“I am armed, and they were lyin’ in the dirt. They couldna hurt me. I could hae stabbed them through afore they wakened if I wanted.”
Liam groaned.
Uncle Fraoch said, “I am only sayin’, ye are a king, ye ought tae take more caution.”
I said, “If I am truly the king, I daena think I ought tae be cautious at all. I am nae certain why I ought tae be anythin’ but fierce while I take back m’father’s throne.”
Uncle Fraoch said, “I ken, Archibald, I ken, but we ought tae wheesht, the forest overhears.”
Uncle Zach said, “Let’s focus on the issue at hand — when do we leave? Florida is calling our name, we need to get Em to a hospital.”
I chewed my lip.
Uncle Fraoch said, “From the looks on their faces, daena get yer hopes up, Chef Zach.”
Ben said, “Dad, think it through, we daena get tae leave?—”
Uncle Zach said, “What the—? But Emma needs a hospital, and we’ve been here for years! No, I won’t stand for it, fuck that, no.” He sighed. “Fine, I get it, yeah… if we get rescued before Emma’s accident, before we run out of our first aid kit?—”
Ben said, “Before Jack grows up without parents.”
“Aye, I know, I understand, but damn... this sucks, right, Frookie?”
“Och, ye went through all the emotions, and aye, it sucks verra bad, but ye ken we will save Madame Emma long months of pain, and besides that, ye daena want tae get rescued in yer current state. I ken ye daena hae a mirror, but ye’ve gone well wrong.”
“Speak for yourself, Frookie-bear. I look lovely, everyone thinks so.”
Jack, Isla, and Zoe rode up. Uncle Zach said, “Isn’t that right, Zoe?”
“What, Dad?”
“That I look lovely.”
Isla and Zoe laughed.
Ben said, “Ye ken Mom wants ye tae cut yer beard.”
Uncle Zach’s beard was so long he kept it draped over his shoulder. “That’s because your mom doesn’t know anything about high Scottish medieval fashion.”
Jack dropped down from his horse and stood beside Ben. “What’s it say?”
I said, “Lady Mairead, our grandmother, sent us a message. She wants me tae take this vessel and go get our Ma and Da.”
Jack nodded his head. “Can ye?”
“Aye, I think I can, Jack, I will?—”
Jack said, “Promise?” Then he howled, “Awhooh!” like a wolf.
I said, “Aye,” and howled like a wolf back at him, “Awoooh!”
Ben, Isla, and Zoe joined us, “Awoooh!” our full pack howl.
Liam and Blakely seemed dazed as they quietly watched our discussion.
I said, “I promise I will either get them back, or I will return. I promise, ye winna miss me, Jack, because nae matterwhatI will be back. But, all that aside, the letter said I must move fast. This vessel was dug up, then used, it might be fleeting. It could terminate at any time.”
Ben said, “I still think ye might need me though, I am offerin’ tae lend ye my sword, ye ought tae consider it.”
