Lancaster's expression remained emotionless.

"Good morning.  It was...an invaluable experience."  

"You could say that.  But anxious too," Lancaster smirked.  "Anxious to escape this day to live tomorrow and do what we must do.  You will never see me in the future as you shall tomorrow.  I assure you."

The Duke of Wessex turned and began to walk towards the entrance of the gym, as Seamus looked on at his comrade, puzzled.  But Seamus knew better than to pry.  He was confident that Robert's faculties were together, and took his words, seriously. Apparently what happened in Europe was his business, and his alone.  And Seamus respected that utterly.

"And yourself lad...how were these days since we last talked."

Seamus shook his head.

"Nay well at all, lad. Nay well at all. Let's just say, I got a phonecall from someone I never expected would ever call. My father called, Robbie. Aye, my father called me, first time I've spoken to him in quite some time...he's dyin', Robbie. Cancer, apparently...

Lancaster drew a deep breath and sighed.  "Oh shit..."

"Aye...and only has a few months to live. But the thing is...well, the truth is...I don't know how I feel, lad. A small part of me almost feels glad the ol'bastard's about to snuff it, after all the shyte he put me an'my siblings and especially my mother through...but a larger part o'me actually pities him...ye know?"

The two men stepped inside the building and headed towards a small snack stand located inside the gym, sitting down.

"Aye...I know what you mean.  He's an asshole for what he used to do to you and your family, from what you've told me.  And you know what a prick my father was to me.  But I can tell you lad."  

Lancaster leaned forward.

"When my father was killed in that crash at Heathrow, I did not shed one tear for the bastard.  But it later hit me like a ton of bricks.  I never had a chance to make peace with my father."  He sighed heavily.

"Is it worth the chance to try and make it now do you think."

Seamus paused, carefully considering the Duke's query.

"It's difficult, Robbie. It's difficult, because what he did, he did to my whole family...my sisters, my brother, an'my mother...an'me. My mother wants nothin' more to do wi'him. My brother's completely disowned him and disavowed any connection to him...an'my sisters, well...they couldn't give a shyte whether he lives or dies...an'it tears me up inside, lad. It tears me up, because what he did, he tore up my family an'scattered it...truth is, I don't think even my father's impending death 'll be enough to bring 'em all back, ye know?"

Lancaster leaned back and nodded his head sombrely.

"I know what you mean Seamus.  But surely in his death you can give a last moment of joy to the man who gave you life, even if it's just you and nobody else.  And if he ends up in the depths of Hell, at least he will have that one happy memory to cling onto for eternity."

He did not know exactly what to advise, but he knew that what he was saying, he truly felt, and meant.  

"Aye, I know what yer sayin', lad...[Seamus chuckled]...he asked about his grandson...didn't even know he knew I'd had a son, really..."

"Well.  Perhaps the wee nipper can be a conduit back into each other's lives.  I know my father would have taken to Edward faster than he'd ever take to me, if only because I named him after the bastard," laughed the Duke.

Seamus shared the laugh

"Aye, lad...I can see what yer sayin'...an'although he didn't ask, ah'm sure that deep down, he wants to meet his grandson...an'ah'm sure Becca would have nay problem wi'it, either. She's been very supportive through all this, God bless her."

Lancaster smiled widely.

"Yer a lucky man lad."  He arose from his seat and stood in front of the small snack stand and turned his head to Seamus.  "I don't know 'bout you lad, but I could use a cup of tea.  It's not Guinness, and it's not the tea from back home...but it'll do eh lad?"  The Duke winked at the young girl who stood behind the counter, who smiled back.

"Ach, tea'll be just fine, lad...just as long as yer not drinkin' it wi'yer pinkies extended out or any girlie shyte like that!"

He paid the girl the two dollars for the tea and handed her a five dollar bill for a tip.  She looked utterly shocked but gladly took it.  The Duke turned back with the two cups of tea in hand and sat back down.

"As far as I know you are not Graham Chapman and I am not Terry Jones and we're not dressed in drag in some Monty Python sketch, so I shouldn't worry about it ya wanker.  Oh and I didn't bring you any sugar or milk because of your rudeness."

Robert laughed.

"Ach, I was just teasin' ye, lad! There's nothin' girlish about any man who can drink me under the table in a whiskey drink-off, that's fer goddamned sure!"

Seamus chuckled and winked at Lancaster.

"Well in that case then."  He raised his tea.  "To tomorrow night lad.  In victory or defeat.  Whether we be the first or last men standing.  Whether we walk out our heads lowered in disgrace or our hands raised in ultimate glory.  To Last Man Standing."

"Aye, to the Jacobins victory..."

That remained to be seen.

But they had done all they could to prepare.

They had learned well those past ten days.

Now it was time to put their knowledge to work.