“I assumed anyone who ended up on the wrong side of the vessels would deserve tae die in the cold of the dark ages. She should ken better than tae touch a vessel that is vibratin’.”
Hayley shuddered. “It was awful when it happened to me, but at least Fraoch was at the other end of it.”
“She does ken better, I daena why she did...”
Hayley said, “I don’t think she was thinking straight. She had just killed Bella... it was....”
“Och.”
Lady Mairead said, “I will try tae figure it out, Magnus. Ye can come tae the kingdom, bring the bairn, we can try tae come tae a solution.”
I asked, “Madame Hayley, where are the bairn?”
Hayley said, “Emma and Beaty took them to Florida.”
“Good.” I nodded. “I hae tae go tae the castle, I will return, give me a moment.”
I stalked away and as I neared the castle I began tae race. In our room I grabbed our bag of gold, strapped a sword tae my back, and sheathed a sword at m’hip. I had a holster and handgun from the twenty-first century, I strapped it across my chest.
I stopped in the garderobe and relieved m’self.
Then I returned downstairs. I crossed the courtyard, through the gates, down the slopin’ hill tae the field. Along the way I took the reins of one horse and then another and led them tae Hammond. “Hammie, pack these horses with weapons, a tent, rations. Dost ye hae a cookstove? Water filters? I need two coats, a pair of warm boots for Kaitlyn, and for m’self. If ye hae chocolate or any other sweet things, I need them as well. Enough gold. More gold.”
“What are ye doin’, Magnus?” asked Lady Mairead.
“I am preparin’ tae go and collect Kaitlyn, while ye come up with a solution on the travelin’ part.”
My hand was sore, I asked the medic for a bandage. I wrapped it around and around, concentratin’ on the form of it, the routine, the purpose. Lady Mairead was staring at me, as if we were locked in contest, as if she were waitin’ tae see if I would actually do it.
She did nae understand, this was nae a threat, this was a decision.
Hammie was packing the horses, understandin’ my needs and fulfillin’ them. “This is a radio-frequency transmitter, I’ll give you ten. Activate them...” He brought it near. “This button sets it. You can add messages, mark your trail. It will help us find you.”
“Good Hammie, thank ye. I hae an RF-transmitter on m’belt, as well.”
“Perfect. Once Mairead has figured out the jump, we should be able to find you.”
The medic was still hovering over Fraoch. I walked tae them. “How is he?”
“I believe his cheekbone is broken, possibly a rib.”
“Och, I hae suffered a broken rib, Fraoch, I needed air tae feel comfortable breathin’.”
He moaned. “If ye survived it I can.”
“Aye.” I crouched beside him. “My medic will remain here, tae make sure ye are well. Hammond winna leave until the castle is kent tae be safe.”
“Och, twill be safe, ye hae killed everyone.”
“Aye.” I surveyed the scene. Soldiers were draggin’ bodies in bags intae a row, now numberin’ five. “I hae lost m’mind in it. I almost added ye tae the number. I am sorry about it.”
“I ken ye are.” He groaned and looked green for a moment.
“Could ye explain what happened?”
“One night at Fort Darien, I was approached by a man, one who now lies there dead.”
“Roderick.”
“Aye, he offered me some money and food, enough tae fill my sporran for the day. In exchange I was tae desert the battle and hunt for ye, and murder ye.”
“What did ye ken of me?”
“Just that ye were a man nae tae be trusted, better tae be dead, and tae kill ye meant a great deal of promised riches.”
“Why dinna ye follow through on it?”
“Tis one thing tae agree tae the killin’ of a man, another thing tae kill a weakened man who is near death a’ready... I meant tae. When I was carvin’ the meat, I was plannin’ it, but ye were too verra pitiful tae carry through with it.”
“Too pitiful?”
“Aye, pitiful and weak, like a mewlin’ bairn.” He attempted a smile though it looked more like a wince. “Ye are often just a mewlin’ bairn. And now ye are m’younger brother, it makes more sense tae ken it.”
“I think if we take a proper accountin’ we can prove me tae be the older brother and I am nae a mewlin’ bairn.”