Page 37 of Bound By Honor
“Say nothing of Mackay’s vision to Alex,” warned Angus. “My father must be the first to hear the seer’s words.”
With heavy hearts, they sailed to the south side of the isle where Dunyvaig Castle stood on a rocky outcropping facing the azure waters of Lagavulin Bay on one side and the Atlantic on the other.
It was at this castle that his brother preferred to live rather than at Finlaggan in the middle of the isle. Dunyvaig, meaning the “fort of the galleys”, had long been the stronghold that guarded the bay where the Lords of the Isles anchored their galleys. From here, the Macdonalds controlled the eastern reaches of the Atlantic and the seas around Argyll and the Isle of Arran, beyond which lay Carrick and the mainland of Scotland.
In addition to Lagavulin Bay, Dunyvaig also had a sea gate that allowed a galley easy access to the castle. He ordered the crew to beach the ship in front of that opening and then to pull the galley onto the grassy slope.
Angus’ mood lifted as he jumped down from the ship, walked up the stone steps and sighted his elder brother striding toward him. Alex’s face glowed with happiness.
“I see you find marriage agreeable,” Angus teased.
“Aye. Marriage to Juliana is much to my liking. She and I are well content. We are blessed, as well, for she will soon deliver our first child.”
Duncan chuckled. “Wasting no time, Cousin?”
“Upstart! And why should we?” Alex replied in good humor. Casting a glance at their younger brother, he said, “You have young John with you. Good! We shall have a grand time.”
“I do hope so,” John teased. “I was counting on it.”
The three brothers and their cousin climbed up the hill to the castle in good spirits. That night they dined as family, unencumbered by the need to represent the clan to others or act as emissaries, ever watchful of their speech. It was evident to Angus that his brother, whose hand held that of his wife when it was not needed to cut his food, was truly enamored with Juliana, who was now great with child.
“What has brought you to Islay?” asked Alex.
“Father asked the three of us to call upon the chiefs to take their view of things in Scotland before the Council meeting he has called for September in the days before Michaelmas. Because you were newly married, the task fell to me. Will you attend?”
“Aye. Father will expect me to be there. What have you heard in your travels?”
“All eyes are on Berwick and Edward. They are anxious, as are we, for they fear the decision will not be in favor of Robert the Noble. We have always known that Bruce’s connection to King David was not as strong as Balliol’s, though Robert the Noble would have it otherwise. There is also concern among the chiefs that whoever is named King of Scots must bow the knee to England’s king since he required the pledge of each candidate as a condition of mediating the competing claims.”
Alex nodded. “Edward’s insistence on holding the reins of power does not bode well for an independent Scotland. And given Balliol’s allies, if he is Edward’s choice, it will go worse for the Macdonalds.”
Angus watched Juliana’s face for any angst about her kin’s close relationship to John Balliol but she displayed a calm demeanor. In an attempt to bring a lighter mood to their visit, he asked, “Have you a name for the child yet?”
Alex turned to his wife, who smiled shyly and said, “Only for a lad. We have chosen Ranald.”
“’Tis from Somerled’s son, the ancestor of the Macdonalds,” added Alex.
“Aye,” said Angus, “I know the name. A good choice.”
Duncan and John agreed, smiling broadly.
Hoping to make Juliana more comfortable, Angus said, “You are gracious to entertain so many of us Macdonald men at your table, Lady Juliana. But have some of our women offered you friendship since you came to live on Islay?”
“Oh, yes.”
“And you will meet more who will come with their husbands to the meeting of the Council,” said Alex.
“I hope to see your lady mother again, too,” said Juliana.” Placing her hand on her bulging belly, she said, “By then, her grandchild will be with us.”
Angus did not wish to mention that the women who would come, like their husbands, would consider the MacDougalls to be enemies. He could only hope that Juliana, being a charming young woman, would win them over as she had his family.
They stayed on Islay for a few days, enjoying Alex and Juliana’s company, and then returned to Ardtornish and the Sound of Mull. Along the way, they stopped at Iona where the dark-tonsured abbot told them he was looking forward to the Council meeting. “My father will send a galley for you,” Angus told him.
The abbot thanked Angus and then blessed him and his companions before they sailed for Morvern.
At Ardtornish, Angus suggested his father walk with him. Outside the castle under a cloudless sky, Angus gave his father a report of his travels.
In response, Angus Mor said, “I am heartened to hear the chiefs are committed to the meeting.”
