Page 88 of The Dawn

“Aye, I hear the rumble of an army.”

Zach said, “Metaphorically speaking, that freaks me out.” He switched off his headlamp.

Fraoch said, “Aye, verra far away, but tis gatherin’, dost ye hear it? It sounds like the winds of war.”

I climbed on my horse. “Now tis just a breeze, but by the day after the morrow we need tae be expectin’ a full-force gale.”

Zach said, “I do not like the idea of that. The only storm I like these days are the ones that carry our family.”

Fraoch said, “Hear hear.” We all mounted our horses and rode toward the castle.

Hayley met us in the courtyard. “Where are we going first?”

He said, “Balloch.”

She looked down, “Okay, dressed well enough, I have some modern clothes in case we go to Florida.”

I said, “I hope it winna be necessary?—”

Sean walked up, “What are ye plannin’, Young Magnus? Nae one else arrived?”

I shook my head.

Fraoch said, “They dinna come, Hayley and I are goin’ tae check on the family and make sure all are well.”

Sean winced. “Och nae, they are certain tae need my protection.”

I chewed my lip. “Aye, Sean, though I could use yer help here, the meetin’ with the English King is tomorrow?—”

Fraoch looked at his watch and said, “Today now, tis after midnight.”

I said, “Och aye, tis a terrible time for Fraoch tae leave. I relented because I knew ye would be here for at least a few more days.”

He stared off at the walls. “I ken, ye need me, but I am worried on Maggie and m’sons. I want tae see if Lizbeth is well. Liam might need m’help. I understand, Young Magnus, but this is concernin’...” He shook his head. “Nae, I must go see tae them. I can come back, canna I come back once I check on them?”

I watched him, calculating, thinking of the promise made tae Lizbeth, who was worried on him. I had drawn him away from his family intae m’life, twas nae fair... I nodded. “Aye, ye can go tae Balloch, then ye can come back as soon as ye ken they are well. Then ye will build the walls.”

Fraoch chewed his lip. “Ye wanted Sean tae be here while I was gone.”

“I changed m’mind. He needs tae ken if his wife and bairns are well, there is too much unknown?—”

Fraoch said, “I could loop, I could try tae come back later taeday, ye could stall Edward. I could time travel intae the middle of the field and interrupt yer meeting. Och that would be a sight!”

“While that would be extraordinary, the last thing we need is looping,orfor the King of England tae learn of time travel. Yer presence would be helpful, but perhaps tis not so critical. I am goin’ tae tell the English King he is an arse and tae get off my lawn, nae one needs tae be here for it.”

Sean said, “Daena start a war.”

I said, “A war? A war canna start now, the walls haena been built. The walls need tae be built first or the world inna fair.”

Fraoch said, “Probably the world inna fair, and ye ken it.” He checked his watch, then said, “Och, I wish there were more hours in a day and the ability tae return on the same day.”

I shrugged tae show I was more assured than I felt. “I will meet the English King with Cailean and Chef Zach at m’side. This is the way it will go. I winna argue about?—”

Kaitlyn’s voice squawked over the radio. “Hey, you home?”

I spoke intae it. “I returned, aye, I am in the courtyard, but now must return tae the field with Fraoch, Hayley, and Sean, I am sending them tae Balloch.”

Her voice sounded sleepy. “Oh, Sean too?”

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