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She bustled down the steps.

I slammed all the midwifery tools into their case and locked it. I scooped up the towels and shoved them under the bed. The swaddling blanket was a wool-like fleece. I could defend it by saying it was from the West Indies.

I remembered in the last moment to turn off the flashlight and lantern and shove them under the bed, throwing us into pitch blackness as footsteps clomped up the stairs. Fast.

39 - MAGNUS

The sound of the vehicles drew closer, their noise growin’ louder. Quentin jogged tae the corner where the weapons were chained together ready tae go. “Come on, Boss, jump with us!”

Sean was groanin’ and beginning tae get up. I stood over him, with both of our swords in my hand.

A storm built in the open space above the courtyard, wind gusts blowing dust and debris around in circles.

Tyler gestured for me tae come on. Quentin held the vessel, he called, “Come with us to Florida. Davis is coming, this is a losing battle.”

Sean looked up at me. “What did ye do tae me?”

“One of my men grew tired of your stubbornness. Ye are ruttin’ and bellowin’ like a stag without the sense tae ken ye are wrong. He disarmed ye tae protect me.”

Sean held his head in his hands.

I said, “My kingdom is nae lost. I will fight for it. I will remove these men from our lands. I need ye tae fight with me, Sean. We can do it together.” The storm was a full blown frenzy. Through the wind I barely made out Quentin’s voice, calling me to come with them.

I yelled, “Go without me!”

Headlights glared around the space as three vehicles crashed through the hole in the wall and climbed up a pile of debris.

I shielded my eyes from the blinding lights and the windswept dust.

I tapped the switch on my radio. “Kaitlyn, I love ye. I fought Sean, I tried tae reason with him, but I am captured. I am goin’ tae the future but I will come home. I promise.”

There was static and Kaitlyn’s voice, “Magnus—” and then nothing.

Sean looked up at me from the ground. “Why arna ye leavin’ again?”

“I told ye, I will stand and fight with ye.”

“And I told ye that I daena fight on your side. I mean tae kill ye — will be easier.”

I shook my head. “Easy? I will make it verra difficult. But you daena want tae kill me. Trust me in this. I am the king. I will stop their attacks⁠—”

The winds whipped faster, a storm built above us, wind and lightnin’ and spiraling gusts causin’ me tae stumble.

“Fight with me.” I yelled against the wind as I tossed his sword tae the ground beside him. He groaned and lumbered tae his feet. The winds shoved him back.

One of the men stepped from the vehicles and trained his gun on me, yellin’ across the courtyard. “Are you, Magnus Archibald Caelhin Campbell?”

I answered, “Aye!” As I was buffeted forward.

“I am Commander Davis, I have orders to place you under arrest.”

I said, “Commander Davis, I winna fight. I ask that ye daena leave any of your weapons behind.”

Commander Davis grunted. “Yeah, we’re taking everything.”

The winds were still spinning the space but beginning tae dissipate. I kept my eyes on Sean as I tossed my sword tae my feet.

Commander Davis said, “Drop to your knees. Hands behind your head.”