A Rift in the Fabric of Time

Chapter 1: Witch Trial

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I should have known better than to trust anything that Laoghaire told me. After all, Geillis had disclosed that it was Laoghaire that put the awful talisman under my pillow over a fortnight ago. Alas, the bleeding compassion I had for other people's suffering set aside my mistrust. I paid dearly for that, and it was only by some miracle that Jamie found me before I was doomed to drown, and forced the witch hunters to release me.

If I was a witch, it would've behooved me to put a curse on that wicked little blonde. I would have certainly enjoyed doing it as well. Perhaps a case of severe acne, or halitosis could settle the score. Oh yes, revenge would certainly have been most sweet.

Jamie had brought along another horse for me to ride ... away from the superstitious lot. I suppose he thought it would hasten our departure from the inquisitors. Truthfully, I wished he would have hauled me up, to sit in front of him on Trom Laighe. To feel his warm body pressed to mine, and his steady heart beat through his jerkin, would have been a source of comfort to me. How close I had come to being drowned or burned at the stake! Even now, miles from the dock, my quaking was uncontrollable. To be sure, I felt the need to be held tightly to prevent my flying apart.

I halted Brimstone, and Jamie, just a few paces ahead, looked back to see what happened. I slid off the horse and with the reins in one hand, led my animal through a thicket of trees, and plunked down on the ground. Jamie followed suit, racing toward me.

I exhaled loud and long, gesturing for Jamie to come sit with me.

Clearly concerned, Jamie's brow furrowed. "Sassenach, are ye all right?"

"Absolutely not. Can you give me just a minute? I can't seem to stop shaking."

"I ken what yer meanin' is, as I can truly say as I'm nearly shakin' wi' ye as weel. God in heaven, woman; my heart was in my throat to hear ye'd been taken and accused o' witchcraft."

He settled beside me, and with one strong arm hooked around my shoulder, pulled me snugly against his torso.

"I asked ye to stay at Leoch, and see what trouble ye brought down on yerself, for no' obeyin' me? Now, what possessed ye to be wi' that woman, when ye ken as she's a charmer? I expect she had somethin' to do wi' killin' her husband as weel."

I gazed into those clear blue eyes, and explained, "I would never have done it if it weren't for that bloody Laoghaire. She told me that Geillis was gravely ill. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't let my friend die when I, alone could possibly save her."

"Stars and stones! And ye believed the lass?"

"Well, yes. Why would she lie about something like that?"

"Och ... why, indeed, but I dinna believe the girl is verra fond o' ye. She's a wee bit jealous I expect, o'er the fact as ye're marrit to me."