Page 170 of Long Live the King

I whispered, “Magnus wants us to come, he’s good, meet at breakfast to discuss.”

He nodded. “Awesome.” He started to turn away but then remembered, he turned back, and put out his fist to Archie, “Man, I am happy for you, dude, you good?”

“So good, Uncle James.” They fist-bumped and then James went back into the room.

We all went to Lochie’s door and knocked. Lochie said, “Come in!”

All the kids and I, even Ben and Zoe now, crept in. Lochie was up, Ash was still lying down in bed. Lochie said, “What is happenin’?” Looking from Archie to me and back.

Archie said, “Uncle Lochie, Da sent us a message.”

“Tis a good message?” He sank into the chair.

Archie nodded and put the book open on Lochie’s lap. “Look.”

“Och aye! They are well, they want us tae come?”

Archie said, “Yes, and we are supposed to bring a fishing pole, Haggis, the horses, forks, and the Playstation.”

“Tis all the most important things. How are ye, wee man? Ye well? I was worried on ye.”

“I am well, Uncle Lochie, remember the chants in my mind? They’re gone.” He swiped his hands out, emphatically. “All gone. Or the bad parts are gone, they are saying ‘Long live the King’ now and it’s about Da, I’m sure of it.”

“Och, that is verra good.” He said, “Hae ye all met Ash?”

Ash said, “I am sorry I am not up, my shoulder was disjointed.”

Zoe frowned. “Boo-boo.”

Ash said, “Exactly.”

I said, “How are you, Ash? I’ve been meaning to come talk, to welcome you?—”

“I am doing really well, I totally understand, Lochie has been talking to me about what’s been going on.”

I had been watching her looking from Lochie to his nephew and I could see the love in her eyes. It made my heart swell. Lochie was going to be okay. Lochie said, “Ash, this is Archibald and Ben, the nephews, and Jack one of the bairns, and this is Isla and Zoe.”

Isla said, “I am Isla thenieceand this is Zoe.”

Ash said, “I have heard so much about all of you. Where are we going?”

I said, “We have a lot to talk about, I’m calling a meeting downstairs, but Magnus has asked us to come to the thirteenth century and so we’re going we need to um...”

Her eyes settled on Lochie. His eyes settled on her.

He said, “We need tae discuss.”

I said, “Absolutely, of course, there’s a lot to consider.” I herded all the kids to the door.“Will you be at breakfast?”

Lochie said, “Aye, we will meet ye down there.”

CHAPTER 74 - ASH

BALLOCH CASTLE

Lochie left and a maid helped me undress from my disgusting clothes into a dress that resembled the dresses the other women were wearing. This style had a bodice and a skirt and with my hair up, I felt pretty. My injured shoulder felt a lot better. I could almost do without a sling, but wore embroidered fabric around it just to remind myself not to reach with my arm.

Lochie returned. “There has been a storm, Quentin, Sean, and Liam hae gone tae see who tis.”

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