Chapter 49
TREATY OF PERTH
Nella looked at the massive parchment which seemed to swallow the large oak table as King Alexander’s signature from the quill in hand joined those representing King Magnus. The pews shined brightly in freshly polished beeswax which sweetened the occasion’s scent even more.
Sunshine sparked thought the unshuttered windows as if knowing this was a most noted of days in Scotland’s history. The defining of lands reclaimed to the Scots. She bowed her head. What an honor to be here.
Callum was completing his circle on the interiors at his post of “watcher” while Sir Brayden and Sir Sean remained near the king on the far side of the nave’s center.
Only a cluster deemed “essential”, as a precautionary measure, had journeyed here. This included the Northman, who looked at Callum when he arrived on the other side of her while she and Holger remained near the nave’s entry which led out into the cloister.
“Well, you have done it, my lady,” Holger murmured over the conversation and noises she chronicled as “listener” of the room.
“It was appearing rather grave a few days past; alas, your talents have won the day. Treaty is signed. Too bad our deeds will never be sung in means for “discretion”. My only real regret is how I behaved last eve at the feast. My manner was beyond crass. When I drink too much, this ugly trait appears. I am truly sorry to you both.”
Callum remained stoic while she raised an eyebrow. “I did not think ‘truly’ applied to any words which left your lips.”
“I earned that remark, my lady.” He nodded. “There is a very large ‘truly’ you both are about to hear that only a few know about upon this soil. My wife, Lady Thyra, is not a hag; quite the opposite in fact. Beautiful and clever and hates my guts.”
Nella’s mouth gaped as Callum remained silent.
“Truly,” Holger explained, “I slept with another lady at court when drunk. Word circled to my Thyra, and she threw me out from the bedchamber. So, I began hammering any lady I could wrap my arms about to make her jealous and make her realize her mistake then take me back.”
Her brow shot higher as Callum’s teeth gave a grind. “How did that work out for you?” she asked.
Ahem. “Not as planned.”
“Have you ever considered begging her forgiveness with a vow to never endeavor another again?” Nella questioned.
“Seems my word is no longer good enough for her.” Holger’s brow became one as he frowned before they looked upon the gathering.
“What if another were to offer a kind word on your behalf?” Nella asked, then added in haste, “If you swore it would never happen again.”
Holger shuffled back a step, shock in his eyes. “My lady, are you offering?”
“Perhaps, if you vowed, Holger Kolson,” she pressed.
He raised both hands. “I vow it, I shall never stray again, unless you’re offering, my lady,” he jested at her with a grin.
At her silent look, he grew somber. “All right, all right.” His hands rose higher.
“I would vow never to seek another’s arms if my Lady Thyra were to take me back after you speak with her. ”
“Lord Kolson,” she began sternly, “we currently stand upon holy ground here, you vow it ‘truly’?”
He promised in a stern tone, “Truly, I shall not fail my wife once again if she grants me a second chance.”
Callum enlightened, “Nella and I are very familiar with second chances, are we not, my love?” He winked at her and her cheeks blazed after all they had sought in each other’s arms last night.
“Aye, we are, my knight,” Nella agreed. “Lord Kolson, I shall speak with her. If not for your efforts these past days” – she darted her gaze towards those who had laid their signatures onto the parchment and stood talking beside Abbot and Abbess – “we would not be found here either, so I have much to tell your lady.”
“Once we set back to the keep, I shall send a missive at once to have her summoned here…”
“There is another way,” Nella broke in gently. “Last eve.” She looked at Callum.
Callum took lead by her silent gesture. “Last eve, Nella and I spoke about mending the bridge between our two kingdoms. As a bestowment on this fresh path forward, she and I would care to visit King Magnus’s court, once we are married, of course.”
Holger’s eyes popped wide. “Scotsman, you shall not regret this, nor you, my lady.”
Nella smiled. “Upon this visit I may speak with Lady Thyra then. Who I am hoping would also care to show me all the customs which the Kingdom of Norway calls home. What say you, Northman?”
“I would be honored,” Holger said, then paused, looking at them both a hard moment as Callum wove his fingers through hers. “There was one thing Lord MacMardan was correct in declaring. You both are the keepers of the crown to come, and it is in the best of hands forthwith.”
Callum raised her palm, gracing his lips over her knuckles softly. Her knight’s mouth hidden behind her hand, he whispered for her ears alone, “I will forever honor fate giving us a second chance at bringing you back to me, my Nella.”