Page 68 of The Empire and the Wolf King

Archibald was beside Asgall digging through his pockets, then he stood, grabbed Asgall by the arms, and began draggin’ his body tae the hall.

He yelled, frantically, “Is Ma okay, will she survive it?”

“I think so?—”

She was noddin’. “Yes, Archie, I’m...” Then she groaned and put her head back down.

Archibald yelled, “I hae tae get him out of here, she needs a doctor, is she goin’ tae be okay?”

I tried tae pull her skirt up tae see the damage.

Archie was draggin’ the body down the hall — “We hae tae get out of here, men are comin’ tae investigate!”

Kaitlyn mumbled, “Where are my babies?” She looked tae be out of her mind with shock.

I scooped her up in my arms, her skirts heavy with blood. “Tis Archie here, all grown up, ye are goin’ tae see yer babies soon.”

He dragged Asgall’s body in front of us, leaving a long streak of blood down the hall.

“Aye, tis me, Ma — tis Archie, please daena die. We hae tae get away.”

The staff of the inn cowered behind the doors.

We rushed down a hall past the kitchen, past a wide-eyed maid and Master Taylor who pressed themselves against the wall.

Archibald said, “Thank ye, sire, for yer help,” as we passed.

Master Taylor nodded grimly.

Archibald said, “Tell them twas us, tell them twas Archibald Campbell who did it, ye had nothing tae do with it. They were bandits!”

Then, yellin’ from excitement and fear, he slammed himself against the door and dragged the body down the steps outside. “Ma! Hold on!”

CHAPTER 31 - MAGNUS

CHARLOTTESVILLE - 1775

We burst out the back door intae the alley in the dark night. “This way!” Archie dragged the body down the narrow alley tae a field in the back.

Kaitlyn’s head lolled against my shoulder.

“Stay with me, mo reul-iuil!” I raced behind him. “How many vessels dost ye hae?”

“Two!”

We emerged on the edge of a wide field with a small bit of moonlight showin’ the way. He dumped Asgall’s body in the dirt. “But I am supposed tae leave ye here and jump back tae Lady Mairead!”

Kaitlyn groaned.

I said, “Och nae, ye arna here tae rescue us?”

He shook his head. “Nae — Grandmother is goin’ tae reset the timeline… but — I daena want tae leave ye!” He looked right and left frantically.

He wasna here tae rescue us. He was only here tae kill Asgall.

I dinna hae time tae think. I had tae get Kaitlyn tae the doctor before I could decide what tae do. “Then go, I will take Kaitlyn tae the doctor?—”

“But I need tae be certain she is well! I canna leave without knowin’.” Archibald picked up Asgall by the shoulders and began draggin’ him tae the middle of the field. “I will send the body tae Lady Mairead, hold on, I need tae make sure Ma survives!”

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