Page 71 of The Empire and the Wolf King

I passed him the cream. “Apply this tae the wound, please.”

He inspected it in the light and then smeared some on the wound. I passed him a white bandage, and then he held the bandagin’ on the wound while I ripped strips of tape and sealed the edges. He was verra curious about all of it.

Kaitlyn mumbled. “Give him the supplies, as a thank you.”

I glanced at Archibald. His face had gone dark, his hands clenched, his feet jigglin’. He looked full of angst and ready tae fight the clouds, as I had done many times before.

He said, “Is Ma goin’ tae be… will she…?”

I said, “Aye, it looks like she will be well.”

She mumbled, “I’m sorry I worried you, Archie.”

He wiped his face with his sleeve.

I began going through the kit pulling out a few extra supplies. “I can spare some extra, but we need tae keep some for yer care.” I passed them tae the physician. “For cleaning wounds, sire. And an exceptional ointment tae help prevent pustulence.” I dinna want tae give up the antibiotic pills or the pain relief. I gave him some bandages and an extra spool of tape. Seeing it in his hands, though, gave me a feelin’ of dread:what if we needed it?

Kaitlyn looked as if she were falling asleep. Doctor Everett pulled a book from the shelf by his seat and spread it out on a desk. He sat down and prepared a quill pen for writing. “What is the lady’s name, sire?”

Because twas habit I reached in my pocket for another pen, this one was not as grand as the one I gave tae Jefferson. “I humbly ask ye, Doctor Everett, tae please use my own pen for the purpose.”

He held it up. “This is a pen? It is a marvel! Where is the ink?” He held it verra close tae his eyes as if he might see through it.

“Inside, tis a good pen for travel.”

He licked the point, pressed it tae the page, and made a verra small mark. “Perfection!”

I said, “This is Lady Kaitlyn Campbell, and I am Magnus Campbell. I am the Duke of Awe…” I paused, watching him write across and down the page. Twas always a relief. If ye were added tae the record, yer family could find ye, even if ye werna lost, even if yer son had already come.

He asked, “And you are…?”

“I am Archibald.”

He spoke as he wrote, “Gunshot wound, cleaned… set upon by highwaymen, on this date…”

Then he looked it over and said, while writing a bit more, “Gifted unguents and bandages by His Highness the Duke.”

He then held up the pen once more, admiring it. “I would greatly love one of these implements.”

“I wish I had one tae gift ye, but alas I must keep it as tis a family heirloom.”

“I see, sire, of course, pray, you may stay and rest for a bit. I will hae refreshments brought in, the lady is likely to be tired.”

He left for the other part of his house.

CHAPTER 32 - MAGNUS

THE PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE - CHARLOTTESVILLE 1775

Twas night and the room was cast in darkness. Kaitlyn seemed dazed, dozing on and off on her cot. There was a fire in the hearth, a smell of smoke clung to the air, firelight flickering on Kaitlyn’s face as she rested. The physician had sent bread and cheese intae the room for our restoration.

I sat in a chair beside m’wife, pattin’ her hand. Archibald took a seat by the window and pulled the curtain away tae peer out, holding the lamp near. “Nae one is comin’ yet.” He kept his voice low; we were tryin’ tae be discreet.

I said, “Tis likely it will take them some time afore they come lookin’ for us here.”

He nodded. “I am not interested in the hassle. I hae things tae accomplish first.”

I asked, “How auld are ye?”

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