I exhaled. “Even with my misgivings ye are goin’ tae go on anyway?”
The uncles nodded, solemnly.
I raised my brow at Max. “What dost ye think, m’laird?”
He stared down at the ground, then said, “I hae heard ye, Torin. I understand yer concerns, but the battle is nigh, and I am goin’ tae be on the field.”
I said, quietly, “Nae…”
“It would mean a great deal tae me tae hae ye at m’side.”
I stared at the far wall, tryin’ tae swallow down m’fury, then I said, simply, “Aye, m’laird, I will fight alongside ye.” I exhaled and shook my head. “But for God’s sake, the prince needs a rifle that winna misfire.”
Aenghus said, “Done.”
Max said tae his uncles, “I trust that ye hae taken all due precautions and that yer plan is going tae lead us tae victory against Rannald.”
The uncles nodded.
“I want ye tae ken ye hae m’utmost gratitude. I ken ye hae always done what ye thought was best, and ye hae have fought for my throne against all odds. I thank ye for it.”
Uncle Ryan said, “Torin, I’m relieved you’ll be fighting with us, thank you.”
“I fight for Max and Alexandria.”
Aenghus said, “As do we.”
I said, “I would feel a great deal better if the vessel was returned tae the prince.”
Max said, “I daena ken if that is?—”
“Tis important tae me, tis yer vessel. Ye ought tae ken where tis.”
Ryan said, tersely, “I agree.” He fished in his pocket, his jaw tensed, and presented the vessel tae Max. “Your Highness.”
He said, “Thank ye.”
And then weall separated for a five minute break afore the soldiers would arrive and we would leave.
Alexandria drewme tae the side. Her expression looked verra concerned. “I can’t believe they wouldn’t listen! I don’t want you to go. This isn’t fair.”
I pulled her intae my arms and held her. I pressed my mouth tae her ear, “Tis goin’ tae be okay, Princess, I will keep him safe, we will come home.”
She pulled her face back to look in my eyes, her hands settled gently on my cheeks. “I wantyouto be safe, who’s looking out foryou?”
I kissed her on the forehead. “We will be home; I will make sure of it. Daena fret, the concerns I stated were for naught, I was likely givin’ them more weight than I ought tae — this outcome is goin’ tae be good.”
She raised her brow. “It’s going to be good?”
“Aye, think on it, we hae a battle, we ken what will happen. I will keep everyone alive and I will keep Rannald from escapin’. Twill all work out. Then we will go tae celebrate over a fine meal of Visigoth manna pizza, tis a plan.”
“You promise?”
“Aye, I promise.”
27
ALEXANDRIA
