Pleased by the obvious insult to the MacDougalls’ honor that it was—Ardchattan had been founded and long supported by the clan—Sebastien longed to see both Eachann’s and his father’s expressions when they discovered the ruse and the truth of it. Since that would not be possible, he contented himself that he had once again protected Robert from danger.
As all of Robert’s allies gathered to discuss the future of his kingdom, Sebastien prepared himself for the fight. Robert assured him that it would not undermine the support, both in fighting men and money, that they gave to his campaigns, but Sebastien worried. Now that the nobles were gathering, the king’s plans would be known to all.
As was his custom, Sebastien did not claim a place near the king, preferring to be with his back against a wall—a sturdy wall—where he could see everyone’s movements and the way in which the gathering would progress. And where he could keep watch out the door to make certain his guards missed nothing.
Most of the principals were present by midday and the king called for their attention. Sebastien smiled at the Bruce’s use of the old Gaelic. Diplomat and planner that he was, this demonstrated Robert’s Scottish character at a time when Norman, French, English and even Irish loyalties pulled many in different directions.
Sebastien caught the eye of James Douglas and nodded. The Black Douglas had, at Robert’s specific orders, recently razed his own castle to keep the English from it, and must be perplexed by Robert’s decision over Dunstaffnage. Sebastien glanced around the large chamber and saw all of the king’s closest friends, advisors and allies. Neil Campbell, Edward Bruce, Gilbert de la Haye, Robert Boyd, even the recently returned to grace Thomas Randolph was present.
Realizing the importance of safety for these men, Sebastien slipped from the chamber to walk the grounds once more and to speak with each of his sentries. Checking the church, where they’d detained all of the monks as well as any who worked for the priory, he found all as it should be. At the gates, his own men stood watch. Each noble had traveled lightly to avoid detection, and brought with him only a small number of warriors. Those men were now deployed in the woods and valleys that surrounded the priory to prevent an attack. Convinced that all safeguards were in place, Sebastien returned to the meeting chamber and to his position by the door.
“You cannot give this to him!”
He shook his head as the first words he heard were yelled at the king. Robert had made his wishes known. Crossing his arms over his chest, Sebastien leaned against the wall, ready for Robert’s summons. The rest argued about him as though he were not present.
“He has no family ties,” shouted the Earl of Lennox.
“All the better to serve me with unquestioning loyalty,” Robert replied. “Family ties sometimes force our hand in ways we regret.”
Silence reigned for a moment. So many families had been split apart by the battle for the Scottish throne. No doubt many men were remembering that now.
“He is only a soldier, sire. Not fit to hold such an important post,” someone called out. Sebastien did not recognize the voice and did not wish to.
“He was knighted the morning of our battle in the pass. By my decree and my own sword. Would any of you argue that his accomplishments are not worthy of knighthood?”
Robert was sly; he ignored the general practice that knighthood was reserved for men of good background and only those who had trained for years. Sebastien had been trained, of course, on the true battlefields, where success meant life and failure meant death. There could be no better teacher.
“His spies and information have saved my arse more than once,” the Douglas shouted, and most there laughed. “If Dunstaffnage must stand…” he paused and spat on the ground “…and I ken Robert’s need for this one…” he looked at many of the men and met their gazes “…then Sebastien of Cleish has my support to hold it.”
Sebastien had not realized he was holding his breath. At the Douglas’s declaration, he let it out and began to think this would work out for the best. Robert waved him forward, and Sebastien left his place by the door and walked to the king.
“’Tis settled then this day. Sebastien of Cleish is now laird and royal warden of Dunstaffnage and guardian to the children of John of Lorne. Malcolm MacDougall is in your charge until he can pledge for himself before me. Train him well, Sebastien, for we will need more warriors for the battles to come.”
“And the other MacDougalls, sire?” Sebastien asked, for their future had not been disclosed.
“The same as the rest—they pledge their support or they are exiled. Make it so within the next month, for I want the area secure.”
“As you order, sire,” he answered, with a bow. He regained his place in the back before Robert’s words made sense. He’d been named Laird—Lord—of Dunstaffnage. No longer a simple soldier or even a knight, he was now, by the king’s decree, a lord of the realm.
After years of practice, he was not so enamored by the pronouncement that he missed the discontent and grumbling of some present there. The Campbell contingent seemed the most unhappy by this move. Their lands lay all around the MacDougalls’ in Argyll, and they had certainly hoped that the land and castle would be annexed to their properties.
They approached the king immediately to make their case, but he waved them off. “Come, we have much to discuss about our enemies. Rather than wasting our time with arguments between friends, we must decide about moving north.”
Any further discussion was squashed and the subject of the Earl of Ross was raised then. The earl’s part in the capture of Robert’s wife, daughter and sister, along with others, made Robert ripe to consider a decisive action against the man. Now, with the east and south mostly secured, they could move against their few remaining Scottish opponents before turning their efforts on ridding the country of the English.
In spite of the importance of such a discussion, all Sebastien could think about was Lara. Now he could offer her a place, a home and family, and the security of being his wife in truth. But, how would she react to this news?
No matter how he convinced himself that he had goaded her into her insults, the ones she’d made about him being a bastard stung. It was the truth, but she knew not all the facts surrounding his birth and his parentage. No one did, save Hugh.
One night after Sebastien had been wounded in a battle and was delirious from the ensuing fever, he’d revealed to his friend details he’d sworn would never be spoken of. Hugh had vowed to never let the truth be known, and the two had become the best of friends, fighting and wenching their way across Scotland in the service of the Bruce.
Now, Sebastien had risen to this new honor. Would Lara accept him as equal in rank to her? Deep in his heart, he hoped they could have a life together. Mayhap once she knew of his duties and of his guardianship of her brother and sister, she would realize the chance before them.
The meeting dragged on for two days, and then, after seeing the Bruce’s forces reunited with the king on the road that led to the shores of Loch Linnhe and the Glenmor, Sebastien took his men back to Dunstaffnage.
For the first time in his life, he allowed another word to enter his thoughts.
Home.
