“Excellent.” He grinned, then came a little closer to murmur, “You focus only there. Ready your stance, my lass.”
The linen string gave a keen stretch with a hiss. The bailey felt the same as the silence before a battle charge was called; all eyes had to be upon them. The challenge was more than only a stallion and medallion but Scots versus Norse. Who would be victor? Look at the set of those delicate shoulders which now seemed carved from granite in power. A grin crossed his lips.She.
“You know the steps; you hold the strength in your soul, Cluaran,” he began, the words causing the few stray hairs brushing her lobe to sway at his breath. “Listen only to me, my voice, and dig deep in you to harness your dominance. Ibelievein you, my fierce Scotswoman; show what I see in you every time I gaze into those haunting eyes. Eyes that steal a lad’s soul, as they have mine. Do not hold back; take your shot, claim your spirit…”
A great piercing roar of Gaelic battle cry rattled the stone walls from her, sounding the same as a war goddess calling the final charge, as the arrow sailed the air. Sure and straight and true it landed.
Right. Dead. Center.
The kitchen lassies began to shriek like a flock of excited geese. “Aye! Aye!” The watchtower guards gave a rousing cheer; the chickens flew the sky, not sure what way to venture from the roar of chaos covering the bailey.
She turned, meeting his expression; tears appeared in her eyes with pride. “Thank you,” she said, emotionally. “I could not have done this without you by my side.”
“You do not need to thank me, my lady, and nae, ’twas yourownhand which showed the result, not mine,” he replied, earnestly. “You are fierce; only a few layers needed to be set ablaze for it to shine.” He brushed her cheek. “Look at your fire now, my Scottish lass, blazing bright forallto see.”
She raised up, wrapping her arms about his neck. “Take me to our chambers, my Highland knight.” She sprung higher onto her tiptoes and captured his lips.
Directly!
Chapter 31
Stifling!The air in the solar was stifling, or perhaps it was simply the fire from tempers flaring the same as a bonfire on first frost. Keirah’s eyes darted toward those who exchanged harsh words – a third time.
If Sir Kolbein hadn’t just freshly arrived shortly after they had emerged from the bailey into the keep, would she and Aonghus be having a very different bonfire by passion right now? Absolutely!
Her attention snapped back onto the dire surroundings. “Sir Kolbein, you refuse to present my offer to King Håkonsson?” the King of Scots demanded, his nostrils flaring from rage.That is not good.
Sir Kolbein took a step closer toward the throne her lord king sat upon with everyone else standing in the chamber, which now seemed cramped at the size by males and egos.It’s like its own mini battlefield right here in this solar.
Let’s see…for team Northmen there’s Lord Kollungr, the bishops sent by King Håkonsson, and Sir Kolbein on one side, then our team Scots on the other is King Alexander, the Lord Chamberlain, the Lord Constable, and even the Lord Chancellor, whom I have barely seen since the clergyman married me and Aonghus.The only thing missing? Yep, thebanners. At least the reserve warriors, Sir James along with Svørn and Torsten, waited out in the passageway. Aonghus’s brothers with Sir Brayden were most likely occupying the bailey.
Sir Kolbein adjusted his palms on the chainmail draping his broad torso. “King Alexander, your offer, fruitful as it is, will not be accepted bymylord king. The isles belonging to Bute, Arran, and Cumbraes will stay in the hands in which they currently stand,” he rebutted, his flaxen brows furrowed into a point. “There is also the question of trust. Word has reached my king there is a rather sizable gathering belonging to Scottish forces, apparently hidden in the terrain’s south.”
Raging hell – they knew! How? Keirah locked eyes with Aonghus. Those forces, which were headed north to join the warriors already gathered, were knights almost five hundred strong. They had been summoned in secret at Alexander’s command. Callum and Alec had spoken upon this only hours ago at a private conversation she’d shared between the three of Clan MacCade. No one knew. So, who had told the Northmen? Her fingers twitched; there was a traitor in their midst.She darted her gaze toward King Alexander. What a master at emotional concealment. But wait…was this now fury he showed after he set his palms upon the throne’s arms and stood? Yep, it seemed the king had his limits too.
“Trust!” The king spat the word. “You do not harbor the meaning, Sir Kolbein. Every noble is well awareyourlord king surrounds himself with a force nearing twenty thousand!” Alexander was now the one to step forward like a predator eyeing its prey. “King Håkonsson has deemed it necessary to bringhisforces to pleadhisterms; am I not allowed the same courtesy?”Excellent point.
Sir Kolbein’s feet gave a tiny anxious shuffle. “Indeed, you are, lord king; my apologies.”
Time, please, Alexander.Her pulse rose;more time was needed.
“You will not in good faith place the missive before your king?” Alexander lowered his voice.Brillant, it will buy more time!
“I am sorry, no; my king Håkonsson seeks another resolution,” Sir Kolbein replied.Ugh!A stalemate. “My sole purpose in venturing here is an offer from King Håkonsson directly.” Silence stole the chamber with the exception of the sound from a stray finch upon the high rafters who chirped with a jovial fashion not reflecting the expressions present.
Sir Kolbein took another step toward the king; despite the ‘goodwill’ talks, Aonghus’s hand covered his axe’s hilt, prepared. “King Alexander, my lord king Håkonsson proposes a gathering of all your forces to parley peace or fight to decide the victor. This is hislastoffer.”
Alexander smoothed his fingers over the dark wiry beard. “Leave us the chamber a moment,” he demanded at the Northern delegation. A rustle of furs and leather proceeded, with Sir James casting her a look when he re-shut the door while remaining outside the passage. The expression he wore at her spoketraitor, and Sir James didn’t even know someone had revealed the location of the concealed knights.
“Lord King,” the Lord Constable gushed as soon as the seal on the door caught, “five hundred knights against a force nearing twenty thousand.”
“Very perceptive of you, Lord Constable, good to know your hearing is still as it should be,” the Lord Chamberlain said, wryly. “We were all gathered in the same solar.”
Alexander ignored the chamberlain’s dry jest and eyed the constable. “Has there been any fresh word from Stewart?” the king inquired.
He had to be referring to Alexander Stewart, of Dundonald, a legend all his own for having fought in the seventh crusade.Stewart must have advanced in all his efforts sought after taking leave from the castle upon their arrival. She leaned forward.
“Aye, King Håkonsson’s ship is currently upon the waters of Clyde heading north toward the Cumbraes, bein’ watched and followed as requested in your missive. Your knights are gathered with him and ready for his command upon your word, my lord king.”
