As Robert and Ranald halted the cart, Jennet hoped they had found what they needed. The old man driving it was wary, naturally fearing thieves, and it was several moments before a smiling Ranald waved for them to join him. Elizabeth picked up both their sacks, and they hurried over.
“He can help us?” Jennet asked, smiling at the old man but speaking to Ranald.
“Aye, Angus here travels to the court at Dunfermline just as we do. He brings some birds for the cockfights.”
Glancing at the wooden cages in the cart, Jennet was relieved to see that the fighting gamecocks had their sharp beaks and talons properly sheathed. The old man quickly assured her that the birds would do her no harm. Ranald and Robert spread some blankets on the hard, dirty floor of the backless cart, then helped her and Elizabeth onto it. They made no move to join them.
“Ye arenae going to ride?” she asked even as the cart jerked to a start and Robert and Ranald fell into step behind it.
“Nay, not much,” Ranald answered. “The mon’s horse looks to be as old as his owner.”
“And still as sprightly,” Angus called back, causing everyone to grin.
“Angus says there is a farmer in a village three miles ahead who can sell us a pony or two.”
“Then we need not impose upon his kindness for verra long,” Jennet said, although she did not look forward to a long pony ride.
“Aye, we will still have need of him. Ye cannae ride in a saddle for so many miles,” Robert said.
Ranald nodded his agreement. “Robert and I will try to get something to ride, but ye and Elizabeth will stay in the cart. That is best for you and the bairn ye carry. I think ye ken it too.”
“Weel, mayhaps, but I dinnae wish to trouble Angus.”
“No trouble, lassie,” Angus said. “I like the companionship. Aye, and I get two fine swordsmen to guard me and my birds all the way to Dunfermline. As I see it, this is all in my favor. I will trundle you right into the inner bailey of the castle itself.”
“Um, Angus,” she said, “that may not be the wisest thing to do, though ’tis verra kind of you. Didnae Ranald tell you why we travel to Dunfermline?” She felt it only fair to warn the man of what trouble he might be courting.
“Aye, and I cannae believe it. I have been taking gamecocks to court for many a year. I ken who Sir Gillard is, and I ken that cur Sir Balreaves. The treachery done here is by that blackhearted Balreaves. I pray ye succeed, lassie, for Scotland needs men like your husband. ’Twould be a sad day if an adder like Balreaves won o’er a fine mon like Sir Gillard.”
“Thank ye, Angus. I need to hear such things. ’Twill give me courage.”
“Weel, how about a wee bit of advice from an old mon?”
“I would be a fool to turn aside any advice.”
“The Bruce can be merciless, but he can also be merciful. Aye, he fears treachery, and weel he should, but he is a wise mon and can see a lie. Aye, and a pretty wee lass heavy with child could soften the mon’s heart.”
“Angus,” she said with false outrage, “do ye suggest that I use my condition as some ploy, that I tug upon the king’s sympathy in some underhanded manner?”
Looking over his bony shoulder, Angus gave her a nearly toothless grin when he saw the mischief in her eyes. “Och, ye need no advice of mine. Ye had already thought on that. Good, good. ’Tis a strong weapon ye have, and one that will work strongly on the heart of any mon who has one.”
“I but hope I am in time to use that weapon.”
Ranald helped Jennet out of Angus’s wagon as soon as it halted several yards before the heavy gates of Dunfermline Palace. “The king is already here, Jennet,” Ranald said. “His banner waves above the palace.”
“Then we had best make haste.”
“I could let ye ride through the gates with me,” offered Angus.
“Nay.” Jennet smiled at the old man. “’Tis best if we part here. Ye go in before us, and with all my heart I thank you for your help.”
Angus flushed slightly. “’Twasnae any bother, lass. Ye take care.”
Jennet clasped her hands together and stood with Ranald, Elizabeth, and Robert as they watched Angus urge his horse toward the gates. The guards stopped him, then looked his goods and his person over carefully before letting him through. It was clear that the king’s soldiers were being extremely selective about who they allowed inside. Since Hacon was charged with treason, Jennet began to fear that she would not even get within the gates.
She briefly surveyed the castle’s position on a rise by a winding stream. The Bruce was even now busily rebuilding the castle, which the English had destroyed in 1303. Although it looked as if he planned this royal tower house to be as grand as it was strong, the abbey next to it was far grander. All Jennet truly cared about was that Hacon was somewhere within those thick walls and in danger of losing his life. Ranald took her hand and offered her a smile.
“Courage, Jennet,” he murmured as he led them to the guards at the gates.
