The Empire and the Wolf King (Kaitlyn and the Highlander #21)

53. Chapter 53 - Archibald

CHAPTER 53 - ARCHIBALD

LIFE AFTER THE DO-OVER - INNIS CHONNEL CASTLE - 1301

I approached the shore opposite the castle, keepin’ my cloak up from fear of being recognized while alone. There were already a few men waiting, and the boat was drawing near. The guard, a man I knew well, Amos, said, “What business do ye hae?”

I let my hood fall back.

He remained cold and distant.

I gulped, then asked, “Could ye ask Fraoch tae come tae shore, I need tae speak tae him.”

“There is nae Fraoch except one of the lads, ye want the lad, he is six years auld?”

“Och nae, I thought Fraoch was visitin’ here… my apologies?—”

“What is yer business?”

My second plan was tae ask for Uncle Cailean directly, but I kent Amos was verra well trained and wouldna allow me tae enter without a clear directive. I said, “I bring word of the coming battle with Edward, I need tae speak tae Uncle Cail— I mean Cailean Mòr, I was also told tae speak tae his sons, Dom and Niall.”

“What coming battle?”

I calculated. “The English king is near, I hae word on his movements. I am tae tell Cailean directly.”

He glared, lookin’ me up and down. I added, “I was also told tae ask Amos the guard tae allow me tae pass. Is he here?”

He grunted. “I am Amos, who mentioned me?”

“My contact, I canna reveal him, but he told me tae tell ye that he has met yer cousin at Finlarig.”

He said, “Och, tis probably Gilleas.”

I nodded. “I canna divulge. I was sworn tae secrecy, but m’contact told me tae tell Amos that he ought tae let me pass as m’message is urgent.”

Amos nodded as the ferry slid up in front of us and I was allowed tae board.

I stabled the horses and found m’self in Cailean’s office, standing before him with my heart in m’boots because he dinna recognize me at all.

I kept my head bowed, I held the letter in m’hand.

He asked, “Ye hae a message about the English?”

“Sire, I…” I looked down on the letter. “Dost ye remember Mag Mòr?”

His eyes narrowed. “Aye, he was a great friend of mine once, the former king of Scots.” He waited for me tae speak.

I was about tae explain that I was the son of Mag Mòr, but then I glanced around me, there were about six other men in the room. I recognized them all, I had grown up with them and kent their allegiance tae my father and his throne, but time had shifted and was rollin’ on.

I was relieved that Cailean remembered him, but twas dangerous tae be the son of a former king. I would hae a claim tae the throne. I had tae be cautious.

I said, “May we speak in private, sire?”

He frowned. “Ye hae news of Mag Mòr? Since Balliol lost his throne and we are under Edward’s guardianship I hae been wondering about Mag Mòr’s fate.”

I glanced at the other men. “In privacy, sire?”

He sent the men from the room except his sons, Niall and Dom, who had their gaze directed at me.

I cleared my throat. “I hae a letter here, from Mag Mòr.”

He put out his hand. I placed the letter in it and returned tae my place, standin’, tryin’ tae look confident yet also deferential.

Twas difficult as I had been verra close with his sons. I had been a messenger for Dom, and Ben had been a messenger for Niall, and we had been given errands and chores from these brothers. Many tasks that had been in jest, brotherly pranks, or just tae keep us busy. Dom sendin’ me tae interrupt Niall in a meetin’ with a message informin’ him that he smelled of flatulence and Niall taskin’ Ben with hidin’ a fish in Dom’s chamber.

Now I was sufferin’ under their cold gaze.

Cailean said, still holdin’ the letter, unread, “Is Mag Mòr still alive?”

“Aye, sire, in exile.”

He looked at his sons, “Och, this is a curious turn of events, we hae an exiled king, and this is…?”

I said, “His son.”

His brow raised. “Mag Mòr’s son, here tae fight for his throne. This is a turn of events. Nae wonder ye hae an interest in the movements of the English king.”

I said, “Tae be truthful, sire, I said it tae gain audience with ye, but aye, I want tae fight the English king for my throne.”

He nodded, then Dom leaned over and whispered.

Cailean said, “Aye, we need tae speak tae Wallace on it.”

He stood, crossed tae his table, unfolded the paper, and spread it out on the wood. With a hand on both sides of it he read. It took him a long time, I wasna certain if he had trouble with the act, or if he was rereading for the intent.

Dom said tae me, while his father read, “Ye look familiar, hae we met?”

“Nae, I am new tae Innis Chonnel.”

He nodded, but with his eyes narrowed, sizing me up.

After Cailean finished he straightened up. “What dost this mean, ‘ye hae sacrificed a great deal tae assure the safety of m’bairns’?”

“I am not certain, sire, I believed ye would ken.”

He looked down on the letter. “Tis code, I suspect, tae keep the meaning secret, in case our enemies, of which there are many, find themselves with access tae it…” He flipped it over. “I take it tae mean he would like for me tae watch over his bairns tae help bring his line tae the throne. Tis a request, I believe.” He asked me, “Dost ye think I am correct in it?”

“Aye, sire, I think he wishes I would fight for the throne of Scotland.”

He held up the letter and said tae Dom, “Ye see here, he asks for me tae introduce young Archibald tae Wallace.” He read from the page. “...And ‘ask that he be admitted unto his ranks, for he is not only my son but a warrior born for the fight...’ Dost ye see, sons, he wants us tae raise arms behind the Campbell banner once more.”

Dom said, “I shall send a message tae Wallace, hae him come tae conspire.”