Page 49 of The Empire and the Wolf King

“I am worried, because ye are foolhardy like yer father, and overly certain of yer success, and I am also verra proud of ye, ye are a fine man, and I wish I could give ye the world.”

“I will see you soon. Asgall daena ken it but he isalreadydead. Ye winna hae enough time tae even miss me.”

“Good.” She turned and swept away, stalking toward the door, refusing tae continue tae say goodbye.

I watched her go and then twisted the vessel tae leave for the battle.

CHAPTER 21 - ARCHIBALD

NORTH OF STAUNTON, VIRGINIA - 1775

Iopened my eyes and looked all around tae make certain I was safe. It looked tae be before midday, then I lay there for a long time in the dirt of an unfamiliar forest, thinking about what a sad story this was. Twas a ‘damn tragedy,’ as Uncle Zach would hae said.

Finally, I lumbered up and made certain Stormy had recovered well.

I checked the vessel with relief. It was still vibrating with life in my palm, I would be able tae get out of here when twas time.

I secured my gear, hidin’ it, and set the lock on the strap. There was a beacon that connected tae a device in m’pocket, and it took getting the instructions from the folder and a couple of tries tae arm it for when I left.

This took a great deal of time. Then I realized I wanted more ammunition. I dismantled the lock, dug out a box of ammunition, and had tae reset it all. I spoke tae Stormy through it, “I ken, ye see me doin’ it again, I forgot something… and I daena ken how any of this works.”

He whinnied.

I looked at the horse. “Good for ye, Stormy, thank ye for talkin’ tae me, ye remind me of Mario.”

Stormy shook his head as if proud.

I smiled. “Och, tis hot as a witch-tree aflame at noon.” I mopped my face with a cloth and took off my coat, put it folded into a saddlebag, and loosened my shirt collar. I mopped my face again.

“The wool breeches are heatin’ the berries.”

I said tae Stormy, “If Ben were here he would hae laughed.”

Stormy looked at me and dinna laugh at all.

“Tis fine, ye daena hae tae think I am funny.”

I managed tae get it all locked up and set the alarm and beacon. I would be able tae return tae this spot, and nae one else would be able tae get intae my gear.

I climbed tae the nearest rise and looked out over the horizon: tae my right, west, there were mountains, hills tae my left, a river tae the south. I checked the map, then I climbed on Stormy, and we headed toward our destiny.

I arrived at the brothel at dusk. I dismounted Stormy and crouched behind a large boulder and peered through the binoculars I had been given.

All around me the air hummed with a chorus of crickets, helping tae keep m’presence in the woods secret.

I mopped my face again and whispered tae Stormy, “Ye would think that at dusk the air would cool instead of continuin’ on as if twas a doorway tae hell.”

Stormy stamped.

Then a group of six men on horses rode up in front of the brothel.

One man, dressed like a gentleman much like m’self, dismounted, but in the waning light I couldna make out his features. He went up tae the porch and entered the front door. The other five men stationed themselves around the outside of the house.

A light went on in a downstairs room. It seemed electric, brighter than it ought tae be for an oil or candle flame.

The man had been Asgall, I felt certain. I dug through the bag and got out Grandmother’s monitor. Twas too dark to read it so I ducked behind a tree and doin’ my best tae block the glow, turned on m’flashlight for just a moment. I directed the beam at the monitor.There was a second vessel here.

I turned it off, blinkin’, tryin’ tae readjust tae the darkness. I whispered tae Stormy, “Tis him, but how will I get inside?”

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