Page 38 of The Empire and the Wolf King

“A bit — not verra much, tae be truthful.”

“Why would ye say ‘a bit’ first and then amend it?”

“Because I am concerned ye are goin’ tae yell at me.”

She frowned. “Och nae, ye are a dismal story. Ye daena remember me at all? If ye remembered me ye would ken I am a wonderful person, and I winna yell unless ye deserve it. Dost ye deserve it?”

“Nae, not at all.”

She exhaled, long and irritated. “Good, ye seem like a fine man, and ye jumped intae action as soon as ye were called. Come intae my office, I want tae hear what has happened tae ye: I need explanations and I hae news.”

She stalked down the hall and I followed her intae a wee room, like a box, with doors that slid closed behind us.

I put m’hand on the rail, vaguely recallin’ that wee rooms like this would move. I remembered pressin’ the buttons with Ben and jumpin’ up and down tae make it bounce. “What is it called? I hae forgotten.”

“An elevator, or a conveyance.”

I planted my feet with my hands folded in front of me while it lifted.

She asked, “When was the last time ye were in an elevator?”

“Och, almost a decade of livin’ in drafty medieval castles, I dinna remember at first, but it has come back tae me now.”

She mused, “When I first time traveled I had never been in one, I thought I would faint away.”

I said, “Where, here?”

“Aye, when yer grandfather Donnan requested me tae come, I had never seen such riches before.”

The door slid open and Lady Mairead stalked down a grand hallway tae a door guarded by men. They bowed when she approached, and opened the door for her. I followed her in.

CHAPTER 17 - ARCHIBALD

THE KINGDOM OF RIAGHALBANE - 2391

Lady Mairead gestured tae a comfortable chair in front of a hearth with a fire going, but then grasped my arm. “Nae, Prince Archibald, ye look filthy — are ye clean enough tae sit upon the damask?”

I winced. “Once again, Grandmother, I daena ken how tae answer ye. I imagine I am not as dirty as I hae ever been, but likely I am filthy compared tae others ye invite tae sit upon the damask.”

She waved a hand and her servants spread towels over the chair while I stood awkwardly. “They are antiques, I daena want tae see yer arse-print upon them.” Then she waved for me tae sit.

A drink was brought. She gave me an ale, and a glass of water with ice in it. I picked it up, relishin’ the cold against the palm of m’hand, and drank it down with three gulps. I wiped my mouth on m’sleeve. “More please.”

She snapped her fingers and a moment later a pitcher was brought and more ice water was poured intae my glass.

I drained that one with three gulps and then held the glass up tae the light. “Och I hae forgotten much of the glory of the world.”

“If ice water seems tae be a glory then ye hae been in the past for much too long.”

I put down the glass. “I am famished, can we hae something tae eat as well, Grandmother?”

“Canna ye call me Lady Mairead? The other makes me feel aged. I hae barely grown used tae being called it by the young princes and princesses, and I am not quite ready tae allow the grown man in front of me tae use it.”

“I will try, but ye feel like m’grandmother tae me, and tis fine tae see ye. It has been a long time. I missed ye.”

“Fine, ye may call me whatever ye want.” She looked down on her hands. “First I must ask, I hae just heard that my… um… my dear son Sean is dead?” Her voice cracked on the final word.

I shook my head sadly. “Och nae, ye hae only just heard?” I looked around the room. “How much time has passed since ye heard?”

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