Page 89 of The Refuge

Chapter 16

Catrìona was aware that much happened after the battle on the Northman’s longship, but because she had been tending to Colbán, she had been spared the questions of the king and the Orkney jarls. But once she had changed, she went to see the queen, knowing she owed Margaret an explanation.

The queen was mild in her scolding. “You should have come to me, Catrìona, but I can understand your desire to save your maidservant. ’Tis clear that God was protecting you and for that I am most grateful.”

The queen was right, of course. To rescue Deidre had been an impulsive act, but she had not trusted Ivar to be honest, even with the king. She regretted Colbán’s wound, but she was not sorry for having gone after Deidre, who was now to share the chamber with her and Fia.

The next morning, Steinar assured her that he and Angus had answered all to the king’s and the jarls’ satisfaction. “Truth be told,” he said when they broke their fast, “I believe Paul and Erlend were embarrassed to have one such as Ivar living in their midst, hiding his perfidy behind their hospitality. It seems Ivar was gone much of the time and now they know why.”

During that day, Colbán remained abed and Duff, still recovering from his own wound, rarely moved from his chamber. When Audra was not with Colbán, she was seeing to her father, running between the two. Catrìona worried for the lady’s well-being and frequently checked on her, offering help where she could.

Often, when Catrìona came to see the king’s captain, she would hear him protesting his confinement. “I should be on the practice field with my men!” Catrìona was unsurprised. Such a man, used to being outside, commanding his warriors, would rebel at having to remain abed.

Both she and Audra ignored his complaining.

The next day, Catrìona came to check on Colbán’s progress. When she approached his chamber, she found the door ajar.

His voice boomed in command. “Leave me, woman, I am nearly well!”

Audra’s soft voice drifted to the corridor. “I will not leave you, my lord.”

Catrìona peered through the small opening to see Audra handing the captain a wooden cup. “’Tis something that will ease the pain.”

To Catrìona’s surprise, the gruff warrior took it and drank, but afterward said, “I would rather have the king’s wine or even the ale we are sometimes served. This has a bitter taste and does little to improve a man’s spirits.”

Catrìona silently chuckled. The bear growls.

Audra’s words in response were murmured. “I will see you have all you desire, my lord.”

Colbán’s dark eyes searched Audra’s face. “You are very kind, putting up with my many grumblings. Do you forget from whence I come, madam?”

Catrìona could not see Audra’s face, but she heard the sincerity in the lady’s voice as she gently protested. “Oh, no, my lord. I am well aware you are from Moray. But if you knew how high is my regard for you, you would not doubt my desire to see you hale once again. Why, I think you are the most courageous, honorable and true of all who serve the king.”

Colbán drew his head back and studied Audra for a moment, his brows drawn together. “Would your father think the same, my lady?”

“Aye, my lord. I know he does.”

Catrìona smiled to herself and turned to tiptoe away. After that, she no longer worried for the king’s captain and came not again to see how he fared.

* * *

A few days after Deidre’s rescue, to Catrìona’s delight, her uncle, Matad, arrived at the tower. He was glad to see his daughter and niece, but they had only begun to speak with him when the king swept the mormaer away, calling for wine and telling the steward they were not to be disturbed.

Catrìona and Fia looked at each other and shrugged. They would see Matad at the evening meal.

That same day, Domnall returned to Dunfermline with the news that Isla of Blackwell’s father had consented to his suit. Catrìona had hoped he and Isla would already be gone before she returned from St. Andrews, but she had not been so fortunate and now all the ladies were forced to listen to Isla’s wedding plans.

It was early afternoon when Catrìona finished the blue tunic she had been stitching for Steinar. She held it up to the light from the window in her chamber, admiring the silver and gold stitching that had taken her many hours of laborious effort. Behind her, Fia and Deidre happily sorted through gowns the queen’s sister thought might fit the handmaiden.

Carefully folding the tunic and placing it in her chest, Catrìona told the two women she would return shortly. ’Twas August and Kessog should be coming out of his molt. She would find Giric and they could pay the falcon a visit.

She entered the hall to see Steinar standing near the hearth fire.

He waved and she went to join him, but before she could speak, the king summoned him. “Scribe, I would have you read this missive the Irishman has brought me from the Mormaer of Blackwell.”

She waited by the hearth fire as the two men spoke, hoping to learn of the message’s contents. Steinar must have realized her intent. When he finished with the king, he came to her.

“’Tis done,” he said. “Blackwell comes in two days’ time and Domnall and Isla will be wed. Then presumably, both will leave Dunfermline, hopefully not to be seen again.”