Page 154 of Promises to Keep

Below us, the gunfire slowly ceased, but then men were yelling. I looked down with an exhale, Lochinvar was loudly crowing, holding up the gold band. “How’s that, auld man? I saved your arse! I could hae killed ye!”

Fraoch yanked off his helmet. “Did not, boy, I saved yers by nae killin’ ye.”

Lochinvar shoved Fraoch on the chest, he barely budged.

Fraoch stepped up tae Lochie’s face. “Take yer helmet off, face me like a man.”

M’soldiers were filing in tae secure the arena, they were encircling the fight. Colonel Quentin muttered, “Uh oh, tensions are fuckinghigh.”

Lochie threw his helmet to the side and charged Fraoch with his shoulder aimed at his gut. Fraoch groaned on impact, the blow sent him stumbling back. Soldiers cheered. Millions were watching from home, clamoring for more. Fraoch wrestled Lochie intae a neck hold—

Colonel Quentin commanded, “General Wallace, we need to protect both the idiots, we need everyone down there.” And we all raced out of the skybox, down the hall, down the steps, and out intae the arena.

By the time we were down there, Fraoch had a bloodied lip, Lochinvar had black eyes — they were prowling around each other, encircled by battle-thirsty soldiers, spurring on the fight. Lochinvar dove on Fraoch—

I ordered m’soldiers intae the scrimmage tae drag the men apart. Lochinvar yelling, “Ye canna fight me, auld man? Ye must hae soldiers protect ye?”

But Fraoch broke free from the soldiers grip and dropped tae his knees. “Yer Majesty, Magnus I, King of Riaghalbane, I forfeit the challenge of Ian I!” A camera-drone hovered above his head, filming his words, projecting them on the large screens. “I hae been forced tae fight for the usurper, on threat of death tae yer descendants, and I humbly beg ye tae grant me amnesty and as the next in line for the throne, the stepson of Ian, the son of Agnie, a son of Donnan, I relinquish all claim tae the throne. I surrender and beg yer mercy upon me.”

I crossed tae him, and stood in front of him, and said, “Och aye, Fraoch, mercy is granted.” I put m’hand on his shoulder. “Thank ye.”

He nodded. “Ye’re welcome.”

Lochinvar put his hands out and bellowed, “The arena challenge between Ian and Magnus is over! Fraoch, fighting for Ian has ceded the challenge, Ian the usurper is dead. I, Lochinvar, fighting for Magnus, have won! Long live the King!”

More of my soldiers were streaming through the doors. Outnumbered, the soldiers who had fought on Ian’s side began laying down their arms, shoving them away, and kneeling.

I waited, watching, as a wave of men lowered themselves, until I was encircled by men on their knees. Twas a relief tae see it, an army brought tae their knees with the blow of a hammer.

This moment meant nae more bloodshed. Drones swooped and circled, filming the event. There was a hush in the arena and on the projections of the audience as we all waited for the last man tae kneel. Then I said, “Do ye men, the soldiers of Ian the Usurper, surrender?”

They responded, “Aye, King Magnus.”

“Aye,” I said, nodding, then I put out my arms as I used tae do when I was victorious in the arena. “M’name is Magnus Archibald Caelhin Campbell and I am the King of Riaghalbane, Magnus I, and I accept yer surrender. The reign of Ian I is nae more!”

The audience went wild, chanting, “Magnus, Magnus!”

I smiled and waited for the chants tae subside, then said, “I declare that the kingdom of Riaghalbane will hae three weeks of feasts tae celebrate the end of the battles!”

The soldiers erupted in jubilation. The projections took up the chant again, “Magnus! Magnus!”

I waited for the uproar tae subside, and the drone tae swoop down and focus upon me. I announced, “The occupied regions are once again reunited with the loyalist-held zones, I declare us a unified kingdom, a people undivided. I, the king of Riaghalbane, Magnus I, declare the war over! We are, once again, one land under God and throne!”

The cheering was thunderous.

Hayley shoved through the crowd tae Fraoch and they embraced, whisperin’ in each other’s ears.

Lady Mairead walked out ontae the arena floor tae stand beside me. She was wiping her hands on a formerly white handkerchief. There were blood splatters across her dress, and a smear of blood down her cheek.

She said quietly, “Well done, Magnus.” Then she called out, “Master Fraoch!”

He turned tae her. “We did it, Lady Mairead.”

“Aye, we did, and I am in the mood tae...” She put her hands on her hips and began tae sway, then she took some steps and began tae really dance.

Fraoch grinned and joined her, hooking his arm around hers, they danced around each other. Then they stopped. She hugged him.

I went tae Lochinvar and hugged him hard, a pat on the back, and then I joined Fraoch and put a hand on each of his shoulders. “Och, I thought ye were lost tae me.”

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