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Niall said, “We will see ye at dawn for the instructions.”

Torin joked, “And nae before as long as enough ale is sent up tae our chamber.”

There was a knock on the door and the lad returned with a chamber pot, followed by a maiden carrying a bowl and pitcher. Behind them an older man carried a bottle under his arm and mugs looped on his fingers, that he placed on a small table in the corner of the room.

Niall bowed. “The food is on its way.”

He left the room.

As soon as the servants left, Torin said, “Och, I thought they would never…” His knees buckled, he stumbled and crashed onto the bed, the wooden boards only covered with a thin straw-filled sack of muslin — the bed creaked ominously like it would splinter apart.

“Torin!”

He groaned.

“You’re lying on your shoulder, I need to move you, can you roll?”

He moaned as he rolled over to his back with the bed shaking and creaking. In the effort his shirt pulled up, exposing a blue bruise on his side.

“Did those monsters do this to you?”

He raised his head. “Aye… but I was bein’ an arse.”

I pouted. “Torin you are beaten up.”

“Am not, Princess, it might not look like it as I am wearin’ the black and blue of the spar, but I won the battle, yet another battle…” He weakly raised a finger and waved it. “Won.”

I poured some water on a cloth. “Can we please, pretty please, stop battling so you can heal?” I started wiping his face.

He hissed as I pressed the damp cloth to the cut on his lip. “Och nae, princess are ye tryin’ tae kill me?”

“Very funny. You look like you’ve been hit by a truck. I don’t think a little dab of water is going to finish you off.”

“It might, but kisses winna, ye ought tae kiss me right here.” He tapped his cheek.

“Ewww, there’s blood there.” I swiped the cloth over it.

“Tis probably mine.”

I got it clean enough to kiss him and then I gingerly hugged him across his chest. “I’m so sorry they hurt you. If Max were here I would get him to declare war.”

He raised his head and chuckled. “Ye would raise war against Alba for the slight of punchin’ yer husband?” He grinned. “See, Princess, this is why ladies canna rule. Tis insensible tae allow it.”

I batted him on the shoulder. “You say anything that asinine to me again, Albannach, I will ask the king to put you back in the dungeon.”

“Tis verra funny, but please daena, I hae had enough. He is sittin’ on his uneasy throne, with a crown barely fittin’ upon his head. With his battles hardly won. And in a castle that was not won but gifted tae him, his lands encroached on by the English king… Och, I want tae leave at first light.”

I said, “You don’t think very highly of him.”

“He is one of the great heroes of Alba, perhaps the greatest hero. I ought tae be much more deferential than I am, but then again, he had his man beat m’arse. I take it personally.”

I was done washing his face. From the first aid kit I spread some antibiotic cream on his cuts and arnica gel over his bruises.

Then he said, “I think I can sit up to drink now, Princess.”

I pulled his arm to help him sit up and with a slight moan he sat on the edge of the bed.

“This means you’ll be sore on the ride tomorrow.”