Page 125 of The Empire and the Wolf King

She sniffled and seemed unable tae speak, so from the mud I said, “Ye time traveled with me tae the year 1291 and King Edward of England murdered ye when we were negotiatin’ in a tent.”

“The King ofEnglandmurdered me? Och, I must be verra important tae reach such an end. Did ye kill him in return?”

“I hae only just heard of it.”

She said, “I told Magnus and we came here tae see if it had truly happened. We prayed ye were safe.”

“I am safe, I haena even met the King of England.”

Lizbeth’s husband Liam, standing behind Sean asked, “Which Edward… the first or the last?”

Sean said, “Good question! We need tae ken which Edward I am goin’ tae avenge m’self on!”

I said, “The first. I met him, I canna stand him, he’s a total arse.”

Sean laughed. “I hae never been a fan of his legacy, but now I hae heard how I was treated, I am even more enraged by him.”

Lady Mairead smacked his arm. “Tis not a laughing matter, Sean, yer throat was slit, ye died in the mud of a field, not during battle, twas during a negotiation. Ye were almost lost tae me forever.”

He hugged her again. “Mother, I daena ken if I hae ever seen ye cry, ye hae been brought verra close tae breakin’. I am sorry I was the reason for it.”

“I am verra glad ye are alive. I was distraught at how I was goin’ tae tell Lizbeth and Maggie.”

He wiped her eyes. “Well, ye daena hae tae, whatever happened, it wasna true.”

She nodded and he walked over tae me and put out a hand out tae help me up. I grabbed his hand and pulled, rolling so that he fell face down in the mud.

Fraoch laughed, heartily. “Look who is wallowin’ in the mud now!”

Lochinvar groaned, Fraoch started tae splash mud on him, but he yelled, “Nae! I hae m’letter in m’pocket!”

Fraoch said, “Aye,” and stopped.

Sean looked back and forth. “What letter?”

Lochinvar said, “From m’wife.”

Sean looked at me. “What’s this then, the lad has taken a wife? She canna be a verra good wife, he can barely grow a beard.”

Lochinvar grumbled. “I can grow a beard!”

Sean grinned, “Och, daena get cross with me, lad. I almost died, I am just barely recovered from a near death.”

Lady Mairead said, “Ye are amused, Sean, but it took many men tae risk their lives tae get tae this moment where ye are alive, bein’ an arse in the mud.”

He laughed. “I am an alive arse in the mud though, ye are grateful tae see me.”

“Tis true.” She put her hand down tae help Wilfred up. “Are ye well, My Lord?”

Sean raised his head. “Who is this?”

I said, “Thisis Wilfred Weaver, a famous actor from my kingdom. He is goin’ tae marry our mother. We are granted permission tae call him Wilfrey.”

“An actor, as in plays?”

“Aye, similar, he is in something called movies.”

Sean said, “Mother, is this true? Ye are goin’ tae marry? Ye swore ye would never marry again.”

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