The tall, well-built stranger who entered the hall wore gleaming armor and a neatly trimmed beard. David guessed he was a French knight, and his heartbeat quickened.
“I am Sir Francoise Guinard,” the man said with an elaborate bow and an accent that confirmed he was French. “Lord D’Orsey has asked me to convey a message to you.”
“May I offer ye some refreshment first?” David did not wish to appear anxious to hear D’Orsey’s message, and a Scot always offered hospitality in his home.
“Non, merci,” the man said with another crisp bow. “My lord awaits your reply.”
“What is the message?”
“Lord D’Orsey wishes to parlay with you.”
“Where and when?” David asked.
“Tomorrow at dawn, in the place where the Blackadder and Whiteadder rivers meet.”
David allowed himself a small smile. D’Orsey was finally leaving the impregnable Dunbar Castle. Better yet, they would meet on David’s territory.
“What assurances do you require for your safety?” the knight asked.
“I don’t rely on other men’s assurances,” David said, which caused the French knight’s eyebrows to go up a fraction. “But ye can tell Lord D’Orsey I’ll be there.”
“I am instructed to inform you that, as the meeting place is but a short ride from here,” the knight said, “Lord D’Orsey will extend the protection of the parlay to you for only one hour after the parlay ends.”
“I’ll grant Lord D’Orsey the same,” David said, and was amused when the knight’s eyebrows shot up still higher this time.
“That should give you and your men adequate time to return to Blackadder Castle.”
It would, if that was what David intended to do.
“Bon nuit,” the knight said, and made yet another bow before turning on his heel. His shining spurs made soft clinks as he left the hall.
“Do ye think you’ll be able to persuade Lord D’Orsey to release my mother?” Robbie asked as soon as the doors closed behind the messenger.
“I hope so,” David said.
“He could be setting a trap for us, instead of a parlay,” Brian said.
“Ach, ye know these Frenchmen set great store by their rules for fighting,” David said. “All the same, we’ll go tonight so we can scout the area and set up lookouts.”
In Scotland, men who trusted their enemies’ word alone could end up with their heads on pikes or hanging by their necks in burned buildings.
“Why did he set the parlay on Blackadder lands?” Robbie asked.
“Marching an army of men across our lands, especially so close to the castle, is meant as a threat,” David said. “He’s telling me he’s warden and has authority here.”
“Arrogant son of a bitch,” one of his men said.
David smiled to himself. He would take advantage of that arrogance.
“Why didn’t ye tell him to stay off our lands?” Robbie asked.
“Because,” David said, putting his arm around his brother’s shoulders, “this is right where I want him.”
***
Alison’s heart lifted when David entered their bedchamber, but fell again when he donned his shirt of mail and strapped on weapons without so much as a glance at her.
“Talk to me, David. Please.”
