“Finlarig is a near ruin anyways and tis a day’s ride away.”
“The castle is not perfect, but we could fix it up, yet… battles are comin’. I also considered Kilchurn?—”
“Tis being used as a garrison now, and a wall has fallen.”
A memory flashed in my mind of losin’ my horse, Sonny, in the falling wall. I shook my head. “Aye, tis better as a summer visit, not up tae yer station. I am troubled that I was a part of the breakin’ the walls… but walls can be rebuilt. Ought tae be.”
She frowned. “I see ye hae been thinking on this, Magnus.”
“Aye, I hae been, I want ye tae be well, I want Sean tae be admired and respected, I want yer sons tae be important. I daena ken how else tae give it tae ye.”
“Perhaps it inna up tae ye, Magnus, ye are behavin’ as if ye are tae make everything safe for everyone, but maybe ye daena hae tae carry it all, ye arna a god, ye ken?—”
I chuckled. “I am a king, some might say that is enough tae bear the responsibility for m’family’s prosperity.”
“Ye arna responsible for me, nor Sean. Definitely nae Liam.”
I poured a little more wine in my glass. “I could buy ye another castle, a good one, with high walls, or I could see one built.” I sipped from the wine. “But I keep coming back tae this: the politics of Scotland are shiftin’, and I would like ye tae be safe away from it.”
She tilted her head. “I am worried about ye.”
“About me?”
“Ye are taking on too many burdens, ye ken the future, ye think ye want tae save us all.”
“There is a sayin’ ‘with great power comes great responsibility.’ Twas said by the Spider-man. Tis one of Archie’s favorite stories on the…”
She looked at me sadly, shaking her head. “I daena ken what ye are talking about, but I do ken this, ye are the one with the power — dost ye believe yerself responsible for Sean and me? Last I checked ye were my wee brother, just a lad, barely grown. Some might say Sean and I are responsible for yer wellbeing.”
I scoffed. “They would be wrong.” Then I added, “I believe I am drunk.”
She smiled. “I am worried on ye, ye are here tae say goodbye tae the home ye love, the forest and land around it, the walls ye hae been so proud of, and tis for yer own reasons. Ye are saying goodbye tae them by choice.”
“I daena feel like we hae a choice, Lizbeth. Is it nae better tae leave now with yer head held high, than tae go because ye hae been sent away by John’s wife, or tae hae the battle at yer door, yer sons preparin’ tae fight? Och, I am drunk, I daena ken why I feel this strongly about yer sons not fightin’ in the battle, I think because I ken what happens in the end. Tis for naught. Nothin’ decided on that field will solve anything. I daena want m’nephews tae lay down their lives for nought.”
Her brow drew down. “Dost ye ken they lose their lives?”
“Nae, I daena look, on principle, ye ken.” I looked her in the eyes. “I am nae a god. I just want ye tae be well.”
“Ye keep saying that.”
“Aye, I do, tis true. I just canna think of anythin’ else tae do.”
“I suppose this is the only option.”
“The chests are here, they are ready when ye are. Ye hae time, we could even put it off longer. If we must.”
“We canna, not really, ye already told the Earl.”
I said, “Och nae, I did, I left ye with nae choice.”
“Tis fine, ye will return for us — we will be packed.”
“The branches of the tree will all be together at last.”
She cocked her head tae the side. “I am worried on ye, Young Magnus.”
I pulled the bottle over and poured another small glass. “Ye keep sayin’ that.”
