Page 44 of A Keeper of Time

You could hear a pin drop, the crowd was so quiet. As for the jurors, they were captivated by what Edna was telling them. She shrugged her shoulders and rolled her neck as she tried to relieve the tension she felt there.

“Brielle died that day because she used her witchcraft for evil purposes. It was her intent that anyone who stood in her way would end up dead. When she faced off with Maggie, it was the final straw. I knew she would no’ stop her assault without intervention from me. She died because her anger and hatred made her blind to everything else around her. She would stop at nothing to get what she wanted and I could no’ allow that. Brielle died because she had to. Her death was her own doing.”

Evanore jumped up from her seat. “Liar! Yer lying!”

Melusina’s commanding voice rang out. “Evanore! Sit back down. No’ another word from ye unless ye are asked to speak. Do ye understand me?”

Evanore did as she was told, but not before glaring at Edna.

Edna didn’t mention Maggie’s part in destroying Brielle. There was no need for her to be on trial. Edna would accept the consequences of her actions alone. She bowed her head, looking down at the ground. She was surprised that she could feel two completely different things about Evanore – anger and pity. Evanore was right, she was not her sister. The question was whether or not she would come to understand that her sister had done wrong and paid for it with her life.

“As for all of the couples I have brought together across this verra bridge, they should no’ be punished. They’ve done nothing wrong. I was the one who brought them love across time and space. I am proud of what I’ve done.” She looked at each of the jurors, meeting their eyes with her own. “They have families now. Please do no’ separate husband from wife, or parents from their children.”

Edna returned to her seat feeling the weight of it all resting on her shoulders. She hoped she had done enough to prove that the couples should be together and that she should be exonerated for Brielle’s death. Taking a peek at Evanore, Edna’s empathy almost overwhelmed her. She could feel the pain and anguish Evanore was enduring and hoped that sometime soon she could let it go and come to a better understanding that Edna’s explanation of what had happened was true.

A soft murmur of voices could be heard as the warriors spoke to each other. The jurors seemed to be doing the same. Angus caught her attention and mouthed the words, “I love ye.” She sent him back the same message, feeling the heart-to-heart connection that held them together no matter now far apart they were.

Melusina spoke softly with Mardella and Daire, occasionally looking up and out at the men seated in the open area and then back to the paper. She banged her gavel once and said, “Next we’ll begin calling witnesses. Maggie has kindly created a list for us.” She looked out over the assembled group. “Robert Mackenzie.”

Robert stood. He seemed nervous to Edna’s eyes.

“Come forward, sir. We doona bite.” Mardella smiled and waved him forward.

“I am Robert Mackenzie,” he said, standing at attention in front of the Council.

“Sir, are ye one who has been matched by Edna?” Mardella asked.

“Nay. I am no’.”

“Then what is yer relationship to her?” Mardella looked down at the paper in front of her.

“I’ve known Edna for some time now. She is a good woman.” He caught Edna’s eye and smiled warmly as he spoke. “When Brielle tried to destroy me clan and me castle, Edna came to our aid. She sent her husband and niece to help us fend off Brielle.”

“Why did she no’ come herself?” Daire wondered, her lips pressing into a fine line.

Edna heard disapproval in that question and worried they disapproved of her management of the bridge.

“The bridge. She is the keeper of the bridge,” Robert explained.

“And as the keeper she can no’ leave?” Daire seemed puzzled by this and Robert’s answer didn’t seem to clear things up for her.

“I doona ken how the bridge works. I only ken that she has been good for our clan. She has helped us in many ways.” He looked back at his warriors for confirmation. Many could be seen nodding their heads in agreement.

Daire wasn’t finished with her questions about the bridge. “Have ye traveled across the bridge, sir?”

“Only the one time. She invited us to come for Christmas,” he smiled as he seemed to be remembering the trip.

“Was that a pleasant experience?”

“Aye. Verra. The whole family was there.”

The Council spoke softly to one another before Daire asked, “Is there anything else ye’d like to add?”

“Only that we love Edna. She’s a part of our family now and always.” His features softened as he gazed at Edna. “She’s a good woman and should be treated as such.”

Melusina glanced down at the paper in her hand. “Cailin MacBayne.”

Cailin was a striking figure as he stood and made his way to the bench. Edna thought about the first time she’d discovered him as he sat around a campfire with his men. She’d been taken with his handsome face, but more so with his kindness towards others. He was a Highland warrior first and foremost, but when you peeled away the outer shell, he was every woman’s dream.