Page 150 of The Dawn

Wallace spit in the dirt. “What rightful King of Scotland? Mag Mòr was crowned King at Scone, in 1290.”

“We have been determined to be the administrator of the court, and thereforewehave declared that action to be treason.”

Wallace said, “Ye are on Scottish lands, an illegitimate English usurper! Ye hae nae say in the Scottish throne, I will kill ye!” Wallace fumbled as he unsheathed his sword, but Edward’s guards lunged forward, knocked him over, and held him down. He struggled as they pinned his arms behind his back.

I said, “Unhand Wallace.”

“He must drop his sword at our feet and bow.”

“He winna bow tae the English King when ye hae just conspired tae overthrow the Scottish crown. He will sheath his sword and he will quiet down while we discuss this matter.” Ispoke over my shoulder. “Dost ye hear me, Wallace? And next time twill save ye trouble if ye kill first andthensay ye are goin’ tae kill a man. Ye waste valuable time with yer youthful tongue.”

The guards let him go and Wallace sullenly sheathed his sword.

The English guardsmen stood around him threateningly.

Wallace sneered.

I asked Edward, “Where hae ye taken the king?”

“We cannot say, Asgall has taken him. He did not tell us his plans, only provided assistance in our own pursuits in exchange for Mag Mòr.”

“Ye expect us tae stand for this? Ye hae unlawfully taken the king, and his wife, the queen, and removed them from their seat, Stirling castle. Yer armies hae destroyed our walls, and ye stand here threatening the crown prince?”

“Yes, it does seem that way.” A slithery smile spread across his face. “We command that you surrender.”

Behind him more men rode up the hill.

There was nae way we could fight them all.

Edward said, “We are convening the Scottish Magnates to plan the succession.”

Cailean said, “We will call on the French! We will bring their ships tae our shores, we will call up an army and chase ye from our lands!”

William Wallace yelled, “Hear hear!”

Edward said, “I am placing Prince Archibald and Prince Jack under arrest for high crimes against the throne of England?—”

I said, “Ye hae nae authority tae arrest the sons of Mag Mòr on Scottish sovereign lands.”

“Mag Mòr surrendered, he has given up his castle — his last man is standing in the courtyard arguing with us and risking the lives of his sons. But we will be benevolent. The English Crown will give you an hour to remove yourself from this castle.Whoever is left will be arrested. On the way to the tower, we will parade the sons of Mag Mòr through the streets of London as a warning — the line of Mag Mòr is no more.”

Wallace said, “Och nae, ye are an arse. English pigswill of the kind that needs tae learn a lesson.”

I nodded.

Edward said, “Who would be teaching us a lesson? Mag Mòr? His men? You have all been beaten.”

Wallace said, “It will be me, maybe not taeday, but someday soon.”

Edward chuckled. “What are ye waiting for?” His horse stamped. “If you want to survive to—” He made his voice falsetto tae mock Wallace, “‘teach us a lesson’ you will need to leave this castle, the time is counting down.”

He turned his horse and moved his men tae the gate.

Cailean and Wallace drew near, the men of the castle gathered around. Cailean said, so all could hear, “Make haste tae depart!”

There were groans, and some of the men yelled, “Nae!”

One of the men answered, “But we canna remain! We are nae match for the dragons. They hae destroyed the castle!”

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