Page 129 of Bound By Honor
In discussions with Angus and the knights, the king decided to move the army west to Ayr. Before they reached the coastal town, however, they learned that an angry King Edward had ordered Aymer de Valence to return north to attack King Robert’s army and complete the job he had left undone.
Accordingly, they made plans.
In May, King Robert moved his army to a place known to him called Loudoun Hill where a massive plug, the remnant of an ancient volcano, rose from the plains. There, they set a trap.
Angus knew from their spies that de Valence had replenished his forces, which now numbered three thousand to King Robert’s thousand. For the trap to work, the English had to take the bait offered—one that would be hard to refuse.
When the English came across some of King Robert’s men fleeing on horses toward Loudoun Hill, de Valence’s men charged after them.
The only clear path lay to the south of the big rock. On either side was boggy terrain covered by streams and burns. Plunging ahead, de Valence’s army fell into grass-covered ditches, for the entire path had been pitted with traps, which the Scots knew how to avoid but the English did not.
De Valence’s army, thrown into confusion, struggled to move forward. Horses screamed in protest as they went down throwing their riders to the ground.
From the back of Loudoun Hill, King Robert’s men came running on foot with spears, swords and axes, shouting their war cries.
To forestall an English retreat, the king had ordered Angus and the light horse to the rear.
Penned in between King Robert’s two forces, de Valence managed to escape though most of his men did not. Twice now, with greater numbers, he had been humiliated by the Scots.
“A fitting revenge for de Valence’s treachery at Methven,” Angus told the king at the end of the day as they sat eating before an open fire.
“It cannot give me back my friends and family lost to Edward’s gibbet, but this proves Edward cannot easily dismiss either me or our determination to gain Scotland’s freedom.”
With renewed strength, King Robert and his army attacked a force under Sir Ralph Monthermer, Earl of Gloucester, pursuing him to Ayr Castle on the coast. Angus thought it ironic that Robert Bruce would soon face in battle the same man who had saved his life with a warning to flee Edward’s court when the Red Comyn had disclosed their pact. But, before the two could meet on the field of battle, fresh English troops arrived and King Robert drew off.
From the beach at Ayr later that day, Angus could see the dark shadow of Arran across the Firth of Clyde, silhouetted against a cloud-studded vermilion sky. Thinking of Kintyre and Islay that lay farther west, while it was still light, Angus wrote a letter to Áine he would send the next day by messenger with other letters his men had written.
From Angus Og to his dearest Áine,
It is cold tonight at water’s edge where we are camped, but I am warmed by the thought of you and home. I see your face, so dear to me, your expressive brown eyes that say more than your words, and your silken hair I long to touch. I can almost feel your skin beneath my fingers.
Lest you wonder, I do not forget all that is between us.
The king has lost much but has gained ground. Mayhap you have heard of his successes at Glen Trool and Loudoun Hill and Douglas’ destruction of the English garrison at Douglas Castle.
King Robert is clever and fights as much with his wits as with his sword, always using the land to his advantage. The tales of his victories, both small and great, grow as they are told and retold. You would smile at some we hear. He remembers your story of Israel’s King David and is encouraged by your prayers.
The people now see him as their leader and are coming in great numbers. We are full of hope for Scotland.
I am well, as are John and Duncan. They fight with the king’s army and distinguish themselves. You may tell your handmaiden that my captain remains unwounded.
Give my love to our children and to Juliana and our nephews. I cannot say when I can come to you. It depends on the fortunes of our king.
I will ask the messenger to wait for a reply should you have any.
My love is ever yours.
CHAPTER 23
Ayrshire, Scotland, July 1307
IN THEIR CAMP on Scotland’s southwestern coast near the town of Ayr, Angus received word that King Edward, frustrated at the lack of results from his generals—specifically, Aymer de Valence—decided to lead the English army north himself.
Rising from his sickbed, where rumor had him off and on for months, the aging and unwell Edward set out from Carlisle. His progress was sufficiently slow that Angus’ spy, Cuthbert, could follow it closely.
Days later, Cuthbert returned to camp with the startling news that England’s king had fallen from his horse and lay near death at Burgh-on-Sands.
Angus shared a smile with his friend, King Robert. Around them, there were many smiles on the faces of his army.
