Page 73 of The Empire and the Wolf King

She nodded. “Time travel…”

“Aye. Ye are goin’ tae survive? Och, I was worried.”

“Yes… I will, definitely.”

I watched them both talk tae each other, feeling a sense of melancholy about it. I got up, went tae the hearth, and crouched tae add a log.

Then I clapped my hands taegether. “We hae a lot tae discuss afore we part.”

Kaitlyn pulled herself up tae sitting and pushed the hair back from her face. “Why are we parting, what’s happening?”

I said, “Archibald inna here tae rescue us, he was here tae kill Asgall, then we, ye and I, are goin’ tae be rescued in a different time.”

She said, “Oh, do-over shenanigans, like we talked about…”

I nodded. “He has come tae the same conclusion, tis right, Archibald?”

“Aye, Da, I am not here tae rescue ye. Tae be truthful, this was not at all m’plan, I dinna ken I would meet Asgall here, I planned tae avoid seein’ ye. I was goin’ tae go tae the brothel and kill him in a great battle, but I missed him there. Next I was goin’ tae go tae New York. I dinna hae a good plan, I was just going tae follow him around, find him somewhere tae kill him, but I knew ye were here… and though I told myself I wouldna see ye, I was weak.”

I returned tae my chair. “Tis not weakness, Archibald, tis human nature.”

He sat quietly. The reflection of the fire dancin’ upon his cheek. “I daena ken if tis forgivable, but I am nae sorry I did it. I am glad ye dinna die and I got a chance tae see ye.”

She said, “Me too. I would come sit beside you but I don’t want to get blood on nice Doctor Everett’s settee.”

He stood and lowered himself down to the cot and put his head on her shoulder. She put her arm around him and pressed her cheek to the top of his head. “I remember when you fit here easily, you were not near as big, and it seems like it was only yesterday.”

I passed her a handkerchief tae wipe her cheeks. She dabbed on them while holding on around his shoulder.

He looked verra sad as he said, “I wanted tae say, Da, I am sorry I rushed out from the cellars that night durin’ the battle. Ye told me not tae come out until ye sent someone tae get me, and I fear that I caused ye tae be taken, I…”

Kaitlyn passed him her handkerchief. He wiped his nose, then finished, “And I said goodbye with the howl of a wolf. I hae regretted it, twas not sincere enough for how I felt when I said goodbye.”

I shook my head, sadly. “Och nae, Archibald, if ye hadna come from the cellars, ye would hae missed me and I wouldna been able tae see ye afore I was taken. And yer howl — ye gave me hope, twas a verra brave thing tae do, tae howl tae the heavens. Ye showed the king of England that ye were goin’ tae become a threat. I bet he is frightened tae hae ye as an adversary.”

He looked down at the handkerchief in his hands in the flickering firelight.

I continued, “But I accept yer apology and I forgive ye for not followin’ m’orders, ye were a young lad. Son, please, I forgive ye.”

“Thank ye, Da. Ever since then they hae been callin’ me the Wolf King.”

“Hae they now? Tis a good name for ye. I hope ye can win the throne so that Edward would hae tae negotiate with the Wolf King, he deserves the vexation.” I shook m’head. “Ken this, I am always proud of ye, ye daena let me down.”

“Thanks, Da.”

Kaitlyn said, “And you killed Asgall, you’re the hero. Thank you.”

CHAPTER 33 - MAGNUS

THE PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE - CHARLOTTESVILLE 1775

Archibald said, “I suppose I daena hae tae return tae Grandmother anymore. She kens Asgall is dead and has his vessel back… Tis just as well I daena need tae go, Riaghalbane is too grand and luxurious, I would never want tae return tae 1301.”

I said, “Ye plan tae return?”

“Aye, tis where my life is, tis where I need tae go.” Then he groaned. “Och nae! I still hae her monitor!”

He returned tae his seat beside his bag and dug through it, pulling out a battery-powered lantern, and turning it on. Beside it he placed some folders and loose papers and dug around until he found his vessel and Lady Mairead’s monitor.

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