Page 79 of Bound By Honor
ANGUS HAD JUST returned from Morvern where, at Alex’s request, he and John had retrieved their mother from Ardtornish Castle. “She will be safer on Islay away from the fray,” his eldest brother explained, “and with another child due soon, Juliana will welcome her presence.”
After the Scots’ defeat at Dunbar, and the capture of a hundred Scottish nobles, there had been little resistance to Edward’s rule except in the west. There, Alexander MacDougall, Lord of Lorne, despite having sworn allegiance to King Edward, continued his attacks on the Macdonald holdings, often joined by his allies, the Comyns and MacRuairis.
Angus, his brothers and cousin, Duncan, along with Alex’s constable and senior captains, had gathered this afternoon around a long table in Dunyvaig’s great hall to discuss the situation. The day was warm and the fireplace cold but candles were set about to add to the light filtering in through the narrow windows open to the breeze.
Since he had personally observed the situation on Mull and Skye, the men turned to Angus, awaiting his report. He also had Duncan’s report from Harris and Lewis where he had met with the chiefs there. “The situation is dire in places,” Angus began. “The MacDougalls and the MacRuaris have split their forces, attacking separately and sparing no one. We need more men to counter their attacks in the north.”
Alex sat back, the flickering candle revealing his frown. “I have just received word from the Earl of Ulster that John Balliol has abdicated, which is good news and expected. King Edward has him in custody, bound for the Tower of London. As a result, Earl Richard will be leaving Scotland. He begs transport for his army back to Ireland.”
“The two goals are not incompatible,” said Angus. “We need men and de Burgh has them, freed from their commitment. Some of the Red Earl’s army will surely be willing to serve the Macdonalds, provided we pay them. And, of course, we will transport them home when Edward’s peace is restored.”
“Aye,” said Alex, leaning forward. “Edward pays us a sufficient amount to cover their pay, although he is late with his last payment. I found it necessary to compose a letter to him about the matter. I have also asked him to order the nobles in Argyll and Ross to aid us in our struggle against the MacDougalls, else we will find ourselves taking fire from that quarter.”
The constable spoke up. “My lord, word has just arrived of a battle in Argyll between John MacDougall, Alexander’s son, and the Campbells of Loch Awe. If the report be true, Sir Colin Mor, chief of the Campbells, was killed, shot through with an arrow.”
Low groans sounded around the table, as if the men had received the blow themselves, for Sir Colin was known to many and respected by all.
“Sir Colin is dead?” asked Alex, a dark shadow crossing his face. The constable’s expression was solemn, his eyes downcast. “To lose our grandfather in that manner is a travesty. Our mother will be devastated to learn her father has been killed. It was only a short while ago he attended the marriage of Richard de Burgh’s sister.”
“Grandfather…” muttered Angus, remembering the man of great bearing who, in a playful mood, had tossed him into the air when he was just a small lad. “How cruel a fate to be brought down by a wretched MacDougall.”
Alex nodded. “’Tis one more sin to add to their account.” He thanked his constable for the report, though it was sad news. “We can do nothing about it now. But there will come a time when vengeance will be ours.”
“All the more reason to add to our numbers,” said Angus. “Assuming you agree, Alex, I can take part of the fleet north to retrieve de Burgh and his army. At the same time, I can recruit as many Irishmen to our cause as are willing. Mayhap we can hold the Comyns and MacRuaris at bay and put a dent in the MacDougall strength.”
Alex nodded. “Aye, see it done.”
“What of me?” inquired John. “Am I to go with Angus?”
“Nay, John, not yet. While I am certain Angus would welcome your sword, King Edward has an assignment that would be perfect for your other skills. More, ’twould serve you in good stead to please the English king. While you are accomplishing that, you will have the chance to learn how to manage things at Dunyvaig. One day, you will have your own castle.”
Angus nodded to his younger brother. “’Tis a good thing Alex suggests. There will be more battles to come and a Macdonald must learn to do more than fight. ’Sides, Duncan can go with me.”
Duncan’s smile was wide. “I will gladly go as I love a good fight and my father has already trained me to castle accounts at Saddell.”
“What is the task?” asked John, his expression skeptical.
“Duties similar to those of an exchequer, the receipt and disbursement of monies for which we account to the Lordship and to King Edward.”
“These are important duties?” John asked.
“Aye,” said Alex, “very important, especially now when Edward is short of funds for his many campaigns.”
The next day, under a blue sky white with clouds, Angus and Duncan sailed north with a fleet of twenty-five galleys, to meet Richard de Burgh on the western coast of Ross. They were cheered to find so many of the Irishmen ready to take up the Macdonald cause. Better to fight for a Macdonald, they told Angus, than for an English king.
Awaiting Angus was unexpected news delivered by the Red Earl. Robert Bruce, the younger, acting independently of his father, had shifted his allegiance from King Edward to a rebel named William Wallace, fighting the English from Selkirk Forest. “The common folk follow him as do the retainers of many nobles,” said de Burgh. Sir William Douglas and Robert Wishart, Bishop of Glasgow, have joined him. Wallace’s numbers grow but I had not thought the Earl of Carrick among them until now. It may be that the young Robert was disillusioned at learning King Edward would not grant his father the crown.”
“Aye, he would be.” Angus considered what more might have led to this. “When word came that Edward had carted off the treasure, jewels, plate and regalia of Scotland’s kings, even the stone upon which our kings are enthroned, I wondered how long Rob would serve such a man.” Angus had wondered the same for his own family. As he thought more on it, he realized that if his friend had truly risen against King Edward that would change all.
Angus sent Earl Richard and the part of the army that wished to go back to Ireland south in some of his galleys. Bidding them Godspeed, he set out after his enemies, his ships loaded with Irish warriors.
Not content to fight his own battles, Alexander MacDougall, released by King Edward, was urging on the MacRuairis, who now engaged in what Angus considered mere piracy. Led by Ruairi, chief of the MacRuairis, they had burned all of the Macdonald ships they could find, including some under the protection of the Church. This Angus discovered as he stopped to meet with his chiefs in the north. Outraged, he donned his mail and helmet and set out, fully armored, in a blazing fury to hit the MacRuairis with his full strength.
Spotting the enemy galleys, he shouted to his captains within earshot, “Surround them!” He ordered his archers to the ready. The orders were echoed to his other captains. “Stay low until I give the order to attack.”
Though evenly matched in the number of galleys, Angus had more men and his archers were the best in the Isles. Upon his order, they rose and loosed their arrows on the MacRuairi galleys, which were still readying their attack. At close range, many fell. Then, with shouted war cries, his men jumped the gunwales to engage the enemy.
The clash of swords and men’s cries rent the air.
