Page 163 of Long Live the King

I said, “Twasverragrand, Cailean, thank ye for organizin’ the meal, we were famished.”

“I am pleased I could welcome ye home, well.” He stifled a yawn. “M’apologies, yer majesty, I am weary from the day.”

“How hae ye been Cailean, well?”

“Och, I hae the aches and pains of age and battle.”

“Ye are lonely as well, hae ye considered taking a wife? Someone tae smooth yer brow and warm yer bed?”

He chuckled. “The ones who are warm and smoothing daena want an auld man like me.”

Fraoch said, “But ye are the right hand man tae the king! If I had been so powerful it would hae been easy tae win m’wife! Instead I had tae win her with rose-scented grease in m’hair and m’charmin’ personality.”

“True... perhaps on another night, ye can show me how tae use m’personality and power tae win a lady.”

Fraoch said, “...and on the night of the feast, I will advise ye on how tae grease back yer hair so ye smell like a garden, theladies do love it.” He said, “Och, we ought tae introduce ye tae Lady Mairead, she would find ye dashing.”

Cailean said, “Lady Mairead is...?”

I said, “My mother, and she is too much trouble for ye, remember I said ye needed someone tae smooth yer brow? Lady Mairead is prone tae wrinklin’ a man directly intae his auld age.”

Fraoch laughed.

I said, “But speakin’ on m’mother, at her urgin’ I would like tae give a Dawn Address on the morrow.”

“This is new, ye hae never given one before.”

“Lady Mairead advises me tis important for a king tae make a Dawn Address after he has been away tae properly announce that he has returned.”

Cailean said, “I think tis a verra good idea, would ye do it in the courtyard or the chapel?”

“The courtyard would be good, I think, can ye spread word that all are expected? Then all can break fast.”

Cailean said, “Aye, I will. And Magnus, tis good tae hae ye home.”

“Thank ye, Cailean.”

“Let us begin with an announcement.”

He banged on the table, pushed back his chair and stood. He held up his glass. “Yer king, Mag Mòr, will be gracin’ us with a proper Dawn Address in the morn. Ye are all expected in the courtyard. Just before dawn.”

He raised his mug tae a man sitting at the side table. “Even ye, Ian — daena be so drunk ye sleep through it. Whether ye are up all night, or sleepin’ like a bairn, ye must attend.” The people dining in the Great Hall laughed.

Cailean raised his mug tae me. “And, Yer Majesty, I welcome ye on yer return tae Stirling, slainte!”

I raised my glass and said, “Slainte!”

Cailean put down his mug. “And now I need tae go tae m’chamber tae rest for the morn. Good evenin’, Yer Majesty.”

He limped from the room.

I said, “Och nae, I daena like tae see him in pain.”

Fraoch said, “I will go get him some medicine as soon as we are able.”

“And heatin’ pads and a good mattress, did we get him a good mattress? Are there good mattresses here? I forgot tae check m’bed.”

“I napped all afternoon, m’bed daena hae a good mattress. If Cailean’s mattress is the same, tis surprising he can walk upright at all.”

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