Page 142 of Bound By Honor
“So we are,” replied Douglas. “They have set an ambush at the Pass of Brander where a narrow track separates Loch Awe from the heights of Ben Cruachan. From what our scouts overheard, Alexander MacDougall remains at his castle at Dunstaffnage, too old and ill to fight. His son, John, leads the MacDougall men but he, too, is ill and plans to watch the battle from a galley on Loch Awe.”
Douglas picked up a stick and, smoothing a place in the dirt with his foot, he drew a few lines. “The MacDougalls—thousands of them—wait here, blocking the west end of the pass. And here,” he said, pointing midway down the pass, “hidden on the slopes of the mountain, waiting to pounce as we go by.”
The king studied the drawing, resting his chin in his hand. “You have done well to give us this, James.”
Sir Neil Campbell said, “I know the mountain. It is possible to climb the ben from the other side and crouch unnoticed above the MacDougalls.”
Douglas nodded. “It could be done.”
“Then that is what we will do,” said the king. “Jamie, at first light, take a group of men over the top of the ben to wait above the MacDougalls. I will lead the army across the track below. Before we cross in front of the enemy, I will signal you to strike.”
Angus nodded, satisfied with the plan. Finally, he would have justice for the murder of his brother. Finally, the king would have revenge for the MacDougalls’ ruthless attack at Dal Righ that left so many of his loyal men dead.
“I will lend you my archers,” Angus said to Douglas. “My galloglass and I will stay with the king. God willing, the wretched MacDougalls will be squeezed between our two forces.”
Their plans laid, the king skirted the loch on the north and, marching two abreast along the path, led his army, of which Angus and his Islemen were a part, into the pass at Brander. When they were well along, and just before they reached the place where the MacDougalls hid on the mountain’s slopes, King Robert sounded two blasts on his horn, the signal for Douglas to attack.
With the haunting sound of the horn still echoing off the loch, the air was suddenly filled with arrows, the dark shafts flying down the slope to hit the horrified MacDougalls. Shrieking, they tried to escape. A barrage of rocks followed, dropping more to the ground. Moans of the wounded rose from where they lay.
His heart thundering in his chest, Angus shouted his war cry and ran with the king, swiftly climbing up the slope, his axe clutched in his right hand, ready to meet the retreating enemy.
The MacDougalls, armed for battle, had failed to consider they might get closed in from both front and back. In the confusion, they ran in all directions.
Behind Angus and the king were the king’s knights and Angus’ chiefs and their warriors. They flooded the slope and attacked the panicked MacDougalls. Shouts filled the air as metal clashed against metal.
The MacDougalls who did not fall fled west. King Robert ordered his army after them. Angus kept pace with the king as they ran. Sparing a glance at the loch, he noticed the galley, where John of Lorne had planned to observe all, was gone.
At the west end of the pass, where the rest of the MacDougalls were waiting, the two armies met in a clash of weapons. Angus’ axe dripped blood as he repeatedly struck, the red liquid splashing onto his mail and surcoat.
As Angus and the king engaged one tight knot of MacDougalls, Angus felt the flat of a sword hit his shoulder. Turning, the man raised his sword to strike but Angus’ sparth axe with its long shaft struck sooner, dropping the MacDougall to the ground. A fatal gash in his neck gushed blood, the bright red liquid spreading into the grass.
They had fifteen miles to travel to reach the MacDougall castle of Dunstaffnage on the coast. Along the way, the king’s army defeated the rest of the MacDougalls and plundered their lands, taking booty and driving off their cattle.
By the end of the day, exhausted, filthy and smelling of sweat and blood, they reached the coast and the massive stone fortress that stood guard at the entrance to Loch Etive. To the northwest lay Lismore Isle, just visible on the horizon.
Angus had last seen Dunstaffnage Castle the day his elder brother had married Juliana. Even then, there had been hints the MacDougalls were plotting to deprive Alex of the promised dowry.
That night, they ate well from the MacDougalls’ larder. Angus exchanged smiles with his friend, the king, pleased they had defeated one of their ancient enemies.
King Robert began the siege of the castle the next day. It went on for a month until Alexander MacDougall surrendered both the castle and himself. He paid homage to King Robert, but none of the king’s men were content to leave it at that. Angus would have preferred to see Alexander MacDougall dead, but it was apparent the king would show mercy to this old man. So, Angus offered a suggestion. “It would be best to hold him hostage against his son’s treachery, my lord. John of Lorne escaped, and the MacDougalls cannot be trusted.”
Acknowledging the truth of Angus’ words, the king made Alexander MacDougall a hostage and declared the MacDougall lands forfeit. The king did not destroy Dunstaffnage. “It will be a royal castle,” he declared. “I appoint as constable Sir Arthur Campbell, first cousin to Sir Neil Campbell.” The king also supplied Dunstaffnage with food and provisions.
With the MacDougalls and Comyns defeated, all of Argyll paid homage to their new king.
James Douglas and Sir Robert Boyd headed south to join the king’s brother in Galloway, while Angus and the king, having changed from their bloodstained tunics, headed north, up the Great Glen to Urquhart Castle and the unfinished business with William, Earl of Ross.
As the days moved into autumn, the weather remained unseasonably mild. Often there were days of sun. With the cooler nights, the men rejoiced that the midges were gone until late spring.
At the gate of Urquhart Castle, King Robert confronted the earl, demanding he surrender or endure a siege. The truce with Ross having lapsed and no help coming from the English king, who all knew was occupied with his angry barons, the earl had little choice.
“What do you intend with the one who betrayed the queen?” Angus asked his friend.
Rob sighed. “What I want to do and what I must do for the sake of Scotland are two different things.” The pain in the king’s eyes at the reminder of the suffering of his women told Angus he struggled with the decision to allow the earl to live.
“Ross will surrender rather than be taken if that be your choice,” said Angus.
“I am counting on it,” said the king, striding forward.
