Page 42 of The Empire and the Wolf King

“Ye daena hae any manners! I am surprised Madame Emma haena taught ye better, she seems capable of raising young men tae be civilized.”

“I hae manners. I just daena want tae use them right now, because ye are judgin’ me, and I am hungry. Ye ken, twould be good manners on yer part tae ignore that I haena eaten modern food in many long years and allow me tae get intae it.” I gnawed off a large hunk and chewed, smiling.

She rolled her eyes. “I suppose I will hae tae try tae ignore ye.”

“Twould be best.” I dropped the knife tae the plate with a clatter and ripped a piece of bread in half. I stuffed it in my mouth and chewed. “Och, the bread is not as satisfying, I ought tae stick tae the steak.” I jammed the knife point intae the meat again and lifted it tae my mouth, gnawing off another bite.

“Is it cooked tae yer liking, Prince Archibald?”

“Aye, but I feel I hae tae hurry. I need tae leave afore the vessel is turned off — is it turned off?”

She had it placed on the table beside her. She jabbed it with her finger. “Nae, tis still working.”

She lifted her fork tae her mouth and chewed daintily.

“I need tae solve this, tae rescue my Ma and Da, my whole family, tae kill Asgall, and then return tae Innis Chonnel. I hae a battle tae wage for my kingdom.”

“What is yer plan tae win yer kingdom?”

“Tis not important, tis a good plan.”

“Why winna ye tell yer grandmother of it?”

“Because ye are a woman, ye will find it borin’.”

“I assure ye I hae listened tae the battle plans of men for many long hours. I am always interested, often dismayed, but never bored. Tell me.”

“Uncle Wallace and I want tae meet Edward at Earnside near Crieff, but we will bring half of our men around from the south and we plan tae push him back intae the river. They will be surrounded and will hae tae beg for us tae allow them tae escape.”

She raised her chin and laughed.

My brow drew down. “Why are ye laughing?”

“Tis the plan of a young man! It all depends on yer winning. If ye daena win ye will be dead in the dirt, Prince Archibald, with a bloom of blood from yer chest. This is not the wise planning of a seasoned military man, of a general, a king, the kind of plan that will win a war and give ye back yer throne.”

“What dost ye think I ought tae do?”

“What do I know, I am just a woman.”

The corner of her mouth twitched, close tae a smile.

I chewed a bite of steak sullenly. Then I sat up straight and used the fork and knife tae cut a small piece, and I ate it like a gentleman.

She said, “Ye learned tae read, Archibald?”

“Aye.”

“Then I will give ye yer father’s favorite book, the Art of War. Tis verra useful, I hae read it many times. Is the English king still armed with modern weapons?”

“He has some, but I daena think Asgall arms him anymore.”

“Good. When ye return tae the past, I will give ye armaments. Dost ye hae many men?”

“Uncle Wallace and I are able tae raise a large army.”

“Ye will need tae exploit Edward’s weakness, ye must know yer enemy. Hae ye determined what it is?”

I shook my head. “I daena ken much about him. We thought tae meet him in the field and outmatch him, as he will hae tae travel farther and we will be fighting near our homes. I believe that will give us the upper?—”

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