Page 46 of Promises to Keep

“That is the most likely scenario. Who wouldn’t be awestruck by your mastery, Master Magnus? Ooh,” I pointed, “look! Did you see the shooting star?”

“I did, twas marvelous.”

I nestled in against his shoulder and kissed his chest.

Then he raised his head and listened. Then he groaned and sat up, dislodging my head from his shoulder.

“What?”

“Ye canna hear it, the fight?”

“No… I… wait, what’s happening?” I could hear it now, men’s voices raised from over in the courtyard.

“The men are brawlin’ and likely tis…” He listened and then nodded. “Aye, tis Lochinvar. Och nae, he is going tae get himself killed.”

I scrambled up and bundled up the blanket. “You can go ahead—”

“Nae,” he ran his hand through his hair, waiting for me to go down the steps first. “Tis night, and if there is drunken brawlin’ goin’ on, I need tae accompany ye.”

CHAPTER 25 - KAITLYN

All the guards were leaning over looking down on the courtyard.

Magnus glanced down, “Och, they hae given him a sword!” He rushed toward the stair. “Stay close, Kaitlyn!”

I followed him, two steps at a time, holding the walls as we plunged down to the ground floor.

He burst through the doorway to the courtyard where there was a large crowd of men, yelling, and Lochinvar’s voice above them all, sounding furious, “Ye take it back, auld man, or I will kill ye!”

Magnus shoved through the crowd to the front and I followed close in his wake to not be separated. We broke out at the edge of the crowd ringed around the duel, near Sean to see Lochinvar facing off against Craigh, an older man, who was an uncle figure to many in the castle.

Magnus said, “Sean, brother, he is verra drunk — why has Lochinvar been given a sword?”

“He called Master Craigh out tae duel, he has called him tae the courtyard and—”

Lochinvar bellowed, “Raise yer sword!”

Craigh yelled, “Och, ye are insolent as a wee—”

“Ye disrespected me!”

Craigh said, “Ye deserve the respect of a hairless bawbag — what, ye want the respect I give tae a hairless pink bawbag, Young Lochie?” Craigh tossed his sword from hand to hand, confidently.

Lochinvar sneered.

Magnus groaned. “Ye canna let Craigh fight him, he will die in the dirt of the courtyard.”

Sean said, “The young lad is nae so skilled, Craigh is a fine—”

Magnus was very upset. “Craigh is nae good enough, brother, I told ye, ye canna allow Lochinvar tae arm himself, or tae duel in anger.”

Magnus pushed past Sean and stepped into the ring. “Young Lochinvar! Ye need tae put down yer weapon!”

“Nae! The auld man has insulted m’honor!”

Craigh said, “Young Magnus, ye daena need tae interfere.”

“Aye Craigh, I do, I canna allow this duel tae stand.” Magnus put his hands out, placatingly, and said, “Put yer sword down, Craigh, please, I need tae speak tae Lochie and he canna hear over the storm of the battle.”

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