The harp was shining in the sun, as Kieran rode to the next keep. He had been confused by the old lady at the cottage. He thought she said she could bring Selena to him, but it had been months since he'd woken in the field of flowers. Although he couldn't explain what had happened, he knew something had. After all, he had been propelled into the future and then back into his own time. He didn't know how to take the events that had happened to him, he only knew they weren't dreams. He remembered his friends in the future, Stan and Jill. He remembered Guinness beer, which he missed terribly, and he remembered Selena. When he kissed her, he wasn't dreaming. So what had happened? Did the witch really bring her to his time? Could she be somewhere hurt, or in danger? He'd searched all over the area where he had awoken that day, and every day since he'd looked in every town he came to or any field he traveled through. Nothing. No sign of her. He only had hope and an old woman's promise.
"Sir," said his companion, Rory. "Will we be stoppin' at the McCleod keep tonight? It's just over yon hill."
"Yes, tonight we will stay at the McCleod manse. I am weary after all this travel these last few weeks. Tonight I'll play for our supper, and maybe a nice plump wench or two. Aye?" Kieran smiled at Rory's look of excitement. Of course, he wasn't interested in just any wench. He wanted a small brunette, with caramel eyes. He wouldn't get his hopes up that he'd find her, so maybe he could let this dream go tonight. Maybe a warm wench was exactly what he needed to get her off his mind. Yes, that's what he needed, a warm wench who didn't mean anything more than a night of pleasure. So tonight he'd sing for his supper, and see what would happen.
His mind made up, Kieran rode full force to the closest keep.
Selena was being pampered by the laird. At every turn, he was at her side asking her what she would like to eat, offering her his protection and giving her beautiful gowns to wear. He was very sweet, and seemed so attentive. She thought sometimes if she had never met Kieran she could possibly be Riley's future wife. He seemed completely enthralled with her. She could tell in the way his eyes lit whenever she came into a room. He would stop what he was doing,and smile a smile that warmed her to her toes. Yes, he was a handsome man. Although he was quite a few years older than herself, and he was laird of his clan, he was actually only in his mid-forties. In Selena's time, this was still very young, but in this time, she knew he had lived a long time and had seen many things that she would never have witnessed in her own time. Death was always at the doorstep here. At any time a person could come down with a cold that could lead to pneumonia or some other ailment.
The men were so very aggressive here. Fighting could begin over any small happening. She had even witnessed Riley as he commanded Fergus to stay away from her. She saw the look of hatred that entered Fergus' eyes. It made her shiver. That man was dangerous. Even another reason she may decide that life with Riley was her best bet for protection and happiness in this place so far from her own time.
A cry rose from the bailey. Selena walked to the end of the great hall to see what was happening. She could see two men were riding into the keep. From her distance, she could not see their faces. Before leaving the hall, Riley had suggested that she retire to her room before dinner. Since everyone seemed involved with these two new men, she decided that Riley had a good idea. So Selena turned from the entrance of the great hall and headed to her room. She felt a long yawn begin, and she stiffled it with her fist. Soon she'd find out what all the hoopla was about. She continued to her room.
Kieran rode through the gates of the guard house. He had a hard time obtaining an entrance to the keep. One of the guards had told him that they did not need "his likes" here. Music was not played in this keep and he and his man should just turn around. Kieran was incredulous. Never had he been turned away for his skill with the harp. He couldn't begin to understand how any keep could not welcome a traveling bard. He said as much to the guard. By this time, a crowd had begun to form. Within moments, the Laird of the keep approached him and inquired what he wanted. He explained that he was a bard looking for a place to play for the night in exchange for food and lodging.
"Normally I would say, nay. My dear wife died last year and she loved music. I have been unable to hear songs in my house since. Lately, though, I find I miss listening to music. Please, come inside. I'll have Cook prepare you a meal and have a room prepared for you. Your man can sleep with the guards in the guardhouse, if that is okay with you." Riley said.
"Yes, that is most generous of you sir. You will not regret it. Tonight I will play many ballads that will bring joy your to your heart. I will gladly play any request you may have." Kieran bowed to the laird and followed the laird's man servant into the keep.
After eating a plain, but satisfying midday meal, Kieran and Rory retired to the rooms provided for them. Kieran thought about the way Rory had spent the meal observing the people of the keep. He'd winked at the serving maid, who twittered and walked away with a swish to her hips. Kieran could tell that Rory would be a happy man later that evening. Kieran had not seen anyone interesting to take away his longing for Selena, but he knew he would see more faces later in the evening. Many villagers and surrounding folk usually found out quickly that a bard would be performing in the neighboring castle. He knew that there should be at least one beautiful maid he could get to know. The evening looked promising.
"Sir," said his companion, Rory. "Will we be stoppin' at the McCleod keep tonight? It's just over yon hill."
"Yes, tonight we will stay at the McCleod manse. I am weary after all this travel these last few weeks. Tonight I'll play for our supper, and maybe a nice plump wench or two. Aye?" Kieran smiled at Rory's look of excitement. Of course, he wasn't interested in just any wench. He wanted a small brunette, with caramel eyes. He wouldn't get his hopes up that he'd find her, so maybe he could let this dream go tonight. Maybe a warm wench was exactly what he needed to get her off his mind. Yes, that's what he needed, a warm wench who didn't mean anything more than a night of pleasure. So tonight he'd sing for his supper, and see what would happen.
His mind made up, Kieran rode full force to the closest keep.
Selena was being pampered by the laird. At every turn, he was at her side asking her what she would like to eat, offering her his protection and giving her beautiful gowns to wear. He was very sweet, and seemed so attentive. She thought sometimes if she had never met Kieran she could possibly be Riley's future wife. He seemed completely enthralled with her. She could tell in the way his eyes lit whenever she came into a room. He would stop what he was doing,and smile a smile that warmed her to her toes. Yes, he was a handsome man. Although he was quite a few years older than herself, and he was laird of his clan, he was actually only in his mid-forties. In Selena's time, this was still very young, but in this time, she knew he had lived a long time and had seen many things that she would never have witnessed in her own time. Death was always at the doorstep here. At any time a person could come down with a cold that could lead to pneumonia or some other ailment.
The men were so very aggressive here. Fighting could begin over any small happening. She had even witnessed Riley as he commanded Fergus to stay away from her. She saw the look of hatred that entered Fergus' eyes. It made her shiver. That man was dangerous. Even another reason she may decide that life with Riley was her best bet for protection and happiness in this place so far from her own time.
A cry rose from the bailey. Selena walked to the end of the great hall to see what was happening. She could see two men were riding into the keep. From her distance, she could not see their faces. Before leaving the hall, Riley had suggested that she retire to her room before dinner. Since everyone seemed involved with these two new men, she decided that Riley had a good idea. So Selena turned from the entrance of the great hall and headed to her room. She felt a long yawn begin, and she stiffled it with her fist. Soon she'd find out what all the hoopla was about. She continued to her room.
Kieran rode through the gates of the guard house. He had a hard time obtaining an entrance to the keep. One of the guards had told him that they did not need "his likes" here. Music was not played in this keep and he and his man should just turn around. Kieran was incredulous. Never had he been turned away for his skill with the harp. He couldn't begin to understand how any keep could not welcome a traveling bard. He said as much to the guard. By this time, a crowd had begun to form. Within moments, the Laird of the keep approached him and inquired what he wanted. He explained that he was a bard looking for a place to play for the night in exchange for food and lodging.
"Normally I would say, nay. My dear wife died last year and she loved music. I have been unable to hear songs in my house since. Lately, though, I find I miss listening to music. Please, come inside. I'll have Cook prepare you a meal and have a room prepared for you. Your man can sleep with the guards in the guardhouse, if that is okay with you." Riley said.
"Yes, that is most generous of you sir. You will not regret it. Tonight I will play many ballads that will bring joy your to your heart. I will gladly play any request you may have." Kieran bowed to the laird and followed the laird's man servant into the keep.
After eating a plain, but satisfying midday meal, Kieran and Rory retired to the rooms provided for them. Kieran thought about the way Rory had spent the meal observing the people of the keep. He'd winked at the serving maid, who twittered and walked away with a swish to her hips. Kieran could tell that Rory would be a happy man later that evening. Kieran had not seen anyone interesting to take away his longing for Selena, but he knew he would see more faces later in the evening. Many villagers and surrounding folk usually found out quickly that a bard would be performing in the neighboring castle. He knew that there should be at least one beautiful maid he could get to know. The evening looked promising.
Comments
Post a Comment
Please feel free to leave a comment. Thanks. And if you have enjoyed reading this blog, please like and follow.