Page 123 of Bound By Honor
With Fand, the wolfhound that had been Brian’s gift, at her side, Áine greeted her son. “It is good to have you with us again.”
All the Irishmen who came to Rathlin lamented King Edward’s atrocities and were anxious to be part of removing the English from Scotland and Ireland. To the Irish of Ulster, the Scots in the Isles and Gaelic Carrick were considered kin.
The Earl of Lennox and the knights who had traveled with Robert Bruce anxiously expressed their desire to be about the business of securing King Robert’s throne. To their many questions, the king promised, “We will leave soon.”
The passionate young James Douglas was more anxious than most to move forward without further delay. He spoke his mind that night as they dined on a dinner of the island’s hares and fish caught offshore. “We are nothing but a burden to the islanders when there are castles to be burned and Englishmen to be put to the sword. ’Tis time to act!”
Angus shared a look with Áine who listened but did not speak.
“Where would you go?” asked the king.
“To Brodick Castle on the east coast of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, my lord. ’Tis garrisoned by the English and known to me—a rich prize.”
“If you send Jamie,” said Sir Robert Boyd, “send me with him. I know the castle well. It is in the keeping of Sir John Hastings, an Englishman loyal to Edward but with estates in Scotland. You will recall he was a competitor for the crown when Edward unwisely picked John Balliol.”
King Robert nodded. “Very well, go. Take a galley and a small party of warriors and attempt the surprise of Brodick. Send word when you have arrived and, depending on your assessment, I will follow with more ships and men.”
Angus believed the king was being careful in this next move after losing so much so soon following his coronation.
When Douglas and Boyd sailed for Arran, Angus decided the time had come for him to take Áine and his children to safety. “Come with me to Islay,” he bid the king, “where I keep most of my fleet. We can be back in three days’ time.”
The king agreed and, the next morning, they departed the island in Angus’ galley with a second ship following. As before, he left Duncan in charge of the men at Rathlin but took John with him. Áine, their four children, her handmaiden, and the servants who had accompanied them from Dunaverty, sailed for Islay.
During the crossing, Áine came to Angus where he stood in the bow of the ship with his foot braced on the small platform. “My only regret at leaving Rathlin,” she said, “is that the puffins have only just arrived and they are among my favorites.”
“Birds, you mean?” said Angus, distracted by something on the horizon.
“Of course. Do you know of any other puffins?”
Angus chuckled and turned back to her. “Well, no, now that you speak of it.” Then pulling her close and kissing her forehead, he said, “Can you not think of another reason you will miss Rathlin?”
“Well, there were the nights with you. I will miss those terribly. Once you have taken me and the children to Islay, you will leave with the king, yes?”
“Aye.”
Her beautiful eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “Then I will not see you for some time.”
Angus did not answer for they both knew they would soon be parted, and he could not say when, or if, she would see him again. Instead, ignoring the men at the oars, he kissed her.
When the kiss ended, she gazed toward the stern. “Angus, have you noticed the growing affection between your captain and my handmaiden?”
Angus turned to see his captain in the stern and his wife’s handmaiden next to him, laughing.
“It has been going on for longer than you might realize. They have only grown closer on Rathlin. I must ask you, is he honorable concerning women?”
“Aye. Conall was captain of my brother’s galley before mine. He is a seasoned warrior and a good seaman. He was married but his wife died three years ago in childbed.”
“Well, as you might observe, Nessa is taken with him. She would make him an excellent wife. Since they both serve us, a marriage between them would be convenient for all. Might you mention the thought to him?”
“If it pleases you, my love, I will.”
His wife smiled and the sun rose in her eyes. “Thank you. Just remember when you speak of it that it wasyouridea.”
He laughed. “Aye, I shall remember.” Many of her ideas had become his own.
White clouds flitted across the blue sky as Angus’ galley transported them from Rathlin to Dunyvaig. They did not put in at Lagavulin Bay, where Angus’ large fleet lay, but headed for the rocky shore in front of the castle. The gray seals lazing on the rocks barely noticed.
They beached the two galleys and began the walk to the castle. The crews helped the children and their nurses over the rocky shore along with all else they had brought. Young Alexander raced to the castle, eager to see his cousins. Brian walked with the king’s knights. Angus and John, striding beside the king, followed Áine and her handmaiden up to the tall stone tower that looked south to Rathlin and east to Kintyre.
