft fur on the cat’s head, taking extra time to massage around the ears. Edna didn’t have a cat of her own, but she often fed the cats of her village who came to visit her almost daily. She wondered if this cat was Evanore’s familiar. Some witches utilized familiars to help them with the magic. Was this one here to spy on her?

“I wonder what yer name is,” Edna said to the cat. “Do ye have a name? Or are ye like the servant who has a name that’s no’ really his name, but doesn’t have a name that he will share with me?”

The cat slowly blinked as it looked into her eyes. Edna blinked back, hoping she was making a connection with the creature.

Unable to sit, Edna paced the floor of the room. The orange tabby’s head swiveled on its neck as it turned this way and that following her every move.

“I’ve got to get out of here, but more importantly I need to find out why I’m here. What exactly does Evanore want with me?” As she paced, she noticed a book set on one of the bedside tables. She retrieved it and walked close to the window where despite the fog, there was just enough light to see by. Unlike the windows downstairs, this one was still available for her to look out. She wondered if it would disappear like the others if she attempted to open it.

The leather-bound book was a dark brown and appeared to have been read many times. The binding and edges were worn through in places. Edna held it in her hand for a moment before lifting it to her nose. The scent of an old tome had always lifted her spirits, knowing that along with it came a book to be read and treasure. She wasn’t sure what was in this book, but since there was nothing stopping her from finding out she opened the cover. The cream-colored pages had yellowed some, but it was what she discovered on the first page that set her mind to reeling.

There in very neat black penmanship was a list of names. Edna gasped as she realized she knew every single one of them… Ashley, Jenna, Angelina, Sara… all the people she’d matched over the years were named right there on the page. She gasped as she saw Angus listed at the very bottom, her confusion grew as she noted a black line slashed through his name. But why?

Chapter 3

Angus arrived at Breaghacraig in record time. He dismounted, handing the reins of his horse to a stableboy who’d run to meet him. He took a moment to look around at the familiar castle and the surrounding courtyard. It felt strange to be here and at the same time oddly comforting to be back.

He watched as his horse was walked to the stable before turning towards the large wooden doors that were the entrance to the castle. He hoped he’d find Edna safely inside its walls and once he was certain she was safe, he planned on giving her a good talking to. She’d frightened him. Something that wasn’t easy to do.

The doors were opened for him, by one of Robert’s men. “Sir.”

“Thank ye,” Angus said, not recognizing the man.

He entered the castle and as the door closed behind him the smell of lavender wafted to his nose. A moment later Lady Irene Mackenzie rushed past him and then stopped. Turning back to look at him, a huge smile spread across her face. “Angus Campbell. Is it really ye?”

“Aye. ’Tis.” A warm smile spread across his face. Irene had a way about her that made everyone she met feel at ease and he was no different. Despite the fact that he was worried about Edna, seeing Irene at this moment gave him a comfort that he truly needed.

“To what do we owe the honor of yer visit?” she asked, brushing her hair back over her shoulders. Glancing past him she turned her head in each direction as if she were looking for someone.

“I… I’m hoping to find Edna. Is she here?” he asked.

“Edna?” Irene asked. “Edna’s not here. We haven’t seen her in quite some time.”

“Are ye sure?” he asked. He had no reason to question Irene, but maybe Edna had arrived without her knowledge.

“Verra sure,” Irene replied. “Please, come in.” She led him into the great hall. A few of Robert’s men sat around a table by the hearth having a good laugh about something. When they saw Irene they all stood and bowed in her direction.