Page 138 of Bound By Honor
Over the evening meals, he and his captains, along with Christina MacRuairi, and his other companions, gathered to consider what lay ahead.
“The king may rightly deal the Earl of Ross the same end as the Comyns at Inverlochy,” said Duncan when the question was asked.
“For a breach of sanctuary to seize Queen Elizabeth, he deserves no less,” said one of Angus’ captains, a galloglass who was very protective of his own wife.
Christina said, “My half-brother, Lachlan, attacks the Earl of Ross in the west where his lands meet the sea. When King Robert attacks from the south and east, the earl will be left with nowhere to run.”
“The earl will know that,” said Angus. “Facing the king’s thousands, he might surrender before Urquhart is taken.”
The speculation went on into the night until the men, tired of talking, found their beds.
More than a sennight later, the king’s army arrived just south of Urquhart Castle. By then, their numbers had doubled as Highlanders, loyal to the king, joined the cause.
Angus stood with the king, his knights and his brother surveying their army. “Your march has gained you more men,” said Angus, smiling at his friend.
“So it has.” Not all were armed warriors but all were willing to fight. “Think, Angus, thousands of Scots now recognize me as their true king and we have only begun!”
Rob appeared well pleased with his larger army and new followers but Angus saw past the king’s smile to the lines of fatigue in his friend’s face and his gray color. When the king turned aside to speak to some of his men, Angus said to the king’s brother, “He looks tired. Has he had any sleep?” Then taking a good look at Sir Edward, he asked, “Have any of you?” Angus, too, was weary after so many days marching through the woods and over rough terrain.
“Not as you’d notice,” said Sir Edward. “As you have experienced, Robert plunges forward, driving his men hard and himself harder, inspiring all who come to him. It is like trying to hold back a stallion eager to race. It was all I could do to persuade him to give the men a few hours of sleep at night.”
Angus shook his head. “He cannot keep up such a pace.”
“You tell him that. I have tried.”
Angus joined the king and a few of his knights to walk farther on until they could see the castle looming over Loch Ness. The place had been used as a fortified site for hundreds of years, protecting the lowlands of Moray against assault from the west. From Urquhart, too, timber, cattle hides and other materials were transported to the markets of Inverness at the top of the glen and beyond.
Set on a promontory, jutting into the loch, the castle was protected on the landward side by a deep ditch as well as tall, stone battlements. A bridge led over the ditch to a gate and round tower guarding it. The castle grounds were so large as to resemble a walled village strung out along the loch’s shore.
“If you agree,” Angus said to King Robert, “I would have my men take their stand between the loch and the castle just out of arrow range. That leaves your army on the earl’s more vulnerable, land side. The Earl of Ross will see he is surrounded by thousands.”
“I agree,” said the king. “He might as well know what he is up against.”
Once Angus’ men were in place, he came to the king to see what his wishes were. King Robert told him he was just about to order the siege to commence. As they spoke, a shout came from the gatehouse next to the drawbridge. “His lordship, the Earl of Ross, would speak to Robert Bruce!”
The king stepped forward with Sir Edward on his left and Angus on his right. Behind them were Sir Gilbert Haye, Sir Neil Campbell, Sir Robert Boyd and Malcolm, Earl of Lennox.
“Sir Robert!” shouted the dark-haired Earl of Ross. His long thin face was pale, speaking of weariness.
“That is King Robert to you!” shouted back Sir Edward.
“Pardon me,” said the earl, “King Robert, I would save my garrison and the people here a siege. Will you grant me a truce?”
“For the man who handed over the queen and the king’s daughter and sisters to King Edward’s cruelty?” shouted Sir Edward.
The Earl of Ross was silent for a moment. Then he said, “I beg your forgiveness, lord king, for such a sin.”
Angus leaned toward the king. “Rob, with your thousands and my men, you can take the castle if that be your wish.”
His friend nodded. “It is in my heart to do so for the wrong he did to Elizabeth and Marjorie and my sisters, as well as Isabella MacDuff. The women suffer to this day because of him.”
“Yet you hesitate,” said Angus.
The king’s brother looked on with a confused expression. “Why?”
King Robert heaved a sigh. “Something your lady said to me, Angus, comes to mind. Mayhap ’tis from God. She told me one of the things King David learned in the years he was hunted by King Saul was mercy. Yes, we could take this castle and kill all. Justice, if not vengeance, calls for such action. Yet, if I grant the earl a truce, I may gain more.”
Angus nodded. “Aye. At the end of the truce, you could possibly gain his allegiance and his territories of Caithness, Sutherland and Ross to add to your growing kingdom.”
