Page 16 of Bound By Honor
His father’s hand clapped his shoulder. It was the best reward Angus could have had. Smiles from the crew assured him he had done well.
Once the galley had been secured onshore, they scrambled over the rocks, too large to be called shingle, and began the long climb to the castle. As they drew closer to the edifice perched on the edge of the cliff, Angus glanced up to see two round towers and rectangular stone buildings. Each had been constructed of rocks of various shapes, which was hardly surprising given their abundance, but some of the structures had an unfinished look as if the earl were still in the process of building.
“I expect most of the earl’s visitors prefer to arrive by land,” Angus said to his father with a smirk.
His father nodded. “Aye,” then shot him a speaking glance. “Only the best sailors would venture an approach from the sea, although that cave might be useful when resupplying stores in time of siege. I could have mentioned there is a wide sandy beach a few miles away but then you would have missed the test.”
Angus shook his head. “I should have guessed.”
They reached the summit where a narrow bridge led across a deep gulf to the castle proper. At the sight of two score armed men approaching, the guards gave them a wary look and stepped into their path with crossed spears.
“Angus Mor Macdonald to see the earl,” announced Angus’ father, “at his invitation.”
The guards obviously knew the name for they relaxed, withdrew their spears and beckoned them to enter. “Your men will be seen to once you are inside, my lord.”
Gesturing to Angus, his father said, “This one is my son.”
The guard acknowledged this information with a curt nod.
Angus’ father whispered a word to his captain before they followed the castle guard into a large grass-covered area surrounded by buildings. The crew was directed one way and Angus and his father another.
Inside the great hall, Angus and his father were asked to wait so that the earl could be informed they had arrived. Servants gave them curious looks as they bustled around setting the head table for dinner. Enticing smells from the kitchens made Angus’ mouth water.
He and his father walked to the large stone fireplace where a fire burned steadily, the flames sending sparks up the chimney. The familiar scent of burning wood was pleasant.
Three gray wolfhounds strolled toward them, sniffing at their tunics and weapons.
Angus scratched one large hound’s head, and then turned to stretch his hands toward the heat while scanning the immense hall. Several tapestries and a few paintings hung on the walls. Candles were set on side tables. Carpets, woven in patterns of blue and red, added color to the stone floor. Otherwise, the vast space reflected the cold dampness of the rock of which it was made.
Angus and his father turned at the sound of boots on the stones. Richard de Burgh crossed the hall and held out his hand. “I am heartened to see you have arrived unscathed.”
Angus’ father gripped the earl’s hand. “Aye, a day’s work done. You know my son, Angus Og, from our meeting at Turnberry some years ago.”
Angus remembered the dark red hair and beard that gave de Burgh the nickname “the Red Earl”. He had changed little in the years since Angus had first seen him at Turnberry Castle. Though the earl was now about thirty in age, he was still young for his position and the power he wielded.
“I remember him, yes.” The earl smiled at Angus. “You have grown from a lad to a man.”
Angus dipped his head. “It would seem so, my lord.” When the earl had first met him, Angus had a smooth jaw and had not grown to his full height, a few inches over six feet.
Turning to Angus’ father, the earl asked, “And is Turlough now the King of Tirconnell?”
“He is, as was intended by his father, the former king.”
De Burgh shrugged. “I will not ask what it took to accomplish that feat, my friend. Rather, I will invite you to dine with Margaret and me and to stay the night, for we have much to discuss.”
“Your kind invitation is accepted and most gratefully. I would rather not navigate around those rocks below the castle in the dark.”
The earl laughed. “Yes, well, most of our visitors arrive and depart when there is light. And then we are often at our castle at Carrickfergus, which is more welcoming to visitors arriving by ship.”
A servant approached the earl. “Your guests’ chambers are ready, my lord.”
“Very well.” Then to Angus’ father, the earl said, “He will show you to them. But, as dinner is close, do not be long.”
After a brief time in their chambers to refresh themselves and change their attire, Angus and his father returned to the great hall where they found the earl standing with his wife, Lady Margaret, elegantly dressed in a crimson silk gown that set off her fair coloring and white head cloth.
The earl presented his wife to Angus who had not met the countess previously.
He bowed before her. “My lady.”
