Page 89 of Promises to Keep

Fraoch said, “Exactly, then tae secure yer kingdom we hae tae cut off the head of the hydra.”

My eyes went wide. “Except, maybe not that metaphor. Agnie used one just like it — she wants to cut the head off the hydra. In her case she was talking about Lady Mairead. I told her that was a stupid idea, everyone knows that if you cut off a hydra’s head you only make it stronger, larger, angrier.”

Magnus said, “Tis true, and I was followin’ ye Fraoch until ye mixed metaphors, I’m on a boat in the wind with a hydra? Who is the hydra in this scenario?”

“The hydra is Agnie, and whoever she has helpin’ her.”

Magnus nodded, “I am relieved for once the hydra inna my mother.”

Fraoch laughed. “That old broad? She’s no big deal. She just has tae be carefully watched because she can be wrathful. Tis easy tae deal with a woman with this sort of mindset, ye just hae tae nae cross her.”

Hayley groaned.

I rolled my eyes.

Lochinvar said, “I think Lady Mairead is lovely.”

Fraoch chuckled.

Magnus said, “Och, boy, ye hae tae guard against her. Daena let yerself be swayed by her charms, daena dismiss the wrath.”

Fraoch added, “But she inna as wrathful as Agnie, Agnie might be the worse of the two.”

“Aye, but still, ye must be mindful, Lochie.”

Quentin began loading the guns into cases and then Lochie and James slid the cases into the back of the truck.

James asked, as he slid one of the cases in, “So what do we do first?”

Magnus said, “We jump intae Montana in the middle of the nineteenth century and we cut the head from the serpent and rescue Lady Mairead.”

Quentin said, “All right, and who’s going?”

James’s arm shot up in the air. “Me me me! Pick me!”

Quentin said, “All right, James gets to go be a cowboy.”

“Only if I get a horse.”

Magnus said, “Ye are hired, ye can jump intae Florida first, and grab Sunny, Thor, and Osna. I hae been worried on Sunny, I bet he hasna had a proper ride since Fraoch brought him home from thirteenth century Scone. Then ye will meet us in Montana.”

James said, “Sick! This is exactly what I’m talking about, agoodadventure.”

Zach joked, “I’m staying here, I know I know, you’re all surprised, but I have never wanted to go to the old west, that sounds like a real crap place. Though I do like to watch a good western, I don’t like my chances living through it.”

Fraoch said, “I will go or stay, whichever is m’better place.”

Magnus said, “Fraoch, Colonel Quentin, James, and I will go. Lochinvar and Chef Zach will remain here. They will both be armed, Lochie will keep watch. Colonel Quentin hae ye come up with emergency plans for the household?”

“Yes, indeed, I will get Lochie informed about what that looks like.”

Hayley said, “And me, I mean, you already told me, I know the emergency plan, I mostly mean, I will also take guard duty while you’re gone. Lochie and I will trade off.”

Fraoch said, “Lochie best be on his best behavior, nae funny business.”

Lochie said, “Och nae, I am on m’best behavior, Frookie, I will take verra good care of yer wife.” He grinned.

Fraoch said, “I hae changed m’mind.”

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