Page 19 of The Empire and the Wolf King

I said, “Damn, now you’re a Founding FatherandSanta, could you get any hotter?”

He laughed.

There was another long wail from the house.

I whispered, “Of course, if I could somehow get my name on that birth certificate, but I doubt that would work, we need to get out of here and find someone with a big ol’ library and possibly treaties and leases for you to sign.”

“I agree.”

He led me around the back of the barn and we slunk into the shadows when we saw a couple rushing through the night, carrying a lantern up to the house.

We ran across a dark field to the woods and felt our way through the trees, until we found a path to walk down, heading east in the moonlight.

We came to the village just before dawn. There was a row of shops and a street market beginning to open. Magnus spent too much on bread for us with a silver coin. The farmer gave us butter, cheese, and a cup, all in a string bag.

We tried to pretend we weren’t famished, and were civilized, so we waited to eat until we had walked behind a shop. Then we dug through the bag, stuffing hunks of bread in our mouths, biting into the block of cheese, passing it all back and forth.

Then, so thirsty, I couldn’t eat anymore, I gasped, “I need water.”

His hands full of bread and cheese he pointed with his elbow. “I saw a well over there.”

At the well, he pulled up the bucket and dipped our cup in and drank, we passed the cup back and forth. Finally I leaned against the well and said, “It’s official, I have had enough.”

“Aye, it has been days since I was satiated and had enough sleep.” He straightened himself to walk. “But this village is an easy walk or cart ride from Siddall’s farm. He might come any minute now, we need tae procure a ride east… Where does Tom Jefferson live, ye think? Ye ken the name of the town?”

“I know the name of his estate, Monticello. That’s something I learned in school, maybe it can prove helpful.”

“Twill be helpful if tis helpful.” He looked up and down the lane and then said, “Follow me.”

Ten minutes later we were sitting in the back of a cart, leaning against large bundles, as it shifted back and forth. We were rolling down the road headed toward Charlottesville, the biggest town near the Monticello estate.

I said, my legs tucked up under my skirts. “It was helpful, huh?”

“Aye.” He took my hand and squeezed it. “I was thinking once we procure a room in an inn, we will send a messenger tae Monticello, informin’ Tommy that I am a visitin’ dignitary who wants tae set up a meetin’—”

“What kind of dignitary, a king or a?—?”

“I will be Magnus, the Duke of Awe. He winna be able tae doubt me, he canna prove I am not who I say I am.”

“Yeah, that sounds good. We can get you outfitted with a horse and better clothes for the meeting.”

“Aye, but tae get the meeting on his register might be enough, ye ken? If Lady Mairead hears Tom Jefferson had a meetin’ planned with Magnus, the Duke of Awe, it might be enough for her tae investigate.”

“This is a plan.”

“Aye.”

We grew quiet as the cart shifted and rolled under us. Then finally he said, “Daena grow sad, mo reul-iuil.”

“How did you know I was…?”

“Because I am growin’ sad, tis a long journey and our plan will take many days tae complete. We must put one foot in front of the other, we canna despair.”

I squeezed his hand. “I agree. I won’t grow sad, not at all. I’m your rock, my love, cruachan.”

He said, “Cruachan.”

And then we stared out at the unfamiliar landscape as we rolled by.

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