Page 58 of Bound By Honor
Brian giggled.
“He is, my lord. Brian, come forward and make your bow to the Lord of Kintyre and his friends.”
Still holding her skirts with one hand, Brian stepped forward shyly and bowed, his three-year-old body only recently having learned how.
Lord Angus offered his hand, bending in order to do so.
Brian let go of her skirts and put his small hand in that of Angus Og Macdonald. The Lord of Kintyre’s display of gentleness with her young son pleased her. Many visitors to Dunseverick paid the boy no attention at all despite he was a prince of Tirowen.
“Master O’Neill,” said Lord Angus, “I bid you good day. Alas, we must soon depart. We go to aid a friend who is also kin. You understand, I trust?”
Brian nodded solemnly.
To her, Lord Angus said, “I would introduce the Earl of Carrick to your father if he is available.”
Áine turned to a servant and asked that her father be told the Lord of Kintyre was here.
A short while later, Lord Cumee appeared and introductions were made.
“I wish you success on your venture, Lord Angus,” said her father. “Do not fail to return to me the half-dozen young chiefs who go with you. Their fathers will be anxious.”
“My galloglass and I will protect them with our lives. And the Earl of Carrick is quick with his sword.”
Áine asked a servant standing nearby for the small parcel wrapped in linen cloth he had been holding for her. She handed it to Lord Angus. At his raised brows, she said, “Meat pies for you and your close companions. They will keep for a few days.”
“Again, you think of our needs. Thank you, my lady.”
Áine was glad she had included a fourth meat pie, an extra for Angus Og that he could now give to Sir Robert.
She waved to the men as they mounted and headed down the path to the glen below where his army stood ready to march. He sat his horse in proud fashion, more like an Irish horseman of noble family than a Scot used to being on the sea. Her voice was a mere whisper as she prayed, “Lord, go before him, make his path straight that he might return safely to Dunseverick.”
Brian took her hand, his bright red hair blowing in the breeze. “Will he come back?” he asked in his small voice.
“God goes with him, Little Prince, so there is hope Lord Angus will return.” She thought of him pressing her hand to his chest where his heart beat strong as they stood alone on the promontory. And she remembered his promise to spare her the hurt she had once experienced.
Touching her hand to her forehead, she crossed herself.
Brian, his trusting face looking up at her, did the same.
Kilmacrenan in the northwest of Tirconnell, Ulster, end of June 1294
UNCERTAIN OF THE land in the hazy onset of evening, Angus might have missed the small village that surrounded the manor house if his men had not spread out in search of Turlough and what army he had with him.
They had followed the Leannan River, traveling west for the last stretch of the long trudge from where they had beached the ships. Only twice did they rest and then not for long. They had seen nothing save green fields, some ready to harvest. Villagers, likely afraid of so great an army of foreign warriors, had made themselves scarce.
He was glad for the small meat pies, which he shared with Rob, Duncan and John, and wondered how she knew there would be four to eat them. The cloak she had given him was a great prize, quickly becoming the subject of much teasing from his brother and cousin.
“She must favor you,” said John.
“Or, she just had a spare cloak lying about,” said Duncan with a smirk.
Angus thought it might have been a customary gift for a lord from outside Ireland but, secretly, he hoped the gift represented more.
With the coming of twilight, the midges began to swarm, making him thankful for the light rain that began to fall.
“My lord!” One of his men came running to him. “We have found Lord Turlough. He awaits you just ahead.”
“That is welcome news,” said Rob, striding alongside him. “I feel like I have walked half the width of Scotland.” Then with sarcastic good humor, he added, “Oh, where, pray tell, is my horse?”
