AllFreeNovel
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“This is a dimension ofalltime,” Old Man stated slowly. “Did you not look around you when you entered our village? These are people of all periods and all places. Their time, like yours, isnow.In this moment.That is all there is.”
Paige’s soft gasp filled the space between them. She too, must have understood his meaning. If all these people—from all those times and places—were farming, building homes, building lives here, it meant there was no going back.
“How long have they been here?” Taran pressed, remembering Paige’s comments about the varied condition of their clothing. He noticed Old Man wore tanned breeches and shirt. They werenae just for comfort, as he’d first imagined. “How long have ye been here?”
Old Man shook his head. “Time is never-ending, therefore it cannot truly be measured. There is only now. Our people come when they come, just like you.”
“But no’ all at once?” Taran suggested, already guessing the answer. “And no’ from the same…source?”
Old Man shrugged. “Is there only one raindrop?”
Sighing his frustration, Taran studied him. Was he truly all-knowing? A seer, mayhap? Or a master at playing on people’s emotions and insecurities. Either way, Taran needed to press for more information. “Do ye ken where these many portals are?”
“Do you know where the sky begins and ends?”
Riddles, Taran sighed, realizing he might get more out of the people, assuming they would open up, and could speak his language. The same would apply regarding gathering any more information about Austin. He and Paige needed to talk in private and decide how to approach them.
He gave her his best ‘play-along’ look.
“Thank you for speaking with us,” he said to Old Man. “Our journey has been long and my…companion, needs rest. Is there a place we can pitch a small tent?”
“Of course,” he nodded. “Our rule is simple. Expect to receive as you have given. You may put your tent wherever it suits you.”
Taran couldnae imagine they’d make many friends doing that. “We dinnae wish tae impose on anyone by inadvertently camping on their property. Is there some free space close by?”
“All is free,” Old Man stated. “We don’t own the air. Why should we own the earth?”
An interesting concept, Taran agreed. But due to the nature of man, hadnae history already proven it wrong? “We’ll find a spot, then, thank ye.”
“Inside the fields,” Old man suggested. “You will be happiest inside the fields.”
Taran and Paige exchanged a troubled look. “If that is best,” Taran said uneasily, hoping he would share more. When he dinnae, Taran wondered how to approach his next request. “Might we also take water from the well? And, if there is someone we could purchase a bit of food from, it would be greatly appreciated.”
“How would you purchase the food?” Old Man queried; his interest obviously piqued.
“I’ve coin enough in my sporran,” Taran assured him.
“I have money, too,” Paige added.
For the first time, Old Man grinned. A nearly toothless showing of mirth. “Coin? Aiesha might want a spangle for her buckskin dress, but the others? What would they do with coins? They cannot eat them or spend them.” He shook his head. “Keep your coins, children. Here, you work for what you need, or barter for it. Everyone who contributes, shares. It is our way. It is the only way.”
“We understand,” Taran replied. “It is a good way.” A very good way, he thought, lamenting how far the world had strayed from such a simple notion.
“When the sun crests, the food tables will be set out near the well. You may barter there. Now I will rest.” Old Man laid down beside the fire and was snoring softly before Taran and Paige could slip quietly out the door.
The villagers no longer gawked or shrank away, but went about their business as if the two outsiders had passed some kind of initiation.
“That was a lot ofstuffto take in,” Paige whispered so no one could overhear. “Did you buy all that…now is all there is…talk? I don’t know. I mean, some of it made sense, but…one dimension in time, where time doesn’t exist?How is that even possible?” She looked up at Taran. “Did you believe everything he said?”
“They all seem tae,” Taran indicated the villagers who’d all pointed them to Old Man. “And, aye, I ken there’s somethin’ tae the things he said. And I ken ye do, as well. We’re no’ in Scotland anymore, Paige.”
“No kidding,” she sighed.
“We’ll get settled and then while we’re bartarin’ for our lunch, we can ask about Austin. Or try tae, depending on what language they speak. So,” he looked at Paige and swept his hand wide to indicate the village, and beyond. “Where would ye like yer house, Love?”
Chapter Ten
Paige laid their sleeping bags out, inside the tent. It seemed as if a lot of time had passed since she and Taran had last shared this tiny space. Far longer than just a day and a half ago. Their relationship had changed so much in that short time, sharing it tonight would feel far different.
