Page 14 of Long Live the King

Quentin joked, “Yes, sir. It tastes terrible, sir, thank you, sir.”

Chef Zach said, “See, Quentin gets me!”

I said, “Now where were we...?”

Hayley said, “I said ‘History is settled’ and was told to wheesht and not to tempt fate, is that what you mean?”

I said, “I agree with the wheesht — no talking about the big scheme of things, not when everything seems good — it feels settled. We’re surrounded by twinkly lights and barbecue, babies sleeping, a baby about to be born... let’s not discuss the history of the world.”

Hayley said, “I’m sorry I said it. Now, looking around at everyone, that seems like a downward turn, who wants that? Not me! I ate a fine dish of barbecue, let’s just digest.”

Lochie said, “But...”

Magnus groaned. “What Lochinvar?”

“Nothin’, just daena like the idea of becomin’ soft.”

Fraoch scoffed. “We arna soft.” He tried to pop the cap off a beer and accidentally nicked his thumb, winced, and sucked it for a minute. “Daena look at me.”

Lochie said, “We canna be soft, we must keep aware of our surroundings.”

Quentin nodded. “Totally agree.”

Lochie said, “We hae tae keep a clear eye when we look around at the timeline, make certain we arna missin’ something.”

Magnus exhaled. “Aye, tis true. We must always be watchful.”

Hayley said, “Well, that’s a downer. I notice no one toldyouto wheesht.”

Beaty returned, holding Noah.

I asked, “Did Jack wake?”

“Nae, he’s fast asleep.”

She sat down with Noah in her lap. Quentin kissed her cheek and the top of Noah’s wee head. Mookie dropped down to his side by her chair with a grunt.

I asked, “What would be a good way to keep aware of our surroundings?”

Lochie said, “Since Magnus has had the dream about becoming a king?—”

Magnus said, “They are recurring, and I am naebecomin’a king, Iamthe king. I am rulin’ over people in a long ago past.”

Lochie waved his hands toward Magnus, “See? Since those dreams started, I hae been thinkin’ on the line of succession of the kings...”

Fraoch said, “Och nae...”

Lochie said, “What dost ye mean, ‘Och nae’?”

“Nothin’ good comes from ye thinkin’ on the kings, first ye speak on it, next we are riding intae battle somewhere.”

“What is wrong with ridin’ intae battle? If ye are needed tae ride, ye ought tae ride. This is what I am sayin’, ye are grown soft...”

Fraoch waved his fists. “I will show ye soft, ye want an arse-kicking?”

Hayley said, “You boys have to stop arguing. Fraoch you are definitely not soft, you don’t need to prove yourself, we all know it?—”

Fraoch said, “I fought him in an arena, not... how long ago was it?”

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