“Thank ye, my lord!” The young man’s eyes were shining.
“Ye’ll leave Duin early on the morrow,” the earl said. “Tell the stable master I said ye are to hae a swift and sturdy horse.”
“Aye, my lord!” Callum hurried off.
“Are ye certain he will be safe?” Annabella asked her husband.
“If he follows my directions, he will be,” her husband answered her. But later in the evening, when Annabella was seated with her sister and their children, he sought out the lad, reminding him once again not to take any chances.
The following morning Callum Ferguson rode forth from Duin and took the road to Dumbarton. The horse he rode was young and quick. Callum carried no coin, only the packet for Lord Fleming. There was a dirk in his belt but nothing more. He reached Dumbarton after almost two days of riding. He could see it long before he reached it. The great fortress of a castle had been there in one form or another for so long that no one could quite remember when it had first come into existence. Massive and built of dark rock, it sat high on a great black cliff above the River Clyde, a town at its feet.
Callum urged his horse up the narrow path leading to the castle’s entry. “Urgent message for Lord Fleming from the Hamiltons,” he called out, and he was admitted through the portcullis gate. He dismounted in the courtyard. His animal was taken from him and led away. A man-at-arms came up to him.
“I’ll take yer packet,” he said.
“Nay,” Callum replied. “I have been told to put it into Lord Fleming’s hand, and nae one else’s.”
The soldier shrugged. “This way,” he said, leading the boy into the castle.
Callum carefully memorized the way so that, should he need to retreat in a hurry, he would know it. They went upstairs and through ill-lit corridors, finally stopping before a door. The soldier knocked, waited, and the door was finally opened by a small man who looked rather harassed.
“Messenger for His Lordship,” he said. Then he went off.
“Well, give me the message, lad,” the rumpled man said.
“Are ye Lord Fleming?” Callum asked, suspecting he wasn’t.
“I am my lord’s secretary,” the man said, peering closely at the boy.
“I was told to only place this message in His Lordship’s hands,” Callum replied.
“His Lordship is a busy man,” the secretary said.
“I’ve ridden two days wi’ little rest for me or my horse,” Callum said politely. “My master told me to place this packet in His Lordship’s hands, and His Lordship’s hands only. I would be a poor servant if I disobeyed him because I am hungry and tired.”
“Let the lad in, Allan,” an amused voice called from the depths of the chamber.
“Very well, come in then,” the secretary said irritably. “There is His Lordship.” He pointed across the chamber, where a man sat in a high-backed chair before a rectangular table spread with parchments.
Lord Fleming beckoned Callum. “What is it ye hae for me, lad?” he asked.
“I carry a message from the Hamiltons, my lord,” Callum answered politely, holding out the leather packet.
“Ye look young to be a messenger,” Lord Fleming said as he took it from the boy. “From where do ye come?”
“I am nae the Hamiltons’ original courier,” Callum said. “Their messenger was verra ill when he reached my master’s house. ’Twas my master who sent me to ye, my lord. The Hamiltons’ man seemed to think the message was of some importance.”
Lord Fleming had opened the packet and taken out the parchment within, which he spread open before him. He scanned it quickly, then refolded it. “ ’Twas nae really that urgent,” he said to Callum with a smile, “but I thank yer master for his diligence in seeing it was brought to me. Who is yer master?”
“The steward of Duin, my lord,” Callum answered him. “His dwelling is a way station for the Queen’s Men coming from the borders.”
“Ahh,” Lord Fleming said with a nod. “I hae heard that, though I am told yer earl does nae support the queen.”
Callum said nothing.
“Well, then, lad, go to the hall. Tell my steward I said ye were to be fed and sheltered for yer service,” Lord Fleming told the young man. He turned to his secretary. “Allan, direct our young messenger to the great hall. Then come back. We have much work to do, and the day is almost gone.”
“Thank ye, my lord,” Callum said with a small bow.
