Page 143 of Bound By Honor
Leaving his sparth axe with one of his men, and gesturing the knights to follow, Angus walked at Rob’s side, his sword ready should they face treachery.
The gate opened and William, Earl of Ross, humbly admitted King Robert into the castle. A man of noble blood, the earl had defeat written on his face. Word had obviously spread of Robert Bruce’s successful battles against the Comyns and the MacDougalls. In a few words, the Earl of Ross, his face pale and drawn, offered his unconditional surrender.
With a stern countenance and gritted teeth, the king accepted the earl’s sword, offered with shaking hands, and his oath, made on bended knee, to serve the king thereafter.
“I will stand surety for the earl,” offered David Murray, Bishop of Moray, who had entered the castle behind them.
“Very well,” said the king. “You may do so.”
Hard as it came to show the earl mercy, Angus thought his friend’s decision had been wise, for he had gained not only Ross but also Sutherland and Caithness. The whole northwest of Scotland was now under his control. Still, the mercy granted for the sake of a united Scotland left a bitter taste in the mouths of the king’s inner circle, particularly Sir Neil Campbell whose wife, Mary Bruce, was still in a cage, and Sir Robert Boyd who had guarded the women when the Earl of Ross breached the Church’s sanctuary. With solemn expressions, they kept silent, accepting their king’s decision, yet Angus could see they liked it not.
Angus felt the need to encourage his friend. “Except for the castles yet to be freed from the English—Perth, Berwick, Edinburgh and Stirling—you are recognized in all of Scotland as the just and lawful King of Scots. You have won your country, Rob, and the hearts of her people.”
The king nodded in acceptance of what his hard-fought campaign had won him. “First, I will capture the English-garrisoned castles and then we must break the back of King Edward’s army.”
“Aye,” said Angus. “You will accomplish both.”
While they had been busy in the northeast and in Argyll, Sir Edward and James Douglas arrived to announce they had brought all of Galloway into King Robert’s peace.
“We have defeated the Galwegians and their English allies,” said Sir Edward, his clothing showing his hard days on the road.
Angus was relieved to see Duncan and Angus’ stepson, Brian O’Neill, return unscathed. Brian looked more a man than when he had left. He had grown taller and displayed a new air of confidence. His freckled face was brown from the sun and his red hair streaked with copper. On his face was a smile. “Greetings, Father…er, Lord Angus.”
Sir Edward placed a hand on Brian’s shoulder. “He did well, Angus, as did Duncan and your galloglass.”
“Lord Angus and his galloglass trained me,” said Brian, pride shining from his dark blue eyes.
“It shows,” said Sir Edward with a nod in Angus’ direction.
Angus offered his hand to Brian. “Well done, lad.” He exchanged a glance with Duncan who must have looked after the lad.
That evening, the king’s inner circle dined in Dunstaffnage on MacDougall cattle, and the king’s brother gave his report of events in the south. Angus’ chiefs had been invited, including Christina MacRuairi. All gathered round to hear.
“They had nearly three times our numbers,” began Sir Edward, “including fifteen hundred English soldiers under Sir Ingram de Umfraville, the Scots noble whose loyalties have shifted more often than ours. Added to their numbers were the Galwegians. Though we were greatly outnumbered, I thought of our brothers, given traitors’ deaths as a result of Dungal MacDouall, Lord of Galloway, and cared not they were many to our few.
“With Douglas at my side, we charged at them, screaming our war cries. I think our sheer ferocity surprised them.” He smiled. “Jamie, as you know, with his black hair flying about his menacing face, can be quite frightening.”
Douglas smiled widely. “I surely can.”
Sir Edward continued, “The MacDoualls and their English allies fled, taking refuge behind the stone walls of the English-held Buittle Castle.”
King Robert turned to his brother. “That is the castle our grandfather captured in 1286 when he thought to take the throne.”
“I remember,” said Edward Bruce. “’Twas a Balliol castle then.” With a nod to James Douglas, who was sitting nearby, enjoying the tale immensely, the king’s brother said, “’Twas Jamie who had the idea to use a heavy mist to our advantage. The mist became our cloak and allowed us to creep unseen toward the castle. We took it at night. Wallace would have been proud.”
“As we attacked,” said Douglas, “the MacDoualls and their English friends fled in the dark, their only light the moon when the mist dissipated. Dungal, the Galwegian chief, escaped toward England where, doubtless, he has been rewarded for his perfidy. You may be certain he will not return to Scotland anytime soon, else I will see him gone.”
For the great victory that it was, the celebration that followed was subdued. Angus did not have to ask why the evening was bittersweet. The Bruces had defeated the MacDoualls, but they would rather have their beloved brothers, Thomas and Alexander, alive to celebrate the day.
At one point in the evening, the king turned aside to confer with his brother, who nodded at what was shared between them. Then, turning to James Douglas, the king said, “For your valor aiding my brother, Jamie, I give you the castle at Buittle. And Edward, for avenging our brothers, is hereafter made Lord of Galloway.”
Smiles from the two named spoke their pleasure, and a chorus of voices rose to shout, “Hear, hear!”
Directing his attention to Angus and Christina, the king said, “As for the MacDougall lands, I will divide them between my friend, Angus, and my kinswoman, Christina. I will also give to Angus the Isle of Mull, formerly held in part by the MacDougalls, for your eldest son, and Lochaber, formerly Comyn territory, to be shared with the MacRuairis. “With these grants, I expect you to assist Dunstaffnage’s new constable in guarding the seaways.”
“Aye, and thank you, my lord,” said Angus. “It shall be my pleasure to do as you say.” Inclining his head toward Malcolm Maclean, Angus said, “The Macleans of Duart Castle on Mull have frequently reminded me how uncomfortable they are having the MacDougalls so near. I suspect they are relieved at the change.”
The king smiled at Angus’ words. “’Tis my hope the charters for these grants will be witnessed by Bishop Lamberton. Lord willing, he and Bishop Wishart will soon be restored to me.”
