Page 147 of Promises to Keep

“We do, but we canna focus on that, we put forward our warrior; he will put forward his own.”

“And when this goes down, ye expect me tae watch from the sidelines…? Hae ye met me?”

“I hae met ye, I hae seen ye override yer good sense tae be the man who handleseverything. Ye will need tae allow Lochinvar tae handle this one. We will challenge the man Agnie has settled on your throne and ye will put forth Lochinvar as yer warrior. Ye are a king, not a dueler, not anymore. Ye are more civilized than that.Finally.”

CHAPTER 70 - MAGNUS

We sent the challenge by messenger tae the king, as was traditional. Then at the same time we made contact with our man inside the royal news station and asked him tae run the challenge all across the kingdom. It had been dangerous for him tae do it, he had likely lost his life in the action, but he had been successful taking over the projections, and for a few glorious moments it was broadcast:

Magnus I challenges Ian tae an arena battle for the kingdom.

My soldiers cheered as if we had won the war.

Quentin, Lochie, and I watched the projection without cheering, this might be a chance tae end the war, but it meant a battle, and a grave risk tae Lochinvar’s life.

* * *

Within the hour I received a response: Ian had accepted the challenge.

* * *

I called Lady Mairead, General Wallace, Colonel Quentin, Lochinvar, and a few of my other commanders tae headquarters. I asked for Hayley, since the arena battle now involved her.

I leaned against a table. They were all standing around me.

I announced, “Ian has accepted our challenge. We will hae a fight in the arena for the throne. We hae exerted pressure, challenged Ian the Arsehole, and he has agreed tae our terms. I hae put forth Lochinvar tae fight. The battle has been scheduled in the books.”

The men around me applauded.

But Hayley, her lips pressed, asked, “Who have they put forward?”

I raised my brow. “Ye ken.”

“Fraoch? Oh my God, they put forward Fraoch? No!”

Quentin said, “Fucking-A, this sucks.”

Lochinvar shook his head, looking down at his boots.

Hayley looked pale. “Lochie against Fraoch, to the death? What are we going to do? How do we stop it?”

“We daena, Madame Hayley. Our path forward means either a great many innocent lives lost, or turning around and losing ground, or an arena battle. This way there are only two men decidin’ the fate of the kingdom, two lives at risk. And there will be only one death.”

Hayley said, “So if Fraoch wins the battle it won’t be that big a…”

I glanced at Lochie and shook my head. “Fraoch canna win against Lochinvar, Madame Hayley. Lochie has a foolhardy bravado, he lacks fear, he is an accomplished warrior, he daena feel pain, and he has the near immortality of youth. Fraoch has lived long enough tae ken he wants tae try tae keep on living. Tis a weakness tae nae wanna die. Lochie daena even consider dying, twill never cross his mind. He is the better warrior because he daena hae any fear at all.”

Under my words, Lochinvar shifted, his jaw set. He nodded in agreement.

Quentin said, “Fuck.”

I continued, “And I hae been fighting alongside Lochinvar now for months. I hae seen him fight.”

Hayley said, “So you’re taking his side over Fraoch’s?”

“Nae, never, I am nae taking anyone’s side. I am just tellin’ ye, Madame Hayley, that ye canna count on Lochinvar losing: m’throne, m’family’s kingdom, Archie and Isla, all of our safety, tis all dependent on overthrowing Agnie and Ian. Lochinvar canna lose. And he winna, he is brutal.”

I exhaled, “...and I’m worried, even if they were evenly matched, Fraoch wouldna want tae kill Lochie. He daena like the boy much, but I hae seen he has a soft spot for him. Tis hard tae live with someone and tae want tae murder them.”

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