I said, “Ye ken what I am sayin’, Ben…” I glanced at Jack. “I need ye tae stay behind and watch over the family.”
Ben nodded. “Aye, I ken.”
“And I will be right back as soon as I can.”
Uncle Fraoch grinned, baring the hole where his tooth had been, now just a screw sticking out of his gum as he had broken the fake tooth off five years earlier. “What about me? Why canna I go? I ken a lot more about the vessels. Ye daena remember even usin’ them, ye are just a bairn in the scheme of it. Ye ought tae stay and let Uncle Frookie solve all of this.”
I exhaled, considerin’. “Uncle Fraoch, I need ye tae stay here, watch over Jack. Ye ken, I need ye tae, we need continuity incase, plus Aunt Hayley would kill me.” I turned my attention tae Ben. “Besides we hae Uncle Wallace’s battle comin’ up, and we’re helpin’ Uncle Cailean build our army, when I get back we are goin’ tae ride intae battle, we want tae retake my throne.”
Ben said, “Aye, I understand, I get it, but when ye come back could ye bring medicine for Mom?—?”
Jack said, “Ye will come home, right, Archie,promise?”
“I promise. I will come home, I will bring medicine.”
Uncle Fraoch said, “Ye are verra young tae go on a dangerous trip alone, how old are ye, barely eighteen?”
Ben said, “Uncle Frookie, he’s practically middle-aged.”
Uncle Zach nodded, “If we can get rescued before Emma’s accident that would be... you know, really good — need anything, want food for the trip?”
I said, “Nae, I ought tae get movin’.”
Uncle Fraoch climbed off his horse and came over. “Ye hae some coins?”
“Aye, in the bag.” He poured some gold coins in my hand anyways.
Ben said, “And ye hae yer sword. Tis all ye need.”
Uncle Fraoch said, “Och, lads, it has been a long time since ye’ve been in the modern world. I can think of many things Archibald might need?—”
Uncle Zach said, “A phone, a credit card, a?—”
Jack asked, “What’s a credit card?”
Chef Zach pretended tae cry. “Tis a glorious card with which ye can buy all the food ye want.”
I said, “I hae all I need, and as soon as these people... Liam and Blakely are ready, we will jump.”
Liam groaned. “Again? Och nae.”
Isla interrupted and looked at Blakely, “Did ye bring anythin’ with ye from modern days? We are out o’everything.”
Blakely said, “Oh, let me see.” She dug in her pockets. “My phone, the... I have a chapstick and a pack of gum.”
Isla’s eyes went wide.
Blakely stood with a groan and approached the lassies. “I wish I had more.”
Zoe said, “Tis alright, we can share.” She opened the pack and counted. “Jack, ye want a piece of gum?”
He put out his hand. “What is it?”
Uncle Fraoch said, “Ye chew it. Twill taste like mint and sweet honey, dost ye hae anymore, Zoe?”
Zoe said, “There are only three pieces, Uncle Frookie, ye can hae mine.”
Uncle Fraoch said, “Nae, ye hae it, lassie, twas verra sweet ye offered. I will chew on that, twill keep me comforted.”
