Page 119 of Bound By Honor
Rob came up behind them. “Whose are they?”
“Your escort,” said Angus. “Islesmen, including some of my galloglass, who will accompany us to Rathlin, prepared to fight.”
“There must be a hundred in each galley,” said the king.
“Aye, three hundred was my order and three hundred have come,” said Angus. “Lennox can fill his empty galley with supplies and more. You can sail in my ship with your small group and my family. Every member of my crew is a galloglass.”
“How did I never know of your reach?” asked the king.
Duncan and John exchanged a smile.
“My eldest brother was Lord of the Isles when you and I last fought together,” said Angus. “He commanded the fleet of the Isles and led the chiefs. Now, they are mine to command, my responsibility to lead. But were Alex alive today, the result would be the same. Though Alex served Edward for a time, as did we all, he was ever loyal to the Bruces.”
Angus had told Áine the evening before to be ready to sail the next day with their children, Alexander’s tutor, the nursemaids who attended the two younger ones, the physician, their Irish bard, and the servants she would need at Rathlin. He also told her she should take any clothes and jewels she did not want to fall into the hands of the English. Meanwhile, he arranged to take all the spare weapons, and the barrels of wine and rounds of cheese in his cellar and enough food for many days.
Duncan’s galley was sent home to Saddell with Angus’ hawks and the horses they would leave behind. As Angus had anticipated, the Earl of Lennox made his galley available to carry supplies, the two wolfhounds and the few horses they would take with them, including Brian’s dapple-gray mare, Enbarr.
At noon, as they made ready to sail, Angus called his seneschal to him. “The English will come, mayhap with siege equipment. Under whose command, I know not. Do not resist them. Keep the bridge and gate open. Welcome them as guests. When they ask where I am, tell them ‘Lord Angus has sailed, as he often does, to the Isles.’ Since you do not know where I am going, you cannot tell him. Are we agreed?”
“Aye, my lord. If they throw us out, I will come to Islay. If they allow us to remain, we will be here when you return.”
Angus was taking his personal guard with him and left only ten men-at-arms garrisoning the castle. He hoped it would make the English less suspicious but, more likely, word had already spread that the Lord of the Isles harbored the outlaw, Robert Bruce.
A strong current bore the galleys southeast the few miles to Rathlin. At times, the waves rose so high around the ships that Angus lost sight of one as it slipped into a trough only to rise again, doused in cold sea spray. The wind, blowing strong and fair, swept them along as the fate of the Scottish nation and her king were entrusted to the waves.
The rain held off until they reached Rathlin’s coast. Angus was eager to unload the galleys and settle his family and the men in the warmth of a castle where, he hoped, fires were kept burning against the cold winter.
As they beached the five galleys, the island’s residents, who had initially gathered, fled as hundreds of warriors were disgorged from the ships.
“To them it appears an invasion,” said Duncan.
“Aye,” said Angus, looking back to see his three hundred warriors climbing down to the sand.
The islanders who remained, rugged men of the land and the sea, stood their ground and turned hostile looks upon them. Angus was about to go to them when Áine said to the king, “Allow me, my lord. I know these people.”
“Only if I accompany you,” Angus insisted.
Angus followed close on her heels as his wife went forward to meet the boldest of the Rathlin residents. The man was of middle years, his broad-shouldered frame muscular and his face weathered. His dark hair was streaked with gray and his beard was the color of dull steel. His furrowed brow gave him a stubborn look.
“I am Áine O’Cahan,” Áine said in a loud voice, “sister of Dermot O’Cahan, who is known to you as the master of Dunseverick Castle. This man,” she said, gesturing to Angus, “is my husband, Angus Og Macdonald, Lord of the Isles, who is kin to your master, Sir Hugh Bissett. We come in peace with a very important passenger, the King of Scots, Robert Bruce.”
Angus wondered if it was wise to speak of their infamous guest, but Áine’s judgment had been correct, for the man’s dour expression suddenly turned into a wide smile. He beckoned the people from their hiding places and they came slowly forward. “The king is here?” he asked.
“Aye,” said Angus, “and in need of a place to rest for a while. Will you welcome him?”
“Indeed, yes!” said the man, as whispers spread to all the others now gathered around Angus and Áine to stare beyond them to Robert Bruce.
Angus waved the king forward, and he strode to them, flanked by his brothers. “Allow me to introduce you to the King of Scots, who was once known to you as the Earl of Carrick, having spent much time in Ulster. His brother, Sir Edward, who comes also, fostered with the Bissetts. The others with him are his brothers, Alexander and Sir Thomas.”
The Rathlin leader bowed before the king. “My lord, I am Daniel Black. You are welcome here.”
“May God bless you,” said Scotland’s new king. “Your kindness will not be forgotten.”
Angus asked the Rathlin leader, “Is Sir Hugh in residence?”
“Nay, my lord.”
“I would send word to him if you can take my message without anyone knowing. And I would ask you to say nothing of the island’s royal guest.”
