Page 99 of Edge of Yesterday

“You have a firsthand account of the attack?” Cailean blurted.

“Aye, written in his own hand. Father Phillip was one of the fortunate who survived.”

“I wonder if it’s here.” Cailean looked around.

“I dinnae know.”

“You havenae read it? Why?”

She shrugged. “I have heard the story as long as I can remember. I know what happened.”

“But he was there,” Cailean insisted.

Julianna lifted a brow. “So were my mother and father.”

“You’re right, of course.” His expression softened. “I’m sorry.”

Her stomach flipped. “Nae bother.”

He stared down at the text for another moment, then said, “This scroll is fifty years old.” He rolled the parchment, returned it to its shelf and pulled out another few books. Cailean scanned them, quickly. “No date.” He looked at three more before he found a date that predated the scroll by twenty years. “So, these are the older books.” He pointed to them. “That means the newer books are over there.”

He began looking through the newer side, while Julianna perused the other shelves. She had only visited the scriptorium twice and now realized the opportunities she’d missed when she found a book of verses and became lost in the words.

“Here we go.”

She looked up at the sound of Cailean’s voice. He carried a small book to the first table they had used.

“You found the chronicle of the attack?” Her heart leapt.

He nodded as he placed the book on the table then sat down. The document could scarcely be called a book. It was no bigger than eight inches by eight inches, whereas most of the other books were what he’d called ‘tomes,’ being at least a foot tall. She estimated this one held no more than ten pages.

Julianna traced a finger along the cover in a snake-like motion, disturbing a layer of dust. “It looks as if it’s never been read.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised to find that’s the case.” Cailean was looking at the cover, his expression tense.

She watched him place a hand on the leather and had the impression he was afraid to open the book.

But he did, and they both began reading…

I was in the chapel when the Ross party arrived in Heatheredge and I hurried to the town center to welcome Laird Ross and his daughter. Lady Elizabeth rode between her father and the great seer and healer Valdar Ross. He was a formidable man, with rings in his beard and wearing a great furred robe as if he were a Norse warlord and not a Highlander. He’d also come in full war gear, bristling with steel, his armor polished and gleaming. I was surprised that a healer wore a sword, but he did, along with a Viking-style battle ax and a long dagger made in the style of a massive two-handed sword.

“What the bloody hell?” Cailean burst out.

“What is it?” Julianna stared.

He pointed at the passage and read out loud, “A long dagger made in the fashion of a massive two-handed sword. I think I’ve seen that dagger.”

“Are ye sure?” She rubbed the back of her neck. “The design is a bit unusual, but no’ unheard of.”

“Maybe no’,” he said, “But—” He shook his head.

“What is it?”

“Probably nothing.” He leaned back over the book and resumed reading.

Julianna hesitated, then decided not to press him—for now—and went back to examining the text….

I remember thinking how glad I was that these men were allies. Oh, if only God had seen fit to gift me with the sight I might have seen the evil that lurked behind the smiling faces. But we were lambs led to the slaughter.