Valan turned and ran to the side of the rooftop overlooking the inner courtyard. “To arms!” he bellowed. His order spread faster than the English’s flames traveling through the thatch. His mighty warriors streamed out of both gates and headed for the foe. With a last glance at Elspet, he thumped his fist to his chest. “I will best these wrongs. I swear it.”
And he would. No matter what it took.
Chapter Four
Valan’s heart sankwhen he found her kneeling in the smoldering ashes.
Face buried in her hands, her shoulders trembling, Elspet swayed from side to side, softly keening over all that had come to pass.
He flexed his burned, soot-covered hands, wishing for words to console her. None came. Castletoun was gone. Every dwelling, every workshop, either burned to the ground or transformed into a pitiful, blackened shell. He and his men had failed. Even though they had downed every archer before fighting to extinguish the fires, the enemy’s pitch-coated arrows had accomplished their evil intent with deadly speed.
Still at a loss for what to say, he dropped down beside her and gathered her into his embrace.
Her quiet weeping became shuddering sobs. “All is gone,” she cried. “All of it.”
“I know, lass, I know.” What else could he say? Aye, they could rebuild, but that would take time. More time than they had. Even though he didn’t know the man, he felt sure Euban Maxwell would flaunt this as proof that the clan needed him as laird rather than Elspet or Beitris. “But yer people are safe. Every archer is dead, and my men are searching for the English’s main camp to finish them off as well. They shall soon meet the justice of our blades.”
After a while, she grew still, only shifting with an occasional hiccupping sniff. Her heartbreaking sobs ceased, but her quiet weeping continued. Silent tears, now. Tears that tore at his heart and soul.
“It is too late,” she whispered. “I have lost it all. The people will never follow Beitris now.”
“Nay, ye have protected Caerlaverock. All the Maxwell lands. All is not lost.” He pressed his cheek to the top of her head, ignoring the men, women, and children sifting through the smoking rubble around them. “Dinna give up, Elspet. It isna in ye to do so.”
“It is now.” She pushed away from him and stood. With a swipe of her hand, she smeared the sooty blackness across her cheeks. After a despondent look all around, she slowly shook her head. A weariness, an expression of disbelief puckered her grimy brow. “I never thought Herbert’s many campaigns would ever provoke such a heartless attack against us. Not here.” She sniffed again. “Apparently, I underestimated the power of hatred and greed.”
Valan stood. He had to think of a way to help her. It pained him to see her this way.
“M’lady, we have lost everything.” A barefoot man covered in the filth of the charred remains stumbled toward them. He hugged an arm around his pregnant wife, helpless to console her.
“Even the bairn’s cradle is gone.” The distraught young mother’s voice broke, tears streaming from her red-rimmed eyes. “Angus’s Da made it afore he died. Now we’ve nothing to remember him by.”
“I know some things canna be replaced,” Elspet said. “Please, I beg yer forgiveness.” She reached for them, but they shied away, shunning her. Condemnation filled their eyes. Elspet wept harder.
Valan steadied her, wrapping an arm around her waist, should she go limp and start to fall. He held her close and called out what little solace he could give to the desperate couple. “Ye willna be without a roof or food while yer home is rebuilt. Caerlaverock will house everyone as long as need be, ye ken? Lady Elspet will see to it that all are provided for. As she always has. Ye know that, aye?”
They didn’t speak. Instead, just managed a vague nod and wandered away, staring at the ground as they weaved their way through the destruction.
“God forgive me for failing them.” Elspet watched them leave, her fists clutched to her chest.
“Ye havena failed anyone.” Valan stepped in front of her and took her by the shoulders. He refused to allow her hopelessness to pull her any lower. She had to fight. There was no other choice. “The only way ye might fail them is to give up now.” He jutted his chin at the collapsed dwelling beside them. “Mourn the losses, aye, do that. Ye should. But yer people need yer courage now more than ever.Thingswere lost. But all yer people still live. In that, ye should be proud.” He leaned closer, bending to level his gaze with hers. “And ye are not alone in this. I am at yer side and there, I shall say. Understand?”
She stared at him as though trapped in a trance. A hint of a smile curved her mouth. “I am glad for yer presence, but I dinna ken how ye can help us further.” A woefulness filled her voice, making it tremble. “Ousting the English is only part of the battle.” After a weary shake of her head, she added, “I fear ye canna help with Euban claiming his place as laird and tormenting us even more.”
“We have three days to prepare for the bastard’s arrival.” He rubbed his burning eyes, gritty and dry from the smoky air. With a snort to clear his nostrils of the stench, he curled an arm around her and steered her toward the gatehouse. “Come. We can do no more here.”
She stood fast. “I must stay and help them sort through and clear away that which canna be saved.”
“Nay, m’lady.” With a gentle but firm pull, he moved her along beside him. “Ye havena eaten or rested in too long. How can ye plan a successful campaign when ye are exhausted and weak from hunger?”
Her befuddled expression confirmed his suspicions. She needed to eat and rest. “See? Ye canna even come up with an argument.” He nudged her along like a mother hen herding chicks.
Her confused look became a scowl, and she pushed away, coming to a hard stop. “I must help my people.”
“Ye can help yer people by bathing away the darkness of this day, having a meal, then going to bed. After ye’ve rested, we shall plan Euban Maxwell’s permanent departure from Caerlaverock.” He kept her walking, holding her tightly to keep her from falling. She stumbled along like one who couldn’t see past their own inner turmoil. But he would get her through this. Her will to fight would return with food and rest.
When they reached the gatehouse, the two elderly guards clamped their mouths shut and turned aside as if Lady Elspet no longer deserved their respect. Valan resolved to speak with them later. Their loyalties needed guidance. They would support their courageous Lady of Caerlaverock if he had to beat respect into them.
William and Beitris waited just inside the entrance to the courtyard. Their faces reflected the grimness of the situation.
