Page 79 of Summer Warrior

A sly smile grew on Maurice’s face. “Does this have anything to do with the extra tallow and butter you asked for earlier?”

“Aye. I need you to bore holes in his hull, sufficient to make him think he is sinking. Put most of the holes in the bow so the forward motion of the ship drives out the plugs and drives in the water. Make sure we can reinsert the plugs with pitch to make the ship seaworthy again. Meanwhile, stuff the holes with butter and tallow. As he departs on the morrow, I will follow them out of the sound. Maurice, you and Angus will sail with me. Domnall and Diarmad will follow in the two other ships. Rounding Ardnamurchan, where the wind and waves have been at odds, the tallow and butter will be forced free.”

“Suddenly, all is clear,” said Domnall. “You will require the hand of the princess as a condition of coming to their rescue.”

“Aye. Just so.”

“You take a great risk,” said Maurice. “Even if he agrees and we can reinsert the plugs, there is much that can go wrong. Or he may consent and, later, be angered and recant, not to mention the anger of the princess.”

“I have considered that. And you are right. But I believe he will give me what I ask. And I am convinced the princess wants our marriage. My crew will be prepared to save all if need be and I have enough longships to replace the one we damage if it comes to that.”

“Why not just ply him with wine at dinner and when he is in high spirits, ask for her hand?” asked Angus. “Would that not be simpler?”

“I have asked for her hand more than once but, aye, I will do so again tonight, for I want him to know I first asked fairly with honor. But if he resists, as he has on other occasions, then our plan will proceed.”

“’Tis your funeral, Brother,” said Angus, “but we are with you.”

“Lord knows you have led us into stranger ventures,” said Domnall.

Maurice smiled again. “I rather like it.”

The dinner had taken some forethought but, in the end, the roast venison, fresh trout and Liadan’s instructions to the cook as to how to use herbs for seasoning made for a succulent feast. The bread, too, was fresh and hot. He had to pry a case of wine free from his French stonemason with a promise to invite him to the wedding if he was successful but it had been worth it. And the local bard was paid well enough to bring a few of his friends with instruments for music.

The evening proceeded well with everyone enjoying themselves. Somerled would have liked to spend all of it with Ragnhild but tonight was for her father. If he succeeded, he and Ragnhild would have a lifetime together.

Olaf took a long draw on his wine, having indulged in several helpings of food. “You set a fine feast in this new castle of yours, Lord Somerled.”

“It commands a grand view of the sound,” put in Ragnhild.

“One day, the timber will be covered in stone,” Somerled replied, “but with so many castles to build, in some places, such as Ardtornish, we build first in timber to quickly gain a stronghold.”

“I must commend you for you are a man of your word,” said the king. “As you once promised, now you deliver.”

Somerled had arranged for Liadan to ask Ragnhild if she would like to see the night sky and, once dinner was finished, the princess was quick to agree and the two women left the castle.

“Now that we are alone, or nearly so,” said Somerled, for Olaf’s men were enjoying themselves at a nearby trestle with Somerled’s men challenging them to a dice game, “I would ask again for the hand of the princess.”

Olaf sat back and smiled. “Predictable, yet rewarding to know you are so constant.”

“You have no idea.” Somerled waited, hoping the king would make his plan unnecessary.

Olaf turned his goblet in his hand. “Sail with me to Skye and, after that, we can discuss this further.”

Somerled did not trust Olaf, for he knew the King of Man planned to sail to Orkney. He called for more wine to fill Olaf’s empty goblet. “I will gladly accompany you to Skye, for the isle has always interested me as a place where the Norse pirates build their longships, but I would have your answer first.”

“Alas, you must wait,” said the king. “As for the building of Norse dragonships, rumor has reached me that my tenant, Leod, is turning a blind eye to MacLier in Strath who may be about such business. If true, I will have harsh words for Leod and soon see MacLier gone from Skye.”

The castle door opened and Ragnhild and Liadan entered, their cheeks rosy from the night air, their words full of wonder at the stars they had glimpsed. “So many!” exclaimed Ragnhild. “And a shooting star, too! Oh, Father, you should have seen it.” She tossed Somerled a smile full of promise and his heart responded, such was her effect upon him.

The king rose from the table. “I think ’tis time for me to retire. I thank you, Somerled, for your gracious hospitality. ’Twas a delightful evening. Now, I would seek my bed for we’ve a day’s sail ahead on the morrow.”

Somerled let out a sigh. So be it. With Olaf preceding them, Somerled walked the princess to the stairs. He paused at the bottom stair and she turned to look at him. “Princess, can you swim?”

“What an odd question, my lord! Of course, I can swim. You need ask when you know I grew up on an island?”

“I wanted to be sure. I would not want you flailing about in the water should a wave wash you off your father’s ship.”

She laughed and then whispered, “You do care…”