“Castlerough? Why aren’t I in Florida?” he asked. He knew something was wrong, even though he couldn’t quite place his finger on it. “Florida?” she asked, confused. Her slim fingers lingered at the cloth upon his forehead. His hair was matted against his face and Brian groaned with effort as he tried to sit up in the bed. The girl quickly stood up and helped him into a sitting position. Now that he was sitting, Brian quickly noticed his surroundings. The roof was thatch and the walls were plain wood. It was a small room, with a round basin filled with steaming water. The decoration was few and the layout was simple. It wasn’t like anything that Brian had ever seen, even the cabin that his cousin Kevin had lived in for a while. “Yeah... Florida. I’m still in the U.S., right?” he asked. He looked around the room, examining the white porcelain plates that aligned the wall. It had a homey quality to it.
The girl was even more confused. “What is the U.S.?” she asked. She tilted her head to the side and she stared at him. “Are you feeling better? You have been sleeping for eight days already.” Brian brought his hand to his head, massaging his temples. They were still throbbing painfully, even after his vain attempt to calm it. “I don’t think so- I have a huge headache.” His eyes dulled as he looked up again at her. “What do you mean, ‘what is the U.S,’?” She shrugged her narrow shoulders, peering at him. “Well, is it another province in France?” Brian felt his heart stop completely. “France!?” he exclaimed, his voice shrill and high. “Oh no, this isn’t happening to me,” he muttered. He wanted to slap himself to wake up, but he knew that this wasn’t a dream; this was real. “What year?” he asked impatiently. Hurt was evident in her peaceful eyes as she looked down. “It’s 1362, sir...” Brian’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor as he bent down to hold his head in his hands. All his pain had magically disappeared as soon as he realized that he was in an even worse situation that he had originally thought. ‘How can I get out of here?’ he thought anxiously. She had shrunk off to a corner as soon as she noticed his rage. Brian turned around to face her and immediately felt a huge wave of guilt wash over himself. He had been so ignorant of her care and help, and he could see it plain as day in her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he began. He could see her take a few tentative steps in his direction, “but I’m afraid that I don’t belong here. I don’t even know how I got here!” he tried to force a laugh but he was too weak. Instead, he pulled his mouth into a wavering smile. “You were in the fields, sir. I found you as I was walking towards the river to fetch water. I’m sorry if that was wrong,” she apologized. Her hands were pulling on the cloth nervously. Brian’s tone immediately softened. “No, and I want to thank you,” he smiled shyly. He suddenly had a huge urge to cry, but he held it in and looked at her. She wasn’t sure whether to approach the strange man or to stay in a safe part of the room.
There was an uncomfortable silence soon after and Brian felt the headache return. “What’s your name?” he asked through clentched teeth. His headache had returned, as bad as ever. She didn’t reply as she took the cloth and slowly dipped it in the water. She wringed it out and walked over to Brian’s side. He sighed as the steamy water soothed his stinging eyes and pulsing head. She felt her hand behind his head as she gently lay him back onto the pillow. “My name is Etienne,” she said softly. Brian smiled under closed eyes. “That’s a pretty name,” he replied. “My name is Brian.” “Do you want to rest now?” Etienne asked. She stared at his peaceful face and thought that he had fallen asleep until answered. “No, not really. I feel like I’ve been sleeping for weeks now. Just stay and talk to me.”
Etienne looked unsure at the man lying in her bed. She could tell that, even through his anger that he had shown a moment ago, he had a kind heart. “Alright,” she smiled. She kneeled beside the bed, upon the wooden floor. She knew that her father wouldn’t be pleased if she dirtied up her dress, but at that moment in time, she didn’t care. Her thoughts were interupted by another of his questions. “So I’m really in France, huh...” he said. It was more of a statement than a question, and the reality of his words sent his mind spinning. “Yes, where else would you be?” Etienne asked. She still believed that this Brian person was probably a little on the insane side, but she was curious to what he would answer. “Well, I guess... Actually, I have no clue right now,” Brian chuckled demurely and pushed the cloth away from his eyes so he could open them again.
Her back was towards him as she leaned against the side of the bed, staring off into space. There was another silence, but this time Brian didn’t feel the tension. “I know that I’m not from around here,” Brian announced. “I knew that already- You have an accent,” she laughed. “And the strangest one at that.” “I have an accent?” Brian feigned surprise. “You should talk!” The girl bent down and giggled. She turned around, looking at him straight in the eyes. “You have a strange sense of humor, you know that, right?” “If this is the 1300’s, how come you speak English so well?” Brian asked. The name was French and the accent was also, but Brian couldn’t understand for the life of him why she was speaking such perfect English.
The laughter and smile immediately slipped off her face as she looked down. “I used to live in the Lord’s castle as their children’s tutor. I was required to teach them both proper English and French,” she laughed dryly. “No one else knows anything proper around here.” “So why aren’t you there anymore?” Brian asked softly. He turned on his side and leaned on his hand, propped up in a half sitting, half lying down position. “It was before the new Lord came into power,” she said coldly. “Many people were killed and those who survived are suffering right now.” She stood up from the ground and smoothed down her dress.
“Are you hungry? I have some soup boiling.” As soon as she mentioned soup, Brian’s stomach rumbled. “Yeah, I am hungry.” “Can you get up?” He smiled weakly, looking pitifully into her eyes. “I’m pretty sure I can,” he groaned as every muscle and bone contracted in protest. She leaned over and slowly guiding Brian off the bed. “Thanks...” She didn’t reply, but Brian saw everything in her eyes. His steps were slow and uneven for he had been sleeping for more than a week already. His body wasn’t used to such sudden movement and he had a hard time keeping balance.
The pleasant aroma of beef suddenly wafted over to him as he followed her through the door. She looked back once or twice to see that he was all right and continued on to a large black pot sitting upon a hearth. She walked over and began to ladle out two bowls of steaming hot stew. “You must be starving,” she commented as she noticed Brian’s eyes grow as wide as saucers with hunger at the sight of food. Not wanting to sound ignorant or rude, he smiled thankfully. “I am, and you are my lifesaver,” he said, half teasing and half serious. Etienne blushed and placed the bowls upon the table. “If you’re hungry for more, just tell me.” She pulled out a chair and waited for Brian to sit down; he just stood there, staring at her. “What?” she asked, uncomfortable under his gaze. Brian quickly smiled and replied, “Nothing... Just, thanks- for everything.” “I believe that you said that already.” “So I did...”