Chapter 21 #4
And so, this time, when he entered Daro’s camp, he sent a messenger ahead, telling Anne that he had heard of her marriage, that he was delighted with her choice of a Viking husband, be he a Norwegian rather than a Dane. He wished to come and bring a wedding present.
He received an effusive reply from Anne.
Of course, she was very happy to see her father’s kin.
She was sorry that her mother’s MacInnish family had been so bitter against all Hallsteaders, but they’d heard that Hallsteaders had fought the MacInnish with Renfrew years ago.
Since she was now full-grown, a woman and a wife, she was happy to welcome him—as she would continue to welcome her MacInnish kin, as well.
He came to Daro’s camp with a retinue of six men, all splendidly attired, well mounted.
Men who had not been near Stirling with him before, but who had earned glory in their skirmishes at the border.
They ransacked English villages and laid the blame on the Scots just as they ransacked Scottish land and claimed that the English were guilty.
What Ulric could not accrue himself, he demanded of Renfrew, and Renfrew gave him.
Thus, to get into Daro’s camp, he brought his young distant cousin Anne a beautifully forged silver bowl with elegant silver chalices to match.
Greeted outside Daro’s great hall, Ulric was chivalrous, charming, polite.
He kissed Anne, and welcomed Daro into the family.
He was welcomed into the great hall as kin; he was kin.
Vikings supported family, they were loyal, welcoming to one another.
He was brought the best food, the sweetest wine.
They spoke, they laughed. Anne told him excitedly how Waryk, now laird of Blue Isle, had brought her case before the king himself, and talked Michael MacInnish into allowing the marriage.
“It’s a new time, a new age. There will be peace now.
We’re all Scottish, even if we’ve come from different places! ”
Ulric lifted his cup. “To peace,” he said, and he smiled, knowing that he was lying through his teeth.
This time, he would see to it that Daro Thorsson and Waryk Graham came at one another with their swords drawn.
In truth, he would very much like to kill Waryk himself.
The man who had killed his father and Lord Renfew.
But he’d learned a lot from Etienne. He wanted Waryk dead, and he wanted Waryk’s wife—and he wanted Blue Isle.
Not only would Daro serve him by coming to death blows with Waryk, but he would die himself, and thus would be a possible contender for Blue Isle be taken from the competition as well.
“To peace!” he repeated, and he drank deeply.
Then, of course, he wanted to know about their friendship with Waryk.
“He has married my niece, great Adin’s daughter,” Daro told him.
“I heard the lady was less than pleased with the prospect.”
“Oh!” Anne said, and laughed. “Perhaps at first … but I think she’s very happy now. I’ve just received a message from her, and we’ll see her quite shortly.”
“Oh?”
“Well, she is quite anxious to spend some time with Daro, and talk with him. Daro and Waryk must meet again. There are vicious attacks occurring in which Daro’s name is being cast about, and the problem must be solved!” Anne said passionately.
“Anne!” her husband warned sharply.
Anne waved a hand in the air. “That’s all nonsense.
But we’ll see them both soon. Mellyora received word that Waryk is coming north with Peter of Tyne so that Peter may pay homage to the king.
And so she plans to come out and surprise him in some special way, and for a wife to plan such a surprise …
well, I believe that she must care very much.
I knew that she would once she knew him. ”
“I can believe that anyone knowing the man would have strong feelings, one way or the other.”
“Oh?” Anne said curiously. “You know him?”
“By reputation, of course.”
“Oh, of course.”
“To Laird Lion!” Ulric toasted, and then he looked at Daro. “And to your niece, as well, great Adin’s daughter, Mellyora.”
“To them both!” Anne said happily.
He was a guest in the hall through the night. In the morning, he left with Daro’s banner secreted in his bag, along with one of his host’s surcoats, knives, and, most importantly, his antlered bascinet or helmet. Very Norman attire, Ulric thought. But it will do nicely.
Of course, it would not be that much longer that he would make use of such trickery. He’d heard from Renfrew. Etienne’s troops were on the way to the meeting point. Ulric would shortly be creating havoc throughout Scotland—and all in the name of King Stephen.
Vengeance could be played out, and all in the name of justice. It was a wonderful irony.
David sent orders that Waryk was to come to him at Stirling, where he remained at court, and that he was to ride with Peter of Tyne, who would swear his new allegiance to the Scottish king and, therefore, retain his property, and be strengthened there as a Scottish laird.
David, Waryk thought, must be delighted, thinking that Stephen would be fuming at the loss of Tyne.
Waryk, though Peter’s friend, knew the man well. He wondered if David had ever thought that a lord so quickly willing to swear allegiance to him would be equally willing to foreswear that allegiance if it became expedient.