Chapter 22
“Men, let’s move on out!” Martin gave the command less than an hour later. He sat majestically tall upon his horse dressed in full battle attire. Winter stood outside the great hall with Nairnie, watching the men prepare for the attack on Clan Dunbar.
“The men are ready,” said Sir Gawain. “I’ve sent a messenger to alert two more troops of our alliances which we’ll meet at the border.”
“Good,” said Martin checking his weapons. “We’ve got no time to spare. Aidar might have already made it back to his clan and warned his father that we’re coming. Hopefully, he is on foot and we’ll be able to make it there before him.”
Winter watched Martin, feeling a surge of emotions run through her. “I can’t just stand here and let him go,” she told Nairnie. “I’ve got to stop him. He might be killed.”
“Ye have no choice, lassie,” Nairnie told her. “Sir Martin is yer husband and does no’ take commands from anyone but himself.”
“I have to try.” She raced across the courtyard, stopping when she reached Martin atop his horse. “Martin, please don’t go.”
“Lady Winter, I will not tell you again not to get involved in my affairs. Now, go back to the keep and stop trying to influence my decisions.” Martin turned into a warlord before her very eyes.
“Nay! If I can’t stop you from leaving, then at least take me with you. I know about Dunbar Castle. My father took me there as a child once and has told me everything about the place just recently. I feel I know it like the back of my hand.”
“I don’t need your help,” he said, totally in control of his emotions. “I’ve got this handled. This sword is all I need to bring me to victory and bring home Jamesson safely.” He held up the sword she’d constructed for him, paying reverence to the blasted thing.
“It’s a good, strong sword, I agree,” she told him. “But it’s not going to save the lives of all your men. The Dunbar Clan is strong and fearless. They fight to the death.”
“My men are well aware that some of them might not come back alive,” he replied.
“Then why are they even going?”
“They are loyal to me, just like I am loyal to the king,” said Martin. “Now, you need to be a loyal wife and not get in my way again.”
“I’m going with you, Martin.” Lambert rushed across the courtyard to meet him. He was dressed in mail and partial plate armor as well.
“Go back to the keep with my wife, Father,” Martin commanded. “You are no longer the warrior you once were and will not be coming with me. I cannot take the risk you’ll do something to endanger yourself or the rest of us.”
“Jamesson is my son!” shouted Martin’s father. “I’ll not sit here and do nothing while I lose another son – or two. I’m going with you.”
“I said, nay!” Finally, Martin showed some emotion, even if it was anger. “Now, I’m not going to tell you two again.”
“Lord de Grey, I’ve got your helm,” said Rock, riding up on a horse to meet him. The helm was under his arm.
“You know I won’t wear it,” grumbled Martin. “I can’t breathe in it nor can I see. Now leave it here and let’s get going.”
“Aye, my lord.” Rock shrugged and threw the helm into a wagon filled with hay. Then he followed Martin and the others as they left to battle the Scots.
“Lord de Grey,” said Winter, addressing Martin’s father. “I know a shortcut as well as a secret passageway to get inside the dungeon of Dunbar Castle. My father has told me all about it.”
“You’re familiar with the castle, are you?” he asked.
“Aye, I know things. My father is friends with Clan Dunbar,” she assured him.
“Do you think you can get us into the dungeon, unseen?”
“I do. I also think I can talk to Laird Dunbar and possibly convince him to agree to an alliance with Martin.”
“Dinna get involved, lassie,” warned Nairnie.
“You know you can’t stop me, Nairnie,” said Winter, talking over her shoulder to the old woman. “I will go by myself if I have to, but I need to try at least.”
“I’ll go with you,” offered Lambert.
“If Winter is too stubborn to stay here, then I’ll be goin’ along as well,” added Nairnie.
“Aye, you might be an asset to us, Nairnie,” said Winter. “You’re Scottish.”
“Aye, child, I am. But I dinna ken the Dunbars.”
“Mayhap that will work to our advantage,” said Winter. “You can cause a distraction so we can sneak into the dungeon.”
“What do ye think I’m capable of doin’?” asked Nairnie, shaking her head.
Winter smiled, putting her hand on Nairnie’s shoulder. “I know you are capable of doing anything you put your mind to – just like me.”
Nairnie sighed. “Yer brathairs and faither will have my head if I let anythin’ happen to ye, lass.”
“Nothing will happen but an alliance and the rescue of Jamesson if things go the way I plan,” answered Winter.
“Then what are we waitin’ for?” asked Nairnie. “Someone find us some horses.”
“Nay, we’ll never get there before my son and his troops on horseback,” said Lambert.
“Then we’re doomed before we even try,” said Winter, feeling helpless now.
“Not necessarily,” said Lambert with a smile. “I know another way we can get there. And we’ll arrive before Martin, I assure you.”
“All right. Then, what are we waiting for?” asked Winter, secretly saying a prayer that she wasn’t making the biggest mistake of her life by listening to an addlepated man.