Page 152 of Promises to Keep

Colonel Quentin said, “What the fuck does she think she’s doing?”

I couldna help a bit of a smile. “I hae nae idea, but I believe she is goin’ tae create chaos and that is a good thing.”

He asked, “Should one of us go with her?”

I said, “She works alone. We should leave her be.”

We all went quiet with our individual worries. I was waitin’ tae see what would happen and verra worried on the comin’ battle.

Colonel Quentin said, “Are you okay, Hayley?”

“Not really.”

“Yeah, me neither.”

CHAPTER 73 - MAGNUS

Alone door opened at the far end of the arena and Lochinvar stepped out ontae the field. The crowd went wild, cheerin’ and jeerin’ equally.

Hayley leaned over the front rail, craning tae see the door at the opposite end of the arena. “When will Fraoch come out?”

I said, “It will take a moment. If ye make them wait, it helps yer side.”

She gripped the rail. “This is freaking me out.”

Lochinvar was wearing armor, heavy and strong. He had a weapons rack beside him. Two hammers. He stood within arms reach of the rack, and stared at the door.

Colonel Quentin said, “Do you think he ought tae say something to the crowd, Boss? While he has them to himself?”

“Aye, winnin’ over the crowd is a good strategy.” I stood, leaned over the rail, and yelled across the arena, “Lochinvar!”

He turned tae face me, and bowed with a sweep of his arm.

I said, “Safe battles, m’brother.”

“Aye, Yer Majesty, I will do m’best for yer throne.”

The crowd cheered, wildly, stamping and blowing horns, their videos focusing in and out around the walls.

I returned tae my seat.

Colonel Quentin said, “Perfect. Agnie and that Ian dude look pissed.”

“Good, I winna look over there.” I adjusted my uniform coat and slouched down in m’seat tae look as if I did nae care about the battle. “Though do tell me if Lady Mairead jumps intae their skybox, I want tae see all the theatrics.”

He said, “I’ve got one eye on the field, the other on that box.”

The door at the opposite end of the arena opened and Fraoch stepped through. He raised an arm and walked proudly up tae his own weapons rack. The crowd chanted, “Fraoch! Fraoch!” Stamping their feet and blowing horns.

I watched him for signs of deceit,was he going tae throw the battle?I couldna tell, except... as his eyes swept the arena they went past Hayley without pause.

She said, “What the hell was that?”

Colonel Quentin said, “Don’t let it bother you.”

I said, “Aye, Madame Hayley, that is a good sign. If he was actin’ from fear he would hae met yer eyes, he would hae tried tae signal me. He has a plan and it is going the way he expects.”

Fraoch said, his voice booming above the crowds, “My name is Fraoch MacDonald, m’father was a MacDonald of Glencoe, I fight for him!” The crowd had been cheering but they faltered and went silent.

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