Page 162 of Long Live the King

After dressing, I left my chamber with guards falling in around me.

I went down the steps and crossed the courtyard, tae the doors of the small royal chapel. I entered through the thick wooden doors, enclosed by stone walls and high arched ceilings. Afternoon light filtered through the small stained glass window, across the floor and pews. And I was reminded again, I needed tae replace the window with a larger more brilliant one.

The air was cool and still, perfumed by the aroma of incense.

I heard the rustle of robes as the priest realized I had arrived and approached tae greet me.

He insisted on a prayer, but then when he wanted tae continue conversing, I interrupted tae ask what I needed, “Dost we hae a library?”

“A collection of manuscripts, Yer Majesty?”

“Aye, bound books; I am lookin’ for one in particular.”

“I hae the Bible, twas a gift from ye, as ye remember, the rest of the books ye keep within yer chancery.”

“Och, there is a shelf in my chancery...?” I repeated him, because I wasna certain what he meant.

“Aye, Yer Majesty, ye hae given me leave tae look through them, I am honored by yer kindnesses.”

“Ye mean in m’office, the room beside m’chamber?”

“Aye sire, ye hae oft spoken of it as yer chancery.”

Och nae, I had nae memory of having books there, I couldna remember what the interior of the room even looked like, but I took my leave and climbed the steps toward my chamber once more.

I went through my sitting room and through a smaller door intae the office. There was a table, with three chairs, and I suddenly remembered sittin’ there, with Cailean opposite me, discussin’ the news of the kingdom.

It was odd that I hadna remembered it before. And there was a table with a row of books. I stood looking at it for a time — I dinna remember putting them here, perhaps they had been added by Cailean? Though as I ran m’finger down the titles they seemed added by m’self.

Another sign of a timeline, that had been twisted.

I had a book of poems by Rabbie Burns, theComplete Works of Shakespeare, my copy of Sun Tzu’sArt of War,anda bible I recognized. I pulled it from the shelf and found the name Lady Mairead Campbell written in her hand on the inside page. Beside that was a verra auld copy of the Iliad, and at the end of the row, the psalter. My finger paused there and I considered it. I had been looking for it, but hadna believed it would be here.

I pulled it from the shelf and a memory hit me. Cailean had given it tae me, tae celebrate my accession tae the throne. He had ordered it created with the ornate M on the cover and had given it tae me with the words, “I ken ye are parted from yer family, I hope this will bring ye solace.”

I flipped through the pages tae the chapter Lady Mairead had shown me.

I closed the book, tucked it under my arm, and returned downstairs for a meal.

I saw Fraoch leaning against a wall in the courtyard.

“Ye waitin’ for me?”

“Aye, bored, nae one wants tae see me, ye go everywhere with a guard. How many men dost ye need tae relieve yerself?”

“Four, apparently.”

“Och nae, ye are full of yerself tae need four men tae hold yer cock when ye piss.”

I shrugged. “I am a king, tis a majestic cock.”

We entered the Great Hall. All bowed deeply as I passed. There werna many guests, as I had surprised Cailean and the kitchen staff, but there were about twenty people there who wanted tae welcome me on my return.

I was famished by the time I took a seat at the head of the long table, with Fraoch and Cailean tae m’right and left.

The meal was good, four courses, with a main dish of venison with gravy, followed by a verra pleasing dessert of rhubarb crumble with vanilla custard. We drank many glasses of wine.

After the meal Fraoch leaned back and patted his rounded stomach. “Och aye, twas grand.”

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