Page 61 of Summer Warrior

“What say you?” his cousin, Domnall, asked, joining them. By his side was Liadan, who Somerled had seen his cousin help down from the galley. Domnall gazed up at the castle. “Is it not grand?”

“Aye,” said Somerled, looking over his shoulder at the tall keep. “Like a mushroom springing up from damp soil. A good beginning.”

Maurice reached the top of the rise to stand with them, gazing at the view from the point jutting into the sound.

Ewan came last, puffing and more slowly given his girth.

Behind him, Somerled heard his name shouted. He turned to see Ruairi MacInnes coming through the castle door, his young son running in front of him.

“Are you pleased, Lord?” asked Bran, arriving in front of Somerled and giving Gillecolum a curious look.

Somerled smiled at the boy. “I am. Did you build it?” he asked in exaggerated wonder.

“I helped my father,” Bran said, raising his chin. “And I have been practicing with the sword you gave me.”

Somerled drew his son to him and said to Bran, “You will have to practice with my son, Gillecolum.”

Bran greeted Gillecolum in friendly fashion. “That would be grand! So much better than my sister.”

The boys laughed and went off to compare swords.

Passing the boys, Ruairi extended his hand and Somerled shook it. “We have been wondering when you might get here.”

“Aye,” said Somerled, “we took time to check on the settlements. I’d introduce you to my son, Gillecolum, but it seems he’s off with Bran.”

Ruairi said, “I know you have longed to have the boy with you.”

“Well, we are together now.”

Maurice stared up at the timber castle. “You did well,” he said to Ruairi.

“The men have worked hard, and, as you can see, the keep is up but we have yet to add the palisade and some of the outbuildings.” Turning to Somerled, Ruairi said, “The people of Morvern remember all you did for them and are happy to help. I knew your priority was shelter for the men so the keep and the great hall were our first concerns.”

Somerled nodded. “You were correct. Did the stonemason suggest timber?”

“Nay, ’twas me. If we began with stone, you would only see a foundation. But, given the timing, the mason agreed we could cover it later in stone.”

“Aye,” said Ewan, “’twill be easy now that you have the basic castle. That is how my ancestor did it at Castle Sween.”

Somerled nodded. “We have made a good start on controlling the sound.” Shifting his gaze to the Isle of Mull, he said, “What do you think of a few more castles on the other side?”

“’Wouldn’t hurt,” said Ruairi. “Mull has frequently been a target of the Norse pirates.”

Somerled silently agreed. “Is d’Harcourt here?”

“Nay. Once Liadan’s brother, Diarmad, returned from Moidart, I sent him back there with the stonemason. I did not want to leave here until I was certain the castle was complete for your arrival.”

Somerled glanced at Liadan, who wore a disappointed look. “Worry not, lass, we’ll catch up with your brother.”

“Come in out of the wind,” said Ruairi. “I have a map you can use to site your castles and Aileas is preparing refreshments.” As they turned to walk to the castle, Ruairi said, “Ceana is helping her mother or she would have been the first to greet you. She wears that riband you gave her nearly every day, claims it is the color of her eyes.”

Somerled laughed. “’Tis easy to win a young girl’s heart. The grown ones are more difficult. They take time and much patience. But love that grows slowly is often the surest.”

Domnall shot a glance at Liadan. She averted her eyes.

The great hall at Ardtornish—like the hall at Loch Findlugan—smelled of newly cut timber. Trestles and benches, enough for the crew of their two ships and Ruairi’s, filled the hall. The hearth fire burned steadily adding the smell of oaken wood smoke to the air.

“Are there bedchambers?” Somerled asked.