Page 7 of Promises to Keep

Fraoch said, “Tis likely an army awaits us, if they hae managed tae abscond with Lady Mairead.”

Magnus said, “Aye, our enemy is formidable if they hae found and exploited her weakness, and there is the blood stain, which means there is a time-shift afoot. Is Lady Mairead bleedin’? Or is it my,” he looked around and whispered, “butler?”

Zach said, “A butler? Weird… Like a butler was injured… when?”

“I daena ken. I daena hae a butler that I ken of, nae here.”

Fraoch said, “Och nae, this is disheartenin’.”

Magnus took a bite of glazed donut. “So we hae the historic man, fighting, and we hae the modern man, he would... what would he do, Quentin?”

Quentin was eating a powdered donut with cherry filling. He grinned. “I have some modern ideas, but I would love to hear, first, what doyouthink a modern man would do?”

“I imagine ye would start with a list, usin’ yer fancy pens, then ye would spend a verra long time putting yer armaments intae boxes tae ship them tae the battle. Then ye would hae tae calculate how much food ye will need—”

“Speaking of!” I pulled out a drawer and retrieved a notepad and pen. “In case something important gets decided.” I wrote at the top: Historics vs Moderns

Fraoch said, “I agree with Og Maggy, when I was in the military camp in the New World m’commander told me, ‘Ye can hae a bit of breadafterthe battle,’ we had tae fight tae earn our food, because a hungry man is a barbaric man. Amodernman, on the other hand, canna fight without a proper meal.”

Magnus said, “Aye, there is hunger that comes with historic battling. But the moderns will pack coolers of food so everyone can eat cake afore they battle. Then it will all be transported tae the battlefield, with maps and plans, and they willonlyfight if twill be easy tae win.”

Quentin’s eyes went wide. “Seriously, that’s what you think modern warfare consists of? Holy shit, I have not been doing my job—”

Fraoch tapped his temple. “Perhaps ye hae been doing yer job too well.”

“Maybe, but—”

Magnus said, “I am only joking with ye, Colonel Quentin. I was rescued by a helicopter once, swingin’ on a rope away from an exploded castle, afore the helicopter was shot down in a field. I ken modern warfare is brutal and horrific.”

Quentin said, “Itisa lot better with a proper meal first, and a slice of cake whenever possible. But what would I do...?” He tapped on the counter for a moment. “I think I would send two men in, just to gather intel, then I would send the military in.”

James asked, “Who are the spies? The Historics wouldn’t be able to figure out the time, right? To blend? How about me and Quentin?”

I said, “Quentin can’t blend, he’s black.”

Quentin joked, with his mouth full of donut. “Wait, I’m black?”

We all laughed. I said, “And James hasn’t ever been to the 1920s before. I have, I have been there multiple times. I think the spies ought to be me and Hayley, we can blend.”

Magnus said, “I daena like the idea of it. Ye would jump intae New York on yer own?”

Quentin said, “James and I will jump first and be there to greet them. I think with four of us, and the mission being to spy, to not interfere — it might be safe enough.” Quentin turned to Magnus. “So Boss, you cool with the modern plan so far? We send Kaitlyn and Hayley first, then you go in and rescue Lady Mairead.”

Fraoch said, “I will go with Og Maggy.”

James said, “Are you sure? She’s your... um... it might be a conflict of interest.”

Fraoch groaned. “She might hae given birth tae me but she is a vile person and a direct enemy of m’family. I will always take Magnus’s side, even Lady Mairead’s side against Agnie MacLeod. I will go with Og Maggy.”

Quentin said, “Good, the Moderns have decided. Once we’ve collected the intelligence, then we send Fraoch and Magnus and…?”

We turned to Lochinvar. His mouth was full, his hands covered in powdered sugar. He said, “What…?” and blew a puff of sugar from his mouth.

Fraoch said, “We are plannin’ a battle operation, Og Lochie, ye ought tae pay attention.”

“It sounded like ye were sendin’ the women tae fight…”

Fraoch said, “Nae, we are sendin’ Kaitlyn and Hayley tae gather information, then we are sending men tae fight. Dost ye want tae fight with the men or remain behind with the bairns?”

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