Page 48 of Promises to Keep

“Aye.”

“But from now on he daena get a sword when he has had too much tae drink.”

Sean chuckled, “Now that I see his temper, I concur.”

Magnus continued with his hand out. “Now kick yer sword over here tae me.”

Sean said, “Is he too fast for ye, Young Magnus?”

Magnus said, “Aye, I am warnin’ ye, he is fast, and skillful, and verra dangerous with the sword.”

Lochinvar said, “Nae, I winna, unless Craigh kicks his away as well.”

Craigh said, “Young bawbags, I daena hae tae prove I can holdmytemper, I hae had m’temper in check the entire time.’’ Craigh sheathed his sword.

Lochinvar sneered but placed down his sword and kicked it skidding through the dirt to Magnus who picked it up and passed it to Sean.

Magnus said, “Maybe he canna hae his sword from sundown tae sun up.”

“Like with Drunken Dunlach?”

“Aye, same rules until he is done brawlin’ tae prove himself.”

Sean nodded.

Magnus called to the two men in the middle of the ring. “Now Craigh, since young Lochie has challenged ye tae a duel, and I hae intervened, what must his punishment be? A whippin’?”

Lochinvar scowled.

Craigh charged him, knocking his breath out, and plowed a right hook into Lochie’s face, then a left and right in quick succession, with Lochie stumbling back, and Craigh on him. In three swings Lochinvar was on his back down on the ground, his arms up, trying to stop Craigh’s blows.

Magnus and Sean pulled Craigh off.

Lochinvar lay on the ground and held his cheek.

Craigh asked, “Has the wee boy had enough?”

Magnus and Sean told Craigh to calm down.

“Nae, I want Lochie tae tell me he has had enough.”

Magnus said, “Lochie, what are ye goin’ tae say tae Craigh?”

Lochie raised, leaning back on one arm, the other holding his cheek, dabbing at the streaming blood. He said, sullenly, “I hae had enough.”

Craigh said, “Good.” He added to Magnus, “Lochinvar will work for me for the month, I could use a strong back.”

Magnus said, “Good, Lochinvar will meet ye at dawn after his guard shift.”

Sean called out to the crowd, “Everyone can go tae bed or take yer shift on the walls, but ye canna stay here, the battle is over!”

Men cleared the courtyard, heading off in all directions, with just a few hanging around to watch the windup.

Magnus went up to Lochinvar, far enough away that I couldn’t hear what they were talking about, his hand clapped on Locinvar’s shoulder, he talked earnestly to him for a long time.

Then finally Lochinvar left to go to the stairs and Magnus came over to me. “Och nae, what a night.”

“You ready to go to bed, Highlander?”

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