Page 134 of Bound By Honor
Sometime later, Áine observed Angus and Gilchrist speaking away from the hearing of others. She assumed Angus was explaining what happened at Greyfriars Church and the Red Comyn’s betrayal. Since King Robert had subsequently been excommunicated, the Macduffies should know the truth.
As they made ready to sail, Angus said to the Colonsay chief, “If you remain of a mind to join me, come to Dunyvaig at the end of August. We will sail from there.”
“I will be there,” said Gilchrist.
Next, they beached the galleys at Duart Castle on Mull. Áine remembered Malcolm Maclean, whom she met on Iona. He had succeeded his father, Malise, who died the year after she and Angus were wed.
Malcolm welcomed them into his castle where they stayed the night. He had taken a wife, a pleasant woman from a neighboring clan. Áine was pleased to tell her of the effort to gather provisions for the men.
Because the Comyns and MacDougalls had plundered their lands, the Macleans were anxious to join the fight. “Aye, my men and I will meet you at Dunyvaig,” said Malcolm when Angus asked about joining him. “All here want to see justice done.”
On the other isles, they also met with success. Christina MacRuairi at Castle Tioram, who had already provided ships and warriors to accompany King Robert to Arran, agreed to send more.
Over a dinner of roast beef and salmon, Christina informed Angus, “I will lead the MacRuairi men myself.” Turning to Áine, she said, “Give me your list of needed supplies, my lady, and when my men and I sail to Islay, we will bring with us the items you request.”
Surprised that Christina of Garmoran would fight with the men, Áine inquired of John how this came to be. “With her fierce half-brothers, she has had to fight to maintain her stature as the MacRuairi heir. These battles ahead will not be her first.”
They left Moidart and sailed north to Skye. It rained off and on, making Áine grateful for her oiled cloak. Because it was high summer, the air was warm and they were soon dry. The rainbows that followed them were sufficient compensation for the discomfort.
At Dunvegan, Tormod Macleod gave them a hearty welcome. “Lord Angus, I see you have brought your lovely lady.”
Since she had last seen him at Iona, Tormod’s son, Malcolm, tall and fair like his father, married a Campbell woman and fathered a son. He appeared well content with his new family.
Malcolm’s wife asked Áine, “Is it true that Sir Neil, the Campbell chief, is one of King Robert’s knights?”
“He is and has been with him from before Rathlin.”
Áine listened as Angus explained King Edward’s cruelty. “Such noble men were unworthy of the deaths they received at the hands of the English, but then Edward, the first of that name, was that kind of king. He treated the Welsh nobles no differently.”
They discussed the need for more galleys, and Angus asked, “Can your shipbuilders supply more?”
“Aye,” said Tormod, “with enough wood. We’ve a croft at Colbost across Loch Dunvegan where the building takes place.”
“I can supply oak and sawn boards from Ireland,” said Angus.
After that, they struck a bargain for ten more galleys. Then, Angus placed before the chief the opportunity to send men with him when he returned to King Robert. “The next battles will be crucial. Will you sail with us?”
“Aye,” said Tormod with a glance at his son. “The Macleods will accompany you. My son, Malcolm, will lead them.”
Malcolm, his blond hair framing his blue eyes, nodded. “We could hardly refrain. The Comyns and MacDougalls plundered and burned Skye. I will speak to my brother, Torquil, on Lewis. I am certain he will go as well.”
Áine observed her husband’s pleasure at all he accomplished. As they rose from the table, Angus reminded them that Robert Bruce had also been attacked by the MacDougalls of Lorne and Argyll. “They killed many of his men who escaped the slaughter at Methven. ’Twill be good to have the lordship united as we help our new king defeat our common enemies.”
That night, they dined on roast goose glazed with honey, accompanied by stewed beans from the castle gardens fried with garlic and onions. Since barnacle geese would begin arriving on Islay in September, Áine made a note to ask Malcolm’s wife for the ingredients for the splendid glaze.
As they lingered over dinner, Tormod and Angus discussed the war.
“’Twas good timing for the English king to die when he did,” said Tormod.
“Aye,” said Angus. “But his son will continue the fight with his English nobles and knights, aided by our Scots enemies. That is why King Robert must defeat the Comyns and MacDougalls, else they will be attacking from the rear as the English attack from the front.”
“You’ll not get an argument from the Macleods,” said Malcolm. “Nor any other clan of the lordship, I wager. It is time we rid the Isles of the varmints.”
“Will you call for signal fires?” asked Tormod.
“Not yet,” said Angus, “but you are right to ask. I envision a time when we will need them to call the lordship and summon all our galleys. For now, I am not asking for every man or every galley, only enough to see the task before us done. Others must stay to protect the women and children, to bring in the harvest, to sow the seed in spring and tend the cattle.”
“Very well,” said Tormod as the others leaned in to listen. “I agree with your plan. We shall do as you ask and meet you in Lagavulin Bay at the end of August.”
