Uncle Charlie said, “We plan to gain control of the castle without shedding any blood, but if it goes south we have some wicked ideas too, like rock music as loud as it will go, emitted from speakers on drones. All we have to do is frighten a quarter of his guards and we will be able to walk right in. One, surprise. Two, strike. Three, win.” He made an explosion noise.
Torin looked pensive.
I watched the side of his face as he chewed his lip, thinking.
I asked, “What do you think of the plan?”
“In the past I hae always seen battles planned by simple measurements: dost we hae enough men and arms? How is the battlefield? Dost we hae the will tae win? This plan is trying tae win by jumpin’ through time, there is a great deal tae think on.”
Max asked, “We are certain Rannald daena hae any other tricks?”
Aenghus said, “Nae, not that we know of. I believe we hae thought it all through down tae the weather. Twill be a fair day.”
Torin asked, “What could go wrong?”
Max said, “Normally I would tell ye, Torin, not tae be so doubtful, but aye, tis important tae think it through.”
Ryan said, “Would you like a list of all that can go wrong?”
Torin nodded.
“Okay, here goes: Rannald could be waiting for us. That would be bad. He might have a weapon that we didn’t plan for.”
I gulped, looking from the map to Ryan’s face, wishing Torin hadn’t asked.
Charlie added, “He might learn we’re coming and leave before we get there. We’d be back at the beginning.”
I said, “I’m new to the time-traveling, but couldn’t he somehow sense we are coming and do the same to us? What’s stopping him from attacking us right now, before we attack him?”
Ryan shrugged. “Nothing stopping him, really, that’s why we’re leaving tonight.”
Charlie said, “We hope he doesn’t know anything.”
Ryan nodded looking down on the map. “We have the element of surprise, I’m sure of it, but for how long?”
It was interesting to watch their discussions, the mix of centuries, each uncle had a different concern. My brother was doubtful, but ready to go. My husband looked quietly thoughtful.
I pulledhim aside a bit later and he leaned against a table. I stood in front of him and asked, “Why are you so quiet?”
He kept his voice low. “Daena worry, Alexandria, this is the way of battles. The commanders tell the men twill be good, that they hae thought of everything, and tis up tae the men tae determine how much they will believe.”
“How much do you believe?”
He was quiet. “I believe that yer uncles hae come up with the best battle plan for the moment, and this is our best chance tae win the throne, but I hae reservations. I am tryin’ tae keep them in the back of m’mind and not the front. I am tryin’ not tae think about how I winna hae Cathbarr with me, he and I hae trained taegether.”
“Aw, Albannach, now I really regret leaving the horses.”
“Aye, but nae matter, I must fight, beginning in about an hour.”
“Should we… I don’t know, go to bed for a bit?”
His fingers grasped the edge of my skirt and pulled me between his legs. “One last walk through yer gardens would be verra fine. But…” He kissed me on the corner of my mouth. “We are dressed and there inna a place private enough.”
I kissed his lips. “And now that I’ve kissed you like this, if we wander into that corner space, they will all know what we are up to.”
“Aye, I wouldna want tae sully the Princess’s reputation.”
I leaned my head against his lips and we were quiet there for a moment.
