Page 72 of The Empire and the Wolf King

“Almost nineteen years, I think? Twas the year of our Lord, 1301 when I left.”

“Och nae, where hae ye been livin’ all this time?”

“We hae been livin’ in Innis Chonnel with Uncle Cailean as our laird.”

I said quietly, “He is a good man.”

“Aye.”

“Who else was living with ye? Did Jack and Isla…? Are they still…?”

“Aye, Jack is ten years auld now, and Isla is near grown, she and Zoe are verra close and Ben and I hae been learning tae fight with Uncle Wallace?—”

My brow drew down, “Wallace? As in William Wallace? He stayed around?”

“Aye, he has taken us under his care, and he and I are about tae raise arms against Edward in a battle for the throne. Ye will be proud, Da, I will finally hae the throne again.”

My heart broke over his words. “I am always proud of ye, Archibald.”

“I ken, but I will be king, or… I mean, ye will hae the throne… or ye ken, it will belong tae our family line once more. We just killed Asgall, now we just hae tae defeat Edward and we will hae avenged that terrible night.”

I chewed my lip while listening. “That would be good.” Then I added, “When ye were young ye were frightened of sittin’ on a throne, now ye are fightin’ for the chance.”

“I had tae grow up, people are countin’ on me.” Archibald added, “And Uncle Fraoch, Aunt Hayley, Uncle Zach, Aunt Emma, and Haggis are there.”

“Haggis has lived so long? Och he is a cù math.”

“We think he is stayin’ alive tae see ye again.”

“Ten years is a long time for a dog tae live, but he was given tae me by a witch, she might hae put a spell upon him.”

He said simply, “He is verra auld, I daena think he can hold out waitin’ much longer. And Emma is verra unwell, she was in a terrible accident and canna walk, she needs surgery, that is what Hayley says, and there is a wound that winna heal.”

His eyes rested on the first-aid kit. “I am wonderin’, could the packages of cream in that box work the miracles that we need?”

Then he shook his head. “I canna think on it, I just hae tae do what needs be done.”

Kaitlyn’s voice, from the cot, “You lived all that time without anyone coming to rescue you? Were you frightened?”

I said, “I dinna ken ye were awake and listening.”

“How can I sleep when I need to see him? I’ve been desperate to see all of them for days.”

He said, “Ye hae only been gone from us for days?”

I said, “Aye.”

Kaitlyn said, “And I missed you all so much — I think my heart will break. Does Jack even remember me?”

Archibald chewed his lip, and sighed. “He missed ye a great deal.”

I heard her sob with sadness.

Archibald poured some tea in the cup in front of her and passed it tae her. “Some tea, Ma.”

She raised up a bit tae blow on it tae cool it and then tae sip. “I wondered if I would see you again.” She put the teacup back in its saucer and lay back.

Archibald said, “Aye, but ye meant the wee lad I once was, tis a surprise tae hae me show up a full man.”

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