72. Chapter 72 - Magnus

Iwent tae my room, warm from a built up fire. I undressed and climbed intae bed. Fraoch was right, I had a mattress that wasna good enough. I would bring new. I would bring bedding. I would bring comfort for Cailean — I was asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.

There was a knock a few hours later.

"I am up!"

Fraoch's voice, "Daena sound like it, ye are generally taller, yer voice is comin' up from near the ground."

"Och nae, ye are a trial and tribulation." I tossed my heavy blankets off and climbed from bed.

"Tis the nicest thing ye ever said. Dress, Yer Majesty, the Dawn awaits."

Two attendants helped me dress in a fine tunic with a fresh cloak with embroidered details along the edging. My brooch, holdin' the cloak at my chest, was verra fine, with a large red stone. My gold crown was brought in and placed upon my head.

We left my chamber and met Fraoch in the hall. I passed him m'leather bag that contained m'pens and the book.

He said, "I am tae carry the king's handbag?"

"Aye, ye must, it winna go with m'fine long dress."

He laughed and slung it on his shoulder and then he walked with me, surrounded by my guard, down tae the courtyard where we met Cailean, already there, arranging the crowd.

I climbed up ontae a rough platform. There were a couple hundred people there, a verra grand crowd for such a spontaneous event. I was filled with gratitude, similar tae the feelin' I had when I made the Dawn Address in Riaghalbane. I also felt surety, this was what I needed tae do — twas the Dawn of my Empire, I had tae mark the moment.

The crowd cheered and I raised my hands, askin' them tae quiet.

Then I unfolded the speech.

I looked down on it, and somehow, suddenly it dinna seem right.

I looked out over the crowd, there was a dim light, a cold chill, tae the east a glimmer of light, I began...

"Welcome tae m'first Dawn Address. I wanted tae speak tae ye about the battles we hae waged and the challenges that the kingdom has faced in the past. It has been a dark time, but ye are resilient and determined. We, the people of Alba, hae overcome adversity and we stand here now, in the heart of Stirling, the seat of power for our kingdom, and we are determined and strong. There inna an army in the world that can defeat us, for we are the mighty lands of Scotland, and bow down tae none."

The sun began tae rise, castin' a warm glow over the gathered crowd.

There was cheering, and as the sun emerged over the timber walls, I began tae pray, sayin', as I had in Riaghalbane, that with the dawn I prayed for peace for our kingdom, safety, and wellbein' of the subjects of Scotland. That along with the rising sun, we must be filled with hope for the comin' day, our minds full of gratitude for our blessings and the peace reigning over the lands.

I added, as the sky was clear, with my standard flying against a sky becoming blue, "This is a dawn of a new era, a prosperous and peaceful future, and when, someday, my son takes the throne?—"

A man from the front row yelled, "Ye hae a son?"

I smiled. "Aye, I hae two sons, the eldest is Archibald, a good strong name for a leader, ye will meet him soon enough. Though I warn ye, he is young. I hae years left as yer king."

The crowd began tae chant, "Long Live the King! Long Live Mag Mòr! Long Live the King! Long Live Mag Mòr!"

Fraoch and I were sitting at the high table enjoyin' a large breakfast. He said, "Now with this good meal and the meal last night, my lack is almost filled."

He shoveled eggs in his mouth. "Ye did well this morn, yer wee speechy was inspirin'."

"Thank ye, Fraoch."

"Course ye could hae said more about strength and kickin' the arse of yer enemies, but I get what ye were doin' tryin' tae give the people hope and meanin'."

"Aye, but I am still goin' tae kick the arse of m'enemies, as soon as I find him."

"Good, I will draw m'sword alongside ye. Onward tae a hopeful future, slayin' our enemies, Long Live the King!"

I chuckled. "Ye were inspired."

"Aye, it came tae me that I was right, ye had tae come take the throne here tae fix the timeline. Yer subjects werena callin' ye dead, they were yellin' Long Live the King, I am the hero here."

"I think Lochinvar agreed with ye, he helped convince me."

"Og Lochie is a man-child without sense. He only agreed with me because he kens I am his better. Nae, twas all me! I am the hero! Ye are crowned king of Scotland with my help."

"We walked in through the front door."

He chuckled. "Ye ken it took a great many battles tae gain it."

"I ken. It might take a few tae keep it. We shall see."

I finished m'plate of food and pushed it away. "In the meantime, I daena like bein' without Kaitlyn and the bairns, if I am tae remain here, holdin' the kingdom, we need tae bring our family."

"Ye are assumin' that I am goin' tae live here as well?"

"Ye would leave me here in the thirteenth century tae hold a kingdom on m'own?"

"Of course I winna leave ye, but ye ought tae ask."

"Fraoch would ye stay here as m'hand?"

"Och nae, I canna believe ye think ye hae tae ask! What kind of brother dost ye take me for?"

"The kind who needs an arse whoopin', as James would say."

Fraoch laughed.

I opened the bag and pulled out the book and the pens, passin' one tae Fraoch.

"What's this for?"

"We are goin' tae send a message tae Archie, tae set his mind at ease and askin' him tae come."

Fraoch pushed his plate away.

I turned the book so it was open between us. "Ye draw on that page and I will draw upon this one."

I uncapped the pen and wrote beside an illumination of a man walkin' upon the flourish of an A:

All is well.

Under it I wrote the date.

June 15, 1291

Under that I wrote:

Please come.

Then I signed it:

Magnus

Fraoch began tae draw on the edge of the facing page. He wrote:

Fraoch is here.

Under it he drew a man holding a fishing pole.

"What is that for?"

"So Hayley will ken tae bring m'fishing pole."

"Och tis a verra good idea." I flipped the page.

I drew a dog.

"So they will bring Haggis."

"Awesome, but Lady Mairead told ye tae mark it verra small on only one page."

"Tis my book, I was given it. Besides, when hae I ever done what she asked of me? I think it would be unsettlin' tae her if I were tae become obedient now."

Fraoch drew an orange tree that filled up the facin' page. "Tae keep away the scurvy."

"Verra good idea."

I drew three horses, but had tae continue the horse rear on the followin' page.

"Och, Lady Mairead is goin' tae murder ye."

He drew a PlayStation controller.

"What can I ask for that will make the food taste better?" I drew a portrait of Chef Zach.

He laughed.

I drew four forks. "So we winna be barbarians when we eat."

"This is a fun game."

"Aye. We need tae fill every page." On the first page I drew a sun and wrote:

Tis dawn, we are beginning.

Fraoch drew a roll of toilet paper.

After we filled the book with drawings upon every page, he said, "Will they receive the message ye think?"

"I daena ken. Tae be considered, we will send ye tae go get them. Kaitlyn and I ended up on different timelines once, I daena want anything tae go wrong. Ye go get them, bring them here."

"Good plan. That way if Hayley daena understand m'entreaties tae bring the fishing pole, I can tell her directly." He flipped through tae the page and looked over the drawing.

He drew an arrow toward the pole. "Nae, there is nae way she winna understand. Tis a perfect drawing of m'self holding the pole. But I will still go. Who else dost ye want me tae bring?"

I thought for a moment. "Anyone who wants tae come is welcome. I daena think we can return tae Amelia Island for a time... but Lady Mairead will return tae Riaghalbane. If some would like tae go tae the kingdom with her, they can, or they may remain at Balloch. Tis their choice."

I flipped through tae the last page and wrote:

Tha neart againn mar aon.

Meaning, ‘We hae strength as one,' and underlined it with a drawing of a sword.

Fraoch said, "Who is that for?"

"For whoever needs tae hear it."

Fraoch nodded. "I will gather m'things tae go."

"I will ride with ye tae the woods in m'park. Ye will return in three days and we will hae the feast Cailean promised me."