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Cathbarr flicked his tail back and forth.

Torin asked me, “Dost ye want the reins?”

“How about no… just for now, we’re new to each other, you hold the reins.”

So we set out on the path to Dunstaffnage: Torin and I, two of the king’s guards ahead of us, Niall riding near, then the king and Douglas with the rest of the men spread out behind us along the route.

We were far enough away at times that Torin and I could speak without being listened to, and even though Torin was in pain, weary, and concerned about our situation, he covered it up in good spirits. “Och, ye see, mo leannan, the guard is nae needed, they are so bored they are speakin’ on the weather or ridin’ in silence. I told the king they were nae necessary.”

I said, “How do you know they aren’t necessary? Maybe someone was lying in wait and when they saw the guard they left and went the other way.”

He said, “Och, ye are just takin’ the king’s side because he flattered ye by sayin’ ye deserved ten men. Ye ought tae hae answered that yer husband has the strength of ten men and I am all ye need.”

“Oh, I ought to have?”

“Aye, it should come tae ye tae say it without even considerin’.” He raised his voice pretending to be me. “‘Nae, Sire, I daena need an army of men, I hae Torin⁠—‘“

I rolled my eyes. “You are incorrigible, is it because you’re feeling better?”

“Nae, tis only because I gave m’wife the Stiff and Stout.”

I giggled. “You are easy, Albannach.”

“That I am. Tis the way tae m’heart.”

“I can think of many ways to your heart beyond it: one, sex; two, food; three, a horse ride through Alba; four, wanting to feel necessary.”

“Tae feel necessary?”

“You want to protect those you love, me and Max in particular.”

“I am verra fond of protectin’ ye; Max, nae so much. Dost ye see him here? He has deserted us.”

“Yeah, it seems that way. Maybe he’ll be waiting for us at Dunstaffnage…?”

“If he is there tae rescue us I may take the vessel and strand him here for a bit. Let him see what tis like tae live in the year 1308 in a priory that smells of turnips and weak beer, without his friend Torin tae keep his spirits up. He will regret leavin’ us here.”

I chuckled. “Och, you are in a mood.”

“Aye. I am, twas a verra fine bedding this morn, even in a priory that smells of men without women tae remind them tae bathe.”

“They saved your life.”

“Aye, I am eternally grateful. If I get tae return tae my purse, I will see if I can hae an endowment of gold given tae them.”

“That would be nice… but anyway, even though I know you’re joking, honestly, Torin, you do need an army, you’re wounded…”

He was turned a bit on his horse, all our reins in his good hand, his other hand resting on his knee. He actually looked comfortable and at ease for the first time in days, with a healthy color because we had had sex and left the priory and were out in the woods. So handsome, I loved this view.

He smiled. “Aye, Princess, I am jokin’ about the guards. Ye ken I want tae protect ye in all things, and ye deserve an army. I canna let anything happen tae ye.”

“Good, if you won’t do it for yourself, do it for me.”

But the ease didn’t last long. Torin said, “Och, they are comin’,” as the king rode up alongside us with Douglas close behind.

The king asked, “Tell me more of the walls, Laird Torin. How did ye bring them down so cleanly?”

The king’s voice sounded friendly enough, but Torin looked wary as he spoke of gunpowder and the placement and timing of powder, never quite giving the full truth.