Page 115 of The Empire and the Wolf King

Ben said, “Did I help?”

Lady Mairead paused, then said, “Aye, Archibald told me that in every battle ye fought alongside him.”

Archie said, “But it’s not really going to happen right?”

Lady Mairead said, “It did happen, ye made it so that we are all safe and ye are safe. We can breathe a sigh of relief and not worry on it anymore.”

He thought for a moment. Then said, “Awesome.”

Lady Mairead said, “He was verra heroic. Archibald, I would like tae introduce ye tae Wilfred Weaver. I am engaged tae be married tae him.”

Wilfrey bowed his head. “Pleased to meet you, Prince Archibald.”

Archie said, “Nice to meet you too. What will I call you…?”

Wilfrey said, “You may call me Wilfrey, Your Highness.”

Archie said, “I am happy for you, Grandmother, you’ve been lonely.”

Lady Mairead cut her eyes to Magnus and said, “Thank ye, Archibald, it means a great deal tae me that ye feel that way.”

Then Archie turned to Ben and held up an imaginary sword and Ben held up an imaginary sword, making light-saber noises, and they pretended to sword fight all across the deck and into the house.

Lady Mairead asked, “Where were we?”

“Ye were telling me about Arse-gall.”

She said, “By the time we discovered his machinations, he was king of Scotland in 1296, filling in the vacancy yer arse made when ye left.”

Magnus scowled.

She continued, “Tae counter him ye went back there tae 1291 and retook yer throne.”

“I regained it without battle?”

“Aye, they welcomed ye, but Asgall conspired with King Edward of England and?—”

Fraoch said, “Och nae, Eddie is a huge arse, almost as big as Arse-gall who must be bigger as the arse-ness of him is right in his name.”

Magnus squinted his eyes, leaned forward, hanging on her word.

She said, “Ye were called out tae battle Edward in the field at?—”

Magnus said, “Kippen,” at the same time. “How did I ken it?”

I shook my head. “Another time shift.”

Lady Mairead said, “I will need nae interruptions tae get through this next part.” We all quieted. “Ye met him in the field. Ye had Zach with ye and Ben and Archie and Sean?—”

“Sean Campbell? M’brother Sean time traveled?”

“Aye,” she took a deep staggering breath, her chin quivering.

Magnus said, “Is Sean all right?”

“Edward and Asgall killed him in front of ye, Magnus. I can barely speak on it. I hae been all alone in Riaghalbane with m’son lost tae me forever.” Wilfrey held her hand, she dabbed at her eyes with a napkin.

Magnus said, “Och nae, what happened tae him, he fell in battle?”

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