Then he asked, “Did ye take liberties with my sister?”
I was shocked. “Nae, I wouldna! I am yer humble servant, Torin, and yer companion. I hae been fightin’ alongside ye for years.”
“But ye hae taken liberties with many a lass! Ye were on a ‘journey taegether’ — how many days did ye accompany the Princess?”
“We were held north of Ballatar and had tae travel south tae?—”
“Ye stayed in inns?”
I nodded. “I wanted tae get her home, but our vessel wouldna work. We journeyed south and shared rooms in inns. Twas all I could do. I had tae try tae keep her safe. I want ye tae ken, Max, as I hae sworn allegiance tae ye, I swore an oath tae the Princess, too. I swore I would get her home and that I would reunite ye both together. I swore I would fight alongside ye tae help ye win the kingdom back. But then she became ill and I was tryin’…”
I felt overcome with emotion, she had been so sick, I wasna certain she had survived it.
He shook his head.
I said, “I daena ken if she survived, but I got her home. Twas all I could do.”
“Och nae, Torin, ye hae a great deal of affection for her.”
I nodded.
“Tis complicatin’.”
I nodded some more, looking down at my hands in my lap.
“Ye arna worthy of her.”
I continued nodding. “She is well above me, in every way. I ken it is true.”
“Yet, without permission, without respect of her station, she is second in line tae a throne, Torin, ye shared rooms and beds with her in the inns?”
“Tis not how it sounds…”
“I can see it, ye hae it on yer face, ye are thinkin’ on her verra favorably and nae one told ye twas alright.”
“I dinna want tae, I told her I couldna, but we had troubles, and though I knew twas wrong tae sleep beside her, I had tae keep her warm tae keep her alive.”
“What did ye do?”
“I did naething untoward, I swear tae ye on the blade of m’dirk. Dost ye need me tae draw it?”
He shook his head.
“I slept beside her. I cared for her when she was ill. I was respectful and honored her place as a royal daughter and the sister of m’laird… I dinna lay a scoundrel’s hand on her, but aye, I hae verra deep feelings towards the Princess.”
“In all our years of friendship I hae never known ye tae say such a thing.”
“It has never been true before.”
“Dost she hae deep feelings for ye, as well, Torin?”
“I daena ken, she has a prior commitment tae the man who lives with her. I wouldna press her.”
“This is all verra unforeseen, Torin. Sayin’ this as ye look beaten, wounded, weakened, and now add tae it, ye are pining like a lad besot with love. Och nae, Torin, I say it again, what happened tae ye?”
“I found yer sister.”
He chuckled. “Well, my friend, tis astonishin’.”
