Page 74 of Bound By Honor
“Fitz Thomas! Why would that name come to mind? Since the king disciplined him, I had not thought to hear it again, at least not soon.”
“Because, dear brother, King Edward has summoned him to fight in Scotland as well, which, now that I think of it, might be awkward for de Burgh. The feud between the Fitzgeralds and the de Burghs may be settled for the moment but it still smolders beneath the surface.”
“Aye,” said Angus. “We have not seen the end of that one.”
Dunseverick Castle, north coast of Ulster, March 1296
THE CALL TO ARMS had spread across the length of Ulster, summoning men to fight in Scotland with Earl Richard. In response, Áine’s father had called for O’Cahan men to go. With the effects of the famine still being felt in the land and knowing King Edward would provide his army with food, many young men were answering the call, especially those who could fight. It meant one less mouth for their families to feed. So, it was with great anticipation that Áine had watched the coast for she knew he would come.
Surely the Lord of the Isles would send his brother, Angus Og, to fetch so large a force.
The morning was sun-filled and she and Brian were walking the promontory with Lir, now a gangly pup more than a year of age. At forty-two inches and five years of age, Brian was just seven inches taller than the hound. They were a pair to behold as they walked together before her, the young master with his red hair blowing in the wind and his arm around the wolfhound’s neck.
“Mama, look!” came Brian’s cry as he pointed to the sails that appeared like clouds on the horizon.
Áine experienced a lightness in her chest at the glorious sight of so many galleys heading toward them. “It must be Lord Angus’ fleet.” She counted twenty-two galleys but it was the one in the lead with its golden pennon flying proudly from the mast that held her gaze.He has come.
Gray and white herring gulls soared between the cliffs and the oncoming ships, shrieking as if to announce the Lord of Kintyre had returned.
“PUT UP THE HELM!” Angus shouted the order that turned the ship toward the long stretch of flaxen sand. As the full force of the northwest wind billowed the sail, he gave the command, “Douse sail!” Satisfied the ship was slowing as it approached the coast, he smiled as the galley gently glided toward the wide beach.
Standing in the bow next to him, Duncan said, “I can guess the reason for that smile on your face.”
“’Tis only pleasure at returning to this shore with the sun shining and no battle before us.”
“Aye, there is that. But I say ’tis more. What of the lady, the ‘Jewel of the Roe’? Do you smile for her as well?”
Angus silently acknowledged the truth of it. He longed to see her after a year’s separation. He was anxious, too, to learn if she was still of a mind not to wed again. “One is always happy to greet a beauty such as Áine O’Cahan.”
Duncan gave him a skeptical look as the galley’s hull slid over the sand. Angus’ men jumped down and pulled the ship ashore. Once on the beach, Angus gave orders to his captains to set up camp. “In the next day or two, expect a large contingent of men, some mounted. You will need to prepare to load the horses. I expect we may be required to sail from here to Dunluce for the rest. I will know more once I pay a call on Earl Richard.”
Angus had planned to walk the few miles to Dunseverick Castle but, as he gathered his satchel, Dermot O’Cahan appeared on the grassy hill above the beach with one of the castle guards and four horses in tow.
Grinning, Dermot said, “You were spotted.”
Angus waved. “And glad I am ’twas so!” Dermot, now in his early twenties, a few years younger than Angus, had the self-assured look of the heir to The O’Cahan, a man who did not shirk from duty. Proudly sitting atop a fine dapple-gray gelding, he wore the tunic of an Irish nobleman’s son, decorated in elegant braid. His dark hair and beard were well-trimmed.
“I wasn’t sure if Earl Robert might be with you so I brought four horses.”
Angus said, “You could not know the Earl of Carrick is in England, serving Edward at Carlisle. With your permission, I will give the fourth horse to the head of my guard.”
“He is welcome to it,” said Dermot.
The ride to Dunseverick was short and the time passed quickly as Angus and Dermot rode ahead of the party, sharing their news.
“Has the peace held?” asked Angus.
“For now, only because everyone is focused on Scotland. De Burgh and fitz Thomas will both be fighting in those battles.”
“Your father and sister, they are well?”
“They are, thank you. My nephew thrives, growing ever taller. How fares your brother?”
“Somehow, he manages to sire more sons while occupied with King Edward’s business. We are pressed by our enemies in Argyll. The MacDougalls have banded with the Comyns and MacRuaris to waste our lands.”
“I do not envy you.”
Lady Áine was standing in front of the castle door with young Brian and his wolfhound as Angus rode in. Dismounting, he handed the reins to a groom. Brian ran to Angus, bowing hurriedly before saying, “Lord Angus, see how big Lir is!”
