Page 77 of Long Live the King

Quentin said, “While I appreciate that the discrepancy was found by ChronoGuard, it bothers me that we found itafterhe was crowned. What else is he up to?”

Lochinvar sipped from a drink, leaned back in the chair, lookin’ relieved that Lady Mairead’s attention was off him. “I daena like the look on his face. He looks like he kens he is trouble.”

I scoffed. “I am not afraid of him. What vessel dost ye think he has?”

Lady Mairead said, “It could be 17.A. That one is unaccounted for, but as ye ken we daena hae all of them.”

She slid the photo intae a leather-bound folder wrapped in a ribbon and passed it tae me. “This is everything Thomas has collected about him. Tis not much.”

“Can I hae the psalter as well?”

“Nae, tis mine.”

My brow went up. “Tis yers?”

“Aye, I am going tae hae it appraised and placed intae the museum. Ye dinna even ken it existed an hour ago, Magnus, ye daena understand its worth. I think ye will agree tis best kept in my hands.”

“Fine, I agree, and this is a place tae start.” I stood. “It’s been a long day, we ought tae get some rest. I’ll look it over and we can discuss it on the morrow.”

She continued, “…also, in the folder ye will find your speech for tomorrow’s Dawn Address. Ye will need tae become acquainted with it…”

“Och nae, a speech tomorrow at dawn?”

“Aye, Magnus, tis amust.The speech is short, but an address tae the kingdom is crucial because ye hae been away. Yer subjects wake up in the morn and ye tell them that ye are here and in charge. Tis consequential.”

Everyone stood and took their leave, but as we went tae her door I turned and asked, “Just tae be clear, my Trailblazer is still in the vault and yers is safe?”

She nodded her head. “I hae taken another inventory — if there is a Trailblazer at work it must belong tae someone else.”

Quentin said, “Great, I just love knowing with certainty that there are more machines.”

Lady Mairead said, “Tomorrow night we will hae a fine dinner. I expect all of ye tae be well dressed.”

CHAPTER 31 - MAGNUS

BILLIARDS ROOM

In the corridor outside Lady Mairead’s office I said, “Should we go tae the billiards room?”

Lochinvar said, “I thought ye were tired.”

“Tired of hearin’ m’mother tell me about all the ways the history of the world is cocked up.”

They laughed as I led them down the hall tae the elevator and up tae the top floor, servants rushing ahead of us tae ready the room afore we walked in.

The room was large with classical details, columns and gold frames, and long draping curtains on the windowed wall. The opposite walls were covered with paintings of our ancestors, and antiques and sculptures were arranged all around the floor. Twas verra much like a museum, Lady Mairead had a good eye, and her collection was priceless.

When I had first arrived in Riaghalbane, this was where I had first met with Donnan — the memory caused me tae wince. At the time, every square inch of floor space had been covered with m’mother’s hoard, art and antiquities stolen from time, presented tae Donnan as a way tae purchase m’succession tae his throne.

The memories of how I felt, surrounded by m’mother’s weakness and m’father’s cruelties, turned m’stomach. It had been a dire time.

Quentin, at the change in m’expression, asked, “Something going on, Boss?”

“This room reminds me of when I first came tae Riaghalbane and the memories are not good.”

“Want to go somewhere else?”

“Nae, I will force m’self tae endure it. This is a room that exists in my castle, I ought tae be comfortable here. Tis mine. And the memories come from long ago. Lady Mairead’s collection has been pared down, the rest of her hoard moved tae her museum, Donnan is long gone, and there, at the other end of the gallery, is the billiard table. I will grow more relaxed with a drink and a game. We ought tae play.”

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