“Perhaps the Kingdom of Riaghalbane, sire, we discussed challenging them for their throne?—”
“I meant tae,” I waved my hand, “but I daena hae the bloodline, and I hae grown disinterested in all of that anyway?—”
“I thought you looked forward to training for the arena?—”
“It has lost its luster. Think of it, Jim, really think — Magnus built an arena, ye expect me tae enter it and play by his rules?”
“No, sire, that does not?—”
“It would be a lark, of course, tae train and challenge him, let it all play out.”
I leaned forward for yet another cigarette, saying while I did, “I would ratherenjoybeating his arse, possibly in a long duel, with blood and gore and a great deal of brutal pain, even havin’ my own arse beat — I’m not much interested in failure, but I do enjoysomeonehavin’ their arse kicked, even if tis m’own... and ye ken, I wouldna die.Hewould die, I would like taeseehim die, but it needs tae be a game — this is... see, Jim, this is the problem — I like a game. I want revenge — I’ll remind ye, he walked intae my compound and stole the woman who I had contracted tae be m’wife and the unborn son who was legally mine. Magnus would deserve the cruelty, daena ye think?”
“Yes, definitely, sire, revenge is the best idea.” Then the color left his face as a wolf howled again.
I listened. “Sounds like wolves are comin’ closer, would ye like tae hae the window closed?”
He gulped and tugged at his collar. “No, we need the air, I think, sire, but... how big are wolves, would they fit through the window?”
I shrugged. “I imagine they would... We are in a brothel on the edge of the New World. The Old World belongs tae the wolves and beasts of the past, they howl in the night. They might want tae come see what we are up tae.”
There was a long faraway howl.
I said, “Speaking of the Old World, I asked ye if Magnus would deserve the cruelty.”
He nodded. “He would, yes, this is his problem, he is a traditionalist. He believes in thrones and bloodlines.”
“And he keeps his family close.”
I stared at the burning ember on the end of my cigarette. “I daena want his throne, but I would like him tae suffer. And I would like tae get the woman back. Tis why I hae had ye gather all ye could about them.”
I drained the whisky in my glass.
“My plan will be tae menace and dismay King Magnus, not for the throne, but tae ruin him — twill be fun. I will watch him twist in the wind, tryin’ tae save his family and his throne, only tae realize I wanted naething more than tae bring him tae a miserable end.”
“I have arranged another meeting with King Edward of England. He looks forward to beginning the campaign.”
“I suppose I will hae tae return tae the thirteenth century — see, Jim, this is Magnus’s problem, he has honor, he does what he says he will do — it sounds particularly unpleasant, daena it, Jim? Tae be ruled by duty? Tae feel bound tae live in the thirteenth century?” I shivered. “I tried livin’ back then, I lasted a week.”
“Yes, sire, it sounds bleak.”
“Especially once the English King begins lobbing cannonballs at his castle. Och aye, I look forward tae it. I imagine Magnus will be verra discomposed by the attack. Wallace is joinin’ us?”
“Yes, page six, you convinced him.”
I flipped tae that page and chuckled. “Och, tis verra entertainin’ — William Wallace! I canna wait tae see the look on Magnus’s face.”
I shuffled through the stack, finding one that mentioned the layout of Stirling castle. “The walls are built of timber and stone — if I give Edward a catapult, specially made — better yet, a tank.” I flicked ashes on the rug again.
Jim said, “His whole family is there... Both sons and his daughter. His wife, his brother Fraoch, and others.”
“Where is Lochinvar and m’wife? They arna there?”
He looked at the front and back of a paper. “I am not certain, I believe they are at Balloch Castle in the year 1710 or?—”
I narrowed m’eyes, “They never left?”
“I sent spies as you requested, but I am not certain. They are either in 1710 or 1683.”
