Page 38 of A Keeper of Time

“We’ll use that one then,” Melusina added. “Mardella what do ye think?”

“This should do the trick. Some good magic to outdo the bad.” She brushed her hands as if cleaning them off.

Melusina abruptly stopped what she was doing as she spotted Maggie. “I thought we told ye to wait in the other room,” she scolded.

“Ye did, but I heard all the noise in here and I was curious.” Maggie’s lips barely formed a smile as a pink tinge crept across her cheeks. “Sorry.”

Mardella didn’t seem to be angry as she took on an almost motherly tone. “Curiosity is a good thing in a witch and a bad thing in a witch.”

“I guess I’m just a bit impatient.” Maggie was worried they might not be finished with the spell and that it might take much longer for them to get to Edna. “I want to help me aunt and everything seems to be taking so long.”

“We understand.” Mardella held out her hand, encouraging Maggie to take it. “Are ye ready to go back?”

“Aye.” Something about the warmth Maggie was feeling from Mardella put her at ease.

“Alright then. Come stand here with us.”

Maggie began to follow Mardella before stopping short to look around. “Wait, why did ye redecorate this room? It looks so different.”

“We hadn’t planned on it.” Melusina giggled and glanced around the room

Mardella joined in on the laughter. “One of the spells we were trying out backfired.”

“I like it.” Daire’s chin was held high and she had a proud gleam in her eyes as she grinned knowingly. “I think we’ll keep it. Now come along lass. We doona have all day.”

Maggie approached the witches as they formed a circle. They all joined hands. The three witches muttered something over and over in unison. It was barely audible and in a language Maggie didn’t understand. She realized in that moment that she had so much more to learn about being a witch.

“Close yer eyes, lass,” Melusina ordered.

Maggie did as she was told and waited. The room vibrated with energy. The floor moved beneath her feet and when it stopped she wondered what she might see.

“Ye can open those eyes now,” Mardella said.

She opened them. They’d somehow been transported to the bridge. She wanted to know how they’d done it, but that could wait. They had Edna to save.

***

Angus was losing hope of ever seeing his wife again. His compatriots were also visibly worried. Cailin was pacing non-stop, Cormac repeatedly tossed his dirk at a nearby tree, Logan sat very still with his head in his hands. Richard and Latharn talked in whispers on the outer edge of the fire ring. Angus understood how they felt - useless. All of them were used to solving problems, fighting when necessary and always being in control. This situation was humbling to say the least.

Angus walked to the bridge and leaned on the stone wall. Gazing into the river, he was taken aback when the wind around him began to whip and a loud whirring noise filled the air. He turned and stood back as he watched the air in front of him shimmer with an almost liquid appearance.

“What is it?” Robert called to him.

The men were on their feet and standing by Angus when Maggie and three women appeared.

“Maggie!” Angus ran to her, gathering her up in his arms. “Yer here!” Relief swept through him as he held her.

“I am. I’ve brought help.” She turned to the three women and introduced them. “This is Melusina, Mardella and Daire. They are from the Council of Witches and they are here to help.”

Excitement moved through the group as they waited to hear what the Council had to say.

“So many men,” Melusina said. “Are ye all without yer wives?”

“No’ all, but a good many of us.” Angus answered. He introduced the men near him and ended by introducing Robert. “This is Robert Mackenzie, laird of Breaghacraig. His wife is from this time, so she is safely at home.” The witches bobbed their heads in unison as each introduction was made.

“And who is this?” Mardella asked, pointing to Lena.

“This is me daughter, Lena. Edna is her mother. We hope to keep her safely here with her husband, Ewan.” Angus motioned him over to stand with his wife.