Page 17 of Bound By Honor
The countess’ welcome to Angus was gracious, considering he was only a younger son. “Welcome to Dunluce, Angus Og.”
“Most of our children are still quite young,” said de Burgh, “so you will not see them this eve, but Dermot O’Cahan, son and heir of Cumee O’Cahan, Lord of Ciannacht, is fostering here. I’ve asked him to join us for dinner as he returns to his family’s home at Dunseverick tomorrow.”
Just then, a handsome lad of medium height and dark coloring crossed the hall to join them. If Angus judged correctly, Dermot was the same age as Angus’ brother, John.
Dermot bowed before the Lord of the Isles. “My lord,” he said before rising to acknowledge Angus.
“An O’Cahan, eh?” said Angus’ father. “’Tis a great family, one with a long and proud history.”
“Thank you, sir,” said the young O’Cahan, who did not smile at the compliment but his dark brown eyes conveyed his pleasure.
“The lad has done well here,” interjected de Burgh. “He is a scholar among us, yet he is also skilled with a sword. Doubtless, he will be a knight one day if he desires.”
To be a knight and a learned man was not unheard of. Angus himself loved to read and, since Dermot would one day take on the mantle of his father, a knowledge of the masters might serve to render him a worthy leader of men.
“Do you want to be a knight?” asked Angus, looking into Dermot’s unfathomable brown eyes.
“I will seek my father’s guidance, my lord, for he is a wise man.”
Angus’ father exchanged a knowing look with the earl. “Well said. He who accepts a wise man’s advice will never go wrong.”
A servant approached and nodded to Lady Margaret, who turned to her guests. “Dinner awaits us.”
A group of minstrels began to play on one side of the great hall and de Burgh offered his arm to his wife. With Angus’ father on the earl’s left, the three of them walked to the head table. Angus followed with Dermot, close enough to the three ahead of them to hear their conversation.
“Your message to me spoke of war among the O’Neills,” said Angus’ father. “We were careful to avoid Tirowen. Does the war still go on?”
“’Tis a nasty business that. Domnall O’Neill, who might be of interest to you as his mother is a MacDougall, has deposed his cousin, Niall, who I made king in Tirowen. Niall has retreated to Inishowen where he was once king. I am about to intervene to see that Domnall is not rewarded for his treachery.”
“It has ever been so in Ireland, kin fighting kin,” said Angus’ father, a sad note in his voice. “I would never trust the son of a MacDougall. While I would rather not be a part of it, if you should need my galloglass to succeed, I am happy to send them.”
“They would be most welcome. Send them soon before the cold weather sets in and they can winter here. I will not deal with Domnall’s perfidy until spring.”
“You shall have them, at least two ships’ full.”
At the table placed at one end of the hall, de Burgh took the center chair with his lady wife on his right and Angus’ father on his left. Angus was glad when the earl suggested he sit next to his father as he wanted to hear more of what the earl had to say.
Lady Margaret asked for Dermot to take the chair next to her. “It will be my last opportunity to talk at length with the lad.”
The servants began setting platters of food before them. Wonderful smells of spiced meat, vegetables and hot bread filled the air.
Reaching for his wine, Angus heard the earl say, “I suspect things will very soon be in Scotland as they are in Ulster.”
Angus’ father paused in contemplating the food before him. “What news do you have that suggests such a thing?”
The earl turned to him with a look of surprise. “Ah, you must not be aware. The Maid of Norway has died in Orkney on her way to claim the throne of Scotland.”
Angus paused in his eating to listen.
His father’s face fell. “Nay, I did not. When?”
“Nearly a fortnight ago but the news only reached us two days ago.”
Angus’ father heaved a sigh as he stared into the hall. “I see only a difficult road ahead. There will be many contenders for the throne, not the least of which will be Robert the Noble and John Balliol, each of whom claims descent from King David.”
“True,” said de Burgh. “Each has a valid claim, yet by our band at Turnberry we are bound to the Bruces.”
“Aye, and no regrets,” said Angus’ father.
