Page 122 of Bound By Honor
She nodded for she had heard from Angus of the king’s plight. “It was at that point David’s kingship began. His mighty men of valor the Scripture speaks of rose from the men God brought to him. Years later, in a great battle, King Saul and his sons were slain and David finally was recognized as king. It occurred to me, my lord, this may be your story, too.”
King Robert gazed intently into her eyes, his nod acknowledging all she had said.
“You have lost much. David lost his closest friend, Jonathan, and many of his allies. He lost his wife for a time, a marriage arranged by King Saul, as yours was arranged by King Edward. Many of your friends have fallen to Edward’s wrath. And you have lost family, your brother, Nigel, killed and your wife, daughter and sisters taken from you.”
Grief hung over the king like a dark cloud. She must give him something to encourage him to go forward. “Why, I asked myself, did God allow David to remain on the run all those years, living in caves in the wilderness, hunted by an evil king, when He could have secured the throne for David years before?”
“Did you find an answer?” asked King Robert.
“Mayhap I did, for it was during those years David was tested and taught many lessons. Like you, he was already a great warrior, but now he had to learn to be a great leader of God’s people. Where he had once led thousands of trained warriors in battle, just as you did, now he led small bands of rough, broken men. David learned to show mercy. Most of all, he learned the faithfulness and power of God. In his darkest hour, he made the decision to trust God, and the Scripture says that God delivered David from all his enemies. He will deliver you, too, my king. You have only to trust Him.”
The king let out a sigh and Áine saw the tension fall from his shoulders. “You think so?”
“I do. From this point on, my king, you begin anew. Trust God to lead you, and I will pray that your wife, daughter and sisters are restored to you.”
She rose to leave, and the king took her hand and kissed it. “Thank you, my lady. You have given me hope where I had none.”
That night, King Robert joined Áine and Angus, along with the king’s companions at the table for supper. The king ate little. Áine was pleased to see he ate at all.
During the somber meal, the hushed conversations respected their shared grief. In the flickering light of a candle, the king leaned close to Angus, allowing Áine, who sat next to her husband, to hear the king’s words. “I knew you married a beautiful woman,” he said. “Her reasons for choosing Rathlin as our refuge told me she is wise. When she faced the hostile islanders, I realized she is also brave. But only today did I discover you married a saint.”
CHAPTER 22
Rathlin Island off the coast of Ulster, March 1307
SPRING ARRIVED on Rathlin, with nesting birds and a profusion of wildflowers on the verdant hillsides. Although the air remained cold, the clouds often parted to allow the sun’s rays to reach the flowers.
As the weather began to improve, Angus observed the men growing restless. Not only his own men, but those attached to the king as well. Now that winter was ending, they wanted action. Hunting and vigorous practice sessions with sword, spear and bow helped some, yet Angus knew this would not satisfy for long.
Angus’ brother, John, had improved in the fighting skills Angus had taught him and could now match his skills with any Isleman. Angus kept his own skills honed in practice bouts with the king, Sir Robert Boyd and the young James Douglas, who was very fast with his sword. But all this practice served merely as a prelude for war. The time had come for the king to move forward with his plans to take back his kingdom.
In conversation one evening, King Robert reminded Angus that, through his first wife, Isabella of Mar, he was related to Christina of Garmoran, heiress to the MacRuairi lands.
“The MacRuairis hold lands in Moidart and Lochaber as well as a number of small isles,” Angus told him. “Christina is the heiress. Her illegitimate half-brothers once sailed with me when I served King Edward. I am certain they would much prefer to serve you.”
“Might she help us?” asked the king.
“Aye. I expect Christina would contribute men as well as ships to your cause. I can take you to her at Castle Tioram. On the way back, we can gather more to your cause.”
The king nodded. “A worthy idea. Let us sail to my kinswoman.”
Sir Edward, who had been listening, said, “While you sail north, Robert, I would take our brothers to Ulster where our friend, Malcolm McQuillan, dwells next to Coleraine in Tirowen. There, I am confident we can raise more recruits.”
“My stepson, Brian, would want to go with you,” put in Angus, “and he might be of help with the O’Neills.”
“He is welcome to come,” said Edward Bruce agreeably.
The next day, Angus, the king and two of his knights sailed north, while Edward Bruce and the other Bruce brothers sailed the short distance south to Ulster. They took along the horses and Angus’ stepson, Brian, who was proud to be included.
The Earl of Lennox, Duncan and John thought it best if they remained on Rathlin with the bulk of their warriors.
Angus felt the chill of the air as they sailed north to Castle Tioram in Moidart. It rained often but the rain sometimes brought them rainbows, which cheered all.
Christina MacRuairi welcomed them to her lands and expressed her eagerness to help King Robert. She contributed three galleys and fighting men to sail them. “You are kin, my lord,” she said to the king. “Of course, I will help.” She offered more resources, too, should the king have need of them. “Lord Angus can send word.”
By early April, they returned to Rathlin with a fleet of galleys and a small army of Islesmen who were committed to the king’s efforts to free Scotland from the English. It was not all Angus could have raised but he believed it was enough for now.
About the same time, the king’s brothers returned from Ireland with hundreds of recruits and the Irish nobleman, Malcolm McQuillan, and Sir Reginald Crawford, both of whom had served King Edward but had since given their loyalty to King Robert.
