“I’ve been living in Fergus’s household at Kenmure for weeks now.He’s been strengthening his fortresses.Building his army.Hiring mercenaries.”
“Mercenaries…like you?”
“Like me.”
“Mm.”The king steepled his fingers.“Surely he doesn’t think he can defeat the whole of the Scots army.”
“Fergus’s numbers are growing.Parcel by parcel, he’s taken much land already, expanded his influence.”Adam didn’t mention that the Scots’ loyalty to their king had been in question since Malcolm had become so friendly with the English king.“He doesn’t wage war like a lion, Your Grace.He attacks like a pack of hyenas biting the lion.”
“And how would you fight those hyenas?”
“If you find out when and where they intend to bite…”
The king nodded.“I see.And you plan to provide that information?”
“If I can, Your Grace.”
“This would be invaluable,” Malcolm agreed.“But if you’re caught…”
Adam was confident he wouldn’t be caught.Ness MacNeill had already managed to fade into the background at Kenmure.He was a soldier of average skill and even temper.He held no opinions.He spoke little.He kept to himself.No one would notice him missing.
“I wouldn’t expect to be rescued,” he assured the king.
“Spoken like a true Rivenloch,” the king remarked.
Chapter 16
Like a true Rivenloch, Adam also meant to keep his word to Feiyan about attending the tournament at Darragh, even if she wouldn’t realize he was there.
He could spare a few days away from spying for the king.Fergus had no immediate plans.And it had been too long since Adam had taken account of his clansmen.
He need not worry he’d be recognized.Not only did he look nothing like the long-haired, clean-shaven Adam the clan knew and loved.There were also so many contestants camped on the hillside, teeming in the courtyard, spilling onto the lists, he could have easily gotten lost in the crowd, even without a disguise.
The one precaution Feiyan had been careful to take wasnotinviting Fergus.For that, Adam was grateful.He’d lived long enough among the clan as the mercenary Ness MacNeill that he might not be so easily overlooked, even in his current attire.
Just to make very sure he wasn’t recognized, he decided to participate only in the archery.Today his name, appropriately enough, was John Schott.His costume was drab and unremarkable.Over a faded saffron leine, he wore a long, thickly padded brown gambeson that added weight to his frame.Beneath that he wore dark brown hose and brown boots.He covered his head with a flat linen coif topped by a brown cowl.His beard was now full enough to hide the contours of his jaw.
The most difficult thing to hide was his excitement at catching a glimpse of his sister holding Adam’s new nephew, Logan.He saw the surge of pride in Dougal’s eyes as he presented their son to the Rivenloch clan.
And then he felt a sharp pang of envy.Envy and loss.This was the kind of family he’d imagined making with Aillenn.One where he gazed at her with utter adoration.She gazed at him with complete devotion.And together they celebrated the bairn they’d made out of the sweetness of their love.
But it was not to be.Perhaps it would never be so for Adam.He had trouble imagining another woman with whom he could feel so honest, so enchanted, so free.
His throat thickened, and his eyes filmed over.
That wouldn’t do.He couldn’t aim a bow with watery eyes.And nothing would attract more unwanted attention than a weeping contestant.
Brusquely wiping his eyes with his thumb, he turned away from the touching sight.He flexed his bow to test its bend and examined the fletching of his arrows to prepare for the archery contest.
He paid little heed to the dozens of lesser contestants.It was rare anyone could best his cousin Jenefer.It was her he most wished to face.He doubted he could win.But he definitely wanted to try.
Many foreign archers were announced.Alfonso de Borja.Otto of Cologne.Abu ibn Yusuf.Falco de Malisio.Adam recognized none of their names.He only glanced up briefly when they were called.
Most of his attention was on the contented couple sitting beneath the canopy in the stands, his smiling sister and her proud husband, who were more interested in their children than the archery contest.
Again, his heart sank.
He wanted that.He wanted their happiness.
