“I will not leave her unguarded.” Aonghus’s words fell as heavy as granite.
“Wee brother.” Callum popped his head through the tent flap. “I will keep watch over her till your return if you deem it.”
Her hand under his tunic raised to brush his jaw; he met her eyes. “It cannot be all for naught. Go, Callum will keep me safe,” she assured. “Then we shall rest a wee bit before your leave.”
He gave the surgeon a hard look; the elder scoffed but stepped back outside while Callum gave a nod before vanishing.
She whispered, “The Northmen are still scattered into the winds; thus they did not pursue us up those dunes. Your plan is deemed needed, to raid the bark ship once darkness falls.” Her confidence at his plan caused his heart to swell. “Take this before our lord king and his advisors; I shall be here upon your return.”
Just one more strong brush of her lips by his. Hell, hemuststand, or he would never leave this tent. Giving an inward growl, he set onto his feet then sought the king.
They had injured his Cluaran. Time to take the fight to them – once and for all.Northmen, are you ready to meet Vengeance?
***
“You seek to gather a wee cluster of Scots and raid the bark supply ship once the moon has set if the evening is clear?” The Lord Constable recounted the plan laid forth.
Aonghus gazed upon the full council standing about the seated king like a castle’s curtain wall within the massive tent lit by candlelight. “Aye, ’tis as our lord king declared – starve them from our shores,” Aonghus replied. “The time was not grand enough for us to finish the deed earlier on all provisions aboard the ship.”And finish them we shall.
The Lord Chamberlain chimed in with his usual greedy tone. “Perhaps fresh terms should be sought with renewed fervor,” he stated, his fingertips tapping in a rhythm before his torso as if he were counting coin within his mind.
Aonghus clenched his fist by his side. Dammit. How dare this pompous lord throw down such an idea before the king! “Lord Chamberlain.” Aonghus tried to keep the resentment from his tone; he failed. “They are scattered upon our shores, weakened – how do you determine this to be a better direction in course? My clansmen’s blood spills into Loch Lomond! We must finish this, not return to ‘terms’.”
The Lord Chamberlain narrowed his eyes. “Sir Aonghus, you have been cast out from your clan; your words ring a false consideration,” he scoffed.
Before Aonghus answered, another charged the exchange. “His elder brother is here among us and sees to guarding Lady Keirah as we stand,” the Lord Constable interjected. “Your words carry nae merit.”
A booming voice belonging to Alexander Stewart, commander of the forces, interjected. “I have not gathered then trained forces for the Scottish crown only to disband and race the Highlands with tails between our legs such as a cur.”
Whoever said the chainmail didn’t make a lad never met this one. The blacksmith who wove that chainmail tunic covering Stewart’s colossal frame should have been knighted. Stewart. Look at him – aye, he was every aspect of a leader.Aye, Stewart, lead on – all ready to go from over here!
Stewart’s lips tightened as he stepped forward toward the Lord Chamberlain, his hand on the sword’s hilt strapped to his waist – the entire time. “You seek coin, greedy to your core.”
The Lord Chamberlain puffed his chest trying to appear taller. “You seek blood,” he hissed back, “grave to your core.”
“You favored Sir James,” Stewart barked. “Your judgement in character sides with the shite in a pig’s trough!”Well put.
The two fresh allies stepped before the Lord Chamberlain. Aonghus diverted the attention back toward the topic. “Given the declaration by the Northmen, Loch Lomond has been raided, and my clan is giving the price with their blood. This bark ship will carry an even greater importance to starve them from our shores.” He glared at the treasurer before meeting the king’s gaze. He continued, “If our lord king deems the plan true to raid the bark ship, it shall be done.”
The king settled back in his throne for a long moment, the only sound the patter from rain upon the roof. Aonghus’s eyes darted toward the canvas tapping like baby rabbits thumped their wee feet outside on the cloth.What an odd contrast – a peaceful setting for such a violent discussion.
King Alexander grasped the arms on the throne till his knuckles blanched. From all the years in his service, he knew this meant he had reached his decision; it was as if the king’s hands grasped the will to see the command finished.
“Stewart, you choose a cluster of warriors to accompany Sir Aonghus along with Sir Brayden. They shall raid the ship after the moon has set this eve. Once done” – he looked toward Stewart – “have your forces prepared with the Earl of Marschal. Stand watch from afar, aid only if needed.”
Aonghus bowed, preparing for his leave. “It shall be done, Lord King,” he vowed.
Chapter 40
Keirah chewed her lip avidly, darting her eyes toward the tent flap again. Had she heard something? Her feet staggered beneath her; she glared at the sore limb.Throb all night long, the will to check for Aonghus is still stronger!Clutching her gown’s skirts roughly, she limped toward the entry.
As she peeked out the flap there appeared a familiar face. “Nae sign of him yet, my lady.”
Callum. He stood guard with all the patience that would make any abbot proud; she had been busier than a butterfly in a field filled with flowers. Butterfly? Naw, more a bee at her stinging mood born from anxiousness. Dawn had to be almost upon them; the encampment held a hollowed eerie strain about it from all those who had taken their leave. Even the king had finally retired for some rest, advising her to do the same. Impossible! She would never sleep with the one who held her heart risking the beating of his out there in the darkness.
All day she had reclined in Aonghus’s embrace. The hours spent in his arms while recovering had proved fruitful, particularly for her temples pounding with exhaustion from the cost of measure – but if only she could have gone with him! She glared at the throbbing limb again, hidden beneath the chemise and gown; she could have kept watch…
“My lady.” Callum’s voice broke her thoughts. “My wee brother shall be fine; I would chance my soul to hell if I thought it untrue.”
