“I got tae hold him, tis enough.”
She exhaled. “I suppose you have things to do?”
“I hae tae gather m’things. Ye ken, tae take m’mind off my worries. I wish I could watch a video on funny cats.”
She frowned. “I wish I had downloaded one to my phone.”
“Tis a thing? I could watch one here?”
“Yes.”
I said, “Then next time.”
“Will you take a vessel, just in case?”
“Nae, I daena want tae give Philip any of them. But we might hide one, here, in case we need it later, put one in the hole on the west wall of our room.”
She nodded.
“When ye leave, ye get tae the hidin’ place, and then ye figure out how tae contact Lady Mairead. Ye tell her ye need her tae come find me.”
“Of course. And maybe she already knows, maybe she got my message, maybe she’s on her way.”
“Aye, maybe...”
“If I promise to be very quiet, can I get Isla? I need to nurse her, but can I sit beside you while you get ready to go?”
I nodded.
Nineteen - Kaitlyn
I said to Hayley, Beaty, and Emma, “He has to go, he’s trading his life for Quentin and Sean and James and... He has to go.” I rearranged my tartan to put Isla in it, and adjusted the front of my shift so she could nurse hidden within the wrap. She was famished. I had been gone too long — again. Nursing felt so good after having been stressfully not nursing.
Emma asked, “Do you need me to come up with you? Need the support?”
“No, can you stay with Archie? He has to be kept safe, Magnus is stationing guards at the door. I don’t want him to get scared. I don’t want him to see Magnus leaving.”
“Okay.” She squeezed my hand.
I climbed the steps to the walls. Magnus had freshly washed his face, and then begun the work of preparing. He spoke to Fraoch. He loaded his gun. He ate some food. He and Zach went through Quentin’s gear and brought out a small box that had radio-signal trackers and a monitor. He put one of the trackers on the inside of his leather belt, he turned the dial, got a reading on the screen, and handed the monitor to me.
“This will tell ye where I am, as long as I am close enough tae ye.”
“If you aren’t in the same time zone, I won’t be able to find you at all.”
“Aye,” he nodded. “But ye are the one that needs tae stay put. Go tae Maine, set up a safe house. I will come home.”
I leaned forward, my head on his chest.
“I’m scared.”
“I need ye tae be strong.”
“Of course.”
“There are gale force winds comin’, a storm we canna see, mo reul-iuil. I am an arm around ye, a shelterin’ wing—”
“I like that...”
“Good, I am on yer windward side. I will take the winds. I am strong enough, I need ye tae shelter on the leeward side.”
I nodded my agreement, because speaking seemed like I would cry, and I needed to at least pretend to be strong enough for this.
He kissed me sweetly. I tried to concentrate on the lasting press of it, the taste, the scent, the overwhelming feeling, but I was going untethered, scared, sad. I hugged him, my arms wrapped around the strength of his back, and then I gathered my arms and wrapped them around Isla, protecting my middle, my heart, her. I received a kiss on my forehead. He pulled away the wrap, gazed down at Isla’s face and then turned, to pick up his weapons. “I will see ye soon, mo reul-iuil.”
“I will see you soon, Magnus.”
And he walked to the stairs.
I stood there on the wall, nursing Isla, occasionally peering over to see the front gate. And then alternately staring at the monitor, and alternately watching a drone, trying to be the strength I was required to be. I didn’t have it in me, but I had become good at pretending.
Twenty - Kaitlyn
Zach came up to the walls. “Magnus told me to give you this.” He handed me the vessel monitor.
He added, “He and I discussed it, I’ve got a vessel too.”
I blinked back tears and nodded.
“As soon as the vessels turn on, me and Emma and Ben are leaving. I’ll send you a secure message, you remember how?”
“Yeah, I remember, I have the account numbers here.” I tapped my temple.
“Good, so you’ll be able to find us.”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, we’ll get in contact as soon as we’re all there, through the channels. We’ll go dark and wait for Magnus.”
I stared back at the horizon.
He said, “Safe travels, Katie.”
“Safe travels to you, tell Emma and Ben I’ll see them soon.”
A few moments later Hayley came to the wall. “How you doing?”
“Not... um...” I blinked back tears. “I’m concentrating on surviving here, can we not talk?”
“Of course, I’m just standing right over here.”
Out of the corner of my eyes I saw her pass a look with Fraoch. He took a place on my right. She stood on my left and they stood there, a silent support as my body tried to remain upright on its feet.
Twenty-one - Magnus
I stepped through the gate and was met with a drone, spinning near my head.
I trudged down the path tae the fields.
The voice of Philip boomed too loud beside m’ear. “You are right on time. In the year 2417, your son with Bella Florentin, Archibald the First, is also laying down his weapons and surrendering to Roderick.”
I slowed.
“Why would ye...?”
“Roderick wants you vanquished in every century, he likes the eloquence of it.”
I grunted. “He is a fool if he thinks he is winnin’. Tis only because I haena begun tae fight.”
The sound of the drone buzzing in m’ear followed me as I walked. “I want the vessels turned on. I hae families that are nae a part of this fight, who need tae return tae safety. If Roderick is tae be a civilized, honorable man, the proof should be to turn on the vessels.”
“How do we know you will not run?”
“I winna. Ye are holdin’ m’men and ye ken I am a man of m’word. I am comin’ as we agreed, in exchange ye will turn on the vessels.”
There was a long pause. “Empty your pockets.”
I stood still, the grass under m’feet long, wiltin’ in the sun. I held my sporran wide for the camera tae peer inside. I patted down my sides. “There inna a vessel here.”
“Fine. Continue.” I walked, my steps causing dust and wee bugs tae rise in the air, midges cloudin’ around m’face.
The drone was now behind me, spinnin’ slowly just above m’head. “Truthfully, it was not us that turned off the—”
I stopped in m’tracks.
Twas m’mother who had done it.
Lady Mairead was up tae soemthin’ — what hae ye done?
I was about halfway to the tree line. The tanks were now in clearer view. “Release m’men.”
From the far left, four figures on horseback rode from the woods along the far away river bank, skirtin’ the field. I raised m’hand. Quentin raised his in return. James followed. The young man carrying the Earl of Breadalbane’s flag nodded. Then Sean bellowed across the field, “Ben Cruachan, brother!”
“Aye brother, I will see ye on the hills!”
I turned to watch them go and this was the scene unfoldin’ behind me.
The four riders on horseback, thundering, kickin’ up a cloud of dust as they followed along the banks of the river and then addin’ tae it a cloud of insects as they crossed the sweeping grassy field...
I began walkin’ backwards, nae payin’ attention tae where I was goin’, but instead watching the castle,
and up on the walls,
the figure of Kaitlyn,
too far away tae hear,
her arm up in a wave,
I waved back
and then, still walkin’ backward, I th
rew m’arms out wide.
I dinna need tae concentrate on the future, the story was unfoldin’ behind me, and now twas written on the sky — beyond the castle a giant storm was growin’, big and dark and oppressive, lightnin’ sparked the ground, thunder shook the earth, the clouds built tae the sky.
I smiled.
I asked the drone, “Is it yer storm?”
The camera turned and focused on the horizon. “No, I mean... no, I do not know...”
“Good.” I said, “This means Lady Mairead has arrived tae join the discussion. This should be fun.”
Twenty-two - Kaitlyn
The Same Moment
Halfway across the field I saw Magnus stop, turn his focus to the riverbank, and a few moments later Quentin, Sean, and James, and the flag bearer, rode from the tree line. They skirted the fields, never approaching Magnus.
Fraoch said, “They hae been warned nae tae approach him.”
But I heard a faint, “Ben Cruachan!” from Sean and then something in return from Magnus and then Magnus waved across at me.
“Hi.” I spoke it as if he could hear me, as if he was right there. I waved back.
He spread his arms out wide, cocky, always cocky, even when he was being led away, under arrest. Seriously, my love? He was tiny and far away but I could make out that his smile was wide. He was walking backward, meeting his future by watching our lives unfold behind him. God, I loved that man.
The gates creaked open for the returning men.
Just as wind rustled up the back of my hair.
I turned to look, and there behind the castle — a big gigantic, beautiful storm.
Fraoch asked, “Tis the rest of Roderick’s army?”
“I don’t know.”
Fraoch strode up and down the battlement, telling the men to prepare for attack, to guard against what was coming, but there was Magnus, still smiling, and then finally he neared the tree line. He was met by guards, surrounded, wrestled down, and then dragged into the woods.
Just as Sean, Quentin, and James made it up the stairs, I spoke, “He’s gone.”
But the storm billowed above us, roiling clouds and dark skies.
Quentin said, “Who’s coming, Katie, any ideas?”
I said, “It could be anyone, but by Magnus’s expression, I’m thinking it’s Lady Mairead, and my husband believes it’s good news.”
Twenty-three - Magnus
Guards surrounded me. They shoved me tae the ground and relieved me of m’weapons. I swung at the man closest and then I was pummeled and kicked, crumpling to the ground. Two men grabbed me by the arms and wrenched them together. They bound m’wrists with one of the gold metallic bands like the ones Donnan had used.
“Where did ye get this? Tis from m’kingdom, who gave it tae ye?”
They dragged me past a line of crushed and flattened trees to their command shelter, right where I suspected it would be, they forced me tae m’knees in front of Lord Philip.
He was a small man, with a mean countenance, his scowl a permanent feature. The kind of man who seemed itchin’ tae deceive. His father had been a terrible man and his son had all the same qualities accompanied by a lack of strength, nae sense of honor or justice, only connivin’. I hated the sight of him, and couldna suppress the sneer on m’face. My disdain was made worse because he wore a uniform from m’kingdom. He believed it made him important.
“Ye are wearin’ a uniform from m’military, dost it mean ye are under my command?”
He looked away, so I pushed further. "Who gave ye the gold bands? The weapons from m’kingdom?”
“Roderick. He has been very forthcoming. He was willing to pay very well for your capture.”
I struggled but they held me tight. Everything hurt from the blows tae m’sides. “What are ye planning next?”
“Nothing. I am turning you over, but first I am to let you hear this...” He said, to one of his men, “Play the audio of King Archibald of Riaghalbane, surrendering.”
I steeled myself, a clench of all my body tae control m’rage.
Kaitlyn’s voice, older, but her voice, all the same, comin' through: “I am Her Royal Highness—” The sound of fist on body and a shriek. Then she continued, “I surrender tae Roderick.”
A gruff voice said, “Down on your knees.”
She said, “No, don’t please...”
A man’s voice: “I, King Archibald the First, surrender to Roderick.”
I scowled and closed my eyes. “What year is this happenin’?”
Lord Philip shrugged.
I said, “Och, ye are just his errand boy. I winna waste m’time talkin’ tae ye then.”
He ordered his soldiers, "Hurt him,” and they set about kicking and hitting me as if it brought them a bloodthirsty pleasure.
Then, finally, Roderick arrived, flanked by six men.
“Ah! Magnus the First, what a great day to find you cowering before me."
I struggled against the bindings.
He exhaled. Then he leaned against one of the poles supportin’ the tent.
"I picked two dates, Magnus the first, as the moment where I would surprise you in two different times. One, the anniversary of your coronation, August 11. That is today. Congratulations, this is the day you gain your crown and lose your crown.”
He waited for me to speak, then asked, “Do you want to know the second date?”
“Nae really.”
“Eh, but you should know, it is November 24. You have just heard your wife and son surrendering to me on the one year anniversary after your death. Would you like to know how you die in the year 2418?”
“Nae, it winna matter. You should ken we are always changing time.”
“Suit yourself, I will not tell you because I am in a good mood. I have captured you. I have weapons that will make you do whatever I want, and I have barely broken a sweat. Here you are, a king, bloody before me. Ah! It’s a very good day. We’re in the place of your birth, on the anniversary of your coronation, the day to be your dethroning, while the anniversary of your death is celebrated when your son surrenders to me. Seven hundred years of your bloodline wrapped up right here...”
“Why?”
“Why not? Because it's fun. I like to do fun things. ”
“I mean, why are ye attackin’ my son in the future?”
He shrugged. “You are not there anymore, and it is easy to do it because your bitch of a mother has been away. She does not like your kingdom as much as she did now you are gone. I have not been able to find her.” He paused before continuing, “I waged war and then descended on them. I killed your general, an old friend of yours, Quentin. I met him here just now, while killing him there. It has really been such a great day.”
His eyes glinted. “Did you hear them surrender? Really hear it, King Magnus?”
I refused to answer.
He shrugged. "I suppose you did, good enough.”
“Ye are a weak and afraid, ye canna fight me so ye must attack m’wife and children after I am gone? And ye will use it tae threaten me? It winna work. Whenever we begin anew, we are startin’ over. The only thing that matters tae me this day is what is happenin’ here in this place.”
“I just had my man in the future play that audio for them to hear. You see, the one thing I don’t have is the book, the book of vessels. But your Kaitlyn has just heard you, she knows I have captured you. My bet is she will turn it over to protect you.”
I looked down at my hands. "She will never give ye the book. She kens better than tae bargain with a man like you.”
“She is distracted, by loss and grief. She might hand it away, if asked nicely enough.”
A large military-grade vehicle barreled over a downed tree, and pulled up short beside the tent. The passenger door opened, and Bella stepped out. She kissed Roderick, and then leaned against his side, eyin’ me.
Blood pooled in m’mouth from a cut on m’lip. I spit intae the dirt.
She huffed. “Hello Magnus.”
/>
I stayed silent.
“How is Archie? You have him there in the castle?”
I refused to answer.
She stood in front of me. “Is he there right now with that bitch?” She pulled up m’chin, forcin’ me tae look at her. “You could have had me.”
“Why would I hae wanted ye? Ye were naethin’ worth havin’, ye bored me.”
She shoved my chin away. She stalked over to a table, picked up my gun, checked it for bullets, and swept it at all of us. Then she leveled it on me and held it there for a long verra long tense moment.
She could hae killed me with one second of anger and nae one rushed tae stop her.
Finally she drew it away. “First, you lost me, now you lost your kingdom,” She jammed the gun in her belt. “Next, your son.” She lifted m’sword, eyed the blade appreciatively, then sliced the air, ending right at my throat, a hair’s breadth away, just about killing me again.
So full of rage and revenge, she was dangerously gone from her mind.
I said, “Ye are plannin’ tae kill me?”
“What would be the fun of that?”
Roderick said, “Are you going now?”
She answered, “Yes, I’m headed to get what is rightfully mine.”
“Good girl.” He smacked her on the arse. She laughed as she climbed back into her vehicle and it drove away.
Roderick turned to me with an immense look of satisfaction.
I said, “Ye seem verra sure of yerself.”
“I am, I have you down on your knees. I have guns pointing at your wife and children. In two time periods actually, I am rather enjoying it.”
I shrugged. “Och, I would nae rejoice yet. Ye hae captured me before. Ye daena remember because I walked away. What ye need tae ask yerself is, what did I learn about ye? What do I ken of yer weaknesses?”
Son and Throne (Kaitlyn and the Highlander Book 11) Page 9