“Aye, ye must, yer brother has made a difficult decision, he is waiting for us in Riaggy. We ought tae be prompt so he daena change his mind.”
I grabbed Torin’s arm. “Fine.” I clamped my eyes closed. “Hold on. Don’t let me go.”
“I would never, I will hold on tae ye forever, Princess.”
And with that, pain ripped up my arm — and the storm hit us, bringing even more of the pain.
15
MAXIMILLIAN
SEPTEMBER 16, 2185 - NEAR RIAGHALBANE KINGDOM
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 didthatso 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?”
