Chapter 15 Maximillian
MAXIMILLIAN
Igroaned as I pulled myself conscious, the taste of mud in m’mouth, m’body achin’. My uniform was damp, the air cold. I raised my head tae look around as the wind rose above me, twas a second storm, brutal and harrowing. I dinna hae time or the energy tae get away.
I rolled up ontae my side, covered my head, and prayed.
The wind roared, lightning arced near me, the branches whipped above me. It seemed tae last for a long time, when something heavy landed on me with a thud — warm, solid, unconscious. I opened an eye tae see Torin’s face, peaceful as if he were asleep.
I grunted, shoving at the weight, rollin’ him tae the side. “Och nae, get off me, ye great ox!”
I raised my head tae see Alexandria’s large orange cat, sittin’ upon her chest, lookin’ at me suspiciously. “Ye made it through the trip, cat?”
I nudged Alexandria’s arm. The cat hissed, but dinna look as if he meant it. I said, “Ye ken me, I was at yer house. I am her brother. I just want tae see she is well.”
The cat slowly stepped off her and trotted off tae sit on a boulder in the sun.
Torin’s eyes fluttered open, “Och, did we survive it?”
I said, “Aye, and though we are lyin’ in the mud, tis the mud of the twenty-second century.”
“I am verra glad tae see it, as it means I haena died.”
Alexandria’s eyes fluttered open.
“As soon as ye are both up we need tae walk tae the encampment.”
Torin said, “Ye are in the mud just as much as I am.”
I joked, “Och, am I? I thought I had put the effort intae standing already.” I groaned and clambered tae my feet.
Torin put his arm across his face. “I am glad tae see ye, I was worried ye might hae changed yer mind.”
I picked a twig from my hair. “I winna change my mind. I made the decision long afore I came tae seek yer counsel. And I only did that so ye would feel included. Ye ken how ye get, grumblin’ like a bairn if I do things without ye.”
He chuckled. “Ye see, I wanted tae bring a pizza with me, but if I had, I wouldna share it with ye. I tell ye, m’laird, that was the last pizza I will ever share with ye, we are through.”
I put out a hand. “Ye need help gettin’ up, ye arse?”
He put out his hand and I heaved him up.
He brushed off his legs. “I am relieved the Princess inna awake tae see how ye are behavin’.”
Alexandria’s voice from the ground, “I hear it, I hear both of you carrying on.”
He asked, “Ye well, mo leannan?”
“Yes, m’love, are you well?”
“Aye.”
Max said, “Och, ye are verra sweet tae each other, I am happy for ye both.”
Just then an ATV pulled up with three men in it. Torin stepped in front of Alexandria.
I said, “Daena worry, tis the uncles.”
The men all waved.
Torin said, under his breath, “These are the auld men we are goin’ tae follow intae war?”
I said, “They arna so auld, ten years aulder than myself.”
Torin scoffed. “They look as if they canna toss three stone.”
“I daena think tis how they determine who is in command.”
The men climbed from the ATV and came over. Uncle Ryan passed towels to Torin and me. “We wondered if you were going to return, Max.”
I wiped mud off my pants and didn’t meet his eyes. “Aye, I did some thinkin’, sought the counsel of m’man, Torin, and hae made a decision.”
Uncle Ryan said, “And…?”
“I will be joining yer battle. Torin has come tae lend his sword. I brought Alexandria so she will be safe while we are battling.”
Uncle Ryan clapped me on the shoulder. “That was a hard decision.”
“Aye, twas, but I daena want tae talk about it.”
“Good, we won’t.”
Uncle Charlie crouched beside Alexandria. “Hello, niece, how was the jump?”
“Terrible, and you are?”
“I’m Uncle Charlie, your mother’s little brother. I haven’t seen you since you were a baby, but I dreamed of this moment, man, I am so glad to see you.” He swiped his lower arm across his eyes.
He added, “I wish your mom and dad could be here to see you. But alas, the only thing left is avenging them and winning the throne again for you kids.”
Alexandria’s chin trembled, but she sat up and wiped the hair from her forehead.
Uncle Charlie turned his focus on Torin then, “I’m Charlie. You’re Torin? Max speaks very highly of you.”
Torin chuckled, and said, “Max, forget I said I wouldna share pizza with ye anymore, I am forgivin’ ye for all of it.”
I rolled my eyes.
Torin helped Alexandria up and she was handed a towel to clean off some of the mud. Introductions were made.
Uncle Aenghus said, “I am verra pleased tae see ye, Alexandria — my niece, what a joyous day. Where and when were ye raised?”
“Most recently it was 2004 in Brevard, North Carolina.”
Uncle Charlie said, “A princess raised in North Carolina and Max told us you had no idea you were a royal?”
“None at all.”
Ryan said, “I haven’t seen you since you were a baby, but I totally recognize you. You are a sight for sore eyes. I thought Max looked like Nor, I wasn’t expecting that you would look just like Livvy. You see it, Charlie?”
“Yeah, it’s hurting my heart a bit.”
“Mine too. Once we get back to the encampment we’ll sit down so we can hear all about you. And this is the famous Torin? I heard you are Max’s brother-in-arms.”
They shook hands.
I said, “See Torin, I hae been speakin’ on ye.”
Torin chuckled. “As ye ought.”
Ryan said, “I gather from your size you’ll be useful in the coming battle.”
Torin said, “I know m’way around a sword fight.”
“Good, good, we need ya…” His eyes traveled around our group. “Did that giant cat come with you?”
Alexandria grinned, “Yeah, that’s Dude, he’s an experienced time traveler. This is his second trip.”
Ryan chuckled. “Well, cat, welcome to the war.”