Page 47 of A Keeper of Time

“Let’s see. We have a lass next. Where is Brenna MacRae?” Mardella asked.

“I’m here.” Brenna made her way to the spot where she would tell them her story. “MacRae is nae longer me name. ’Tis Barrett now.” Brenna’s voice shook and as she spoke she looked back at her brother.

Edna wished there was something she could do to help her through this. Brenna was a brave young lass and so it was hard to see her like this.

“Is yer husband here with ye?” Mardella looked back towards Dougall.

“Nay. He’s no’.”

“Who is that ye keep looking at?” Mardella pointed to Dougall.

“’Tis me brother Dougall.”

“Ye say yer husband is no’ here. Where is he then?” Edna could tell and appreciated that Mardella understood Brenna was nervous because she kept her voice soft and soothing in an effort to put her at ease.

“He’s in San Francisco, at our home.” Brenna stood a little taller. She seemed to have gotten herself under control. There was no shakiness in her voice now. “I was taken away from him a few days ago.”

“Yer from this time, are ye no’?” Melusina took over the questioning.

“Aye.” Brenna gave a slight nod of her head.

“Edna sent ye to the future. Did ye wish to go?”

“I did. Me Da had arranged for me to marry a verra mean old man. He was as old as me Da.” She stopped and glanced at Melusina.

“Go on, please.”

“Edna sent Zeke to me.” Her face relaxed and her stiff posture changed as she spoke of her husband. “He saved me from a life that would have been worse than death. I love me Zeke verra much. I can no’ be without him. Please let me go back to him,” she pleaded. Edna could hear the sorrowful emotion in her voice and so could the Council.

“There, there, dear. Doona cry.” Daire handed her a hankie.

“Thank ye,” Brenna said, accepting it.

“Ye may sit down now. If we need ye, we’ll call ye again.”

“But what of me Zeke?” Brenna wiped her tears and then her nose.

“I’m so sorry, but ye’ll have to wait until we’ve spoken with everyone before we come to a decision.”

Brenna’s shoulders shook as fresh tears came to her eyes. Her brother Dougall came to her aid, retrieving her with a hug and holding her close as they returned to the group.

“Is there a way we can speak to those who are in San Francisco?” Melusina asked, looking to Edna.

“Me powers have been taken from me, but Evanore gave me an orb that allowed me to at least see what they were doing. I could no’ speak with them.”

“Hmmm… Evanore can ye get that for us?”

“We can always speak with them through the flames.” Maggie stood and went to the judge’s bench.

“How does that work, dear?” Mardella asked, leaning in with Melusina and Daire to hear what she had to say.

“Auntie always uses that method to check in with the couples. She’s taught me how, so I can do it, if ye like.”

“Of course. Please do.”

“Hopefully they’re near a fireplace.” Maggie prayed they were. It would be important for the Council to hear their stories. “Ye’ll have to follow me.” Maggie headed towards the firepit that had been created for the camp. The flames were still flickering over the wood that had been added earlier. “We’ll need more wood.”

Cailin and Cormac threw more logs on the fire and within moments it was blazing. The flames flickered much higher as Maggie attempted to make contact with someone at Zeke’s home.