Page 118 of Bound By Honor
“Aye. I am.”
“You would risk all to stand by me?”
Angus smiled, for he had committed himself and his Isles long ago. There was no turning back now. “Aye. I will, and gladly. What is worth living for, Rob, if not something worth dying for?”
In the king’s eyes there were tears.
The next day just before noon, as the sky darkened, threatening rain, a galley sailed into Dunaverty Bay. The red and white pennon flying from its mast told Angus who was onboard. The guard on the battlement shouted, “Ship approaching!”
“It is Lennox,” said Rob, standing next to Angus on the parapet, watching the galley head for shore.
“Shall we go down to the beach to meet him?” asked Angus.
“For all he has done for me, that is a smallest gesture I can give him when I owe him so much more,” said Rob.
On the beach, Earl Malcolm waited, hands on hips, as he watched them descending the headland.
Once Angus reached the sand, he welcomed the tall, blond earl. “I am Angus Og, Lord of the Isles. Welcome to Dunaverty.”
“Aye,” said Lennox, reaching out his hand, “I know of you, Angus Og, son of Angus Mor Macdonald. My father and yours were friends.”
Before Angus could reply, Rob said to the earl, “What kept you, Malcolm? I thought you were right behind us.”
“I was, Sire, but the MacDougalls gave chase in their galleys and nearly caught us. I had to throw all my goods overboard to distract them. It worked, as they slowed to gather their prizes from the water. Still, I do not think we have long until Edward’s men will find us here. A day, two at most.”
“A night’s food and rest will do you good,” said Angus. “We can sail tomorrow for a safer harbor. Meantime, enjoy our hospitality while I send for warriors to accompany us on our voyage.”
ÁINE LISTENED THAT night at dinner as the men discussed where they might take the king.
“We’ve many Isles where one can hide,” said Angus to Rob, “where you can plan your return. Trouble is, the strongest of our castles are close to Lorne and Argyll. And the outer Isles are inconvenient for your purpose.”
Áine had an idea and, while she would not often interject comments when the men were hard at discussion, she did now. “Angus, would you consider a suggestion?”
“Aye. What are you thinking?”
Aware that all eyes were upon her, she said, “When I thought of what you seek, a convenient isle close to friendly territory with resources and options for quick escape, where men willing to fight for King Robert could be had, one island came to mind.” She paused to read their expressions and then said, “Rathlin.”
“Off the Ulster coast?” asked the king.
“Yes, my lord. You can see the island from here. It is but eleven miles from Dunaverty. The island itself is only six miles long but there is a well-tended castle and beaches for many galleys. My family’s castle at Dunseverick on Ulster’s coast is just a few miles across the Sea of Moyle. The O’Cahans would provide men and resources for you, as would the O’Neills.”
“I know Ulster and I know of the island,” said the king. “A definite possibility.”
“My son, Brian,” said Áine, gesturing to where Brian sat not far away, “is an O’Neill himself, the son of my first husband, then the King of Tirowen. Until recently, Brian fostered with the O’Neills in Ulster.”
“What of the Earl of Ulster who is Edward’s man?” asked Sir Gilbert. “He would be close, too.”
“Yes, but he is my father-in-law,” said the king. “He may be loyal to Edward but he would do nothing to harm the husband of his daughter who is now my queen.”
“And the castle on Rathlin?” asked the James Douglas. “Whose is it? How great a fortification?”
“’Tis a great fortress and the master is Sir Hugh Bissett,” said Angus, “Lord of the Glens of Antrim and my brother-in-law. He helped me hunt the MacDougalls not long ago. I believe he would give us welcome or at least turn a blind eye.”
“As a youth, I fostered with the Bissetts,” said Sir Edward. “They will not turn us away even if it means opposing Longshanks.”
“Then it is agreed,” said King Robert. “With Angus’ help, we are for Rathlin.”
AT MID-MORNING the next day, three galleys laden with men, weapons and supplies, appeared off Dunaverty’s shore. John, who had been watching for them, brought the news to Angus. They flew no banner as they had been instructed. Angus, John and Duncan went to the parapet to observe their landing.
