“They have the gold threads, you told me about it, so I know why the kids don’t complain.” I spoke to the horse, “What do you think, Finny, this is bull-caboodle, right? We shouldn’t have to go if we don’t want to go.”
Finny neighed.
“I winna stand for ye two gangin’ up on me, this is not a democracy, ye hae tae come because I am the laird of ye both.”
I began doing one-armed jumping jacks.
He said, “Och nae, ye are goin’ tae be the death of us.” He began doing jumping jacks with me, his kilt flapping, his boots stomping, his hair flying around.
He said, “Five, four, three, ye better do as ye are told?—”
“Fine, two, and one.”
I put my hand on his arm, clamped my eyes tight and pressed my forehead to his shoulder as the pain began.
CHAPTER 36 - MAGNUS
THE FIELD IN KING’S PARK - JUNE 19, 1291
Isaid, “Och tis a good night tonight.”
Fraoch said, “Tis better outside than in yer drafty castle.”
“Och nae, ye are calling it drafty? That is rude.”
Fraoch scoffed, “Ye goin’ tae argue the point, while we are out in the fields waitin’, ye want tae argue during it?”
“Nae... ye are right, tis verra drafty, in most rooms the wind blows right through the timbers.”
Fraoch said, “It winna once Sean oversees buildin’ the stone walls. All yer troubles will be solved with a good strong wall.”
I looked in the direction of the castle, seein’ only darkness against the night sky. “Twill be verra good, I canna look up at the walls without feelin’ scorn for the last king for the oversight.”
Fraoch said, picking at his fingernails in the beam from his headlamp. “When Quentin and James get here they will be lookin’ at the Big Picture, whileIwill be overseein’ the kickin’ of Arsegall’s arse. I daena like how we were treated when we rescued Ash, I demand a reckoning.”
Zach said, “Excellent use of the term ‘Big Picture’.”
“Tis a good phrase, it tells ye what ye need tae ken. Colonel Quentin will think on the overall strategy. I will be concentratin’on the death of Arsegall, bleeding out on the dirt by my feet, gaspin’ for?—”
I said, “Why is he dying atyerfeet? He ought tae die at Lochinvar’s feet,hewas the one wronged.”
Zach said, “The case could be made he should die at Ash’s feet, she was the most wronged.”
Fraoch shrugged, “Och, twould be fair, and I ken she could do it and she has the training — I hae modern views on ladies as ye hae observed, but I daena ken, Zach, it seems likely it ought tae be LochinvarforAsh. Or myself, because Arsegall is the reason I hae had tae move tae the thirteenth century, it makes me feel ornery. I would like him tae pay for m’mood.” He checked his watch. “They ought tae be here any moment, aye?”
I scanned the sky. “Aye, any minute now.”
Fraoch nodded and scuffed his foot through pebbles. “I canna wait tae discuss our strategy and pass out the weapons. I am certain Lochinvar must hae thought of ten ways tae kill him by now.”
I said, “How come ye arna mentionin’ Mag Mòr? I think tis as likely tae be me as anyone.”
Fraoch said, “Arsegall kidnapped Og Lochie’s wife, I daena think anyone else gets tae murder him but let’s agree tae disagree, one of the Brothers Campbell are goin’ tae kill him, that is the plan.”
We all grew quiet and sat waiting for the storm.
Finally, I glanced at my watch in a pool of light from a flashlight. Twas midnight. “I canna believe they dinna come."
Fraoch said, "Aye, we hae waited all day, och nae, what has happened? We need tae assume tis somethin’ dire. We hae tae mount a rescue.”
