Page 100 of The Empire and the Wolf King

“Och, I had a feeling of dread in my heart.” I came tae the bed and knelt beside it again.

“You’re tired, you can come to bed.”

“I need tae wait up, the firewood is coming and some water, someone is goin’ for the physician. I need tae be up tae speak tae them, but ye may sleep, mo reul-iuil, I will stay up.”

“You wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, this is your time to be up on the walls, guarding.”

I nodded.

She yawned.

“If we are here much longer, I will change yer bandage, I just… it has frightened me tonight tae see it.”

“I understand.” She nestled intae the covers, facing me. I wrapped my hands around hers.

“Will it bother ye if I pray?”

In answer she drew my hand close and kissed the finger and kept it against her cheek. I lowered my head and quietly prayed.

The water had been delivered and the fire was roaring in the hearth, not for the heat but for the comfort of it.

And the physician had come. I had passed him a cleaning wipe, an ointment, and new bandages from the kit.

Then I walked with him tae the door of our room, while Kaitlyn dozed.

He clapped his hand on my shoulder. “I will return in a few hours to check on the bandages, Your Grace.”

“Will she be well?”

“Her Grace has lost a great deal of blood, but time will cure all wounds. I will return in a few hours to check in.”

He left our room and I closed the door behind him.

I returned tae the bed and climbed in behind her, under the covers, and wrapped my arms around her. She was already asleep again.

I kissed her behind her ear and whispered, “Time heals all wounds.” I watched the flames licking the inside of the hearth as I slowly fell asleep.

CHAPTER 46 - FRAOCH

INNIS CHONNEL CASTLE - 1301

At dinner in the Great Hall, I was celebrating that there was a working vessel, even though twas not workinghere.I had consumed a great deal of drink. I stood, swayin’ just a bit, and held m’glass up until it had grown quiet. “I wanted tae express m’gratitude tae our laird, Cailean Mòr, for takin’ in the bairns of Mag Mòr and the rest of his family?—”

William Wallace said, “Fraoch, must we listen tae ye raise a toast every night? Ye keep me from m’drink.”

I said, “Tis an honor that I hae taken from Mag Mòr. He never saw a dinner he couldna interrupt with long discourse about family and any other ramblings he considered important. I am tryin’ tae keep up his tradition.”

Cailean said, “Tis more likely that ye had tae deal with the gong farmer and now ye are tryin’ tae make us all suffer.”

“Tis just a small bit of it.” I laughed. “Why do I always hae tae be the one tae deal with him?”

Cailean said, “Tis the stench, ye ken, Fraoch, nae one else can bear it. Ye ought tae hae complained more the first day. And now he asks for ye, personally. And tis not so bad, ye only hae tae direct him.”

I sighed, deeply. “I suppose tis that I am so strong, courageous, and endearing, tis hard tae blame the gong farmer for seeking me out.” I raised m’glass even higher. “And ultimately the shite must be moved. I am a hero for it. Where was I…?”

Cailean said, “Ye were singin’ my praises.”

“Och aye, I am filled with gratitude that ye took us in, a decade ago, and tae Wallace for raisin’ arms with us.”

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