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“I’m going to go back to Lizbeth.”

“Your gear is in the room. Everythin’ ye need.”

“Did you have something for breakfast from the supplies?”

“I did. I will see ye soon.”

And then we both turned and walked toward our different journeys.

31 - MAGNUS

The afternoon had been long. We gathered supplies, weapons, and men and met in the woods to formulate a plan.

We knew Commander Davis’s men would have seen the storm that announced our arrival. The drones were here, watching the village.

We were scourin’ the woods searchin’ for the men navigation’ the drones. And we kent Commander Davis would send more men tae the village tonight. We had tae cut them off before they made it there.

The meetin’ had been difficult — Quentin and Liam and many of the other men were convinced Sean had turned a traitor.

I thought he was pretendin’ the part.

I wanted tae count on him. We were brothers and I had grown used tae thinking of his life as my own. We had fought together. We had celebrated and mourned and we had gotten intae a great many scrapes together. I couldna believe he would turn his back on me.

But I especially disbelieved he would turn on Lizbeth. She had been like a mother tae him, a friend. He trusted her in everythin’. If she told him tae come away from the castle and he refused, he had a reason. I was sure of it.

Also I couldna believe he would ride against the village. Twas full of family. Friends. I couldna believe it.

So I thought he would remain at the castle.

It nagged at me though, some of his last words, he wouldna listen tae me about the throne. He had seemed irritated that I wasna wantin’ tae take it.

I thought twas brotherly advice, but perhaps twas somethin’ more ominous?

But I could nae reconcile it with the man I grew up with.

32 - MAGNUS

Quentin and Tyler and I rode tae the castle, crossing the River Tay at the old bridge and following along the river banks. We hoped tae have the element of surprise. Quentin was verra good at ridin’ a horse. Tyler was good enough.

In the far distance we could see the smoke of the camp set tae draw Davis’s men away from both the castle and the village. As we drew nearer tae the banks of the river, I tapped the button on my walkytalk. Kaitlyn’s voice came through. “Hi.”

“Good evenin’, mo reul-iuil. I wanted ye tae ken I was arrived at the river. We will be goin’ through the tunnels tae the castle now.”

“The baby is coming tonight.”

“Tell Lizbeth God speed.”

“She says the same to you. I love you. Be careful.”

“I love ye too. From now on I will send ye the signals tae ken I am a’right.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you soon.”

And that was it. We dropped from our horses and left them tethered tae trees.

I had a miner’s lamp on my forehead and though twas dark I found the tunnel entrance easily. I had spent much time here with Sean.

Which meant Sean kent about the tunnels, too.