Page 21 of Torin and the Two Crowns

The ginger man chuckled. “Ye want tae use yer sword arm? I warn ye, Torin, ye daena look capable of drawin’ yer sword and ye hae forgotten tae put one on.”

“Tis somewhere near… I will draw if needed…”

I peered up at him, his cheek was pale with the effort tae stand.

The king said, “Were ye in battle, Torin, did ye take Dunstaffnage?”

Torin lifted his chin defiantly, his eyes focused with effort on the king. “Why dost ye think it?”

“I hae found the castle tae be conquered and ye look as if ye were there…”

“They held m’sworn enemy within the walls.”

The three men met eyes.

The king said, “So ye did — ye assaulted Dunstaffnage.” He added, “Did ye at least end yer enemy?”

“Aye, he is ended.”

The king nodded. “Ye look close tae ended as well.”

“I am nae as weak as I look.” He was lying, he did indeed look very weak.

He swallowed, then said, “I hae been injured and ye are an apparition, I canna think this is true, a ghost in m’room, but figment of m’dreams or nae, ye are goin’ tae need tae decide what ye plan tae do, Bobbie Bruce, because ye canna string me up, I will fight ye. I winna go quietly…” He reached for the nonexistent sword at his hip again

The king chuckled. He glanced at the men behind him, “Hae ye ever heard such insolence from a man at death’s door?”

“Am nae at death’s door… or if I am I will fight with every last bit of strength I hae tae take ye with me through it. Twill be simple as ye are a ghost and nae truly here.”

“Ye ken Dunstaffnage is my castle?”

Torin sneered. “Then ye were holding m’sworn enemy, if ye were ye deserved the sacking of yer walls.”

The king said, “Careful.”

“I daena ken who the castle belonged tae, and daena care. I killed the man inside of it, he was wearing a crown that dinna belong tae him. I ended him, twas m’quest and now tis done.”

The king shook his head. “Wearing a crown, whose crown…?”

Torin shook his head. “… my quest is done.”

The king exhaled. “Speaking tae ye in this weakened state is difficult… What dost ye want for the castle now that ye hae assaulted it?”

“Naething. I wanted tae kill m’enemy. I hae done it, I will leave m’first chance.”

The king’s brow drew down. “Ye took a castle and daena plan tae keep it?”

“Nae.”

“Nor trade for it?” The king huffed. “What kind of a man destroys the walls of a castle, comes near dyin’ for it, and daena want the spoils? Ye daena believe ye want the spoils?”

“I just want tae go home.”

“Where are yer men? I canna believe ye did that much warring on yer own. Yet there is nae army near. I hae asked, they are gone. I find ye on yer own, nae protection — how would ye hold the castle without men?”

Torin was quiet. “I daena plan tae. I will leave as soon as I am able, ye winna hae any trouble.” His jaw was tense, gritting his teeth, his face pained.

The king nodded. “Ye are a mysterious warrior, but I sense that my questioning is wearing on ye. I daena want tae fight ye, I want the castle.”