Page 160 of Bound By Honor
“I have much to thank you for, Father: my fostering, my training as a warrior with that galloglass you sent me, and for Glen Coe. I never thought to have such a prize.”
Angus smiled at hearing his son refer to him as Father. “I was pleased to make you Lord of Glen Coe. It is a rich glen with much beauty. Lead your people with honor and wisdom and know that you will always have an ally in me.”
“I will.”
“How is your mother?”
“She is well and speaks often of you, reminding me of all you have accomplished. I am proud that my father is Lord of the Isles.”
It warmed Angus’ heart to hear it. “I am told you are to fight in the king’s schiltron where I and my Islesmen will be. Keep your men close to mine. I do not wish to lose you now that we are finally acquainted.”
“I will do all you ask, Father.”
Angus offered his hand and the young man grasped his forearm. “I know you will, Son.”
They parted and Angus returned to his tent much in thought. Duncan was waiting for him along with Brian. He was glad to see Duncan after so long. “You look well, Cousin.”
“And so I am. Assuming I survive this battle, I believe I have finally found a lass willing to marry me and make Saddell home.”
Angus was pleased. “That is a bit of good work.”
Brian spoke up then. “Father, might I join Sir Edward’s men and fight in his schiltron?”
Angus studied the face of his stepson. At twenty-three, he was a man grown, of noble Irish lineage and a fine warrior. “I would not stand in your way if that be your choice. Is Sir Edward willing?”
“Aye, he has said so, if you agree.”
“Then go with my blessing, and do all the king’s brother orders that you may live and return to us.”
With a wide smile and his red hair and dark blue eyes shining in the candlelight, Brian said, “Thank you!” and was gone.
A feeling of sadness came over Angus as he turned to Duncan. “I know it is inevitable he will pursue his own future, but I have raised him from a small lad and regret I cannot protect him in this battle we face. Since we are the rearguard, Brian is likely to see more action in Sir Edward’s schiltron than we will see in ours.”
“Do not worry, Angus. Sir Edward says Brian is one of his best.”
“Aye, and I take heart from the knowledge Brian has fought with him before.” Shrugging off his discomfort, Angus said, “The king informed me my natural son, Iain of Glen Coe, will be fighting in our schiltron.”
“Does it please you?”
“Aye. At least I can protect him better there.” Turning to another subject, he said, “I suppose you know of the king’s plans for trenches and pits to be dug impairing the progress of King Edward’s knights?”
“I do, and I think ’tis a good measure to frustrate a charge by the English vanguard. All will participate in digging the pits, even the king. It will take thousands of us to see the job done.”
“It would seem so,” said Angus. “As for the rest of the king’s plans, I can fault nothing.”
In the days that followed, they prepared a honeycomb of trenches and pits, laid with caltrops and then disguised, though all in King Robert’s army knew where they were.
The schiltrons were exercised and inspected every day by the king. Angus was amazed at the speed at which they could move when all faced forward and ran ahead. Stationary, the men in the front would kneel, digging the end of their spears in the ground and the layers of men above them pointed their spears out, making a strong iron-tipped wall. Moving, they picked up the spears and ran quickly forward.
From reports the king had in May, they knew King Edward had assembled his army across the border at Berwick. In the middle of June, more reports flooded in as the English began their march into Scotland. The mounted knights were, as King Robert expected, in the vanguard, followed by the slower-moving foot soldiers accompanied by flocks of sheep and cattle that would be food for the troops, and carts carrying baggage and fodder. The baggage train alone was said to extend for two miles.
Hearing from their scouts that the English were coming west, taking the old Roman road, King Robert positioned his army just inside the New Park.
Randolph, Earl of Moray, with the vanguard, would be north of the king’s division and south of the nearby St. Ninian’s Kirk. His would be the closest division to Stirling Castle. Edward Bruce’s division, in which Brian now fought, was positioned next to the Roman road and behind the pits. Douglas’ division was between Edward Bruce’s and Randolph’s. King Robert’s own division would be on the high ground at the entry to the New Park. Keith and his light horse were behind and to the right of the king. Finally, circling the New Park, the king posted a line of Ettrick archers.
“In this way,” said the king, pointing to the map, “we can oppose the English advance, whether it comes from the front or the flank.”
In his own division, the king could look down upon the Carse and guard the road. Angus, beside him, had a view of all.
