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

55. Chapter 55 - Magnus

CHAPTER 55 - MAGNUS

THE CLEARING NEAR BALLOCH CASTLE - 1710

O ch nae, I was wet, rain was pourin’ down, m’head ached from drink and time travel and I had that sluggish feelin’ of being in a puddle of mud.

I thought tae myself through the pain — welcome back tae Scotland .

A voice was talking, inaudible at first, barely able tae reach m’ears, then it spoke louder, then louder once more — twas the familiar voice of m’brother, Sean.

Och aye.

I flopped over ontae my back with a splash of mud and blinked in the twilight. “Sean?”

“Aye, look at ye, deep in the mud like a wallowin’ mucag. Ye are made low, supposed tae be a king and yet are lollin’ in the mire at the feet of yer brother?—”

From my right I heard Lady Mairead. “Sean! Och, Sean, ye are alive!”

“Of course I am alive, I am standin’ here full of life.”

Lady Mairead began tae sob as she pulled herself up from the mud and threw herself intae his arms.

She sobbed even harder.

He said, “Mother, what is happenin’ with ye?”

She continued on.

He pushed her head back tae wipe her tears lookin’ down in her eyes, his face holdin’ deep concern. “Are ye well, Lady Mairead?”

“I thought ye were dead! I hae been believing it for days! I could barely survive it!”

“Nae, nae, mother.” He put his arms around her. “I am alive, I promise, what did ye think happened tae me?”

She sniffled and seemed unable tae speak, so from the mud I said, “Ye time traveled with me tae the year 1291 and King Edward of England murdered ye when we were negotiatin’ in a tent.”

“The King of England murdered me? Och, I must be verra important tae reach such an end. Did ye kill him in return?”

“I hae only just heard of it.”

She said, “I told Magnus and we came here tae see if it had truly happened. We prayed ye were safe.”

“I am safe, I haena even met the King of England.”

Lizbeth’s husband Liam, standing behind Sean asked, “Which Edward… the first or the last?”

Sean said, “Good question! We need tae ken which Edward I am goin’ tae avenge m’self on!”

I said, “The first. I met him, I canna stand him, he’s a total arse.”

Sean laughed. “I hae never been a fan of his legacy, but now I hae heard how I was treated, I am even more enraged by him.”

Lady Mairead smacked his arm. “Tis not a laughing matter, Sean, yer throat was slit, ye died in the mud of a field, not during battle, twas during a negotiation. Ye were almost lost tae me forever.”

He hugged her again. “Mother, I daena ken if I hae ever seen ye cry, ye hae been brought verra close tae breakin’. I am sorry I was the reason for it.”

“I am verra glad ye are alive. I was distraught at how I was goin’ tae tell Lizbeth and Maggie.”

He wiped her eyes. “Well, ye daena hae tae, whatever happened, it wasna true.”

She nodded and he walked over tae me and put out a hand out tae help me up. I grabbed his hand and pulled, rolling so that he fell face down in the mud.

Fraoch laughed, heartily. “Look who is wallowin’ in the mud now!”

Lochinvar groaned, Fraoch started tae splash mud on him, but he yelled, “Nae! I hae m’letter in m’pocket!”

Fraoch said, “Aye,” and stopped.

Sean looked back and forth. “What letter?”

Lochinvar said, “From m’wife.”

Sean looked at me. “What’s this then, the lad has taken a wife? She canna be a verra good wife, he can barely grow a beard.”

Lochinvar grumbled. “I can grow a beard!”

Sean grinned, “Och, daena get cross with me, lad. I almost died, I am just barely recovered from a near death.”

Lady Mairead said, “Ye are amused, Sean, but it took many men tae risk their lives tae get tae this moment where ye are alive, bein’ an arse in the mud.”

He laughed. “I am an alive arse in the mud though, ye are grateful tae see me.”

“Tis true.” She put her hand down tae help Wilfred up. “Are ye well, My Lord?”

Sean raised his head. “Who is this?”

I said, “ This is Wilfred Weaver, a famous actor from my kingdom. He is goin’ tae marry our mother. We are granted permission tae call him Wilfrey.”

“An actor, as in plays?”

“Aye, similar, he is in something called movies.”

Sean said, “Mother, is this true? Ye are goin’ tae marry? Ye swore ye would never marry again.”

Kaitlyn began passing out towels from our gear so we could clean off.

Lady Mairead took one. “I daena hae tae answer tae ye, Sean. I am Lady Mairead, the Queen Mother, and I can do as I wish.”

“Just one minute ago ye were mournin’ me, now ye daena want my opinion in it?” He stood, took a towel and wiped mud from his clothes. “Wilfrey Weaver, I am Sean, mother’s first born, youngest son of Arran Campbell, Earl of Lowden.”

Wilfred shook his hand. “I know it matters little what I think, but I am very relieved you are well, Sean. Mairead was desperately worried about you.”

“Thank ye, I am glad it all turned out, would everyone like tae go tae the castle?”

We loaded all the bairns up in the cart, hitched behind the horses. Sean said, “Magnus, I see ye dinna bring any supplies.”

I said, “What dost ye think of these three boxes?”

“Ye thought I had passed through the gates of heaven and all ye brought was three boxes? Och nae, I am insulted. Tis verra small compared tae what ye usually bring.”

I said, “We came in a hurry, I wanted tae see ye, I might be changin’ m’mind on how much I wanted tae see ye.”

Sean said, “I am seen, now ye can see Lizbeth.”

Lady Mairead said, as she primly walked along the path tae the castle, “Is the Earl here?”

“Nae. We hae Balloch all tae ourselves.”

She said, “Tis a shame, I was lookin’ forward tae telling him of my impending marriage tae the young handsome rich man who adores me.”

Wilfred said, “This is true.”