Winter, January 1310

Dumfries, Scotland

 

 

Winter came, heavily coating the ground with drifts of snow. The lord’s year turned to a new one, and they rejoiced at being together at the caves, being blessed with food to eat, and with good health, and family. The men went out constantly to bring back wood for the fires, but wood was scarce and sometimes they had to trek for hours. Unfortunately, they couldn’t chop down the trees that hid their location from the paths and main road for the pines hid them well. Fire in the makeshift hearth continually set aflame all to keep the cave comfortable and warm.

Lillia sat next to Kerrigan, whose stomach was so large, the woman could barely move without assistance. She hoped and prayed that she wouldn’t get that big, but her bairn was starting to show itself with the bulge of her stomach.

Makenna sewed an adorable gown for Kerrigan’s bairn, and she finished the last of the stitches. Darcy, the sweet lass, sat upon her father’s lap, gleefully singing. That was when she wasn’t sneezing.

Since their return to the caves, Lillia hadn’t spent a moment away from Heath. Soon he would need to return to his duty to the king, but she prayed there wouldn’t be more battles. The friar’s news of late indicated both the Scots and English settled in their keeps for the cold season and likely no fracases would reestablish until the spring.

James Douglas appeared from between the vines they used to keep out the cold. “Comrades! Ladies,” he said, and bowed. “I bid you greetings and bring you plenty of bread for your stores.” He set the satchels on the table.

The man insisted on yelling his arrival, which awakened poor old Annag who slept in a chair by the fire. It was a nice change to see James jovial instead of full of bluster. The king’s guard repaired their discord with the knight and all transgression exonerated because of their duty to King Robert.

Graeme waved him forward. “James, you are welcome to our table. Have food for it’s just been served and is still warm. What news do you bring?”

James smiled in his wily way, the indication he indeed had news to share. He turned to her and winked. “Lady Fraser, you’ll be pleased to ken King Robert will not seek you. He is contented by your missive and declared the Comyns fabricators. Word spreads that the Comyns scattered, some to England, most in hiding. Their supporters weakened. You should be safe enough for now.”

“My thanks, James, for taking my missive to King Robert.”

He sat at the table and pulled the serving trenchers forward, not bothering to make his own. “Robert is planning to send such a missive to King Edward. He wishes for an end to England’s threat. Since many English have fled and Robert has succeeded in retaking many of our fiefs, the English king will have to give in.”

Liam frowned. “Do you believe Edward will agree to release Scotland of its fealty? I highly doubt the devil’s kin would retreat and give up the fight.”

James nodded. “Robert deems it is worth a try. Edward has many problems of late and his vassals are verily displeased with him. They’re intent to get their king’s companion exiled.”

Brodin chuckled. “Aye, ye mean Gaveston. I’ve heard tell Thomas, Earl of Leicester and Lancaster, the king’s cousin rebels and wants Gaveston removed from England altogether.”

Lillia chuckled. “Tis rumored the king favors Gaveston in an unmanly way. Though we ought not speculate on that matter.”

Makenna laughed. “Aye, the swine shit, English king would take up with a man for no woman would have him. His poor wife. I’ve heard she is a fair and just queen, one with a kind heart.”

The men laughed at her jest. James cleared his throat, calling their attention. “I have other news to impart. I stopped to see Rohan before I made my way here.”

Graeme set a cup before James and filled it with mead. “Aye? And what news from Rohan.”

Lillia had yet to meet the man, but Heath explained how fortuitous they were in knowing him. The mead hall keeper often aided them and sent them employ.

“Seems there’s a woman asking for the king’s guard. From what Rohan says, she’s a bonny woman. Well, those weren’t his exact words. Nay, he said … the fairest woman in the land, a dark-haired beauty with violet eyes came to call upon you. He bid ye to come at once.”

The men laughed.

Graeme snorted. “If she be that bonny, I’ll eat my boot for my wife is the fairest in the land.”

Liam groaned. “Christ Almighty, Graeme, ye cannot say that for I have the fairest woman in the land for my own wife.”

Heath glanced at her.

Lillia shook her head. He spoke not a word, which she was gladdened he didn’t join the banter. As much as they needed employment, she suspected Graeme wouldn’t go because Kerrigan was close to birthing their bairn. Likewise, Liam wouldn’t go because he was concerned for Darcy, since she’d caught a case of the sniffles. That left Heath and Brodin. She looked at her husband and hoped he would stay at the caves.

“Brodin and I will go. We agreed we’d never venture forth without at least two of us on the journey.” Heath inclined his head to his comrade.

Brodin pounded the table. “I suppose I will go. I should see what the lady wants. Mayhap we’ll gain coin for the duty. Lord knows we could use some additional coin come the spring. Besides, the woman’s description sounds akin to the woman who got me sent in service to the Bruce. If it is her, you can be assured I’d gladly refuse her aid.”

“Are you saying you wouldn’t want anything to do with her, even if she was in trouble?” James asked.

“If she’s in trouble, serves her right. Mayhap we should let her stew in the village. Aye, for the snows came. I don’t wish to trudge through it all to help a wayward lass.”

Lillia shared a look with Kerrigan and they laughed. Brodin wasn’t of a forgiving nature.

Heath leaned back in his chair and grinned. “Snow or not, the lass is in apparent trouble. We should leave at the soonest. Besides, we still need to search for Gilroy. I cannot believe the lad took off again. He’s making a habit of disappearing.”

Liam chuckled. “Best check the gallows, for he’s been there before.”

Graeme scoffed. “Let him stay wherever he might be. The lad was told to stay at the caves and learn of news from the friar, not hail off on a god-forsaken adventure. Honest to God, he tries my patience.”

Brodin set a hand on his comrade’s arm. “Graeme, we know not what happen to him and should at least ensure he’s well. I’ll wager the coin he’s taken to thieving again.”

Heath laughed heartily. “I’ll see your wager, for I deem he learned his lesson the last time he stole coin from the English.”

Brodin nodded. “We’ll look for him, see to the woman searching for us, and we shall bring back some of Rohan’s brew to celebrate our return to the caves.”

Lillia joined her husband at the table and thought to be near him before he left on the trek to the village. With all her dilemmas behind her, she was solaced to know the king no longer pursued her. The king’s guard needed to continue to hide from the king, their oaths and allegiance undeterred, and their troubles would endure.