Page 5 of Bound By Honor
A rustle of parchment rose to Angus’ ears.
“With that in mind,” said the Lord of Annandale, “I have taken the liberty of drawing up the text of a band to which we might agree. The allusion to the Scottish crown is left intentionally vague should this be discovered, but knowing the needs of de Burgh and de Clare, which are aligned with King Edward’s, the document mentions both of them specifically.”
“Read it aloud for all of us to hear,” said Walter Stewart, Earl of Menteith.
“Very well,” said the Lord of Annandale, and he began to read.
We inform all of you by our present writing that we have bound ourselves and have faithfully promised– and by swearing a bodily oath, touching the holy Gospels, and by pledging our faith, we have strengthened our promise to unfailingly adhere to the noble persons, the Lord Richard de Burgh, Earl of Ulster, and the Lord Thomas de Clare in all their affairs; and with them and with their accomplices we shall faithfully stand against all their enemies saving our faith unto the Lord King of England and saving our faith unto him who, by reason of nearness of blood unto Lord Alexander, King of Scots, lately deceased, shall possess and obtain the kingdom of Scotland, according to the ancient customs which have hitherto been approved and used in the kingdom of Scotland.
“A canny document,” said Angus’ father. “Masterful in saying as little as possible while complying with what I perceive is the intent of this gathering.”
“Aye,” agreed the Earl of Menteith.
Annandale’s eldest son, Robert, Earl of Carrick, said, “And you, Father, have preserved your right to claim the throne by your blood relation to our dead king.”
“In exchange for our pledge,” said James Stewart, the High Steward of Scotland, “there will be things we who are not mentioned would ask.”
“Of course,” said Annandale’s lord. “But let us defer those discussions until after dinner. Then, if all can be made acceptable, we can affix our signatures.”
Murmurs of agreement rose from below the gallery where Angus kneeled, stunned at what he had heard. His new friend nudged him, gesturing toward the stairs leading down from the gallery.
They retraced their steps and, once outside, retreated to the same swath of grass overlooking the Firth of Clyde. The wind had picked up but the day was still full of sun.
Angus looked around and seeing they were alone, said, “Your grandsire wants to be the next King of Scots!”
The younger Robert Bruce furrowed his brows. “Aye, so it would appear.”
Angus was puzzled at the bland expression on his friend’s face. “You do not seem surprised.”
Robert let out a sigh and stared at the toe of his leather shoe which he dug into the grass. “Nay, not surprised. If the throne comes vacant, the crown should be his by right. Yet I know my grandfather spoke the truth when he said it will mean war if he makes a claim to be king.”
“And you are not yet a knight, is that it?”
“Aye, in part. I would want to fight for my family.”
Angus raised himself to his full height and, remembering his father’s words about the Macdonalds being aligned with the Bruces, he put his hand on the hilt of his sword and declared, “The Macdonalds stand with the Bruces. And I, Angus Og, will stand with you, bound to you by my honor.”
His new friend smiled and nodded. “Very well. I will be glad of your friendship and your pledge, Angus. And you may call me Rob.”
Pleased they were of one mind, Angus thought to remind Rob of their families’ long-ago connection. “Did you know that Somerled, the first Lord of the Isles, my great-great-grandfather, was a friend of your ancestor, King David?”
“I have never thought about it but likely my grandfather knows of it. He speaks often to our sennachie who keeps the family history.”
Angus would have this new friend aware of the Macdonalds’ illustrious beginnings. “Somerled was Lord of Argyll and all the Isles as well as King of the Isle of Man. He never paid homage to the Scots king but I am told he pledged his honor to David and was true to that pledge, fighting with the king at the Battle of the Standard in England.”
His new friend’s face took on a look of chagrin as if he were recalling an unpleasant truth. “The first Robert Bruce fought on the side of England in that battle but the family’s fortunes rose when the fourth lord married Isabel, a daughter of King David. And that is how my grandfather, the fifth Robert Bruce, claims his right to the throne.”
Robert raised his head as a liveried servant strode toward them in efficient manner. “You are summoned to dinner, Master Robert, along with the young Macdonald.”
The servant hurried back toward the castle and Rob said, “Well, at least tonight I shan’t have to dine with my younger siblings. I think I have you to thank for that.”
“I, too, am glad of it,” Angus said as they returned to the castle. “The food will be better and when they send us out so they can continue their discussions, we can have a game of chess.”
“Aye,” said Rob. “My grandfather says chess is good practice for planning battle strategy.”
“True,” replied Angus, and then with a smile he added, “but as my father reminds me, the most powerful piece on the board is a woman.”
Rob chuckled. “He must have met my mother, the Countess of Carrick.”
