Page 135 of Bound By Honor
Áine’s husband reached across the table to shake Tormod’s hand. “Thank you, my friend.”
At each of the places they stopped on their voyage, Áine spoke to the women, telling them what Angus and the men would need. “We do not know how long they will be gone,” she said, “so they must have supplies enough to replace what they have now.”
The women understood and were happy to provide for their menfolk.
On Barra, Áine had learned more about the building of the galleys. Neill MacNeil, the clan chief, and his son, Neill Og, entertained them in Kisimul Castle. In an unusual arrangement, the castle had its great hall on the top floor of the keep. Áine liked the view where she could see many shorebirds, but the climb up the stairs on the outside of the castle would be treacherous in icy winters.
“Our shipbuilding is active now since we have good weather,” said the dark-haired MacNeil chief. He was not as tall as the Macleods or Angus but he had a warrior’s build.
At Angus’ request, Neill took them to where three galleys lay alongside each other near the beach, half-finished. The pounding of hammers sounded in the clear air as men, stripped to the waist, were working under the noonday sun. “When these are completed,” said Neill, “we can begin three more.”
“Good,” replied Angus. “The battles I spoke of will take place in autumn. Doubtless, they will be followed by more. Any galleys and men you can add to our numbers will be appreciated.”
The sky overhead was a blue canopy over a calm sea that morning as they left Colonsay where they stopped for the night.
On the voyage south, as they neared Islay, John came to speak to Áine. “What did you learn in the conversations you heard?” he asked.
She thought for a moment before answering. “They are united in their desire to go with Angus when he returns to King Robert.”
“Aye. You heard the chiefs, young and old, speak their reasons for going, but what was left unspoken is just as important.”
“What would that be?” asked Áine.
“The chiefs see Angus’ commitment to the king and his confidence in Robert Bruce even though he fights the might of England. To a man, the chiefs trust Angus and will follow him into battle.”
She remembered the look in their eyes as the chiefs spoke with her husband about the war. It was one of admiration and respect. Their laughter, as they joked with him over the evening meals, told her the chiefs liked him. “Yes, I see what you mean.”
“It is important now for them to trust him but it will be even more critical in the future when England brings its might against the Scots king and the entire lordship is at risk.”
Áine nodded, suddenly realizing how much Angus risked for the sake of the new king. If Robert Bruce lost, so would Angus and the lordship. “I have never considered they might lose,” she said. “I believe God is with them.”
“’Tis odd you should say that,” said John with a pensive look. “One of King Robert’s priests said the same and remarked that the Scots people believe it as well. That, and the king’s courage, is why they are coming to him in great numbers.”
Near the end of August, they returned to Lagavulin Bay and beached the galleys alongside those that had remained behind.
There was only a brief time left for Áine to spend with Angus and she meant to make the most of it. Too, she had a wedding to plan with Nessa.
SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE Angus planned to leave to join the king, Conall, his captain, and Nessa, Áine’s handmaiden, were wed. The weather being unusually fair and warm, once Mass was said in the chapel, the wedding guests dined on a feast held outside on the grass.
All of Angus’ captains and a good part of his men and their wives who lived on the isle came to share the happy day with one of their own. The chiefs from the distant isles began to arrive and happily joined in the celebration.
Angus knew he must make a decision concerning Brian. At sixteen, he was older than Angus when he first joined his father, Angus Mor, in battle. The lad possessed the requisite skills, but he was young and his sword yet to be blooded.
Angus stood with his wife, watching the dancing. Conall and Nessa were in the center, laughing as they twirled around to the sound of the pipe and drum. “They look so happy,” observed Áine. “I have never seen Nessa so pretty.”
“Aye. And Conall is fair smitten. After today, they will have a few days to drink their mead together before we sail.”
“They would hope for more time, of course,” said Áine, “but ’tis enough so that they will not be strangers.”
Angus laughed. “Nay, not strangers. I have asked the steward to give them a chamber in the castle.”
“That was thoughtful, Angus. I will have the servants prepare it for them.”
Standing apart from the others where he and Áine could not be overheard, he raised the issue of Brian. “He wants to go with me when I sail. What do you think? Should I take him?”
Áine turned her lovely eyes on him. “The mother in me says ‘No’, but the wife of the Lord of the Isles says ‘Yes’. He would be very disappointed to be left behind again. Can you protect him?”
“I can keep him between John and me in battle as Alex once kept John between him and me. At least that is how it begins. How it ends is not a sure thing. We must take the risk if we are to see him become the man he wants to be.”
