Their little group standing just outside the castle gates with Lorne MacSween and a host of guards that remained behind, protectively flanking them in the dawning light.
Errol sensed Tira would remain there until the six birlinns had sailed far into the distance, but mayhap Cora would urge her back to the keep for the wind was blustery and the cool morning air laced with drizzle.
He longed so desperately to look behind him for one last glance at her…his beloved, his life, but he needed to show strength now for both of them.
Their moments together before dawn difficult enough when he had gone to the nursery with Tira to see the twins sleeping so peacefully—and like Gavin had urged him, Errol didn’t want to grieve her further.
Both her and Cora’s eyes glistening with unshed tears as they had lifted their chins and courageously said their goodbyes, no final hugs given in front of other warriors who had already bid farewell to their wives and families that resided in the nearby village.
Some of the men wounded during the attack on the raiders had left the infirmary to witness their departure as well, Errol grateful that none of their own had been killed, while servants from every corner of the castle had joined them for a silent farewell.
Who could say how long they would be gone? Weeks or months? A brutal enemy was marching north from the Scottish border, England determined to ground Scotland beneath its heel.
“Wewillprevail against King Edward and his accursed army and return tae those we love,” Gavin said in a fiercely uttered aside, clearly sharing Errol’s thoughts. “Never doubt it, man. Our resolve will bring us victory.”
“I dinna doubt it,” Errol said with a glance at the formidable Highland warrior who had helped to reunite him with Tira, and to whom he owed so much…just as he owed so much to King Robert.
After all, Errol had sworn.
CHAPTER 16
CASTLE MACLACHLAN, ONE MONTH LATER…
“Amessenger with word about our husbands, truly?” Tira felt her heart jump at Cora’s emphatic nod and wide smile, which calmed her fears at once to even hear the word “messenger.”
Cora gestured from the doorway to the nursery for Tira to come out into the hall so they wouldn’t disturb her sleeping bairns, Tira quickly obliging her. She clasped Cora’s trembling hands, her own shaking, too.
“It’s not much news, Tira, but Gavin and Errol are well and with King Robert’s forces and soon tae engage the English army…” Cora fell silent as if realizing the import of what she’d just said, her brow furrowing as she murmured more to herself than Tira, “Och, the messenger left their camp near Stirling several days ago so that means there might have already been a great battle—ah, God. I almost wish he hadna come here at all than tae leave us wondering?—”
“No, we must believe King Robert will triumph no matter when they fight the English,” Tira interjected with as reassuring a tone as she could muster, though she felt a quiver of unease as if some strange intuition had gripped her. “Did the messenger say aught else?”
“Only the name of the place, Bannockburn. South of Stirling Castle, which is still held by the English—och, I need tae walk. I need some air!”
Cora turned and rushed down the hallway and Tira ran after her, her rose-colored gown fluttering around her legs.
A month ago, she would have been hard-pressed to keep up, but she was fully recovered now and a healthy weight again?—
“Dinna worry for me, Tira!” Cora cried out over her shoulder as she hurried down the tower steps so quickly that Tira feared her dear friend might slip and tumble.
She could tell from the hoarseness in Cora’s voice that she was upset, which only made Tira hasten just as fast only a few steps behind her.
Even so, Cora didn’t slow down in the foyer, but fairly flew to the door leading outside into the bailey.
Only when Cora had burst into the bright midday sunshine and paused to take a breath did Tira reach her, looping her arm through Cora’s.
Her lovely face stricken and tears filling her blue eyes, which made Tira swallow hard and draw a deep breath, too, after rushing from the tower.
Had Cora been struck with the same sense of unease? Tira opened her mouth to ask her, but Cora had pulled away and half ran now, a sob breaking from her throat as she made straight for the walled garden.
Tira followed close behind, ignoring questioning glances from guards and other warriors left behind to protect the castle in Gavin’s absence.
She didn’t catch up until Cora had run through the garden gate and paused again to catch her breath beneath an apple tree laden with rosy-skinned fruit, though still she sobbed as if her heart was breaking.
Tira had never seen Cora distraught, and she didn’t know what to do other than to lay a hand upon Cora’s quaking shoulder.
As if Tira’s very touch seemed to calm her, Cora’s sobs quieted and she wiped the tears from her flushed face with a look of some embarrassment.
“F-forgive me, Tira. Hearing that my husband was well…and then realizing like a silly fool that the news was days old—och, I pray that he’s survived the battle a-and Errol, too.”
