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Torin nodded toward the pile and the lad began loading everything into his arms.

Torin said to me, “First we take leave of the king, then we breathe deeply, relax our shoulders, and go anywhere else. Ye ready for a long ride, mo leannan?”

“Not really, but we better get to it.”

“Aye, we must find our vessel tae get away from here.”

And we left our rooms to meet our guards.

15

ALEXANDRIA

1308 - WE RETURN TO DUNSTAFFNAGE CASTLE

We entered the courtyard, where Niall Campbell was waiting beside a group of horses — and behind him stood not only five guards, but Robert the Bruce himself, Douglas at his shoulder, and a larger party of the king’s men already mounted and ready.

My stomach tightened.

Torin’s brow raised. He blinked. “Och nae.”

Niall had Cathbarr all dressed and ready to go, and passed him to Torin, then handed Torin the reins to another smaller and prettier horse.

Niall bowed. “This is a gift for Lady Alexandria from the King.”

It was my turn to blink. Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, had given me a horse. “This is a big present, whose horse was this?”

Niall said, “We gained him from the battle at Brander Pass.”

Torin said under his breath to me, “Spoils of war.”

I whispered, “But what does the king want in return for the horse?”

Torin said, low enough only I could hear, “Therein is the trouble, mo leannan, everything is a negotiation when ye are dealin’ with kings — and now he rides with us. We must be ready.” He patted the horse and looked in his eyes, stroked along his neck and checked his teeth. The horse looked at him calmly.

“I think he will be a good horse for ye, he is healthy and seems tae hae a calm spirit.”

I put my hand against the horse’s muzzle and he allowed me to pet him, so I stroked along his neck. “Och,” I said, “ye are a good boy.”

Torin grinned, watching me, then he lowered his voice to say, “Ye get tae name another horse, Princess, our herd keeps growin’! How many horses does this make?”

“So many.” I patted the horse down his withers. “Horse, I think I will need to ride you for a bit to come up with a name, sound good?”

The horse whinnied.

“I’m very glad you speak English, I’m new to horse-riding, so bear with me. But I have been taking lessons.”

Torin held the stirrup and helped me climb up. I settled in the saddle.

He said, “Och, he is a verra good horse and he likes ye already. He dinna even sidestep when ye got on. Verra patient.”

He picked up Dude and presented the cat to the horse, the horse curled his lips and turned his head.

Torin said, “Ye are a good horse, I see, but carryin’ a lion might be takin’ yer patience too far. As we hae just met, Dude will ride on Cathbarr.” He opened one of the saddle bags and deposited Dude inside.

Cathbarr blew air with a snort.

“Nae complainin’, Cathbarr, he is our cat and his legs are too short. Ye must carry him, we canna ride tae the castle at a cat’s pace.”