“Ye keep speaking of branches, Magnus. Tall trunks, reaching high, coming together in some grand new forest. But ye forget the roots.Yerroots.”
I frowned, my head was ‘staggering’ as Master Cook would say. “The roots come with us?—”
“Ye are jumping around through time, brother, with nae home tae speak of?—”
“Florida is m’home.”
“Dost ye even ken the politics of the place, Young Magnus? Would ye pick up a blade and fight for the laird? Or against him? Ye like the comforts, but ye are only a guest. And yer kingdom, ye daena like being there much.”
I had m’elbows on my knees, finished my wine... my head droopin’ a bit.
“I do like it, but we all prefer Florida… and here.”
“Because this is yer home, where ye grew up, ye ken the lands and the directions of the winds, ye understand the politics of the time, and hae thought a great deal about titles and lairds and how tae protect a stronghold. Ye spend hours on the walls. This is the place where yer roots are and ye are goin’ tae miss it greatly.”
“Aye, tis true, tis why we came so I could say goodbye, but tis much more difficult than I thought twould be.”
Lizbeth said, “This is the place of yer roots, ye need yer roots tae stay. Ye need me, I am the roots of this family. And this is where I am planted, deeply. Balloch inna just stone and timber. Tis where our family has lived and grown, this castle is our strength.”
I gave her a sad smile. “Each time I think ye hae been convinced, ye make another argument.”
“Welcome tae the turmoil of my mind.” She looked at me long.
I looked up from under my brow, my head sagging. The room a little blurry.
Then finally she said, “I will try tae be brave.”
“Tis all I can ask.”
“Ye ought tae go get some rest, ye hae a big day tomorrow.”
“Aye.” But I remained sitting, silent for a long moment.
The fire popped.
Then I rubbed a hand over my face, weary, I did need tae go tae sleep.
“I am verra sorry, sister, that I hae caused the turmoil.”
I lumbered tae m’feet, heavy-hearted, “I wish we could hae solved the issue.”
“I ken, Young Magnus, but perhaps I will just hae tae raise my chin and face the morrow.”
I patted her shoulder, and left for my chamber and bed.
CHAPTER 19
MAGNUS
I RETURN TAE MY BED, A BIT DRUNK
Our chamber was dark, the fire had burned down, nae out, but tae a warm glow. I was too weary tae tend it though, twould hae tae do. I sat in a chair tae remove m’boots and belts and got down tae m’night shirt as quietly as I could with m’drunken head and m’lack of balance. Then I crept intae the inner chamber and our bed.
I crawled in and collapsed on m’stomach, I would be passin’ out but for Kaitlyn whispering, “You were gone a long time.”
“Aye, I got too drunk…”
“Up on the walls with Sean?”
