Page 100 of Bound By Honor
“You must have enjoyed the monks’ mead,” Angus said to them with a smile, for all looked as if they’d had a restless night.
“Aye,” said John, rubbing his forehead as if it pained him. Reaching for a crust of bread and a goblet of ale, he added, “’Twas most excellent mead.”
The wives began to stream in. Angus was relieved to see Juliana among them, looking as if she had slept well. “Should I go to Áine?” she asked.
“Nay,” replied Angus. “Her handmaiden is with her. She will join us shortly.”
Which Áine did, smiling at all as she entered.
“Now there’s a happy lass,” said Maolmuire. “Good morning to you, my lady.”
“Good morning,” said Áine, blushing as she took her place next to Angus.
He reached over to kiss her temple. “My love, beware the chiefs. They would tease your husband without mercy this morning.”
She fixed him with an enticing gaze. “And do you take the teasing well, my lord?”
“Aye. All in good fun.”
An hour later, Angus had thanked the monks and the nuns for their hospitality and aid in the burial of his brother. He did not worry for their sustenance as the Macdonalds had gifted them fertile lands on other isles that produced a fair income. To that, the clan added all they bestowed upon the church and abbey at Iona.
Bidding good day to Abbot Fionnlagh, Angus sailed for Islay.
He had warned his servants and the men he left on Islay to be ready for him and the chiefs at Finlaggan.
A day later, they arrived at Loch Indaal, the sea loch on the south coast of Islay whose beach could hold more than a hundred galleys. Met by his men with horses, they rode the few miles from the beached ships to Loch Finlaggan. Six years ago, his brother had been installed here as the Macdonald chief with much gaiety. He expected this would be different given it was murder that led to the need for a new chief and they were still in a time of war. But the Macduffie chief had been correct in his forecast. Over the next two days, all the clans arrived to honor the tradition.
The chiefs, who made up the Council, met in the chamber reserved for them on the smallest isle in the lake, Eilean na Comhairle. Tormod Macleod again made his speech endorsing Angus and, without dissent, Angus was confirmed as their choice to lead the clans.
The installation ceremony, presided over by Mark, the Bishop of the Isles, in his official vestments, mitre and ring, was the same one by which Angus’ brother, Alexander, had been made the Lord of the Isles. At the end of it, the bishop placed in Angus’ hands the same sword that had belonged to both Alexander and their father. By that, all understood Angus had agreed to protect the lordship from its enemies.
With the ceremony concluded and prayers said for the new lord’s success, Angus was pronounced Angus of Islay—the designation signifying the Macdonald chief—and Lord of the Isles.
The afternoon was given to celebration and the music of bards. The women enjoyed each other’s company and that of their new lady. The men hunted with horse and hound for the red deer. The good weather prevailed as if God were smiling on this day.
At the meal that evening, with Áine at his side, Angus rose to thank the chiefs. “I am grateful for your trust in me and will, with God’s help, lead you in the right path for Scotland and the lordship.” Looking down at Áine, whose winsome brown eyes met his gaze, he said, “You have met my bride, Áine, daughter of The O’Cahan. What you may not know is that she comes to me with a rich dowry. Not one of gold or lands or cattle but of something we need far more: worthy men to bring their skills and fighting prowess to our Isles. My lady’s dowry is more than a thousand men from The O’Cahan’s finest who have volunteered to come to the Isles with their lady.”
Mouths dropped open. Some faces looked puzzled, but on the faces of many were smiles.
“We have a canny new chief!” shouted Malcolm Macduffie.
“Aye,” said Tormod Macleod. “Who would have thought so young a chief would have so much foresight and wisdom? We do need men and we have room for them.”
Angus was grateful most approved.
“What will you do with so many?” asked one chief.
“I would settle them in your lands and mine,” said Angus. “I ask any of you willing to take some of the Irishmen to let me know. Among them will be young chiefs who have consented to marry your daughters. Having fought with these men, I can assure you they are worthy men of good character. And there will undoubtedly be craftsmen and those skilled in the healing arts.”
Before the day was done, Duncan and John, meeting the chiefs, had made a list of the destinations for the Irishmen.
Later, when he and Áine were alone in their chamber, he said, “I hope your father is able to deliver on his promise, my love, else the chiefs will doubt my bargains in the future.”
She laughed. “Oh, you need not worry, Husband. If my father made you a promise, he will keep it. The only question is, do you have enough galleys to transport them?”
“Aye, a good point. I will see to it. Some of the chiefs, who take many Irishmen, will lend me their galleys.”
They stayed at Finlaggan for only a few days. During that time, they spoke again of the lordship’s beginnings, of Somerled’s vision for a Kingdom of the Isles, independent of the surrounding countries. “For better or worse, we are a part of Scotland now. Scotland’s future is ours.”
