Page 69 of Bound By Honor
Sir Thomas shook his head as he stared into the distance. “Sir Hugh Bissett and I helped install Brian as Tirowen’s king. I am sorry he is gone.”
When the conversation subsided and the servants began removing the remains of the meal, Angus asked Sir Thomas, “Is the earl’s huntsman about? Or, perhaps the keeper of the earl’s hounds?”
“I cannot say where the huntsman is at this moment but the kennels for the hounds are near the stables. The steward can take you there. I will call for him.”
Amid puzzled looks from his companions, Angus thanked Sir Thomas and got to his feet. “I have an errand I must attend to. I will check back with you before we leave for any news from Kilkenny.” To his companions, he said, “Join me?”
“Why not?” said Rob. “I have never seen Dunluce’s kennels.”
With Duncan and John close on their heels, Angus and Rob followed the steward to the kennels. “Roger here is the keeper of the hounds,” said the steward, gesturing to a young man with slight build and a head of nearly black hair. “He can show you the wolfdogs.”
The kennels were circled by a wooden fence. The floor, raised above the ground, was comprised of boards covered with straw. “To keep the hounds from lying on the ground, which might make them sick,” Roger explained. “Of course, the earl’s favorites lie about the great hall.”
“I have noticed,” said Angus. “I grew up with hounds lying about in my father’s castle, though they were deerhounds.”
A wooden ramp led from the floor to a suspended platform at one end. “For winter,” said Roger, “it is warmer there.” Pointing to a large pottery bowl on suspended metal feet, he added, “We also have a brazier to heat the kennels on the coldest of days.”
The kennels opened onto a large grassy area to which the hounds had free access. Bowls of water sat around. “We change them twice a day,” said Roger, his expression full of pride in his caring for the earl’s prized hounds.
“You are to be commended,” said Angus. “All looks well-tended.” Seeing a few wolfhounds in the kennels, he asked, “How many does the earl have now?”
“Five. Two are in the hall and two here. One is at Carrickfergus, the children’s pet. Three males and two females.”
The mention of female hounds encouraged Angus to ask, “Might you have a litter of pups on the ground?”
Rob shot him an inquisitive glance.
“We did three months ago. All the pups are spoken for save two and one of those, a female, will go to the earl.”
“And the other?”
“There have been inquiries but no one has been granted the pup. I think the steward was waiting for the earl’s return.”
Hoping he might be close to his goal, Angus asked, “Is it possible that I might have the one not spoken for?”
“You will have to ask the steward, my lord. Is it for you? If so, I am certain he will look favorably upon your request.”
“Actually, the hound would be for the son of a great lady whose wolfhound just died. The lad is Brian O’Neill, the young son of Lady Áine at Dunseverick.”
“The daughter of The O’Cahan?” Roger asked excitedly.
“Aye, the very lady.”
“If the wolfdog is to be a gift for the Jewel of the Roe’s son, I am certain the steward will give you the pup.”
“The Jewel of the Roe?” asked Angus. “I have never heard Áine O’Cahan called that.”
“She is the greatest beauty of Ulster, my lord. We call her that for her beauty and far more. She is highly valued for her acts of charity by all who live along the River Roe that flows through Limavady.”
Unsurprised by this information, which only confirmed what he believed about the lady’s character, Angus smiled. “Well, then, might we see the pup?”
The keeper of the hounds disappeared into the grassy area in a part of the kennels not visible from where Angus and his companions stood.
While he was gone, Duncan said to Angus, “I begin to see what you are about.”
“Very wise move, Angus,” said Rob, “if you have an interest in the lady, which I perceive you do.”
“I think my brother is clever,” said John. “What lass can resist a puppy?”
