Page 18 of Fearless Heart
“Nay, I destroyed it so no one could read it. But I had to find out if the king forgave me … us. I thought he might have a message for you or that he might have finally forgiven our disobedience.”
Heath sighed at the youngster’s innocence. “It was a trap, Gilroy. The king would never send such a missive. He would send someone to fetch us and bring us to him. Robert would never trust we’d come on our own regardless of his intent. The message was sent to you to draw us out. Obviously someone knew you were with us on the night the Bruce killed Comyn.”
“I never thought of that, m’lords, until … the two men who seized me … They used their fists and knives to get me to reveal your whereabouts. But, honest, m’lords, I didn’t bespeak of you or of our caves. One man named Lyell said he’d seen me on the night the Bruce killed Comyn at Greyfriars. I told him he hadn’t and that I knew not of what he spoke.”
“How did you get away?” Heath asked, now leaning on his knees, listening intently to every word. He was somewhat impressed by the lad’s bravery.
“Lyell left the camp and the other man, Raef sought his slumber. The lady came when the man slept. She cut my bindings and helped me escape.”
“You’re fortunate, lad, that she rescued you.” Heath was even more impressed by the lass’ fearlessness.
“I am fortunate, for m’lady is kind. That is the reason I promised we would help her. The two men who ambushed me … they were searching for a lass. When the other man left on his search, the other slept. There was another man, but I saw him not. They were looking for the lady who helped me for she said as much.”
“Where is the lady?” Heath asked, not seeing her within the cave.
“She sleeps here,” Makenna said. “Let her rest for they walked all the way from Ayrshire.”
Heath finally glanced at the bed where two bodies lay. One was wee and had to be Darcy, Liam’s daughter. The other evidently was the lady. “Wake her. We will question her now.”
Makenna stood and defiantly set her arms over her stomach. “I will now allow you to disturb her rest. She’s exhausted. You will await the morn before you question her.”
Heath grinned because Makenna took to motherhood as ferociously as a hawk guarding her eyas. She’d taken to the lass and he was gladdened. Most didn’t win an argument with Makenna, and if Graeme thought to send the lass away, he’d have to get through Liam’s wife to do so.
“Very well. Gilroy, did you learn who the men are?”
He shook his head. “Nay, m’lord, only that they would take me to a man called John. They would leave it to him to decide what to do with me. I thought they might be Comyns since they were at Greyfriars on the night that the king …”
“Killed their lord? Aye, I suspect as well.” Heath glanced again at the unmoving form upon the bed. His curiosity would have to wait.
Brodin stood. “Let us get supper in us and rest the night. We’ll speak more on the morn about this.”
Heath left the cave with his comrades. He hoped the lady could give them more answers for Gilroy didn’t offer much information. The main cave permeated with the smell of supper and he hoped there was enough for more than one helping.
Annag, the sweet aged woman who looked after them and cooked their meals, giggled low while she stirred the steaming pot of stew.
He nodded at her and smiled. “What has you giggling there, Mistress?”
After she poured each of them a bowl and joined them at the table, she snickered. “Ye missed a fine show. My lord and lady were quite heated in their debate.”
Liam snorted a laugh, Brodin grinned, and Heath chuckled.
“And who won this debate, Mistress? Is Lady Kerrigan going to stay?” Heath dipped a piece of bread into his stew and found their conversation comical.
“Why who do ye think? M’lady won of course. The laird, he begged her forgiveness after she caused such a ruckus. She’s staying and got her way by weeping louder than a town crier. Downright proud of her, I am. A woman sometimes must use wiles to get what she wants. No shame in that.” Annag gave a firm nod.
“That she does,” Heath said, and flipped the coin to Brodin. “You won the wager, my friend. I should’ve known Kerrigan would get her way. She’s more resourceful than I give her praise.”
After they finished off their supper, all sought their slumber. As much as he needed rest, Heath tossed and turned, overthinking his conversation with Gilroy. What’s more, he considered his discussion with his father at the festival, and his desire for reverence. Even more disturbing, his reflection on his reaction to seeing Lillia again. There was no use in lying in bed when he wasn’t about to get any sleep.
Heath woke earlier than most and decided to get a hedge on the day. Annag always arose before him. As was typical, he set off to collect wood for the cooking fires. He refilled the chest in the makeshift kitchen. Annag gave him a delicious bowl of pottage seasoned with sweet herbs. He ate quickly and went to hunt for their evening meal.
Being alone in the woods often solaced him and he liked hunting unaided. It gave him time to reason and reflect on his plans. He wanted to consider what Graeme proposed. If they sent the women away, it would make for a dreadfully boring existence –especially for Graeme and Liam. He and Brodin being unattached enjoyed having their comrade’s wives and children around. It lent a normalcy to their existence.
Their vow to the king and much of their mercenary work was routine. Especially of late. There were very few skirmishes since the Bruce regained much of Scotland’s lands, and with many of the English retreating back to England, not much work for a mercenary.
Heath set his bow when he settled in his favorite perch, a thick prickly bush that often jabbed him. Many hares came to chew on the newly sprung grasses. He kept thinking of the lass who came with Gilroy. When he returned, he’d question her himself and find out if she knew who the knaves were. They needed confirmation before they would consider how to proceed. Not only that, but why Gilroy considered her in danger. There was no sense in pondering her presence until he knew for certain she wasn’t a peril to them.
He killed four hares and returned to the caves an hour later. After storing the hares, he trekked toward Liam and Makenna’s cave. On his approach, he stopped short and viewed the woman walking toward him. He kept his eyes fastened, but he was fairly certain he wasn’t breathing.