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PROLOGUE - MAGNUS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 6:10 PM.

Near Gainesville, Florida

Horses, at least three, were coming through the trees. I yelled, “Get down!” I bolted for the Mustang. I had left my sword there, the box of guns, I had nae prepared for an attack.

Over my right arm I saw them leap from the woods: three soldiers, armored, swords drawn, their horses chargin’. At the sight of me, two turned and followed.

I yanked the car door open, grasped my sword, and spun as they were on me. I fought the first, swinging up, my back to the car so I couldna retreat. I had tae fight forward. I sliced up and forced his horse careening back. I carved my sword down through the reins. The horse bucked and the man slipped sideways. Then I sheared down, gashin’ the top of his thigh.

The second soldier was behind me. I spun and arced up toward him, piercin’ his lower arm. I charged forward swingin’ wildly. Then from down at the docks — Kaitlyn screamed.

I yelled over m’shoulder, “Kaitlyn!” and fought forward tryin’ tae reach the dock, tae get tae her.

My heart fell as the third soldier joined the others against me — I bellowed, knocking a man from his horse and stabbin’ him clean through. I yanked my sword free. The second soldier dropped from his horse and we fought blade tae blade, his injured arm makin’ him fight poorly, until finally I struck him down: a cut deep in the shoulder, blood sprayin’. The third soldier I pierced through the thigh, then as he hung off the side of his horse, I pulled him down by his belt, and shoved my sword into his side. He tumbled tae the ground.

I kicked him free of my blade and raced to the dock.

Kaitlyn lay there lifeless.

I slid to my knees and pulled her head to my lap, “Kaitlyn? Och, Kaitlyn, nae.” Blood flowed around her, covering the dock and dripping down between the wood slats. “Mo reul-iuil, speak tae me.” She was growin’ cold and without a breath in her lungs. “Nae, Kaitlyn. Nae. Daena go without me, please.”

I stroked the back of her hair. “Please, mo reul-iuil, I am so sorry, I — please daena go.” I cried and we sat like this for a long time. Me and my dyin’ Kaitlyn — nae, daena, ye canna leave me — until I kent I had tae stand up and do what came next.

I lay her gently on the dock, wiped my eyes, and hand over hand I pulled the chain from the water until the case emerged from the deep spring. I pulled it drippin’ wet tae the boards. I opened the lock and pulled from inside it one of the vessels in a waterproof bag. I opened the seal and twisted the ends of the vessel bringin’ it tae life. I recited the numbers, changin’ only one, the date, tae yesterday.

PROLOGUE - MAGNUS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 5:30 PM.

Near Gainesville, Florida

Second Try

Iwoke on the grassy slope near the dock. Twas evenin’.

There were nae bodies and I was all alone. I kent the nearby house was empty, but I dinna want tae go inside away from the clearin’. I went tae the tree line and leaned against a tree and watched the road, listenin’ for the horses. I focused on my mission, nae the purpose. Whenever I thought of Kaitlyn the pain was enough tae bring me tae my knees.

The night was long. There was nae a sound except for the woods comin’ alive with night animals and spirits. If it were a Scottish forest I would be used tae the beasts I was hearin’, but twas foreign, desolate, and verra lonely.

In the morning I walked the perimeter searchin’ for signs of the horses. Nae body was here. I pulled the case up from the water — it had only one vessel inside. The other was in my sporran. I left the case open on the dock, a sign tae myself: be on guard, someone else is here.

I waited all day. In the afternoon there was a storm, loud — the wind ravaged the trees. I tried tae go tae the center of it, tae find the soldiers, but twas impossible tae walk against the gale. Then I heard from the east the Mustang drivin’ down the road.

I followed it tae the clearing and remained hidden in the shade of the forest’s edge. The storm was abatin’. I wasna sure what I would need tae do but I had a gun and a sword tae do it with.

Kaitlyn climbed from the car. Another Magnus stepped from the other side. They walked their supplies toward the dock. As soon as the other Magnus noticed the case had been pulled from the water, he raced tae the Mustang for his sword.

He carried the guns with him tae the dock. I was relieved he was better armed this time. He and Kaitlyn remained cautious, looking around for trouble. They seemed about ready tae use the vessel.

Then two horses were right behind me.

The soldiers had their swords drawn and were bearin’ down on me — fast. I pulled my gun and fired, hittin’ one of the soldiers in the middle of his chest. He slumped over the neck of his horse and it careened away through the woods. I fired at the second soldier, but missed, only grazin’ his arm and then he was on me, his blade swingin’ in fury.

I bent low and ran for cover and twas when I saw a third soldier, his horse thunderin’ down the slope toward Kaitlyn. And then behind me a fourth soldier and then a fifth.

I shot the soldier as he was swingin’ at me and tried tae get a clear line tae shoot the soldier who was gainin’ on Kaitlyn, but soldiers were convergin’ fast behind me — the other Magnus fought a sixth man — Kaitlyn screamed a bloodcurdling scream.