Page 62 of Torin and the Princess

He looked around the room as we all shook our heads. He nodded, “Twas just an idea…”

He took a bite of pasta. “This is verra good, Mistress Lexi, I hae never had such delicious food.”

Cooper rolled his hand. “So you’ve stolen your ‘laird’ Maximillian’s vessel?”

“Nae, twas lyin’ on a table in a croft in Moulin, dost ye ken the area?”

“Scotland? Nah, never been to Scotland.”

“Well, twas lyin’ there, and the window was open. There were likely tae be guards near, but I dinna worry on them much. The vessel was there for the takin’, so I jumped through the window intae the room — Max was slow, I got tae it first. Then we ranand I was about tae toss it tae him, when it ripped me from time.” He sipped from his beer, then belched loudly and grinned.

We all looked shocked at first, but then Jen and I burst into laughter.

He said, “Tis how ye ken the meal is good, inna it?” He looked at us laughing, “Ye daena belch at the table?”

Jen and I shook our heads. Cooper looked at us like we had lost our minds.

“Och nae, forgive me, but also, ye ought tae properly belch. Tis a compliment tae the fine meal. Our cook expects the halls of the castle tae ring with belches or his mood darkens and he will fight with the buckets in the night.”

I laughed, “Yes, I suppose it is a compliment. I’m glad you are enjoying my cooking.”

Cooper ate quietly. “I don’t believe any of this, I’ll have you know, not one damn word.”

Jen said, “Can you think of any other explanation?”

“Nope, but it’s not up to me to explain it. It’s up to the cosplay-guy here to prove it.” Cooper turned to me. “You’re legit saying it was a sword-fight, out back?”

“Yes, it was terrifying, thankfully I was armed.”

“Thank God you didn’t shoot some medieval sword-fighting guy with my gun, who knows what would have happened, there are probably laws.”

Jen said, “Yeah, against murder.”

Torin said, “Aye, and the laws of the duel. I make sure tae always follow edicts, so I winna be held accountable by Argyll.”

Jen asked, “Who is Argyll?”

“The 4thEarl of Argyll. Archibald Campbell. Hae ye heard of him?”

Jen and I shook our heads.

Cooper put his hands out in disbelief.

Torin said, “He was a trusted noble tae King James V and has been a great and courageous military leader. I serve him.”

Cooper said, “You just said you’re loyal to some guy named Maximillian.”

“I serve them both. I hae tae follow Argyll’s commands, but I hae sworn my loyalty tae Max in his quest for the vessel.”

Cooper pushed his chair from the table. “I need to go to the bathroom.” He put his napkin beside his plate and left the room.

Jen whispered, “Cooper isn’t usually like this. He’s really bummed, huh?”

I nodded. “Yep. He’s dealing with a lot.”

We ate quietly for a moment. Then I realized Cooper hadn’t returned, and wasn’t returning, so I pretended to go get another bottle of wine and went to go check if he was okay.

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