The Empire and the Wolf King (Kaitlyn and the Highlander #21)

32. Chapter 32 - Magnus

CHAPTER 32 - MAGNUS

THE PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE - CHARLOTTESVILLE 1775

T was 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?”

“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.”

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.”