Page 3 of The Empire and the Wolf King

Jack said, “We ate the gum.”

Emma smeared some chapstick on her lips. “This feels so good, that is awesome. Totally makes up for the fact that we didn’t get rescued right away. I forgive all of you for making the decision.” She smacked her lips, then asked, “So what do we do now?”

I said, “Nothin’ for us tae do, but ken that we are goin’ tae be rescued long before this.”

Zoe narrowed her eyes, “Thenwhat happens tae us?”

I shrugged. “I daena ken, naething.”

Zoe asked, “Will we forget this time? I would miss it, winna ye miss it, Isla?”

She nodded. “But I miss Ma and Da more.”

We all nodded quietly.

Jack climbed up from the bed. “Do ye still need me for hugs, Aunt Emma?”

She said, “No, I feel much better. Where are you going?”

“I am goin’ tae wait for them at the window.”

He padded across the room and sat down in front of the window with his chin on his arm, watching.

Haggis lumbered up, padded over, and slumped down beside him. Jack said, “Hey auld boy, ye good?” Haggis put his head down to sleep.

Hayley put her head on m’arm. “We just wait?”

“Tis all we can do, I look forward tae when Cailean calls on Ben and me tae come do chores tae take our minds off?—”

Hayley put her head on my shoulder. “He came by earlier looking for you, he wanted you to direct the gong farmer.”

“Och nae, not the gong farmer! He is the worst, tis the worst job. It took a week afore the scent left m’nose. We ought tae install some plumbin’ tae flush our feces tae the sea.” He muttered. “Why canna we invent plumbing, m’bean ghlan?”

Hayley said, “Because we can’t change history or some other nonsense.”

“And we are centuries away from someone inventin’ it and so I canna pretend tae be the one… but I suppose dealin’ with the gong will keep m’mind off the waiting.”

Isla asked everyone, “What dost ye think will happen tae us?”

Jack mumbled with his chin on his arm, “Naethin’, Archie is goin’ tae rescue us.”

Hayley and Emma both frowned.

I said, “Och nae,” under m’breath.

Ben said, “I daena want tae think about it.”

Hayley asked, “So, he’s going to go get his Da, is that the plan?”

I shrugged.

Zach said, “Who knows, do you think he’ll be able to find them? And where are Quentin and Lochie? He needs to locate everyone so they can help.”

Emma said, “Does Archie even remember what Lochie looks like?”

Isla said, “I canna remember. Was he a ginger?”

I said, “Aye, he was, I canna believe ye daena remember yer Uncle Lochie?—”

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