Four Times the Trouble, Four Times the Charm

A mystery and a trip to Scotland pt 1

          Diana couldn't wait to get home. A very large airline case had arrived that morning just as she was leaving for the museum. It was now sitting on the living room table. It was posted from Scotland. The note that was with it had been from her cousin Marian. It was a good thing that it had arrived when it did as she and her twin sister Devon were leaving for Scotland first thing in the morning. Diana went to work to wrap up the display on the Dark Ages exhibit that was touring throughout the museums across the country that summer. The Natural History Museum had asked for help in setting up the display as she was one of the foremost professors in her field. Now that everything was set up properly and she was finished, she took her lunch break. Diana read the note she had brought with her. 'Hi cuz, How's it going? Can't wait for yours and Devon's arrival. It is beautiful here. The people here are a bit strange and stand-offish. They're afraid that we're going to fix it up and sell it off to one of those developers. We keep telling them that we are here to stay and will never sell any part of this place. They seem to be in a wait and see mind-set. The case we sent to you contains a sword and a parchment and it is one of four that were left to us as well as the property. You are the only one that can translate them accurately. There is another surprise awaiting your arrival and the horses are settling in nicely. The stableman knows not to go near Shadow so we have been taking care of him and making sure he gets his exercise as well. Call me the night before you leave. Well, I've gotta go now, see you both soon. Love you cuz. Marian.' the note said. 'A parchment?' she thought. It must be old if Marian couldn't read it. Now she was even more eager to leave for home.

          The museum director came rushing over to speak to Diana. "Professor MacLaughlan, just the person I wanted to see. The Dark Ages exhibit is excellent. Isn't there anyway that I could persuade you to stay? We could always use your expertise here" he said with a pleading look in his eyes. Diana looked at the balding little man and shook her head. "I'm so sorry but I'm leaving for Scotland in the morning. My sister, cousins and I have inherited an estate there and we are moving there permanently. I'm not coming back for anything. My assistant is well qualified to take my place and I'm sure that he is capable of handling anything that you need. Well it was really good have been a help to you but I must be on my way. Take care and good-bye" Diana said and stood up to shake the man's hand. He looked up at her as if just realizing how tall she was. She walked out the door into the afternoon sunshine and smiled. She hailed a cab and headed home to finish packing and to take a look at what her cousins had sent her before packing it as well. Twenty minutes later and she was home.

          Diana packed the last of her belongings and placed her luggage by the front door. She then made her dinner and a pot of tea, ate and sipped her tea before she went into the living room with a second cup. She sat down on the sofa and opened the case and stared at the sword that lay there. It was in perfect condition. "Wow this is really old" she said quietly. She got up and grabbed her briefcase, opening it and pulling on a pair of gloves. Diana wasn't about to handle the sword of the parchment without them as the oils and minerals in her sweat could and would damage them. She returned to the sofa and carefully lifted the sword and the parchment from the case. The parchment was rolled up in leather. She carefully unrolled the parchment and saw that it was meticulously hand written. It was dated eleven ninety two a.c.e. "Oh my God, this paper shouldn't exist" she said as she looked at it closely to see if it was a fake or perhaps a copy. Most of the writings of that time were written on scrolls using a rough type of paper made from grasses and we're usually written by monks and priests. And to further get her interest was the fact that in Scotland at that time, nothing was generally written down. Everything was passed on by word of mouth. They were afraid of their histories, medicines and other ideas would fall into the wrong hands. This would mean the downfall of their ways of life. She poured herself out another cup of tea and added raw sugar to it. She lifted her briefcase up and took out her book on clan colors, histories, weapons and runic symbols. She then noticed another note sticking out of the case and pulled it out. Diana unfolded it and read it. 'Hi cuz, by now you can tell who sent you this. It is all true what the lawyer told us. A distant relative left us a very large estate in Scotland. It is absolutely fabulous. I feel like I have stepped back in time. We can't wait for the two of you to get here. The people here were a little wary at first but they are slowly coming around. They were afraid that we would sell the estate off to developers but I assured them that we couldn't and we wouldn't because it is a part of who we are. Call us and let us know when you're arriving so that we can be there to pick you up. Love Maris. P.S. since you're the historian in the family, I sent the parchment as well. I knew it was unusual and shouldn't exist but it does along with three others and three more swords.' her cousin had written.