“Armstrong,” Angus called out to him just before he reached the chamberlain. Alex turned back to the Elliot heir, who hurried along the passageway. Alex intuited something wasn’t right. With his voice hushed, Angus said, “They’re up to something. I don’t know what, but one of my men overheard a Scott say that they needed more coin to make whatever they planned work. My mon couldn’t tell what the plan was, but he overheard our clan names. He thinks they’re planning an attack while we travel home. I would have my contingent ride with yours if you’re agreeable.”
Alex listened to Angus, suspicious of what he heard and who he heard it from. But he recognized what Angus shared wasn’t implausible. He’d avoided the Scott delegates whenever he could, which wasn’t difficult, since he didn’t go to the lists. If King Robert acted as Alex expected, it would only fuel the Scotts’ ire more.
“We can ride together most of the way. It means riding through Douglas land, but we can give them a wide berth. The Johnstones should have no trouble with us passing through. Ride through my clan’s land to avoid the Scotts altogether. You and your men can spend the night at Mangerton before continuing on to Redheugh Tower.”
“I appreciate that. I wish to avoid the Hays while we’re at it. Lady Sarah Anne and Lady Margaret keep looking in my direction, and I keep avoiding them. The last thing I need is their father finding me and trying to match me with one of them. Good God, I’d chew my leg off at the ankle before being shackled to either of those bitches.” Angus scowled.
“Armstrong, Elliot,” the chamberlain announced. The two men made their way into the king’s meeting room. Neither caught sight of any of the Scott representatives, and Alex was sure his sigh matched Angus’s. But it was short lived. They’d just stepped up to the table when they heard their nemeses announced. Alex refused to acknowledge the men as they entered. He watched King Robert watch him before turning his eyes to Angus, then resting on the three Scotts.
Once the six men sat, King Robert steepled his fingers and rested his forefingers against his lips and the tip of his nose, as though he studied each man. Alex was certain the king’s mind was already made. This was for show, and it irritated Alex. He wanted to be done, so he could be on the road in the morning. If Angus didn’t prepare to leave that soon, Alex intended to depart without him.
“Laird Scott violated the Armstrongs’ and Elliots’ right to settle on their own land when he launched his attacks,” King Robert started. “There is no disputing the boundaries or the deeds the Armstrongs and Elliots hold, just as Alexander pointed out. What has given me pause is how to handle this strife. Your clans have been faithful and loyal to my cause since the beginning; however, you cannot seem to get along. Laird Scott will have to take responsibility for his greediness and arrogance.”
Alex wanted to gloat, but he forced his face to remain neutral. The fingers on his right hand dug into the back of his left hand as he fought to keep his arm in place when all he wanted to do was cheer, pack, and leave.
“The Scotts will forfeit any claim they have to this contested land. They will not cross the boundaries into Armstrong or Elliot territory. Additionally, the Scotts shall pay recompense,” King Robert declared.
Alex shifted his gaze to watch the Scotts, sensing their anger and wanting to laugh. It was hardly justified. When the man closest to him cast an indignant glare, Alex cocked an eyebrow.
“Do not antagonize them, Armstrong,” the Bruce warned, and Alex shifted his focus back at the king. “I have given thought to what the remuneration should be.”
The five delegates from the three clans froze. King Robert’s tone warned that it would displease someone. Alex prayed it would be the Scotts. His mind jumped from one possibility to the other, and he hoped it involved livestock being transferred to at least the Armstrongs. They’d lost cattle from the Scotts reiving and razing villages along the border.
“The Armstrongs suffered greater losses before you fought. They also grieve the loss of more men than the Elliots.” King Robert’s eyes darted to Alex, but they didn’t meet his gaze. Instead, they focused on his arm before he glanced at Angus. “Consequently, the Scotts shall send seven and a half score coos to the Armstrongs. The Elliots receive five score sheep.”
“Your Majesty,” the Scott delegate in the middle exclaimed. “You shall ruin us.”
“Ishall ruin you, Collin?” the Bruce asked imperiously. “Mayhap your laird should have thought before he took on a set of allies who protectmyborder. I struggle to feel any sympathy for your clan’s foolhardiness. Be glad I don’t give the Armstrongs and Elliots half your land.”
“Your Majesty,” the Scotts representative sitting farthest from Alex intervened. “We do not deny that you are granting the Armstrongs and Elliots recompense, but we do not have that much livestock to spare.”
“Granting us?” Angus demanded as he leaned forward to glower past Alex. “You bluidy maggots stole from us. The king isn’t granting us aught. He’s ensuring we get back what you took.”
“I’m certain you have those seven score coos, Scott,” Alex waded in. “Because that’s how many you’ve stolen from us over the past two years. Your people couldn’t have eaten that many, and they didn’t just disappear. Return what is ours.”
“But—” Collin spluttered.
“But naught,” King Robert boomed. “You will return the branded livestock, which I’m aware the Armstrongs and Elliots have marked, and you will cease your incursion. If I hear even a dickeybird that you’ve put a toe on their land, I will strip you of half of yours. You will give up all but the cattle you need to feed your weans and elders. Test me not.”
“And how can we be sure we can herd the animals to their land and make it back onto ours safely?” the delegate closest to Alex asked.
“Mayhap these are things your laird should have thought aboot before stealing from us and leading us into a battle he lost,” Alex suggested.
“Paul,” King Robert glared at the delegate beside Alex. “You will not sway me. You will only irritate me further. Tell Laird Scott he has a moon to herd the animals back to their rightful owners.”
“Your Majesty,” Angus cut in. “There is still the matter of the razed villages. We lost crofters, not just warriors. Those who survived not only lost their homes, they lost their crops. Mutton alone will not feed them or pay for new homes.”
“You shouldn’t have—” the delegate at the far end.
“Shouldn’t have what?” Alex asked as he turned to face his enemies. “Shouldn’t have made use of our own land? Shouldn’t have defeated your pathetic arses?”
“Your clan may have won, but you hardly did,” the man taunted.
“Christopher,” King Robert spat. “Cease, or you three will find your accommodations moved to my dungeon. Accept your defeat, pay your penalty, and stay on your land. If I hear of any more trouble from the Scotts, I swear I will rain down hellfire. I do not need your clan causing squabbles with clans who need to defend our borders, not themselves.”
Alex felt his blood pumping through his body as it suffused his limbs. His anger threatened to boil over, but he kept his expression impassive. He refused to take Christopher’s bait and make a fool of himself. Besides, he could irritate all the Scotts more if he didn’t respond.
“Smug bastard,” Collin mumbled.
