Chapter 16
In the sennight that followed, Steinar had more than enough to occupy his days. In addition to sword practice with his fellow guards and the occasional hunt, Paul and Erlend Thorfinnsson had given him Ivar’s ship and skilled workmen from their own longship to have it properly fitted out.
Out of the hearing of others, Malcolm had told Steinar, “Ivar destroyed Cormac’s ship, so ’tis right you shall claim the Northman’s. My mormaer in the Vale of Leven should have a ship. And, should you not yet know, I have asked Paul and Erlend to hunt for the other women taken from the vale.”
“Catrìona will be happy to hear it,” he had told the king.
Steinar was overjoyed at the news of the ship, but he wondered what Catrìona would think of it.
Because the king had sworn him to silence, he did not tell Catrìona why he was the one to oversee the work on the longship and she did not ask.
But one of the first things he did was to have the dragon heads on the stems removed and the wood sanded smooth.
Fortunately, the king made Paul and Erlend aware of his plans for Steinar, whereupon the brothers offered to sail the ship, once re-fitted, to the Vale of Leven with whatever supplies Steinar would need for the hillfort he would build.
On the way, they would stop along the coast where they thought Ivar might have left some of his men and the women he had taken from the vale.
Since the two brothers from Orkney were to leave when the ship was finished, they had assured him he would see it in the vale ere long.
Catrìona, he had noticed, was occupied with many things, foremost being the queen’s plans for the pilgrims’ ferry and inn.
“Margaret has pilfered much gold from the king’s treasury for all she has planned for the pilgrims,” Catrìona told him one evening. “But then you must know since you account for it.”
“Malcolm does not seem to mind,” Steinar had replied. “When I show him the mounting costs, he just shrugs. Mayhap he thinks ’tis a reasonable penance for his raids on Northumbria.”
“The queen would tell him he should do it for love of God and as a kindness to the pilgrims,” Catrìona had said, “but I think you have the right of it. The king would see it as penance.”
The revelation concerning Rhodri’s origins, about which Steinar teased him much, soon spread to all in Dunfermline.
Aware of his noble lineage, they now stumbled over addressing him as “my lord”, which Steinar found most amusing.
If Rhodri must leave Scotland, at least he would leave with honor and acclaim and his choice of bride.
Steinar had heard Catrìona and her cousin making plans for the wedding and Rhodri spoke often with the king and Cillyn about an alliance with Wales.
Three days after Rhodri was declared the son of a king, the Mormaer of Blackwell returned to court and his daughter, Isla, and Domnall were wed.
A brief celebration followed and the next day the three left for Ayrshire in the west where the newly married couple planned to sojourn before sailing to Ireland.
All at court were too glad to see them go, most especially Steinar, who was relieved the Irishman who had acted so dishonorably toward Catrìona was gone from her life.
By the time Domnall left, Colbán was up and about, though not yet swinging a sword with the guards.
Audra, Steinar noticed, was equally attentive to the king’s captain as she was to her father, who was managing to move about the hall with more ease each day.
Colbán no longer cast possessive glances toward Catrìona.
Mayhap he was confident that the king had granted his request for her hand.
Steinar did not like to think of it and turned, instead, to the work on what was now his ship.
Rhodri still trained Malcolm’s archers, but now he openly paid court to his betrothed. He and Fia were so happy at times it was difficult to be around them. “Must he look at her like that?” asked Giric one morning as they broke their fast. “ ’Tis as if he is suffering a spell.”
“Aye, lad, love is like that.” He glanced at Catrìona, sitting a stone’s throw away, and inwardly pined.
If Giric could see on Steinar’s face what was hidden in his heart, the boy would think him ill.
Indeed, he was sick at heart. It was only a matter of time before the king announced his decision and Steinar dreaded the coming day.
Another sennight passed when, deep in August, Maerleswein returned to court in a cloud of dust, thundering up the slope to the tower with two of his men.
Steinar had just returned from the River Forth where his ship was nearly finished, when the small group of riders pulled rein in front of the tower.
Maerleswein swung his leg over his saddle and dropped to the ground, his two guards doing the same, as he handed the reins of his horse, blowing and lathered, to a groom.
With a wave to Steinar, Maerleswein jerked open the tower door and strode into the hall. Steinar followed, curious to know what produced the frowns on the faces of the three and their hurried manner.
“I must see the king at once!” Maerleswein yelled to Nechtan, the steward, who came running.
“Aye, my lord. He is with his Lady. I shall advise him you are here.”
“ ’Tis urgent!” the former sheriff called out to the steward’s back.
A moment later, Malcolm stomped down the stairs, relaxed until he looked at the men, ruddy cheeked and wiping sweat from their brows. “What brings you from Lothian in such fevered haste?” Before Maerleswein could answer, the king demanded, “What is it?”
“My Lord,” Maerleswein said, not taking time to bow, “William and his army of French knights ride into Scotland. They will cross Lothian tonight if they keep to their pace.”
The king cursed beneath his breath. “What has stirred the nest of Norman vipers, I wonder?”
“William has always seen you as a threat,” replied the tall, stately man who had once been the Sheriff of Lincolnshire. “I am certain he has in mind your raids on Northumbria.”
“What took the Bastard so long?” asked an exasperated Malcolm, running his hand through his hair as he paced.
“Last year, you will recall, he was taken up with mutilating the prisoners he took at Ely. The first part of this year, I am told he was called to Normandy. Only now is he free to seek revenge on us. Knowing William as I do, I would say he sees you as the last and greatest threat to his crown.”
“Aye, I have known it. ’Tis a shame both Duff and my captain still recover from wounds and my army has been disbanded these last many weeks.”
“There is also the matter of your marriage to Margaret and your aid for Edgar’s claim to the throne. William has not forgotten the rebels who rose in York but two years ago.”
“The ones you led?” Malcolm said, his mouth twitching up in a grin.
“Aye, he still fears the queen’s brother. Edgar is popular with the people.”
“As is only right.” The king called for wine and food for the men. The three who had ridden so fast to Dunfermline appeared weary. “I suppose you rode straight through?” inquired the king.
Maerleswein brushed the dust from his tunic. “Aye, I came as soon as I had the news.”
“Sit and eat.” Malcolm looked about the hall and seeing Steinar standing to the side, beckoned him. “I need your scribe services. Join us and bring your quill and parchment.”
Steinar did not need to hear the urgency in the king’s voice to know this was a perilous situation. Hurriedly, he fetched the requested items and took his place beside the two men, the guards who came with Maerleswein sitting farther down the table.
A servant set goblets of wine before them and platters of bread, cheese and pears. “How many ride with William?” asked Malcolm who ignored the refreshments.
Maerleswein reached for a goblet and a hunk of cheese. “The reports say he rides with hundreds of mounted knights as well as men-at-arms following on foot. ’Tis the same way he came upon York. But there is more.”
Steinar watched the king, who appeared to be bracing for a storm, his expression dour. “What more?”
“Ships have been sighted off the coast of Lothian heading north toward the Firth of Forth.”
Malcolm cursed and slammed his fist on the table, causing the platter to jump. “Would the Bastard have the intention, do you think, of sailing to my very threshold?”
“Or farther north,” Maerleswein suggested. “If they sail to the Firth of Tay, he would have his ships behind you and his army before you.”
“ ’Tis just like the Norman invader. He would surround the lion’s very lair.”
“Delay would be our friend just now,” suggested Maerleswein as he gulped the wine.
“Aye, I must delay the invaders until I have my army with me.” Then turning to Steinar whose quill hovered over the parchment, the king said, “The missives you sent before for the raid on Northumbria. We must have them again, only this time, summon only the mormaers who are within a day’s ride.
I would have all the men they can gather, not just a tithe.
They must ride for Dunfermline with all speed when they get the message. Our future depends upon it.”
Steinar nodded and began to write with fury.
“Will you stay the night?” the king asked Maerleswein.
“Nay, I must return to Lothian. Davina is with child and happily so. I have sent her to safety, but I must join my men and those of her father to see what can be done. Mayhap the Normans do not look to plunder Lothian but we must take all steps to see they do not. I worry our coast is vulnerable.”
“If William’s army rides fast, they may pass quickly through Lothian on their way to me. Mayhap you will be spared.”
The two men grasped forearms and met each other’s gaze. “Godspeed,” said Maerleswein.
“Godspeed,” echoed the king.