Page 165 of Long Live the King

“I am up!”

Fraoch’s voice, “Daena sound like it, ye are generally taller, yer voice is comin’ up from near the ground.”

“Och nae, ye are a trial and tribulation.” I tossed my heavy blankets off and climbed from bed.

“Tis the nicest thing ye ever said. Dress, Yer Majesty, the Dawn awaits.”

Two attendants helped me dress in a fine tunic with a fresh cloak with embroidered details along the edging. My brooch, holdin’the cloak at my chest, was verra fine, with a large red stone. My gold crown was brought in and placed upon my head.

We left my chamber and met Fraoch in the hall. I passed him m’leather bag that contained m’pens and the book.

He said, “I am tae carry the king’s handbag?”

“Aye, ye must, it winna go with m’fine long dress.”

He laughed and slung it on his shoulder and then he walked with me, surrounded by my guard, down tae the courtyard where we met Cailean, already there, arranging the crowd.

I climbed up ontae a rough platform. There were a couple hundred people there, a verra grand crowd for such a spontaneous event. I was filled with gratitude, similar tae the feelin’ I had when I made the Dawn Address in Riaghalbane. I also felt surety, this was what I needed tae do — twas the Dawn of my Empire, I had tae mark the moment.

The crowd cheered and I raised my hands, askin’ them tae quiet.

Then I unfolded the speech.

I looked down on it, and somehow, suddenly it dinna seem right.

I looked out over the crowd, there was a dim light, a cold chill, tae the east a glimmer of light, I began...

“Welcome tae m’first Dawn Address. I wanted tae speak tae ye about the battles we hae waged and the challenges that the kingdom has faced in the past. It has been a dark time, but ye are resilient and determined. We, the people of Alba, hae overcome adversity and we stand here now, in the heart of Stirling, the seat of power for our kingdom, and we are determined and strong. There inna an army in the world that can defeat us, for we are the mighty lands of Scotland, and bow down tae none.”

The sun began tae rise, castin’ a warm glow over the gathered crowd.

There was cheering, and as the sun emerged over the timber walls, I began tae pray, sayin’, as I had in Riaghalbane, that with the dawn I prayed for peace for our kingdom, safety, and wellbein’ of the subjects of Scotland. That along with the rising sun, we must be filled with hope for the comin’ day, our minds full of gratitude for our blessings and the peace reigning over the lands.

I added, as the sky was clear, with my standard flying against a sky becoming blue, “This is a dawn of a new era, a prosperous and peaceful future, and when, someday, my son takes the throne?—”

A man from the front row yelled, “Ye hae a son?”

I smiled. “Aye, I hae two sons, the eldest is Archibald, a good strong name for a leader, ye will meet him soon enough. Though I warn ye, he is young. I hae years left as yer king.”

The crowd began tae chant, “Long Live the King! Long Live Mag Mòr! Long Live the King! Long Live Mag Mòr!”

Fraoch and I were sitting at the high table enjoyin’ a large breakfast. He said, “Now with this good meal and the meal last night, my lack is almost filled.”

He shoveled eggs in his mouth. “Ye did well this morn, yer wee speechy was inspirin’.”

“Thank ye, Fraoch.”

“Course ye could hae said more about strength and kickin’ the arse of yer enemies, but I get what ye were doin’ tryin’ tae give the people hope and meanin’.”

“Aye, but I am still goin’ tae kick the arse of m’enemies, as soon as I find him.”

“Good, I will draw m’sword alongside ye. Onward tae a hopeful future, slayin’ our enemies, Long Live the King!”

I chuckled. “Ye were inspired.”

“Aye, it came tae me that I was right, ye had tae come take the throne here tae fix the timeline. Yer subjects werena callin’ ye dead, they were yellin’ Long Live the King, I am the hero here.”

“I think Lochinvar agreed with ye, he helped convince me.”

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