Chapter Eleven
The Scot’s Reckoning
Thea and Willum
The Grant and Ramsay patrol fight for the Scot’s.
The patrol runs into Loki and his lads.
Willum suspected that this patrol would be different than the others in more ways than Maitland had listed.
He knew more than one member of this patrol was out for one English bastard’s blood.
He’d heard about the first patrol at Carlisle, when Isla and Grif had been thrown together in the dungeon, but he and Wenna had not been here then.
Perhaps the next newcomers to Ramsay land would hear tales of this one.
The patrol group headed south without incident until they neared Edinburgh, when they were approached by a few members of Clan Grant.
Willum recognized Loki first, riding at the head of the small group of men.
“Maitland, greetings to ye and yer patrol. Are ye interested in sharing a fine meal with us? Dobbin told me we would likely meet up with ye and chat for a bit. There’s a fine clearing not far from here. We’ll no’ be bothered by anyone.”
Dyna looked to Maitland and arched a pitiful brow at him. “If ye please? I’m famished.”
Maitland nodded his agreement. “I’m hungry and would love something besides an oatcake. And ’twould be good to hear what ye have to tell us about the situation here, Loki.”
Loki chuckled. “Ye are always famished, Dyna. We have plenty. I made sure to buy extra. Market day, though as ye know, when it comes to fresh food there’s little available. We have plenty of dried meat and bread. We managed to find someone who still had beans, though the price was hefty.”
“Wonderful,” Maitland said.
Loki was traveling with his son Lucas and his grandson Dobbin. They’d brought three guards with them, as well. The two groups mixed and chatted as Loki led the way to the place they’d scouted.
They reached the clearing, and Dyna was the first off her horse. “Anyone else wish to go with me, ladies? I’m running!”
Thea laughed and hollered, “I’ll join ye.”
Wenna followed the two of them into the bushes, calling behind her, “Come with us, Eli. Ye canno’ go alone out here.”
Eli followed, and the four lasses disappeared into the woods.
The men tethered the horses, loosening saddle girths and ensuring they had enough slack in their ties to graze.
“What have ye heard about the English in Berwick Castle?” Maitland asked. “It seems Edward hasnae sent any food and the guards are now on the hunt, going in search of any animals to feed the men there.”
Loki fussed with the packages tied to his saddle.
“’Tis true. Sir James Douglas is still patrolling the area closest to Berwick because he’s warden in the area.
We happened to meet up with him before we arrived in Edinburgh.
A few of the English protecting the castle sneak out occasionally in a sad attempt to find food, but he’s no’ seen any return.
He’s guessing they die from starvation or fever or are caught in the act.
Meeting Douglas was a boon to our trip—we’ve been more alert for any news we can take back to Grant Castle.
Our only intent was to shop for my daughter.
Ami wanted new fabric for clothing so here we are. ”
Dobbin drawled, “Ami always gets what she wants. New boots too.”
Lucas asked, “What are ye wearing on yer feet, Dobbin?”
“But I really needed them. She has two pairs.”
Loki waved his grandson away and sat on a log in the clearing, a sack full of packages wrapped in twine piled in front of him.
“Ye have enough to share? There are eight of us, Loki. Though my belly feels like it has room for food for two.” Maitland chuckled.
“Sympathy for yer wife’s bigger belly?”
“Aye. True. I admit I’m excited about the prospect of our laddie.”
“Ye sure ’twill be a lad?”
“Aye, we both feel it.”
“Here’s our largest loaf of bread. Share it amongst ye and I’ll pass the sack full of apples around. They are no’ the freshest, but I was surprised to find any. Someone had them in cold storage since autumn. Then I have some chicken legs that were smoked not long ago.”
Willum sat down next to Maitland, Alaric next to him. “Chicken legs. Yum. Anything but rabbit makes me happy.”
As they shared the food around, the lasses returned and Dobbin started a fire for them all to gather around.
Maitland tossed the bare bone of a chicken leg into the fire. “King Robert wishes for us to keep the English in the Borderlands and trapped in Berwick until he takes the castle back. Where are we needed most? Have ye heard?”
“A group of soldiers in disguise headed into Edinburgh, begging for food so I’m told.
Douglas said to find them and send them out.
We couldnae locate them. Ye can try. They say they are split into two groups of five.
They are stealing anything they can: food, coin, livestock.
Anything they can sell or eat. And I’m told they are gaunt.
They are hungry and desperate. I wish ye luck.
I suggest ye search the outskirts of the city and check the taverns at night.
Ye might catch them. If ye do, bring them to Douglas. He’ll handle them.”
Willum had to admit the thought of this tactic made his skin crawl. He didn’t wish to go inside any tavern, since they were often filled with unwashed men wall-to-wall. That was exactly the type of situation that could make him lose his head.
Crowds in tight spaces.
Being alone in the woods.
His two biggest fears. With eight of them, he needn’t worry about being alone, especially with Maitland’s rules about always traveling in pairs.
But he didn’t like the idea of Edinburgh. Any burgh made his insides curdle from distaste.
Loki and his group took their leave after the meal, heading back into the Highlands.
“Dyna, let’s no’ waste any time,” Maitland said. “If we’re looking for English thieves in Edinburgh, then we should find a place to sleep this eve. We’ll split up. Choose yer team and we’ll get on our way.”
“I’ll take Thea, Alaric, and Willum. Work for ye?”
“Aye, off to Edinburgh. There are two inns I know where the questionable oft shelter. I’ll take the worst of the two places. Ye take the other.”
Willum let out a breath. He was more than pleased to have Thea with him.
Perhaps he’d get the chance to steal a kiss. A real one.