“It is a true story!”
Cathlina hugged her. “As you say, little pigeon,” she said affectionately. “Now, then, do you feel like going outside today? Roxane and I found an entire field of bluebells nearby. You would love to see them.”
Abechail’s weary eyes lit up. “I would,” she agreed. “Do you think we can go this morning?”
Cathlina nodded and climbed out of the bed. “I will go speak to Father now. I will return shortly.”
Abechail had a bit of pink color in her cheeks at the excitement of going outside this day. Cathlina quickly left the chamber, nearly running her mother down in the landing outside the door. Rosalund had Abechail’s morning meal in her hands and only by swift action managed to keep it steady when Cathlina crashed into her.
“Heavens, Cathlina,” Rosalund exclaimed. “Slow down, child. You must take care of that babe you are carrying and tripping down the stairs in your haste will see him come to great harm.”
Cathlina kissed her mother on the cheek. “I will not trip down the stairs,” she assured her. “Abbie says she feels well enough to ride out today. May we go?”
Rosalund looked dubious. “I am not sure,” she replied. “Let us see how she feels after her meal. Sometimes she sleeps the rest of the morning after she eats.”
Cathlina knew that but she struggled not to let the mood dampen. “Very well,” she said. “But I will go to the stables and have the carriage prepared anyway. Surely a small trip will do her some good.”
Her mother didn’t reply as she continued to Abechail’s chamber, mostly because she would not comment on her daughter’s impending fate and they all knew it. Replies were not expected. Cathlina therefore continued to the lower level of Kirklinton’s keep and out into the mild summer day.
As she crossed the bailey and stopped to pet a friendly dog that usually hung around the great hall, she noticed that the portcullis was lifted and her father was speaking with several soldiers. She also happened to notice that they were bearing Carlisle colors. Curious, she headed towards the gatehouse. Perhaps it was news from Scotland and she was eager to hear it.
Saer saw her approaching from the corner of his eye, her yellow surcoat billowing in the breeze. He turned his attention to her even though the Carlisle soldiers were still speaking. When she finally came upon them, he held up a hand to silence the soldiers.
“Cathlina,” he said. “I am glad you are here. It seems that we have news from de Beaumont’s wars.”
“Truly?” she was very excited to know. “What is it?”
Saer motioned at the sergeant from Carlisle. “This is my daughter, Lady de Reyne,” he told him. “You will tell her what you just told me.”
The sergeant bowed towards Cathlina. “My lady,” he said. “I bring news of a great victory in Scotland at Dupplin Moor. Henry de Beaumont and his English allies have triumphed over a great Scots army. Edward Balliol is now upon the throne. We are told that your husband was instrumental in planning and executing a battle against a greater Scots force. He was victorious, my lady. Balliol owes his crown to him.”
Cathlina was stunned but in the same breath, she felt nothing but pride and joy at that moment. She thought her heart my actually burst with it all.
“Is he well?” she asked eagerly. “What of the Earl of Carlisle and his other knights? Are they all well?”
The sergeant nodded. “We are told they all survived except for Sir Justus de Reyne,” he said. “The man had been wounded in a previous battle and succumbed to his injuries.”
The smile vanished from Cathlina’s face. “He… he is dead?”
“Aye, my lady,” the man replied. “His body was sent back to Carlisle along with the announcement of victory. Lady de Lara said we should come immediately to inform you.”
Cathlina stared at the man a moment longer before glancing to her father. Then she turned away.
“Poor Justus,” she said sadly, struggling not to burst into tears. “Mathias must be shattered. Oh, my poor love.”
Saer watched his daughter as she wrestled with her grief. He did not know Justus de Reyne but she obviously did and was saddened. He turned back to the sergeant.
“You were also telling me about Carlisle’s concerns for our safety,” he said. “You will continue.”
The sergeant nodded swiftly. “Lord de Lara states that the defeated Scots have fled south and there is rumor that the Earl of Mar intends to attack Carlisle holdings in revenge for Carlisle’s participation in the battle,” he said. “If they do decide to attack, the earl and his army will not make it back in time to fend them off. You are to secure Kirklinton until the earl returns from Scotland and the threat can be more readily assessed. He fears the Scots will try to attack before he can reach home.”
Saer could see all aspects of that potentially devastating information. If the Scots reached Carlisle or Kirklinton before Tate returned with the majority of his army, the results would be horrific.
“Is the threat credible?” he asked the man.
The sergeant was serious. “We were told that when the battle for the throne was over, the armies of the defeated scattered,” he said. “De Lara fears they have scattered south and are heading our way.”
Saer pondered that information carefully. “If that is true, then I think mayhap we should vacate Kirklinton altogether and ride for Carlisle Castle,” he said. “Kirklinton is a smaller outpost and cannot withstand a massive Scots offensive.”
