Page 43 of An Unlikely Knight

Warmth filled his gaze. “There is so much I want to say to you. I wish we had more time.”

“We will. Once this is over.” Erin brushed an errant lock from his brow wanting to memorize every part of his face. “When you return.”

* * *

When Padriag materialized in the alter-world, the first thing he did was ensure he was dressed. He’d been nude when the pull became too strong to fight, and he’d jumped from the bed to yank on his pants. Barefoot and shirtless, he was glad that at least his bottom half was covered.

The surroundings were strange, the dim room lit only by the fires from hammered metal sconces and a black iron candelabrum atop a rustic wooden table.

Padriag swiveled, turning in a circle to take in the space. He seemed to be in a log cottage. Other than the sounds of his breathing, the place was eerily silent.

Across the room was a coat of arms. Atop a red background, a golden lion standing on its hind legs, holding a sword in one paw and seven arrows in the other. While keeping alert, Padriag studied the floor, testing each plank before taking steps toward the shield. He stopped and listened intently to make sure nothing, or no one, made their way there.

When satisfied to being alone, he neared the wall and looked up at the coat of arms with two swords crossed at the blade under it.

“Janssen. Interesting.”

Why was there a Dutch coat of arms there? Was there another person also trapped, or perhaps had been saved?

Before reaching for one of the swords, he assessed every detail, from the hook on which the swords were hung on, to the bricks behind. Then slowly, he took a sword down and shifted it in his hand. The weapon was of a good weight for him, the blade sharp. It had been forged well. The craftsmanship on the handle was obviously the work of an excellent blacksmith.

Sword in hand, Padriag turned in a full circle, once again ensuring he was alone. A crackling noise got his attention and, holding the sword with both hands in front of him, he crept through an archway to the next room.

This area was a sitting room of sorts. There were several chairs in front of a large fireplace, arms and backs carved with designs. Pelts were strewn over the chairs for extra warmth, although the fire that burned brightly emanated enough to warm the room.

Someone had been there recently, since there was a fire. Once again testing the flooring, he moved to a window, opened a shutter with one hand and peered out.

No doubt about it, he was back in the alter-world. The purple sky with yellowish plumes crisscrossing was lit by two moons. The ground looked to be frozen, banks of snow forming around the thick trunks of twisted trees.

It was the first time he’d seen golden trees with pinkish leaves. The trunks were twisted as if formed by a child given free rein with clay. Long tentacle-like roots grew out of the ground, the ends reaching upward.

Padriag frowned, scanning the ground for footprints until noticing the edge of another building to the far right, most of it behind the house. It looked to be a barn.

Unsure of what could be out there, and the setting suns, he decided it was best to wait and leave further exploring until the morning. He walked back to the first room, noting there was food and drink on a sideboard.

As hungry and thirsty as he was, it was best not to take a chance.

The air shifted, and Padriag planted his feet wide, raising his sword in ready defiance.

“Why are you half dressed?” Liam asked emerging from a doorway, a sword held before him.

“Why are you so damn ugly?” Padriag retorted.

Liam lowered his sword, knowing it had to be the real Padriag by the comment. “Where the hell are we?”

“Some Dutch guy’s cabin,” Padriag replied motioning to the coat of arms with his head. “He, or someone, has been here recently, there’s a fire in the other room.”

Liam eyed the food. “You didn’t eat anything did you?”

Instead of a reply, he gave the Brit a droll look.

“I suppose we wait.”

They went to the front room. While Liam looked out the same window Padriag had earlier, Padriag got closer to the fireplace to warm his feet and torso. Then he took a pelt and threw it over his shoulders.

“We’ll take turns sleeping,” Liam said turning from the window. “Where are your clothes?”

“I decided to become a nudist,” Padriag snapped. “Obviously my clothes are in the other realm.”