The Fox (32 page)

Lovern answered, “You ask me to leave my family and my clan to take a journey that will last at least three moon cycles.”

“I do not ask, I order,” Calgacus said. “Go in the spring. After Imbolc. They will not come in the winter. Go and come back to me with this knowledge. With that information, we will be prepared to go into battle. We must not lose to become slaves of Rome.”

Lovern’s shoulders rose as he took a deep breath and turned to me. “My mother died at their hands. My sisters and teacher are slaves if still alive. I cannot let the Romans come here. I must go.”

My body was losing its strength to stand. I wavered and would soon fall. Rhona stepped up behind me and laid her hand on the small of my back. Lovern’s deep blue eyes begged me. I had no choice. We had to save Crisi. My soul cried as I nodded and whispered, “Yes, I agree. You must go.”

The sea eagle and his hag won. My Fox was theirs.

C
HAPTER
17

AINE

M
AY
, 2005

“Marc,” I yelled. He was across the field, talking to Jack and walking slowly towards me. “Has Jimmy called yet?”

The work on the site was progressing. Along with George’s grant and the one I brought in last week, my small amount of money had grown to a modest size. Marc’s team was still here along with a few other young, freshly graduated archaeologists I’d hired through the available students listed on University website. All were working in various stages and places around the site. I took care of the finances, budgeting and paying the workers and bills with advice from both George and Marc. But this project was mine. My name was on the account, and I was signing the checks. I paid Marc’s students a stipend, and to save money we moved from the inn to a rental in Fort William. The four members of the ground-penetrating radar team were still residing in Mrs. Dingleberry’s Inn.

I’d hired a security company who had someone on site all the time, but I still wanted someone I knew there, especially overnight. Kendy and Matt were not the only ones who slept there now. To give them a break, we all took turns spending the night.

The sun was overhead in its rise to its zenith. We were in short sleeves, taking advantage of the unusually warm air. I shaded my eyes to see Marc. He stopped talking to Jack, the head of the ground-penetrating radar team, and waved to me. Jack and his equipment were here for the rest of today only. We’d been able to use the GPR longer than usual because George called in some favors, but it had to go. I couldn’t afford it any longer. Both Marc and I felt the urge to work until exhausted, trying to get as much of this sight mapped as possible.

The underground scanning followed a spiral grid system. The outside edge of the hilltop fort was charted first, and then we followed the spiral to the center, where we assumed the village square would be. We’d located the site we called the smithy, a building with large fire pits, and started excavating it as soon as it was mapped. One fire pit contained small pieces of charcoal that had been burned in intense heat. When we picked them up out of the clay that now held them, they almost turned to dust. I knew the smith had worked both bronze and iron from the heat of the fire that it took to make this charcoal. I believed the bronze bowl containing ashes that I found in the cave, the Raven Bowl, was fashioned here.

If I were given one wish, I’d want to meet the villagers who lived here. What did they say when they got up in the morning? I tried to envision the women who came to the well and wonder if they gossiped like me when I met friends at a coffee shop? I often picked up a handful of dirt and imagined who’d walked on it and who they loved. Maybe, just maybe, Jahna, the man she loved and her child had left footprints here. It was such an honor to be allowed to see through her eyes occasionally, but oh gods, how I wished I could speak with her. I had so many questions.

“Jack says they’ll pack up about four this afternoon,” Marc said as he walked to me, brushing his hair from his face.

His full head of copper hair has a bit more white in it,
I thought, smiling to myself.
I’ll have to remember to tell him about it tonight.
It was our turn to sleep in the tent.

“They’ve got one grid left to map and found the edge of what looks like the wall of a large building.”

“Super,” I said. “It might be the chieftain’s lodge. I’d hoped we’d find it before they left. How probable do you think it is that your tomb’s chieftain lived here?”

Marc turned to me with a look of incredulity. “What? That tomb is several days away in their mode of travel. Why do you think they would bury him there? No, Aine,” Marc said, shaking his head, “I don’t think there was much chance of that. What gave you that idea?”

“I was thinking about the bronze bowl I found here and the one I found at the tomb. She led me to both, Marc. Jahna led me to both.”

“You want me to tell you that my tomb is now part of your site? No. There is no connection. Just because you had a dream? No way. I said I understood that you believe in your dreams, but, dreams or not, I don’t think they could be connected.”

“Okay, Marc, okay. I was just wondering, talking out loud. You’re a bit testy today. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He turned to walk back to the tent and without looking at me said, “By the way, Jim’s office called and he’ll email you his report this evening.”

My breath caught in my throat. Now I’d have a date and finally know what the contents of the Raven Bowl were. I knew in my heart what or who it was, but now I could see my beliefs validated, even if only in my own mind. It was good enough for me right now.

“Wait, Marc! Did he say anything? When did he call? Why didn’t you tell me he was on the phone?”

Only a few steps away, he stopped walking, pivoted and faced me, his face dark. After a deep sigh he resignedly said, “Actually, I didn’t get to talk to him. His office called. About an hour ago, while you were indisposed. I’m sorry I forgot to tell you, but I’ve been busy here, too. I knew you’d check your email later so I guess I figured you’d find out.”

“How can I check my email later? You and I are here tonight! I wouldn’t have seen it until tomorrow.”

“Oh crap. I forgot we were out here tonight. Well, it wouldn’t have been a disaster. You’ve waited this long, a few more hours wouldn’t have hurt much. Now, I suppose you’ll want to go into town tonight. Since it was my fault for not telling you Jimmy’s office was on the phone, then go. I can stay here alone.”

I stepped closer to Marc, and he took a step back. “Marc? I’ve been on pins and needles waiting for this report. You know that. Why are you acting this way? Are you angry about something?”

“I got a call from the University and have to go back for the next term. I want to go to Wales and look in on that site. Doug said they’ve found coins from the early first century. That means it’s a site where the Romans had a fort during and after the time of Queen Bouddicea.”

“How exciting! Exactly the time period you love. No wonder you want to be there.”

“I should’ve been there for the discovery.”

There it was, a load of bricks on my back. He blamed me for not being there and that’s why he was angry. It was my fault.

“Marc, I asked you to stay in the beginning but we aren’t connected at the waist. I can handle this now. We’ve had fun getting to know each other again, but if you really want to go, then go! Gods. You’re sounding like such a little boy!”

His face turned red. “I’m up to my shoulders in a dilemma and don’t know how to dig myself out. I don’t want to go back to the University, but I may have to. Don’t make this more difficult than it has to be. Oh God, Aine, I’ve said things today that I really don’t mean. I’m sorry. I wish I could rewind the day but I can’t, and right now I have a decision to make.”

He quickly walked away. What had just happened? Stunned, I watched him go. Words wouldn’t form in my head, but I knew I didn’t want him to go. I wanted us to continue with our lovemaking and falling back in love.

I wanted… I wanted this site. I had to stay here and finish. I’d no choice. This was my life now.
Get a grip girl. Remember that.
I liked having him around, but I didn’t need him.
Okay, then why does it feel like the bricks on my back are now in my heart?

I wanted to go download the report so I ran to the van and then remembered the team would need it to get into town tonight. I slipped into the tent to get different keys, hoping not to run into anyone, but Lauri was there. She had a look of pity in her eyes as she handed the keys for the Rover to me. “Don’t worry, Aine,” she said. “He’s tired and angry with the University. He’ll calm down. I’ll bet all will be okay by tomorrow.”

Great, everyone heard!
I nodded and ran down to the car before anyone could see my tears.

The next day, Marc packed up the few things he had in our room. “I’ve decided to go. I’ve loved being here with you and want to be with you all the time. You are on my mind all day long now, Aine. But you won’t leave here, and I can’t stay.”

My heart stopped beating. I guess I was hoping for a miracle, but the real world stepped in and he was leaving. His equipment bag was already in the Rover.

“Did Jimmy email you his report?” Marc asked.

“No, I called and he’d wanted to finish one more test but I talked him into sending what he had today.”

“Good. Look, no one came to the site last night. I left everything in good condition with Tim. Lauri, Tim, Kendy and Matt decided to stay here and work for the next few weeks. They have to get back to University for the next term, too. I’ve given them leave to stay so you won’t be short-handed, but you should hire a few more people soon. You want to get as much done as you can before the end of the season.”

“Thank you. I’ll go back online and see who comes up.”

Outside, Matt waited to take him to the train. Marc threw his bag in, slid into the passenger side of the car and looked at me expectantly.

Christ, is he waiting for me to give in and ask him to stay? Why doesn’t he give in? My pride’s as important as his.
After Brad, I couldn’t be the one to cave here. I couldn’t give up my independence and ask him to stay. Not after all my work. Not now.

“Thank you for all your help here, Marc. It was invaluable.” There, just enough to tell him I couldn’t have done it without him but not gushy. It was hard saying that over the lump in my throat.

“Call me. I want updates,” he said. “I’m sure my mobile reception is good in Wales. And remember, I’ll be glad to help in anyway I can.”

A clean goodbye. No regrets from either of us. No promises made to be broken later.
Am I ever going to be able to breathe again?

I nodded. There was nothing more to say. Nothing would change where we were right then. I began to miss him as I waved goodbye and the Rover pulled away.

Three hours later, the report was on my computer, a full description of what we’d found, what I’d crawled into the cave and almost died for. I pored over it for hours, marveling at the pictures of the cleaned bronze bowl. The raven was in the center of the group of animals, flanked by a fox standing on its hind legs against an oak tree. I saw the outline of a smaller bird in the branches of the tree. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

George knocked on my door about 9 PM. I hadn’t come out of my room –Marc’s and my room – since Marc left.

“If you’re wondering,” he said, “Tim volunteered with Luke to stay tonight. The site is guarded.”

“Come in George. I’m sorry I’m being such a stick in the mud. It’s just Marc….”

“I know, dear. I know. I heard part of it. We all did.” I grimaced as he continued. “I brought you back some curry if you’re hungry.” He walked in carrying a plate of food. I’d not eaten all day.

“Please sit down, George.” I pointed to an empty chair. My room, filled with a table, the double bed Marc and I shared, and two chairs, was cramped. I was working; my laptop and the pictures we took of the cave were scattered around the top of the table. He scooted a few pictures aside and set the plate down.

“Mmmm. Smells good. I didn’t think I was hungry,” I said and nibbled at the curry.

“You know,” George started, “you’ll still be able to do you want to do, work this site. You have your hands on everything here and are doing well, just like I knew you would.”

“Oh, George, I know that. I just thought, well…. You know. But I have to be so careful after Brad. I need to finish this job to prove I can work. I need to prove it to myself and everyone else who doubted me. Not you, of course.”

“If it’s meant to be then it will happen. Just don’t let your pride stand in the way. So many hearts are broken because of our silly pride.”

Those two words marched through my head.
Silly pride, silly pride.
I swallowed a dry piece of chicken and slid my laptop around so he could see the screen.

“Here’s a picture of the slate that was lying on top of the bowl in the cave. They were able to clean it up, and look how bright the colors are.”

“It’s a double spiral labyrinth!” said George. “How beautiful. It looks as if its maker painted symbols on the slate around it. Did they say how old it is? I have several at home, but none like this.”