Page 117 of Bound By Honor
Áine smiled at the men. Though their clothing was in tatters, their stance spoke of their knightly training and the pride they had in serving the new King of Scots. The king’s brothers had the look of him, the same noble carriage and bold features. To the king, she said, “I am sorry that your queen and the other ladies could not be with us. I have not seen Elizabeth since our last meeting in Ulster.”
“The first time I met Elizabeth, she was but a young lass,” King Robert said with a smile.
Angus nodded. “Aye, ’twas a less complicated world.”
Áine asked a servant to pass a tray of wine to the king and his men. When each had taken a drink, she said, “As soon as you are ready, my king, I would have you and your men shown to your chambers where you can freshen up ere we dine.” Noticing the dark-haired Sir Gilbert’s arm was in a sling, she said, “If you would like to have the physician replace your bandage and check your wound, Sir Gilbert, I can send him to you.”
“Thank you, my lady” said the knight.
King Robert turned to Angus. “As for freshening up, we have only the unkempt clothing we are wearing so there is little to refresh but our persons.”
Angus returned the king a knowing smile. “My lady took great pleasure in planning for this hour. In each of your chambers, you will find a fire burning, water for washing and suitable attire for your persons—hosen, tunics, surcoats, cloaks and soft leather shoes. Baths can be quickly had as well. I will supply you with mail, sword belts and weapons. As you know, my galloglass are well-armed.”
The king laughed. “Ah, Angus. You and your lady are ever generous. I promise we will make use of it all.” The king looked around and added in an amused tone, “I wager somewhere in this castle you have hidden an army, too.”
“Hidden, yes,” Angus said. “But not in my hall. The army lies in the Isles. Did you know that Áine’s dowry was over a thousand Irishmen, among them two dozen young chiefs? The MacBeth physician who tends young Douglas is one of Áine’s army.”
King Robert smiled at Áine. “I did not know of so rich a dowry but it seems fitting for Lord Cumee O’Cahan’s daughter.”
“My galloglass have been training all in the Isles to be ready for war,” said Angus. “Our chiefs and our people stand ready to support their new king.”
The king’s men smiled and nodded to each other.
Robert Bruce said, “I am humbled by your words, Angus.”
“Best take him up on his offer,” said Sir Neil Campbell. “The Macdonalds are a fearsome lot, and Angus commands thousands more than his Irishmen.”
“I experienced their fighting skill firsthand when Angus and I fought together in Ireland,” said the king. Then, placing his goblet on the tray the servant held out to him, he said to Áine, “We are ready, my lady, lead on.”
LATER THAT EVENING when Rob and his men had been freshly clothed and fed and the hall had grown quiet, Angus sat with the king alone by the fire. “Can you speak of what happened at Greyfriars?”
Rob took a deep breath and let it out. “It was not murder.”
“I never thought it was. But, if you tell me what happened, I can speak truth when my chiefs ask.”
Rob stared into the fire as if seeing again the scene in the stone church in Dumfries. “You knew I intended to confront him.”
“Aye.”
“When I learned he was at his castle at Dalswinton in Dumfries, an hour’s ride from Lochmaben where I had fled when I left London, I sent him word to meet me at Greyfriars Church. He must have been surprised that I was in Scotland since he would have expected me to be Edward’s prisoner, but he made no sign of it. At first, all was affable between us. But when I spoke of his betrayal, he became angry, denying it strenuously. Until I showed him the copy of our agreement that bore his seal, the one carried by his messenger to King Edward. Since I had both his copy and mine, he knew he was caught. I will never forget the look in his eyes, like that of a wild animal when cornered.
“Both of us drew our daggers but I struck the first blow. Comyn fell, wounded. His uncle rushed in and attacked me. Christopher Seaton, my sister Christian’s husband, came behind him and defended me. We got away and, as we left the church, Roger Kirkpatrick, waiting outside, asked what had happened. When I told him I might have killed the Red Comyn, he said, ‘I will make sure’, and hastened into the church.”
“’Tis the place that is most troubling,” said Angus. “Were it not for that, it would be a fair fight the Comyns lost.”
Rob nodded. “Now, it is sacrilegious murder in the eyes of the Church. Even with Bishop Wishart’s absolving me, I can still be excommunicated by the pope.”
“He may well do. But that is hardly a concern if you prevail as King of Scots. Popes are men and, like all men, have been known to change their minds. Too, our Celtic clerics would remind you it is God who absolves us of sin and He has forgiven you. King Edward is the one we must fear for he will use this as an excuse to annihilate all who support you.”
“He has already given the command that the knights and lords who support me are to receive the same fate as Wallace. Did you know that de Valence attacked us at Methven under the dragon banner?”
“I had heard that. It is something Edward would do.”
Rob bent his head, his eyes closed. “Many of my followers fell to English swords. The guilt of their blood is ever with me.”
Angus could not allow his friend to wallow in remorse. “Edward would have come against you had Comyn never been killed. And the Comyns and their allies, the MacDougalls, would have fought with England’s king then as they do now. You stand for a free Scotland, Rob. Edward will hear nothing of our freedom. Your reign may not have begun as you wished but your cause is just and I believe you will prevail.”
Rob met Angus’ unwavering gaze. “You sound so sure.”
