Fraoch said, “I want tae go on the record as saying that yer family were verra poorly done by John.”
“Aye, he is an arse.” They all raised their tankards.
Magnus said, “Yet still, we ought tae hae known better than all of us havin’ our vessels in the same room at the same time. I canna believe he has stolen three vessels from us, twill take a long time tae get them back.”
I said, “And Lady Mairead’s book, she must be outraged. I hope there wasn’t anything too important in it.”
Magnus said, “Likely it has all the instructions tae rule the world. He will be much smarter and stronger now.” He sipped from his mug, then said, “Ye ken he is on the list of kings…”
Fraoch dropped his head back against the wall. “Och nae, isthathow I recognize the name?”
Magnus nodded. “He inna a relative though, he must be a usurper. I wonder who he usurped, I canna remember, with everything shiftin’ and changin’. Might hae been Artair.”
Fraoch sighed. “Dost ye think we gave him the tools tae do it?”
Magnus said, “Where was your vessel set tae travel tae? Mine was goin’ back tae Florida. I am glad Quentin is there and on guard.”
Fraoch said, “I hadna set mine, twas still set tae come here.”
Magnus said, “Lady Mairead’s was probably set for the kingdom — och nae, he is goin’ tae cause a great deal of trouble. I hope she gets there afore him.”
Hayley said, “We’re not worried that he took three of our vessels? We can get out of here, right?”
Haggis plopped down by Magnus and put his head in his lap.
Magnus said, “Well, Lady Mairead has taken the most convenient one, but by the Grace of God, we had one buried near the stone circle. When we go tae the woods on the morrow we will dig it up.”
Fraoch teased, “Och, ye are always wanting tae go tae the woods!”
Magnus joked, “I am trying tae be romantic!”
Fraoch chuckled, “I ken, ye keep saying it, but look what ye did, ye broke the world.”
Lizbeth said, “Young Magnus, ye really bought Balloch?”
He nodded quietly. “Aye, I really bought Balloch. I just affirmed it with John, tis our castle now.”
Sean said, “The roof was on fire, a wall has fallen, and now tis rainin’ indoors.”
Fraoch said, “But tis all yers!”
We raised our tankards again.
Magnus said, “I suppose ye daena want tae move tae my kingdom now, Lizbeth? Ye will be content tae stay here in this broken down castle?”
Lizbeth looked at Liam and they nodded. She said, “Aye, I would like tae stay here, if I am allowed, tis my home.”
Magnus raised his brow. “Twill be good, Lady Mairead can leave her things here, she winna need tae move the art, and now that we hae broken the place, she will get tae redecorate and order new glass. This has worked out verra well for ye all. And for Lady Mairead, she can come here whenever she wants without havin’ tae see the Earl, tis almost as if she planned it.”
Lizbeth scoffed. “I think if Mother had planned it, the day wouldna hae been so perilous.”
Magnus said, “This is true. Twas death-defying, her plans are usually more careful in their treachery.” Everyone raised their tankards.
Magnus said, “Speaking of, where did ye get the poison? Nae, daena answer, tis better for me not tae ken the ease in which the women of m’family can accomplish their dark mischief.”
Lizbeth raised her chin. “Says a man who carries a sword with him wherever he goes.”
Magnus raised his tankard. “The important thing, nae one will go tae the gallows, we get tae keep Balloch — what of ye, Sean, will ye come with me or stay here?”
