The man was never one to allow the last word to go to anyone else.
“My lords,” the king said. “Laird MacDomnail has recently secured a worthy ally in the west. He has taken a wife in the form of kin of the Viking chieftain, Gunnar of Islay. You all know I would support this marriage as it aligns with my own thinking of how to manage our former battles with these Northmen.”
Giric turned his head toward those gathered. Some nodded while others, like Andrews, smirked.
“You’re a stronger man than I thought,” Andrews said. “I heard Viking wenches strapped knives to their thighs to keep a man from taking what is his right.”
“And you’re a denser man than I thought,” Giric said. “To interrupt your king and insult an ally is ill thinking indeed.”
The king slammed his hand on the table, making Andrews jump. “Enough! MacDomnail’s Viking wife has been attacked and I do believe our biggest enemy has in turn shown some of their hand at long last.”
“How so, your grace?” Andrews asked.
“The mode of the attack was by poison dart. Obviously not in normal use by the forward attacking Vikings, or strategic and well-planned Scots. Nay, that sort of slithering effort only comes from one source—Athelstan.”
“How can you be so sure?” Andrews asked. The man was beyond daft.
“I have fought this man before, as have we all. You may recall some of my soldiers being unaccounted for during some of the more important battles. It was discovered, though I never spoke of it, that the king had secured a small group of highly trained individuals who liked to skulk about and poison their victims with measured doses of wolfsbane. MacDomnail’s wife was poisoned in such a manner.”
“But if they are so good then why does she live?” Andrews asked.
“Because my wife is not your average woman,” Giric said. “I believe these assassins miscalculated the amount of poison needed to do anything more than disable her for a short time.”
Giric enjoyed the way Andrews swallowed hard at his words. He also noted that Luther had slipped out of the hall shortly after the king revealed his suspicions.
“What now?” Andrews asked, seemingly interested in more than his own interests for the first time since the meeting convened.
“Now we strengthen our allies to the west and prepare ourselves for another invasion which will be as unsuccessful as the last. This news Giric has brought tells me the English are fearful of our alliance with the Vikings and seek to drive a rift between us. An attack on a Viking woman on Scottish soil is normally enough for bloodshed. MacDomnail was correct in bringing this to our counsel. I shall travel to Prestwick with the laird and formally bless this union and any others that result in our alliance. That will send a clear message to Athelstan that we are united against him.”
Andrews stood. “My alliance is with you, your grace.”
His declaration was met with a nod from the king and followed in affirmation by each other man around the table.
“Now, please fill your bellies. We have much to plan and I need your wits about you.”
As side conversations broke off, the king leaned in close to Giric. “Did you notice who left?”
“Aye. Where do you think he went?”
“I’ve long suspected his loyalty to Athelstan, however I could not prove it. Whilst he viewed an aging and dissociated king over these past three years, I’ve been amassing a stronghold of weapons in a secret location. You are now one of three people who have this knowledge.”
“I thank you for your trust, your grace. Do you think you should have Luther followed?”
“He’s been followed since the day he showed up on my doorstep three years ago. It is interesting what one can glean when one appears detached.”
“A clever strategy, your grace.”
“Indeed. Now, you shall make haste back to your new bride, and prepare for a visit from your king. I expect a great feast in my honour and hope to meet the great Chieftain of Islay.”
“That you shall, your grace. As I headed east to seek your counsel, I sent MacAlpin west to gather Gunnar and his clan. I anticipate they will already be at the castle when I return.”
“Excellent. I will now take my leave. Please enjoy the remainder of your stay. I have much to plan.”
“As you wish, your grace.”
Once the king left the hall, most of the other members of the counsel scattered as well. Giric remained to watch the men until only he and Andrews remained.
“You are loyal to your king,” Andrews said.
