Fraoch said, “Och ye are a softy in yer auld age, Og Maggy, the lad dinna bring yer weapons and ye are goin’ tae be joyful?”
Magnus said, “Aye, daena misunderstand, I am verra disappointed he dinna bring the weapons. He dinna even bring his horse, tis as if he has forgotten everything.”
A guardsman gave us a horse, I helped Ash up, she whispered, “I have to?”
I whispered back, “Wheesht — aye, ye must, Ash, ye canna walk. Put yer hand here.”
I pushed her up and climbed intae the saddle behind her. A look of amusement passed between Magnus and Fraoch.
I held her around the middle and directed our horse tae follow behind Dràgon. “In m’defense, I dinna ken the English King was threatenin’ ye.”
Fraoch said, “Chef Zach, dost ye hear him makin’ his excuses?”
Chef Zach chuckled, “Leave me out of it, no one would trust me with bringing the weapons.”
Fraoch said, “True, we wouldna ask ye tae, but we would trust ye tae do it if asked.”
I said, “Och nae, Fraoch, I wanted tae come get married, I dinna consider the rest of it. I will ride Ash up tae the castle and then go get the weapons, I will leave before dawn.”
Magnus said, “Ye canna, the turn around is too tight, ye need the three-day window...”
I exhaled. “I dinna think about that… but I daena hae tae. I could risk it.”
Magnus said, “Tis fine, Quentin will bring them, we might as well accept they arna here now. We will make do.”
Ash said, “I am so sorry, I’m the one who talked Lochie into all of this, I just had no idea.”
I said, “Ash, tis not yer fault, twas my responsibility.”
She said, under her breath, “But we were supposed to be a team. I forced you to marry me, you haven’t slept in days, I feel really bad about it.”
“Tis fine, Ash, daena worry, they are just harassin’ me, tis a normal occurrence.”
I saw Magnus, able tae hear us, nod his head, then he said, “But ye ken, Fraoch, a weddin’ is always a good thing, ye ken tis.”
Fraoch was riding along behind us. “Aye, tis, a verra fine thing. When I am not so irritated I will tell Og Lochie that I am verra pleased about it.”
Magnus chuckled and said, “When dost ye want tae hae the ceremony, Lochinvar?”
I scowled, “I hoped as soon as I arrived, but tis as dark as a bear’s arse at midnight. What time is it?”
Chef Zach said, “Midnight.”
I huffed. “I suppose tis too late.”
Magnus said, “On the morrow we will plan it, we will hae a verra big feast, the priest will marry ye, if we wait for the followin’ day Colonel Quentin will be here, twould be good tae hae the full family?—”
“I would like tae do it first thing in the morn?—”
Magnus turned in his saddle. “In the morn! What is yer hurry?”
I chewed my lip. “Tis important that I marry her in front of m’family afore we continue on with each other... ye ken?”
Magnus nodded and turned back around. “Aye, I see, ye must be married.”
“Aye.”
“Then, naething else matters, all else will wait, first thing in the morn we will gather in the chapel.”
