Page 59 of Bound By Honor
Angus chuckled. “Indeed. Remind me, what is it a squire does when there is no horse to tend?”
“The list is a long one, my friend. He must tend my mail, my sword and my clothes,” said Rob in all seriousness. “And for himself, he must learn to fight and to joust. When we are at court, he must be acquainted with music and dance.”
Angus had learned all that under the watchful eye of the Lord of the Isles.
“Even so,” said Rob, “I am hopeful I shall not long be without a horse.”
“Nay, you will not. I expect Turlough will have horses, at least for some of us. This is Ireland, after all. Still, I prefer to travel by ship when I can.”
Turlough came out to meet them, the dirt on his face smeared by the rain but, otherwise, he was whole and happy they had come. “Uncle! What a grand sight you are.” Gazing beyond Angus, Turlough added, “So many men! We are down to a few hundred so your army is much needed.”
Though they were of an age and Turlough was half-Macdonald, he had the look of an Irishman. He wore his saffron tunic long and pulled up around his waist to fall in folds over his belt where he carried a large sword sheathed in leather. From his shoulders hung a cloak festooned with braided Celtic trim. Both his hair and beard were brown as Angus remembered but they were now darkened by the rain.
Grasping his nephew’s hand, Angus said, “Earl Richard sent us and I was glad as it would have been my choice.” Gesturing to his companions, he added, “You know Duncan and John from our journey to Tirconnell a few years ago. But you may not know Sir Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick, a good friend.”
“Duncan, John,” said Turlough, acknowledging them. Then, offering his hand to Angus’ friend, he said, “I know not this Robert Bruce but I know of the Bruces of Carrick and the Lords of Annandale. My grandfather spoke of your family often. Welcome to Tirconnell.”
The two men shook hands as the rain started to fall in earnest. Turlough suggested they go inside. “I can offer you food and your men can eat with mine. As you will see, we have a village here but with so many in your retinue, I assume you have tents?”
“Aye,” said Angus, following his nephew. “Do you think we would come to this place of continuous rain without tents?”
Turlough laughed. “Wise uncle.”
Angus issued orders to his captains and his guard before following Turlough into the whitewashed house that stood in the middle of the small village.
“My housekeeper and her husband,” Turlough said, introducing the man and woman who were setting dishes on the table that dominated the room. Stairs at one end led to a second story.
“Sit!” said Turlough. “You must be hungry after your travel. Did you come from Earl Richard’s castle at Dunluce?”
“Aye,” said Angus, “and talk of war.”
“The earl worries about fitz Thomas and Connaught,” said Turlough, “but we worry more about my half-brother, Aodh O’Donnell.”
“He has not given up?” asked Angus. “After we sent him running, I would have thought he’d learned his lesson.”
“Nay, he persists. Worse, he has gained men to his cause and has promised them much. My scouts have discovered where they hide and we will soon be upon them.”
“They have galloglass, do they?” asked Angus.
Turlough nodded. “More than before.”
Angus noted that in the years since he’d seen his nephew, Turlough had grown in stature as a leader and likely in his skills as a warrior.
Shifting his attention to Rob, Angus said, “Doubtless you have bested many a knight in tourneys and melees, my friend. This will be different. A galloglass’ reach with the sparth axe is longer than yours with a sword. You will have speed and the skill of a knight but, as you raise your steel to strike, the sparth axe has already hit with devastating force. And when our axe blade is lodged in some man’s flesh or is set aside, we still have our sword.”
“So this is to be a test, is it?” asked Rob undaunted.
“Aye, ’twill serve,” said Angus. “Stay by my side and you will win the day.”
Rob laughed, his gray eyes sparkling. “Must I?” He patted the hilt of his sword. “Do you have so little confidence in this sword of mine?”
“Nay, ’tis just that I have more in my long axe and those of my galloglass guard who will fight with me. If you want to learn to fight against galloglass, you must remain by my side. I do not intend to lose you, my friend.”
Rob let out an impatient but good-humored sigh. “Oh, very well. I suppose I could find some time to practice with your galloglass as we head toward the O’Donnells.”
“’Twould be wise.” Then, as an afterthought, Angus said, “You could always try to bestme. I promise it will be more exciting than chess.”
Turlough and the others laughed.
