Page 17 of Long Live the King

Lochie leaned back in his seat, as if he were mulling that over. Then he leaned forward. “Does he hae wings?”

Fraoch said, “Nae, he has a cape and the power tae fly with his arms out, swooping through the air.”

Lochie said, “Och, I would like tae do that.”

Fraoch said, “Aye, tis verra good, he is verra strong as well — ye would like him. I can loan ye one of the books, I hae collected many of them.”

“Och aye, I would like tae read it now that I can. Dost ye ken tae read, Og Maggy?”

“Aye, I was tutored in London when I was wee, I also ken how tae speak other languages and tae perform maths, as well.”

Lochie said, “I guess that’s why ye are a king.”

Magnus grinned. “That and the bloodline and the kickin’ arse in an arena.” Then he said, “Ye learnin’ tae read because of the young lass?”

“Aye,” he sighed, “she is a beauty.”

Hayley said, “You met someone, Lochie?”

“Nae.” He shifted in his seat uncomfortably.

Fraoch said, “He haena met heryet, but he has looked upon her with awe.”

“Aye, Iwillmeet her, I just canna... not yet.”

James said, “Is this Ash, from the Palace Saloon?”

Lochie nodded. “What kind of name is Ash, dost ye think? Tis the same as the Ash tree?”

I said, “I think it’s short for Ashley, a nickname, like Lochie.”

“Ashley, but they call her Ash, like the tree,” he nodded. “Makes more sense.”

James said, “I’ll go down there with you next week and introduce you, I used to know her dad, and we all know the bartender, Don, we went to school with his older brother.”

Hayley said, “James, you can’t go to a bar next week, you’re about to have a baby.”

“Oh right.”

Magnus checked his watch, then said, “Beaty and Sophie, will ye watch the bairns? The rest of us will go tae the Palace and see if we can introduce Lochie tae Ash, the maiden.”

Lochie’s eyes went wide. “What are ye... nae, not now... ye canna, we daena...”

Magnus stood. “Nae blusterin’, Og Lochie, ye hae learned tae read and ye did it tae meet the maiden, ye are proud of yerself, aye?”

Lochie nodded.

Emma said, “I am very proud of you, Lochie, we ought to go to the Palace.” She stood and jerked her head to Zach. “Come on, Babe, up and at em.”

Hayley said, “Quentin and I will drive! Come on!”

Lochie shook his head, gripping the edge of the table, looking frightened.

Magnus said, “Lochinvar, we are goin’ tae go tae the Palace Saloon, we will see if she is working. She might not be working, ye ken. If she is, James Cook will introduce ye. Ye will ken her name and she will ken yers.”

Lochie said, “Nae one will mock me in front of her? I daena want her tae... ye winna talk down tae me?”

Magnus said, “Nae, Lochinvar, we all ken the importance and the dignity of the moment, we winna mock ye in front of her.”

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