A Rift in the Fabric of Time

Chapter 7: Pawning the Goods

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I woke op from a nap, hearin' a woman's voice out in the other room, and my name bein' bandied 'bout. Perchance she was the person as Claire said she would send to take my weapons and such with her. Leastways, the woman was brought to my cell by Duncan, and so I stood next to the barred door to speak to her.

She was an older lady, shorter than my Sassenach, wi' brown hair, cut short, and a twinkle in her hazel eyes. She came nearer to the bars, and winking at me, said, "Jamie, d'ye remember me? I'm yer Aunt Hannah. I havena seen ye since ye were a wee bairn. Sorry I am, to see ye in such a place. Yer grandmother sent me to fetch yer things, as soon as she heard about the scrape ye're in. Is that all right wi' ye?"

"Aye. Truth be told, I was expectin' as much."

Duncan stepped back, and left us alone.

Hannah, closed in tighter, wi' her head canted to reach my ear. She spoke in whispers. "Claire called me this mornin'. It's true then? Ye came through the stones?"

"To be sure. And now, I'm here, locked op like a caged animal."

Hannah smiled, lookin' me op and down, and told me. "I can certainly see why the lass fell for ye. It was a sin, since she was already married, but I guess Frank hadna actually been born yet ... a technicality, if ye will.

"I havta tell ye, as I always thought Claire was a bit much for Frank. The man was too stodgy, a lot older than she was as weel. He was pokin' about in history and genealogy, a most borin' subject in my mind. I expect that you and Claire had a rollickin' time, maybe not that it couldna be dangerous, but still ... Never a dull moment, aye?"

I laughed at the expression on her face. Her eyes were big and round as oat cakes, her brows raised an inch.

"No wi' Claire about. That woman bears watchin'. I hadta have eyes in the back o' my head, for fear she'd op and run away. And run away she did on so many occasions, 'til this time as I was runnin' away wi' her."

Her eyes still wide wi' wonder, she asked, "Ye might say, I'm a wee bit curious. What was it like ... traveling though time, I mean?"

 "It was verra disconcertin'. When I held onto Claire's hand, it was as if a strong wind carried us both to the other side, and I couldna fight agin it. Then, I found myself sprawled about on the hill like a flounderin' haddock. Dizzy I was as weel, and at first I thought I had fallen asleep, and twas but a dream. And then, I didna believe we had left 1743 atall. But as ye ken, there were movin' mechanical beasts on the road to Inverness, and I coudna deny it any longer, for I'd seen them wi' my own eyes."

"Oh aye. That must've given ye quite a fright."

"A fright? I almost expected my hair to turn white wi' the shock o' it."

Hannah shook her head in awe. "Such a grand story to tell to yer bairns some day ... Weel, I best be on my way. I'll be keepin' yer things at my flat; Claire said she'd come for them as soon as she can sneak away from Frank."

"Thank ye, Hannah. My pleasure to meet ye."

"Mine as weel."

As she turned to leave, I blurted, "Wait ... Hannah ... would it be much trouble to take my clothes  wi' ye as weel? And can ye ask Duncan to bring the chess board wi' him come evenin'? I may give him another chance to beat me."

"I'll do that, Jamie, gladly."

I pulled my kilt, boots, and all the rest from the cloth bag I was storin' them in, and passed them to her through the bars. As I did so, it seemed like a part o' me was leavin'. I had to trust as I would be wearing them again, soon. The new clothes as I was wearin', fit my body, but weren't a right fit for my soul, if ye take my meanin'. I was a highlander, thru and thru, not a preenin' peacock, and I make no apologies 'bout it.