I scoffed. “Fraoch, dost ye remember any beggin’?”
Fraoch, his thumbs hooked in his belt, said, “Nae, as I remember it, ye won the joust then ye looked Eddie right in the eyes and demanded he back yer cause. When he refused, ye won the throne anyway.”
Cailean added, “Mag Mòr fought many a-battle against the men ye backed, and won them all.”
I said, “I laid waste tae the armies of Ormr and Domnall, who, I will remind ye, ye backed for the Scottish throne.”
Fraoch added, “Then m’brother Lochinvar and I killed them in the arena.”
From behind Edward, in the crowd, a man’s voice sounded, “And how is Lochinvar? He is well?” Whoever it was, I couldna tell as he was cloaked and shrouded in darkness.
Edward commanded over his shoulder. “Quiet, no speaking.”
Fraoch narrowed his eyes. “Who said that? Show yerself.”
I scanned the crowd, narrowing it down tae one man. I glanced at Fraoch, he had followed my eyes.
He nodded.
I glanced at Sean, his gaze was directed on the same man.
I returned my attention tae Edward. “Why are ye here, attemptin’ tae intimidate us?”
Haggis beside me growled low and deep.
Sean tapped my shoulder. I followed his eyes to the man I suspected, I couldna make out his face, yet I felt certain he was the time traveler — twas Asgall? It could be, though I had only seen one photo of him.
But the lamp made it clear, Edward was fraternizin’ with time travelers.
“…We have come north because we believe you have forgotten that you sit on a throne because we have allowed you to possess it.”
I said, keepin’ my voice steady, “Ye are not our overlord, ye must remove yerself from our land. If ye remain I will meet ye in the battlefield.”
He said, “We will not continue this conversation. You have already lost, Mag Mòr, king of the medieval Scots. We lead a mighty force. We understand you are not used to being told what to do, but we demand you surrender your throne. Now.”
The man who I had been watching pushed through the crowd to the back of the tent, ducked under the canvas, and left.
I met Sean’s eyes. He nodded, and left the tent tae follow him.
Then Edward said, “We see you have brought your son.”
Haggis growled.
I narrowed my eyes. “Daena speak on him — where is yer man goin’?”
“Which man?”
“The man who was behind ye, over there.”
He said, “He is notourman.” His voice sent a chill down my spine.
I said, “I hae had enough of ye, Edward. Ye will gather yer men and leave the way ye hae come, or I will bring down a force upon ye that will?—”
There was a scuffle outside, men yellin’.
Cailean whispered, “I will go see about the uproar, Mag Mòr.”
I glanced behind me, Zach had pulled the boys close. Haggis was behind them, facing the wall of the tent, growling.Had someone been sneaking up on my son?
