36. Chapter 36 - Magnus

CHAPTER 36 - MAGNUS

THE FIELD IN KING’S PARK - JUNE 19, 1291

I said, “Och tis a good night tonight.”

Fraoch said, “Tis better outside than in yer drafty castle.”

“Och nae, ye are calling it drafty? That is rude.”

Fraoch scoffed, “Ye goin’ tae argue the point, while we are out in the fields waitin’, ye want tae argue during it?”

“Nae... ye are right, tis verra drafty, in most rooms the wind blows right through the timbers.”

Fraoch said, “It winna once Sean oversees buildin’ the stone walls. All yer troubles will be solved with a good strong wall.”

I looked in the direction of the castle, seein’ only darkness against the night sky. “Twill be verra good, I canna look up at the walls without feelin’ scorn for the last king for the oversight.”

Fraoch said, picking at his fingernails in the beam from his headlamp. “When Quentin and James get here they will be lookin’ at the Big Picture, while I will be overseein’ the kickin’ of Arsegall’s arse. I daena like how we were treated when we rescued Ash, I demand a reckoning.”

Zach said, “Excellent use of the term ‘Big Picture’.”

“Tis a good phrase, it tells ye what ye need tae ken. Colonel Quentin will think on the overall strategy. I will be concentratin’ on the death of Arsegall, bleeding out on the dirt by my feet, gaspin’ for?—”

I said, “Why is he dying at yer feet? He ought tae die at Lochinvar’s feet, he was the one wronged.”

Zach said, “The case could be made he should die at Ash’s feet, she was the most wronged.”

Fraoch shrugged, “Och, twould be fair, and I ken she could do it and she has the training — I hae modern views on ladies as ye hae observed, but I daena ken, Zach, it seems likely it ought tae be Lochinvar for Ash. Or myself, because Arsegall is the reason I hae had tae move tae the thirteenth century, it makes me feel ornery. I would like him tae pay for m’mood.” He checked his watch. “They ought tae be here any moment, aye?”

I scanned the sky. “Aye, any minute now.”

Fraoch nodded and scuffed his foot through pebbles. “I canna wait tae discuss our strategy and pass out the weapons. I am certain Lochinvar must hae thought of ten ways tae kill him by now.”

I said, “How come ye arna mentionin’ Mag Mòr? I think tis as likely tae be me as anyone.”

Fraoch said, “Arsegall kidnapped Og Lochie’s wife, I daena think anyone else gets tae murder him but let’s agree tae disagree, one of the Brothers Campbell are goin’ tae kill him, that is the plan.”

We all grew quiet and sat waiting for the storm.

Finally, I glanced at my watch in a pool of light from a flashlight. Twas midnight. “I canna believe they dinna come."

Fraoch said, "Aye, we hae waited all day, och nae, what has happened? We need tae assume tis somethin’ dire. We hae tae mount a rescue.”

I said, "Aye, I canna understand how Colonel Quentin inna where he said he would be. Tis unsettling, something must hae happened. He haena ever not done what he said he would do."

Fraoch said, "I will go get them from Balloch."

I exhaled, long. “Och, but I need ye, Fraoch, with the English King just miles away... Could I send Sean back, he could...?”

Fraoch said, “Ye ken the answer tae it, Sean canna. He has only ridden a vessel once, he wouldna ken what tae do if he got there and Quentin and Lochinvar werna there.”

“Where might they be?”

Fraoch shrugged.

Chef Zach said, “So we’re all going to ignore that I’m sitting right here? I can go.”

I shook my head, “Nae, ye canna.”

Chef Zach said, “Of course I can go, why ‘nae, ye canna’? Name one good reason why not. I’ve ridden these blasted vessels numerous times. I can shoot, I’ll be armed. My family is here, safe.”

“We daena ken what is happening, and I daena want tae separate any families right now. Emma is likely tae never forgive me.” I shook my head looking in the far distance, thinking. Finally I said, “Ye are right, Fraoch, ye will go. Ye can try tae return the followin’ day, ye will miss the meeting. But Sean will be here — he and Cailean and I can handle parleying with Eddie.”

Fraoch scowled.

“Tis fine, Fraoch, the negotiations are goin’ tae be peaceful. If they are nae I will shut them down and set them for another day when ye are returned.”

Fraoch said, “I guess twill be alright. And Sean and Cailean are able tae speak medieval arsewipe better than I, I hae forgotten how tae converse as I am almost fully a modern man now, from m’tooth down tae my boots. They will advise ye well, I will go be the hero and rescue Quentin and Lochinvar.”

I said, “Maybe ye ought tae take Madame Hayley with ye, then ye will hae two who ken how tae use the vessels.”

Fraoch thought for a moment and nodded. “Aye, she will be glad for somethin’ tae do. She daena like sitting around a castle much.”

I said, “But please daena tell Madame Hayley that I offered her tae go.”

“But ye did! What, Og Maggy, are ye afraid of m’wife?"

I chuckled, "Nae, not at all, but all the same, daena tell her twas my idea."

Then I looked down on the radio. “I suppose I hae tae tell Kaitlyn that Quentin dinna arrive, that Lochinvar and Ash dinna return.”

Zach said, “Radio ahead so they’ll be used to it by the time I get back. They’re going to freak out. Man, if I ever needed a kitchen to cook some comfort food it would be now.”

Fraoch said, “I am glad ye canna cook here, I would hate tae miss it while I am on m’mission.”

I pushed the button on the radio.

Kaitlyn answered.

I said, “None of them came.”

She whispered, “Ugh, Magnus, what happened to them?”

I said, “We daena ken.”

“What about the weapons? Oh no, you need the weapons!”

Fraoch pulled the radio from m’hand and said, “Will ye tell Hayley tae ready herself tae go? Tell her we leave in an hour.”

We had been standin’ in a tight circle, usin’ the ambient light from the moon tae see enough of each other while we discussed, but now twas time tae return tae the castle. Zach turned on his headlamp and we gathered our horses. But then I stopped, my hand on m’saddle and listened. “Dost ye hear it...?” I turned tae the southeast.

Fraoch stilled. “What...?” Then he said, “Och, ye are speakin’ metaphorically.”

“Aye, I hear the rumble of an army.”

Zach said, “Metaphorically speaking, that freaks me out.” He switched off his headlamp.

Fraoch said, “Aye, verra far away, but tis gatherin’, dost ye hear it? It sounds like the winds of war.”

I climbed on my horse. “Now tis just a breeze, but by the day after the morrow we need tae be expectin’ a full-force gale.”

Zach said, “I do not like the idea of that. The only storm I like these days are the ones that carry our family.”

Fraoch said, “Hear hear.” We all mounted our horses and rode toward the castle.

Hayley met us in the courtyard. “Where are we going first?”

He said, “Balloch.”

She looked down, “Okay, dressed well enough, I have some modern clothes in case we go to Florida.”

I said, “I hope it winna be necessary?—”

Sean walked up, “What are ye plannin’, Young Magnus? Nae one else arrived?”

I shook my head.

Fraoch said, “They dinna come, Hayley and I are goin’ tae check on the family and make sure all are well.”

Sean winced. “Och nae, they are certain tae need my protection.”

I chewed my lip. “Aye, Sean, though I could use yer help here, the meetin’ with the English King is tomorrow?—”

Fraoch looked at his watch and said, “Today now, tis after midnight.”

I said, “Och aye, tis a terrible time for Fraoch tae leave. I relented because I knew ye would be here for at least a few more days.”

He stared off at the walls. “I ken, ye need me, but I am worried on Maggie and m’sons. I want tae see if Lizbeth is well. Liam might need m’help. I understand, Young Magnus, but this is concernin’...” He shook his head. “Nae, I must go see tae them. I can come back, canna I come back once I check on them?”

I watched him, calculating, thinking of the promise made tae Lizbeth, who was worried on him. I had drawn him away from his family intae m’life, twas nae fair... I nodded. “Aye, ye can go tae Balloch, then ye can come back as soon as ye ken they are well. Then ye will build the walls.”

Fraoch chewed his lip. “Ye wanted Sean tae be here while I was gone.”

“I changed m’mind. He needs tae ken if his wife and bairns are well, there is too much unknown?—”

Fraoch said, “I could loop, I could try tae come back later taeday, ye could stall Edward. I could time travel intae the middle of the field and interrupt yer meeting. Och that would be a sight!”

“While that would be extraordinary, the last thing we need is looping, or for the King of England tae learn of time travel. Yer presence would be helpful, but perhaps tis not so critical. I am goin’ tae tell the English King he is an arse and tae get off my lawn, nae one needs tae be here for it.”

Sean said, “Daena start a war.”

I said, “A war? A war canna start now, the walls haena been built. The walls need tae be built first or the world inna fair.”

Fraoch said, “Probably the world inna fair, and ye ken it.” He checked his watch, then said, “Och, I wish there were more hours in a day and the ability tae return on the same day.”

I shrugged tae show I was more assured than I felt. “I will meet the English King with Cailean and Chef Zach at m’side. This is the way it will go. I winna argue about?—”

Kaitlyn’s voice squawked over the radio. “Hey, you home?”

I spoke intae it. “I returned, aye, I am in the courtyard, but now must return tae the field with Fraoch, Hayley, and Sean, I am sending them tae Balloch.”

Her voice sounded sleepy. “Oh, Sean too?”

“Aye, he would like tae check on his family and I am makin’ decisions in the middle of the night.”

Her voice: “On very little sleep.”

“Tis fine, mo reul-iuil, sleep for both of us, I winna be back for a couple of hours.”

“Good night, my love.”

I turned tae everyone, “Ye ready tae leave?”