He looked down at his bloody clothes. “Yet, I am a brave warrior, and a skilled swordsman. I fight tae win.”
“That’s good, these are good qualities, and as the king’s brother you need to say things likethat— less rampaging, more considered and thoughtful.”
He squinted. “Ye daena want me tae say, ‘I will make m’enemies writhe at m’feet, beggin’ fer mercy, as I bash their lives from them...?’ Even if tis true?”
I exhaled. “Even if it’s true. Instead you ought to say, ‘I am a skilled swordsman, I will win when called upon to battle.’ No bashing.”
“Aye, Yer Majesty, I daena ken why I tried tae sound so brutal. I daena rampage unless it is in a battle, and usually tis when the laird has commanded me tae fight or die. Today was the first battle I fought for m’self, because Magnus is a fair laird, and m’brother, and I promised I would protect Lady Mairead’s family.”
I said, “That’s a much better way to talk about it, Lochinvar, here in the future we do not want fearsome, uncivilized, rampaging men.”
His brow drew down. “Tis confusin’ as there was an arena battle tae the death just hours ago—”
A knock on the door interrupted. The house manager passed in some basic clothes and a pair of shoes for Lochinvar.
I passed him the stack. “There are contradictions in the future, you have to be civilized and never fight, but you might want to always be ready to fight.Especiallyas a son of Donnan.”
“Donnan must hae been a strong king tae hae such a glorious kingdom, tae hae raised such a brave son in King Magnus.”
“Obviously you never met him. Donnan was a horrible person. King Magnus turned out brave and wonderfuldespitehis horrible father. Give credit for his wonderfulness to Lady Mairead and his Uncle Baldie.”
“I will give credit tae his Uncle Baldie. Ye canna give credit tae his mother, mothers make warriors weak, everyone kens it.”
“Another thing to never say, especially not where Lady Mairead can hear you.”
I pointed at the clothes in his arms. “After your shower you’ll put this on. Then we’ll take you for a beard trim and haircut, you’re hairy as a ginger bear.”
He made his voice sound like a growl, “Aye, Yer Majesty, I will get cleaned up so I am nae a bear, but I will go fast because m’stomach is a’growlin’ a’ready.”
I laughed, “I can absolutely tell you're related to Magnus.”
I sat on a chair in the outer room while he showered. After a long time I knocked. “It’s all right in there?” He emerged a long time after that. He had some greasy conditioner and some bubbles in his hair still, his shimmery pale blue shirt was stuck to his body with dampness, but he smelled like a flower garden.
He smiled, the blue of his shirt contrasting against his ruddy pink skin. “I feel a great deal better, thank ye.”
“Now here’s the thing, I want to go back to Magnus. Do you want me to take you to the kitchens first for some food?”
He nodded.
I led him down the hall, passing the elevator, and instead taking the stairs. Everyone backed to the wall and bowed as we passed.
He looked all around dumbfounded.
“You probably want to know what everything is, right?”
“Aye,” he cast his eyes down, “But tis too much tae look at.”
I led him into the kitchens where the house manager rushed up to help as this wasnotsomewhere I was supposed to be without a lot of fanfare. I said, “This young man needs to be fed a hero’s feast, but,” I glanced at his face, he licked his lips looking around at all that food. “while that’s being whipped up he needs a sandwich to tide him over.”
“Of course.” She rushed around ordering the staff to prepare a sandwich. She seemed shocked that I stood there. “Will you be waiting, Your Highness?”
“Yes, and how about a small one for me and one for Magnus as well.”
“The king wants a sandwich? We just fed him!”
I joked, “Well, I haven’t asked him, but it’s safe to assume.”
A few moments later I was followed through to the royal infirmary with three people: the manager to manage our progress, a steward to carry the tray, and one of Magnus’s nurses, alerted to the fact that the king was hungry. They all followed me as I led Lochinvar to the infirmary waiting room. I said, “Sit.”
