Page 14 of Summer Warrior

He took a draw on his ale and spoke in a low tone to the king. “I would agree to an alliance that would have my ships and warriors come to the aid of Man whenever there is need, but I have a condition.”

“Only one?” the king asked, his expression one of amusement.

Somerled faced the king and, in a hushed tone, said, “I would have the hand of your daughter in marriage.”

The king sputtered into his ale, then whispered to Somerled. “Ragnhild? You would have my daughter to wife?”

Somerled was glad for the noise in the hall that kept their conversation to the two of them. “Aye, I would. It has long been my dream and meeting her has only cemented that desire.”

The king seemed to ponder the possibility as he stared at the food before him. “Mayhap ’tis her dowry you seek, a rich one to aid your cause.”

“I am not so foolish as to refuse her dowry,” said Somerled, “but I would take the princess if she came to me naked with none.”

Olaf smiled and then launched into another objection. “She was raised in a castle, the daughter of a king. Where would you have her live?” In a sarcastic tone, he added, “On one of your ships?”

Somerled had known it would not be enough to retake his lands. He must secure the harbors and sea lanes with fortifications. “Nay, she will have her choice of many abodes for I will build castles along the sea lanes I control.”

Olaf gave him an incredulous look.

Undaunted, Somerled shared his vision. “One of the men who has sworn allegiance to me, Ewan MacSuibhne, possesses a stone castle in Knapdale, a square tower built in the Norman fashion, much like Castle Rushen. Surely you know of the imposing structure for it is very old. He will have a hand in the construction of my castles built in like manner.”

“Hmm…” The king ran his fingers over his red beard, seeming to ponder Somerled’s words. “An ambitious undertaking for one so young.”

“You were young when you became King of Man, were you not?”

“Aye, but I had help from King Henry. Your plan will take time…years, if it happens at all. You might let me know when one of your castles actually rises from the earth. Then, I may again consider your request.”

Somerled clenched his teeth, holding in his anger and disappointment, certain Olaf never expected that day to come. “Do not doubt I will do this, King Olaf. I may be young but I am a man of my word. I can call upon thousands of men who, freed from the Norse, have joined my cause. In time, there will be more men and more ships. They share my vision of a kingdom of Argyll and the Isles not tied to any country save by bonds of honor and friendship.”

The king abruptly got to his feet. “Mayhap we will speak more of this in time. But, for now, I encourage you to go about your business with my blessing.”

Knowing he had been dismissed, Somerled watched the king stride across the hall, disappointed at the reaction to his offer. But since the hand of the princess had not yet been given, he refused to lose hope. There would come a time when King Olaf would need Somerled’s might and he would be there.

The princess cast him a hopeful glance, her brows raised in inquiry.

He shook his head, whereupon she rose and excused herself, an ethereal vision in blue gliding into the hall. A dream yet to be realized.

Reluctantly, Somerled turned to see his brother and Maurice had gotten to their feet and were waiting for him at the other end of the dais.

“How went the conversation with the king concerning an alliance?” asked Angus. “Your words were too whispered to be heard.”

Somerled frowned. “Not as I’d hoped. He is unwilling to give me what I want in exchange for my pledge. We will speak more of it at another time. Ready the ships. We sail in an hour.”

Acknowledging his command, Angus and Maurice stepped down from the dais and departed.

The princess hurriedly finished with the servants and came to stand before the dais, looking up at him. In a formal but gracious manner, she said, “Are you ready, my lord?”

“Eager, my lady.” He stepped down and offered his arm.

There was no more talk of alliances. She placed her hand upon his arm and began to speak of her home. “You might have noticed as you arrived yesterday that the castle is a large square tower and the walls of the keep very thick. On the west side is the Silverburn River, which forms part of the moat.”

“A natural moat is always an advantage,” he remarked. “Did your father construct the castle?”

“Nay, his forefathers. It is Norman in design. But he has improved it.” Somerled had recognized the square tower as Norman. He’d seen others like it and determined he would build the same kind of fortresses.

She swept her hand in a wide gesture, taking in the hall. “There are chambers above and you probably saw the guardhouse attached to the wall facing the gate. Between the wooden palisade and the castle is the outer bailey where the men train. But inside the square tower is another bailey. You may not have seen it as your rooms were on the outer wall. Come, I will show you.”

She led him through a door and down a corridor into the inner bailey open to the sky above. Sunlight shone down on the well-ordered space.