Page 61 of Bound By Honor
“Aye,” came from his cousin and brother.
“Only scratches,” said Rob. “However, I think I should have taken you up on the chance to practice against your sparth axe. I see what you mean about their reach.”
Angus was glad his friend could find humor in all of this. Gazing across the battlefield, he saw bodies strewn upon the ground. Looking for who stood and who did not, he glimpsed Turlough not far away. Blood ran from a cut on his face but he was standing and otherwise sound. His galloglass were with him, bloody but whole.
Finding his own galloglass he’d left to guard the young chiefs, he asked, “Do they yet live?”
“Aye, my lord. A few have wounds but none threaten their lives.”
Relieved, Angus thanked God and his faithful men. He did not want to carry the body of any young chief back to Dunseverick and Lord Cumee. Let them learn a battle lesson that came at no great cost.
The day ebbed and, as darkness fell, both sides limped away to tend the wounded and count their losses. Angus cleaned his sword on the tunic of one of the fallen enemy and retrieved his axe.
“I have posted more guards around our camp,” said Turlough, “though I expect Aodh will lick his wounds for what remains of this night.”
CHAPTER 12
Tirconnell, Ulster, late December 1294
THEY HAD JUST won a battle against the O’Donnells, though regrettably the man himself, Donnell O’Donnell, had escaped, when news from the south reached Angus. Fitz Thomas’ castle at Sligo had been destroyed by Aed O’Connor, at Earl Richard’s urging. Angus was elated, thinking they would soon accomplish their goals and he could return to Dunseverick to celebrate Christmas with Áine O’Cahan.
His elation was short-lived.
Turlough had gathered Angus, Rob and the other leaders into the manor house at the end of the day to escape the sodden ground. They met by candlelight in a room warmed by a blazing fire. While they were discussing strategy, a messenger arrived from the south. Angus recalled seeing him before in Earl Richard’s retinue. Tired, hungry and wet from days on the road, his cloak dripping rain, he did not ask for food or drink before blurting out what he’d come so far to say. “Fitz Thomas has raided the town of Kildare, burning the castle and slaughtering the people.”
Gasps echoed around the room.
“There is more,” he said, brushing his dripping hair off his face. “On the eleventh of this month, fitz Thomas captured Richard de Burgh and his cousin, William Liath.”
Turlough stared open-mouthed, apparently unable to speak.
“Grave news, indeed,” said Angus, gazing around at the long faces illuminated by the fire. The sound of the flames devouring blocks of dried peat filled the silence in the crowded room. “What has the villain done with them?”
The messenger shed his sodden cloak and accepted a cup of ale. “He has taken them to Lea Castle southwest of Dublin where ’tis said he holds them prisoner.”
“King Edward will never allow such an atrocity to stand,” said Rob, clenching his fist on the table until his knuckles were white.
The messenger nodded and cleared his throat. “Earl Richard’s brother agrees, my lord. ’Twas Theobald who sent me. Word has been dispatched to King Edward of the earl’s capture. All Ireland holds its breath to see what will happen.”
“What is the state of de Burgh’s army?” asked Angus, fearful all would be lost if the army had been destroyed.
The messenger frowned. “Well enough to be pursuing fitz Thomas with a vengeance as he presses into Connaught chasing after Aed O’Connor. Theobald now leads our army and is fast on the rebel’s heels.”
Rob crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair. “Fitz Thomas has stirred a hornet’s nest. If he thinks to take Connaught while he holds the earl in prison, he makes a grave mistake.”
“Can we free the earl and his cousin?” inquired Angus, wanting very much to be about such business. He was not familiar with Lea Castle but if the bulk of fitz Thomas’ army was in Connaught, mayhap the castle was not fully manned and they could rescue the two men.
“Lea is a towered keep,” said Turlough, “protected by walls, portcullis and drawbridge. The stone edifice rises four stories and is flanked on each corner by a circular tower. It cannot be easily attacked. Aside from that, we lack the equipment but Aed O’Connor will have it.”
“That is one reason I have come,” said the messenger, his gaze fixed on Angus. “Aed O’Connor stands with Theobald and both ask that you remain in the north. Our spies tell us that Domnall O’Neill, empowered by fitz Thomas’ success and the capture of the earl, is preparing to attack King Brian in Tirowen.”
“God’s blood, the world has gone mad,” said Angus. “A half-MacDougall attacks The O’Neill in Ireland while the rest of that treacherous clan attacks the Lordship of the Isles in Scotland.”
The messenger nodded his agreement. “The fighting spreads as the Irish who resent the Normans are rising. There are rumors that those in the mountains, at peace for many years, have wasted Leinster and are attacking Newcastle.”
Angus regretted they could do little to help Earl Richard much less Newcastle. “We must trust fitz Thomas is not so stupid as to harm King Edward’s man in Ireland. Given the threat in Tirowen, our duty is clear. We must leave the south in Theobald’s capable hands if we are to aid Brian O’Neill.”
“I must stay in Tirconnell,” said Turlough, “for the battles here will continue. But you should go. Tirowen must not fall.”
