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Additional Dragonblade books by Author Susan King
CelticHeartsSeries
TheHawkLaird(Book1)
TheFalconLaird(Book2)
Table of Contents
TitlePage
CopyrightPage
Publisher’sNote
AdditionalDragonbladebooksbyAuthorSusanKing
Preface
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Author’sNote
AbouttheAuthor
Preface
Long ago, storytellers recited tales by the fireside in the oral tradition for their audiences, making small changes in the narrativethatchangedthosestoriesovertime.Nowtraditionalpublishingcastsamanuscriptintoapublishedformthatmakes itpermanentinasense Yeteveryneweditiongivestheauthorachancetoupdate,tweak,andevolvethestory
Iamhappytointroducetoyou The Falcon Laird,arevisededitionoftheindustry-nominatednovelpreviouslypublished as The Angel Knight.ThisnewDragonbladeeditiongavemetheopportunitytobringclarityandimprovementtoastorythatI havealwaysloved IamabetterwriternowthanIwasthen,anditwasajoytoupdatethebookandenhancethestoryinaway thatIhopewillpleasenewreadersaswellasthosefamiliarwiththeoriginal.
The idea for the novel beganwhenI read about the ironcages ordered byKingEdward I of England in1306 for two captiveScottishnoblewomen;thewomenwereheldforyearswithlittledignityorcomfort.Appalledandfascinated,Iwanted towriteastoryaboutafictionalwomancapturedwiththeothers
SHESTOOD ON agreenhillatdawnandwatchedherhomeburn.Thickcharcoalcloudsdarkenedtheskyandacridsmokestung hereyes,butLadyChristianrefusedtoallowtearstoform.Glancingdownatherfair-haireddaughter,shegentlysqueezedher hand “Màthair,”thechildsaid.“Your clàrsach ” “Myharpissafe,”ChristianmurmuredinGaelic.“Ihavehiddenheraway.AsIwillhideyou,sweetgirl.”Shetightened herholdonthechild’sfingers.“TheEnglishshallhavenothingofvaluefromKilglassieCastle,neitherpeoplenorcontents.”
ShewasthewidowofanEnglishknight,yetLadyChristianMacGillanhadbeendeclaredatraitorandanoutlawbyKing EdwardofEngland,whohaddispossessedher ofher Scottishlands As ifhe hadanyclaimtothe landhimself,she thought bitterly.Nowhersurvivalandherdaughter’ssafetydependedoneludingtheEnglishsoldierswhosoughtthem.
No turning back now that she had set the castle’s interior ablaze Setting torch to straw had taken all the courage she possessed butsheremindedherselfthatshehadobeyedtheordersofherkingandcousin,RobertBruce.Shehadnochoice. Herdaughterglancedup.“WhatwillbecomeofthelegendofKilglassie?”
Christianliftedherheadtostareatthedarksmoke.TheburningofKilglassiewasanactofdefianceagainsttheEnglish a necessaryone WhentheEnglishsoldiersarrived,therewouldbenoScottishcastletotake,andnoprisonerstocapture
Yet Christian felt like a traitor more than a loyal Scottish rebel. The fire would consume more than this stronghold in central Galloway: itwouldalsodestroyanancientlegendthatforetoldhope for Scotland Andnone ofthemcouldaffordto losethatnow.
Set on a promontory overlooking a loch, the castle backed up to high, wild, forested slopes of Galloway in western Scotland Fromthosehighcrests,onagood,clearday,thehillsofIrelandcouldbeseen Onabadday,thefiresoftheEnglish armiessulliedtheskywithsmoke.
“Christian!”
She glanced toward her cousinThomas Bruce, who held the reins of two restive horses. He looked like a wild, proud prince,shethought,trulylikethebrotherofaking.“Wemusthurry!”hecalled.
“KingRobert’s message was urgent,” Thomas continued “Now thatyoutoo are outlawed like the restofus, mybrother wantsyoutomeethiminStrathfillan,andtravelwithhisqueenandfamilytosafetyatKildrummyCastle.MybrotherNeilwill guardyouthere Hurry”
Shenodded.HerlifehadbeenthrownintoturmoilwhenRobertBrucemadehisboldmovetotakethethroneofScotland. After stabbing his key rival within the sanctified confines of a church, he had arranged to be crowned King of Scots, a courageousandnecessaryactforthegoodofScotland,sheknew.ButafteradisastrousdefeatatMethvenwhentheEnglishhad routedtheScots,RobertBrucehadtakentothehillswithonlyafewfollowers,andallwhosupportedhimhadbeendeclared outlawsbytheEnglishking.
Acousinofthe Bruces throughher maternal grandmother, Christianhad sentwhathelp she could fromKilglassie: men, arms,somecoin Likeastonedroppedinapool,heractionscreatedripples,forshehadinvitedtheconsiderablefuryofKing EdwardofEngland.Notlongago,herEnglishhusbandhaddiedinbattle,leavingherandherdaughterwithnoprotection.
Nowherhomewasburning,butithadbeenherdecision
Tuggingonherdaughter’shand,shewalkedtowardherfriendMoira,whowaited.Bringingherchildalongwouldbetoo dangerous, so Moira and her husband had offered to keep Michaelmas safe until she returned. SoonChristianhoped to flee withherdaughterintothewesternHighlandstoherfather’speople,thoughtheEnglishwereinfiltratingthenorthnowtoo Looking at her adopted daughter so close to her heart that she felt like her own Christian smoothed the girl’s pale, silkenhair Thechildlookedup,herlightblueeyesmoreseriousthannineyearsshouldallow “Mìcheal,listennow.OurfriendsMoiraandFerguswillcareforyou,”ChristiansaidintheGaelicsheandthegirloften usedbetweenthem,thoughEnglishcameeasilytobothaswell “IwillsendforyouassoonasIcan Youaresafe, milis,sweet one.”
The ancientgoldendisk, no larger thanthe child’s palm, was decorated withgoldenwire twisted ina graceful interlace design,surroundingacentralgarnet Michaelmaslookedup “Youaregivingthistome?”shewhisperedinawe
“ButIamnotahereditarykeeper,”Michaelmassaid.“Moira’sladssaythatIamachangeling,justachildofthefairfolk.” “Those lads! Youcame to us as a beautiful little orphan” Christiansighed “True, we never learned who your parents were.ButIknowyourmothermusthavebeenlovelyandkindtohavesuchadaughter.ThenunssaidyouwerebornonSaint Michael’s feast day in September, so they gave you that name. It brings you angelic protection. Remember the angels are alwayswithyou.”
“Icrave peace more thanyouknow,” she replied as she guided her horse beside his. “Iwas wed for eight years to an Englishknight,withanEnglishgarrisoninmycastle Neveragain,”shesaidvehemently “TheSassenachstakeourcastles,our lands,andmurderourpeopleinthenameoftheirking.Itmustend withfreedomfortheScots.Thereisnootherway.”
“Toprotecttheirhomesandfamilies,andmaintainwhatpeacewecanmuster.Iunderstand.AllIhadwasKilglassie,and KingEdward allowed me to keep it if I paid homage to himfor the lands and allowed a garrisoninside withmyEnglish husband.”
“Youwereveryyoungthen,”heremindedher.
“Just fifteen when I was forced to sign an oath of fealty and marry a Sassenach knight To be fair, we all thought the marriagewouldkeepmesafe.”
“Nonsense Youhadnohandinhisdeath” “Not directly.” She glanced backto see Michaelmas standingwithMoira, watchingthemdepart. Anguishtugged at her breast.Sheturnedaway.
Somuchwasgoneandchanged herhusband,hercastle,nowherchildinanother’scare TheEnglishhadeventakenher father’s castle in the western Highlands, killing her parents years ago. Kilglassie had belonged to her mother’s people descended from Celtic royalty, her mother had always proudly claimed to come down to her. The old castle had been guardiantoanevenolderlegend.
Andshehadturneditintoaruin,destroyingitsheritage.
September, 1306. The Highlands.
THE STONE CHAPEL inasunlit,shallow glen,was filledwithscreams;itssteps weredousedinblood Shivering,Christianlay hiddenbehind a stand ofnearbytrees, helplesslywatching. Onlymoments ago, Elizabeth Bruce’s queen and their young daughter Marjorie,alongwithRobertBruce’ssisters andayoungScottishnoblewoman,hadbeenhauledfromthechapel by Englishsoldiers TheScottishknightswhohadtriedtoprotectthemhadbeenslainorcaptured
IntheweekssinceChristianhadjoinedthequeenatKildrummy,shehadcometoknowthosemenandwomenwell.Today theyhadbeenridingnorth,intendingtoescapetotheOrkneys,whentheyhadstoppedtoprayatthisHighlandchapel English soldiershadambushedthemoutsidethechapel,outnumberingtheScottishknightswhohadfoughtsovaliantly.
Now,breathingintightlittlegasps,Christianwatched,lyingonherbellyamongtheautumnleaves Sheprayedasshehid The onlyreasonshe had notbeentakenwas thatshe had stepped awayfromthe chapel for a walk, stifffromlonghours on horseback.Hearingthescreams,shehadhidden,horrified.
“Stop!”Englishsoldierscalledout Therewerefourofthem Sheranon Butsuddenlytheywereclose anarmswathed inchainmail reached out, onlyto miss her as she darted sideways. The manspurred his horse, trappingher betweentwo horses Someonegrabbedherplaidandwrenchedupwards,butshetwistedandfell,scramblingtoherfeet,caught
One mandismounted and threw himselfonher, pinningher to the ground. The massive weightofhis bodyinarmor and paddingwascrushing.Shecouldhardlymoveorbreathe,thoughshebuckedandcriedoutbeneathhim.
“Ah.LadyChristian.”Hastingsstaredather,darkeyesnarrowed,mouthgrim.Theneatblackbeardedginghisjaw gave his face a lean precision “How interesting to find you here with Bruce’s women I saw Kilglassie Castle Bruce favors scorchingScottishearth,Ihear.”
Sheraisedherchin “KingEdwardhasnocausetoinvadeScotland Wehavecausetoresist” “Soonyoucantell the kingyour prettyspeech.Andhe will recognize youfor a traitor.” He drew offhis leather gloves, slappingthemagainsthisrightpalm.Hiseyeswereflatanddark.“KingEdwardhasdeclaredthattheBruce’swomenaretobe treatedasoutlaws.Nomercy.Anymanmayrob,violateormurderthelotofyouwithoutreprisal.”
Panicking,shestoodsilent,waiting “Kilglassie is not far fromLoch DoonCastle, mynewest holding. We tookthe place fromBruce sympathizers several weeksago.”
“Edwardignores therules o’chivalricconductwhenitsuits him.Heclaims theScots areunder Englishjurisdictionand nota separate sovereignland” JohnlookedatGavin “Edwardhadother cages made atRoxburghandBerwickfor Bruce’s sisterandtheyoungcountessofBuchan.Didyounothearofit?”
“Iknew royal womenwerecaptured Ididnotknow therestofit”Gavinsethismouthinagrimline Berwick Justthe name ofthe townsent a chill downhis spine. WithinBerwick’s walls tenyears ago, he had witnessed enoughsavageryto change him from an idealistic young knight to an outspoken traitor. His actions had cost him much. He had spent years redeeminghisreputationtogainbackwhathehadlost.
Warmlayersofwoolandquiltedlinenbeneathhischainmailandcream-coloredsurcoatshieldedhimfromthecold His darkbluemantle,linedwithfur,whippedaroundhislegs.Hewishedhecouldspreadhiscloakoverthegirl.“Edwardsetsher outherelikesomebitoffleshbait AlureforthekingofScots”
“Aye.RobertBruceis inhiding,arenegadesincethespring.Edwardcages her andtheother capturedScotswomenas a taunt”
Hegaveagrimnod.“Whatdoyouknowofthisone?”
“WidowtoanEnglishknight.Fatherandbrothersdead theywererebelswhoranwithWilliamWallaceandlaterwiththe Bruce ThelassinheritedacastleinGallowaythatEdwardsorelywanted Stilldoes”
“She is a little dyingbird ina cage,” Gavinsaid softly “She ought to be removed to a convent and allowed to die in peace.”
“Indeed,”Johnsaid.“Seetoit.”
MIST DRIFTED BETWEEN the woodenbars like ghosts, and Christianwondered ifher ownsoul would driftfree soon, a fragile wisp.Shedrewaraggedbreath,feelingthedragoftheillnessinherlungs.Herfeetwerecold.Shedrewthemundertheplaid. Onlydeathwouldfreeherfromcaptivity.Butherdaughterwaitedforher,neededher;shecouldnotdie.Shestifledanother cough Theywerefrequent,painful,andshewastooexhaustedtofighttheillness,thechill,thehungermuchlonger
Beyondthecage,sheheardmalevoices.Guardsoftentalkednearby,thoughbyking’sordernonewerepermittedtospeak toher She shivered;her gownandplaidwere notmuchprotectionfrombitter winds The blankets broughtearlier hadbeen takenawayagain;shewasrarelyallowedtokeepblanketsforlong.Sheshiveredagain,coughed.
Hisarmorshimmeredlikesilver,hispalesurcoatwasembroideredwithgoldenwings,hisbluecloakwasthecolorofthe night sky Without hood or helmet, his golden hair touched his shoulders He seemed made of shining steel and gold and heavenlypeace.Hisbadge,shesawthen,wrappedaroundhisupperarmencasedinchainmail,showedanangelencircledina buckledbelt.
LadyChristianhadliftedherhead,hairinstragglingtendrilsframinghergauntface,andhadlookeddirectlyathimfora moment.Thatflashofdeepgreenwasastartlingburstoflifeinhershadowedface.Hersteadygazeshowedstrengthandpride and asked no pity. The sparkinher lustrous eyes had wrenched his heart. Somehow her fragile soul had touched his own, carefullyguardedasitwas Heexhaledandglancedathisuncle
“Faintedaway,shehas,”Johnsaid.“Godsaveus,shelookedatyouasifyouweresomesaint,standingthere.Asifyou ” He stopped “What was it Queen Eleanor called you, years ago? Aye, the Angel Knight This one looked at you as if she believedyouwereherheavenlysavior.”
Gavinwinced Thequeenhadgivenhimthesobriquetyears ago,inpartbecausehis shieldandbadgefeaturedanangel AlthoughtheFaulkeners,whohadbeenroyalfalconersgenerationsago,hadfeaturedfalconsonshieldandbadge,hisfather’s ancestors had added a winged angel alongwitha falconsilhouette. The designhad prompted QueenEleanor to claim, with affection and amusement, that young Sir Gavin carried an angel because he was as beautiful as an archangel He knew he resembled his beautiful Scottishmother, that similarityhardened inher blond son. He had his mother’s Celtic gift, too, an abilitytohelpothersheal,thoughhekeptthatstrictlytohimself
Yearsago,thedarlingknightofQueenEleanor’scircle,hehadexpectedapleasantfuturewithalovely,kindnobleheiress, hadexpectedtoremainadoredinthecourt.Butwar haddisruptedthepleasantriesatcourt,andhehadbeensenttofightfor Edward And before that, he had spentmonths watchinghelplesslyas his wife wasted awayinthe insidious grip ofa lung illness.Whenshedied,hewasnotjusthumbled hewasdevastated.
Gavingave a flatlaugh.“Ispenteightyears inthe Frenchcourt.Amanemerges a cynic or a sinner fromthere.Never a saint Sheisdying,andworse,aScot Thekingwillnotlisten”
“Youcanconvincehim.”
“Youcreditme toowell. Ispoke mymindbefore, atBerwick,and earned myselfcharges oftreasonandexile. The king couldhaveorderedmehanged Iamscanthopeasthatgirl’ssavior Remember EdwarddespisestheScotswithapoisonous fury.”Hestalkedahead,thensawasentrynearby.“Bringacoalbrazierandblanketstotheprisoner,”hesnapped.
“Youareastubbornmanwhenyoufindacause Youneedmoreadventure,Ithink” John grinned. “That may be. The day your father and I rescued that Saracen princess near Acre is a day I have never forgotten Andyoumayneedafineadventureaswell,lad”
“AllIaskispermissiontotakeherouto’there.YourownmotherwasScottish ” “Aye, and myladymother mighthave laid hands onher inthatstrange Celtic wayshe had and healed this girl Butmy motherisdead,andthisgirlhasnottheraresthopeofamiracle.”
She wondered if Dominy would be here soon. The English servant woman tended to her two or three times each day, bringingsoup,breadandsometimeswine,andescortedhertotheprivyinthetower.Christianlookedforwardtothosetimesin theday,likesunlightindarkness.
Dominy’s hands were warmand gentle. The womansometimes hugged her, evenfed her whenshe was too weakto eat. Andshespoketotheprisonerdespitetheking’sordersagainstit
“IdoubtanyambassadorcanconvinceRobertBrucetosurrender,sire,”Gavinrepliedwryly “He has norighttothe crown,” Edwardgrowled.“The youngcravenhas turnedtraitor.Once Itrustedhimas one ofmy finestknights.NowhecallshimselfKingofScots.Hah!KingHob,mysoldierscallhim.”Hegesturedimpatiently.“Iwillsee himcapturedanddrawnthroughthestreetsofLondon,thenhangedandquartered anddisplayedaboutthecountryinparts likeWallace.”Hesmiled,feral-toothed.“IhavemadeasolemnvowtobeavengedonRobertBruceandallScotlandforthis rebellion Iwillnotrestuntilitisdone”
Gavinpoured wine into the king’s gobletand filled his ownsilver cup. The red liquid glowed like melted rubies inthe firelight TheroaringblazemadehimthinkofHenry’slittlewidowinhercoldcage Hewonderedhowtoremindthekingof hisobligationasamercifulsovereign.
He downed his wine quickly. He had beensurprised atfirstthatEdward chose to stayatLanercostAbbey, holdinghis audiencesinasmallchamberthere,insteadofthegarrisonedcastleatCarlisle Butnowheunderstoodwhy
The quietofthe abbeywould be beneficial for anold, sickman, and the monks were clearlytendingto himmedically GavinsawthebruisedcutsfromrecentbleedingsonEdward’slongforearm,wherehisvelvetsleevehadfallenback.
Edwardrubbedhiswidehandoverhischestandshiftedinhischair,hislonglegsangledawkwardly.TheX-shapeddesign of the abbeychairs was unsuited to tall men, Gavinthought, seated inone himself, stretchinghis longlegs out before him EdwardLongshanks,whotoweredabovemostmen,lookeduncomfortable.
“Asad thing, her illness. Mydear firstqueenloved Jehanne dearly. Eleanor would have beenpleased to know thatyou marriedherniece,forshelovedyouwell Sheevengaveyouthatnameyougoby AngelKnight”
Edwardfrownedintohis cup.“Youwere a youngknightwhenEleanor died,buta worthyone.Iwill notforgetthatyou rodebesidehercoffinallthewayfromLincolntoLondon.WhenIwantedstonecrosseserectedateachplacewestoppedfor the night, yousaw itdone. QueenEleanor’s angel, theycalled you.” Edward was silent for a moment. “Sixteenyears have passed,andIloveherstill”
“Andwhereshallyouliveifyoustay?”Edwardgrinned.“Menshallneversaymymemorywasshort.Idispossessedyou, andnow Ioweyoulands for capableservicetomesincethen
willgrantyouanotherholdingwithinmyrealm.”
Gavinnarrowedhiseyes.“England,Sire?”
“Scotland Youwill take over Kilglassie Castle inGalloway Your cousinHenryhada garrisonthere Ihave decidedto grantthoselandstoyou.”
Gavinwasstunned “Myliege ”
“Go there and bend those stubborn Scottish rebels in Galloway to English will. I assume you have learned the proper attitudesinceyouroutburstatBerwick”Edwardslidhimasharp,fastglance “WecouldcallthisreturntoScotlandatestof yourloyalty.”
Gavin straightened in the hard curve of the chair. He had not anticipated Scottish lands. And he surely did not crave involvement inthe morass of problems betweenScotland and England “I do not care for the current policies inScotland, Sire,”hesaidsoftly,daringly.“Ineverwill.”
“Have a care how youspeakto your sovereign,” Edward warned “Youhave beeninFrance too long Theyare overly sympathetictotheScots.Surelyyouhavebetterwisdom.”
Gavinsighed, recognizingOliver Hastings. He had heard the knightwas now regarded as one ofEdward’s mosttrusted commandersinScotland.HastingshadalwayshadaruthlesstastefortheScottishwar,heremembered.
Leaning a shoulder against the wall, Gavin waited, remembering John Keith’s remark about Hastings mistreating the Scotswomaninthecage.ButHastingswouldnotevenbotherwithHenry’swidowunlesshewantedsomethingspecific.What couldthatbe?
He knew Hastings was capable of brutalizingwomen; he had seenthat inBerwick. And he had heard reports of cruel actionsHastingshadtakenagainsttheScotsonbehalfofEdward Standingthere,waiting,hesummonedcontrol,schoolinghis expression,givingnocluetotheoldragestillsimmeringwithinhim.
ThoughGavinknewhismother’sdeathwasatragiccasualtyinawarthathe,asEdward’savowedknight,wasobligatedto support,the conventraidhadoccurredwhile he hadbeenawayinFrance He hadnochance tohear a warningor move his mother.HehadreceivedacoolwrittencondolencefromKingEdwardoverhismother’sdeath,andthekinghadmadeabrief prayerfulpenancefortheraid ItwassaidhefinedHastingsforthebrutality,butGavinknewitmeantlittletoeitherEdwardor Hastings.
All inthe past, Gavintold himself, and pointless to avenge. Naughtcould be recovered. He sighed and shifted his feet, feeling the tension of bitterness and weariness His chain mail hung heavy on his shoulders, both physically and perhaps symbolically;hehuffedinsilenceatthethought.
He scowled, waiting, consideringthe king’s grantofanobscure Gallovidiancastle Edward seemed determined to pull GavinintotheScottishdispute.Hewassorelytemptedtorefusethegrantandtheorder,thoughitcouldlabelhimtreasonous.
But before this night was done, he would step evencloser to treasononce he found the chance to request that the king releasethedyingScotswoman.
“COMEWITHME,mylady.”
Stirred fromsleep, Christianfelt a hand onher shoulder. “Dominy,” she whispered, and opened her eyes to focus ona youngface,roundandpleasant,andapairofdeepbrowneyesframedbydarkbraidsandalinenheadkerchief
“Thenarrestmetooandthrowmeinwithher,”Dominysaid “Shemightgetbettercare Howcanyestandthereeachday while she suffers? My husband, bless his departed soul, was a king’s guard too, but he would never have let this happen beneathhisverynose.”
Thomas shifted Christianinhis arms She leaned her head onhis shoulder and looked up atthe wide twilightskyas he carriedhertowardthetowerdoor.TheywentdownatorchlitstaircaseasDominyfollowed.ThomassetChristiandownbyan interiordoorandshestood,legstrembling
Dominyfrowned and touched a hand to Christian’s brow “Yer coughgrows worse and ye feel a bitfeverish The broth mayhelp.Thereareonionsandgarlicinit.”Shesighed.“Bythesaints,IwishIcouldhelpyemore.”
*“THEN WHERE IN God’s namehas Brucegone?Thelastwordmycommanders sentwas thathewas inIreland!”KingEdward shoutedatSirOliverHastings.Leaningagainstthewall,Gavinstraightened,hisinterestcaught.
“Faulkener will be responsible for that Thenhe canhelp to quell the Scottishrebellion The more Scottishcastles we hold,thebettertheScotswillunderstandIamtheiroverlord.”Edwardstoodtolookdownatthemenfromhisconsiderable,if stooped,height “UntilIfeelstrongenoughtorideattheheadofanarmy,ImustrelyonmycommanderstodealwiththeScots asIwoulddealwiththem.Youareallmyswordarm.”
“Ofcourse,yourGrace,”Hastingsanswered
“IhaveswornuponmysoulthatScotlandwillbeconquered!”Thekingslammedahandtothetable.“Iwillnotrestuntil ’tis done. I want youto raise the dragon. Raise it for everypatrol, skirmish, and battle until Robert Bruce is defeated and Scotlandfallstoourmight!”
“Sire,”Gavinsaid,“askingyourgarrisoncommanderstoraisethebannerofdeatheachtimetheyrideoutisadeclaration ofnomercy Thereisnopoliticaladvantagetousingthe guerre mortelle inthiswar IfImaysayso,myliege”
“Aye, Sire,” Hastings said, his face was a cold, stonymask. Gavinrealized that Hastings, alongwithso manyEnglish noblesandknights,hadbecomeamercilessextensionofEdwardPlantagenet’svengeance,aseageranddeterminedastheking toconqueranddestroytheScots.
“Shecommittedtreason Shepaidfealtyforthatlandyearsago,butlastsummershecapturedthedamnedtowerfromher ownhusbandwhenherodeout.Henryhadtoseigehisownplacejusttogetbackinforhissupper!Hah!Killedhim,shedid,” Edward said more soberly “And so I have placed her where she will serve as an example of how Scotland falls to the English.”
Gavinleanedforward “Sire,Isuggestyoureconsiderhersituation Thewomanisseriouslyill ’Tisonemattertoconfine a noblewoman to a convent as a political prisoner. ’Tis another to allow such a woman to die of mistreatment in a cage, witnessedbythepublic.”Hepaused.“AndtheFrenchbishops.”
“Christ’sblood Youhaveapoint,”Edwardmuttered
“Avirtuousprincetempershisangerwithclemency,sire,”Gavinsaid.“Sheisdying.Letmeremovehertoaconvent.” “Ifdeaths weighed onmyconscience, Iwould scarce be able to liftmyhead frommypillow,” Edward said “Still, the bishopsarehere ”Hefrownedandscratchedhissilverybeard.
“Myliege,” Hastings interrupted. “Youproclaimed that these Scotswomenwere to be punished inaccordance withthe crimesoftheirmalerelatives Icapturedthisladymyselfonyourorder” “SirOliver,”Edwardbarkedout.“Didyougetthetruthfromherregardingthatgold,asIasked?” Gavinfrowned.“Gold?”
“Your Grace, I remind you that Kilglassie is near Loch Doon. Let me act as commander in both places. I will search Kilglassiethoroughly,everystone,”Hastingssaid.
“Jesu Ido notneed another barrage ofletters fromRome, and more penances” Edward nodded “Remove her fromthe cageandtakeher toaconvent.Iwill signtheorder for her release.Sheremainsaprisoner until shedies.However ”The kingpaused.
“Shewouldnottellherownhusbandwhereitwas,”Hastingssaid “Henrywas a good soldier, buthe had no talentwithwomen. Neither do you,” Edward said bluntly. “Unlike Sir Gavin, whohascausedcountlessladiestodohisbidding TheAngelKnight byGod!Hah!”Edwardslammedthetabletriumphantly “Thatisouranswer!”
Listening,Gavinclampedhisteethtogether.Edwardwasunconcernedthatthegirlwasdyingbecauseofhisorders,nordid he care that this new order would render Gavina widower againwithinthe week. The kingcared onlyabout his war, his
GAVIN CLIMBED THE courtyardstepstotheparapet,takingthemtwoatatime.HehadnotfoundJohnKeith,thoughthehourwas well past matins. He had expected his uncle to be asleep ona pallet inthe great hall, where so manyothers, soldiers and baronsalike,hadfoundspacetorestwithinthecrowdedcastle
Gavin hurried forward. He had been delayed at Lanercost waiting for the king’s chamberlain to prepare the necessary documents and explainthe locationofKilglassie. Thenhe had riddenthe five miles backto Carlisle ina furyofspeed and tumultuousthought.
Reachingtheparapet,hestrodeoutacrossthedarkwallwalk,whichwaslitonlybyafewtorches.Hisquickstepsechoed loudly and brought one of the guards forward to stop him Gavin explained his identity and why he was there, casting surreptitiouslooksaroundthroughthedarknessashespoke.
“And now Baron of Kilglassie. I have the order for the lady’s release directly fromKing Edward. Here is the signed document”Gavindisplayedaparchmentwithadanglingseal
TheguardpeeredatEdwardPlantagenet’ssignatureandnodded.GavintuckedthecharterforKilglassieinsidethelining ofhis cloak, relieved thatthe guard could notread Buthe could notchance itagain, else he mightfind a guard who would scrutinizethepage.Intruth,hehadnoofficialletterofreleaseforLadyChristianyet;thekinghadpromiseditonthemorrow. HehadonlyEdward’sword,andexperiencetoldhimthatwasnotnearlyenough Hehadtodothisnow
Moving quickly around wall walk, he approached the spot where the cage was attached. Nearby stood a tall, broadshoulderedman,withtheclosestsentrystill afew hundredpacesaway.Mutteringunderhisbreath,Gavinstrodeforwardas hisuncleturnedtoseehim
John threw back his shoulders proudly. “I came to rescue the wee lassie. And this is the verra surcoat I wore when I rescuedtheSaracenprincess,yearsago,withyourfather.”GavinrecognizedJohn’sembroideredbluesurcoatasonetheman keptforspecialoccasions,thoughnowitbarelystretchedtocoverthebreadthofhismiddle
“I suppose you are. Fortunately you were not arrested. You are enjoying this far too much,” he added. “We are too conspicuousonthiswallwalk.Whatisyourplan?Flattentheguardsandtearopenthecage?Swingdownthecastlewallson ropesandgallopofftosafety,ifwehadhorsesbelow?”
“Iwill have your back, lad” Johnglanced toward the cage, its latticed top visible over the parapet wall “Ifyouhave possessiono’Kilglassie,whatthenforHenry’swidow?Itisherpropertybyright.”
“Shehasnorights,accordingtotheking TrulyIdoubtshewillliveouttheweek Also thekinghasdecidedthatIshould marryher.”
“Oh, aye,” Dominywailed, peeringaround Thomas’shoulder to lookathim. She beckoned inagitation. “She has died.” SheshovedThomasasideroughly “Getback,man Couldbeplague!”
The guard stepped backina panic and Gavincame forward, leaninginto the narrow opening. The slightgirl layutterly still,curledonthe bottomofthe cage.Hesitating,he hopedDominyhadonlycreateda ruse.Buthe knew verywell the girl couldhavedied
“Shesurelylooks ”
“Dead, my lord Certain dead,” Dominy affirmed She wrapped a blanket around the girl, swaddling her like a babe “Mayhapyourmantherecouldcarryheraway.Thismaybeplague.”
“We have beeneverywhere.Butwe donotfear the plague,” Johnanswered,ignoringGavin’s glare.“Getouto’the way andletmylordexaminethebody Standback,now”Johnplacedahandontheguard’sshouldertoleadhimfirmlyaway “We willtakecareo’this.Mylordhaspermissionfromthekingtotaketheladyaway.Hehasaparchmentonit,signedandall.”
Gavinentered the cage Dominywrungher hands and wailed as he kneltbeside the womanwho layonthe floor like a discardedclothdoll.Hepulledbacktheblanketcoveringherface.
Yetheadmiredherquickwit Illthoughshewas,shehadcaughtholdofDominy’sschemewithease Shelaystill,butshe was breathingshallowlyand seemed awake. His hand lingered as he stroked her cheekto reassure her thathe meanther no harm Shedidnotmove
He wantedher tolive The convictionwas strongandsudden Gavinknew thathe woulddowhatever he couldtomake certainthatthegirlatleasthadthechancetosurvive.
KING
EDWARD’S ORDERS echoedonceagaininhisbrain,andhesighed,rubbinghishandoverhiseyes.Thekinghadplacedhim inadifficultposition GavinhadnointerestinahoardofScottishgold,andlessinterestinpursuingRobertBruce Berwick, ten years ago, had turned himfinally and utterly against the English cause in Scotland. His mother had been Scottish,andhe hadspentpartofhis childhoodinthe Lowlands As a youngEnglishknight,he hadfeltuneasyanddisloyal actingagainsttheScots.Hestilldid.
IfRobertBruceprevailedovertheEnglish,Gavin’sclaimtoKilglassiewouldbebasedonhismarriagetoLadyChristian. As her widowed husband, he would possess Kilglassie under Scottishor Englishlaw He was notbynature a manipulative man,buthisyearsasambassadorhadtaughthimtobecautiousandnevertooverlooksmalldetails.
He lifted the girl inhis arms and stood She was a limp, slightweight, aneasyburden Johnreached into the cage, and Gavinhandedher outtohim.AssistingDominy,whoneededa momentto squeeze her ample bottomthroughthe opening,he thenclimbedout
“Is it the plague?” Thomas asked “I carried her inmyarms today She coughed whenI held her The priests saysuch diseasescanbespreadbytouch,byuncleansputumandbloodandevilhumors.”Heshivered.
“Aye,afinedestrier,andnow he’sapackhorse,”Johnmuttered Heglancedathisbaycharger,whichcarried,acrossits emptysaddle, a few hastilyrolled packs ofgear thatcontained items ofclothing, weaponryand armor, and several bags of silvercoins,mostlyEnglishpenniesandFrenchdeniers.
“Weshouldcontinuenorthasquickaswecan,”Johnsaid “Firstwe’d bestsee to the girl. Stop under those trees, John.” Walkinghis horse offthe roughlycutroad, Gavinwaited beneaththebare,spreadingbranchesofapairofoaktrees.Ashisuncledrewthecarttoastop,Gavindismountedtolookat thegirl.
Inthe faintlight,Christianlaycurledinthe flatcartbed,swathedinblankets andstill as death,her delicate face almost ethereal Gavinreachedouttotouchherapprehensively,hisheartthudding,knowingshecouldhavediedinthelasthour But hersmall,bonyshouldershiftedbeneathhistouch,andshebegantocough,adeepcongestedbarking.
Shewas havingdifficultybreathing Gavinslidanarmbeneathher shoulders tolifther alittle Her headfell againsthis chest,andshelookedupathim,hereyeslikegreatdarksmudgesinthestarlight.
Balancing the girl against him, he shoved another blanket beneath her head to incline her torso. “Can you go on, Lady Christian?”heaskedher.“Thewaywillbejustashardasithasbeen.Harder,infact.”
“Please, mylord We’ve beenlivingatthe castle, Will and I, since myhusband died atTurnberry inAyrshire, itis, in Carricklands.Hewasfightin’theScots.Hedidnotevenwanttodothat,andhedied.AndIdonotwanttostayatCarlisleany longer Ibegyou,sir,letuscome”
“AndIwill staywiththe ladywherever youleave her.Please,mylord,” Dominysaid.“Mysonwill be better offaway fromknights.”
“Ach,andwha’arewe?”Johnsaid.“Wet-nurses?”
Dominyscowled at him. “Two knights are better thantwo thousand.” She looked at Gavin. “Mylord, the onlyScottish conventthatIknowisstilluntouchedisLincluden,butitiswelltothenorthandtoofarforhertotraveljustnow”
“We mustavoid the firstmonasterywe find, for their hospital tends lepers And we mustride pastCaerlaverockCastle, whichisgarrisonedtothebrimwithEnglish,whoyemightwishtoavoidjustnow,withtheLadyChristianinyercare.There isanothermonasteryIwoulddirectyouto.Theywilldowellbythelady.”
Her chesthurtwitheachbreath,andher headachedsobadlythatshekepther eyesclosedmuchofthetime Sir Gavin’s hand, warmand steady, remained over hers. She listened as he spoke quietly, his voice deep and calm. But her muddled, feveredmindcouldmakelittlesenseofhiswords.
He had carried her inside a building, a church, dimlylitbycandles. She could smell stale incense, sensed deep peace. Others werewithher inthechurch sheheardDominy’s voice,thenoneor twomen.Onespokeinaquickblur ofLatin.A priest,shethoughtfoggily
The priest asked her a question, then another. Striving to understand, Christian said aye, and aye, holding fiercely to Gavin’shand,thinkingshewasaskedifsherepentedher sins Shedesperatelywantedabsolution shewasafraidshemight dieoftheillnessthatwasdraggingherdownintofog.
SHEDREAMED OF comfortandwarmth,ofsoothingtouches,ofmusiclikeheaven.Butshewoketoapainful,wrackingcough,and tocoldair,andthebumpingcart Thepleasantdreamvanished
CHRISTIAN OPENED HER eyestosoftdaylightandperfectquiet.Blinking,shesawasmall,simplyfurnishedroom.Thickblankets coveredher,andshelaytuckedintolinensheetsonadeepstrawmattresswithpillowsthatsupportedherlikeacloud Shefelt cleanandwarm,andexceedinglyweak.
“YouareatSweetheartAbbey,mylady,”themonksaid “IamBrotherRichard,theinfirmarer” She nodded. The monk was English, with the round tonsure of the Roman Church rather than the Celtic that was still practicedinsomepartsofScotland.SherememberedthatSweetheartAbbeywasinsouthernGalloway.Manyreligioushouses inScotlandwerefilledwithEnglishpriestsnow,justasmanyScottishcastlesweregarrisonedwithEnglishsoldiers.
The menwhohadrescuedher fromCarlisle how manydays ago,she wondered were surelyScottishknights loyal to theScottishcause NoEnglishmenwouldhaveremovedher fromthatfoul cagetobringher toaplaceofhealingandsafety TheolderknighthadspokenScotsEnglish.ButtheyoungerknightshewassurewasEnglish,yethehadhelpedher.
Tall andgolden-haired,theknightshehadoncemistakenfor Archangel Michael hadspokenamixofEnglishandFrench withothers. But language was no marker of political loyalties. Her cousins Robert Bruce and his brothers commonlyused English,Gaelic,French,Latintoo.
But her rescuers must be Scots if theybrought her backto Galloway Relief and hope filled her like freshair But she lackedthestrengthtoaskthequestionsthattumbledthroughhermind.Sherecalledlittleoftheescape,thoughsheremembered
Mostclearly,sherecalledthebeautifulgoldenknight:hishandoverhers,hissoothingvoice,hisgentlekiss Shehadasked hisname. Gavin,hehadsaid. Hush, you are safe.
“Aye.William.Sixyears old,he is,andthinks he’s a full-grownknight.The menatCarlisle treatedhimwell,butlike a soldier Taughthimtoroll dice,tossadagger,andswearwiththebestofthem,alas Will yetakesomebroth?”Sheresteda widehiponthebedside,helpedChristianraiseuponpillows,thenpickedupabowlandbroughtawoodenspoontoherlips.
Lyingawake inthe darkness, hours later, Christianheard Brother Richard murmuringjustbeyond the door. His ominous wordsjarredhertoalertness Openinghereyes,shesawonlyshadows
“She has bathed the lady’s head and face with mint water to cool her That may help In a day or two I may begin bloodlettingto drainthe thickhumors out of her. But none of it maymatter,” the monksaid. “Her lungs are filled, and her breathingisfastandshallow.Thedevilenterswithsuchillnessesanddragsuponthesouluntilitcannolongerdefenditself. Theangelsmayenterthebattleandfightthedemons,butonlyifthegirliswithoutsin”
“Thenyouknow whyour herbs oftendo little against these lungfevers The devil is init now And I understand your concernforher,SirGavin.”
“Iamveryconcerned”Theirstepsechoedalongthestonefloorastheymovedaway TearsfilledChristian’seyes.Shefearedthatherbodywassuccumbingtothisconstant,drainingweakness.Hadthedevil trulyentered her soul, as the monkhad said? She did notthinkthatwas true. Englishclergywere always suchdoomsayers, evenmorethantheScottishpriestssheknew
Trulyshe thoughtthe disease came frombeingexposed inthe horrid cage for weeks inpoor weather withlittle food or warmth Surelyrest,nourishment,time,andthepropertreatmentswouldcureher Shehadalwaysbeenhealthyandstrong,and shewasdeterminedtogainthatback.
The dreamhad beenrichwithlove and profound joy. The love he felt whenhe held LadyChristianfelt sustainingand utterlyreal.
Now, awake inthe cold darkness, he clenched his fists He would give anything, his verysoul, to have thatfeeling, the passionandstrengthoftwobondedhearts,inhislife.Hesighed.Implausible.Impossible.
Yetthetableauhadrepeateditself.Ratherthanleavethegirlinthemonasteryforthemonkstoperformherdeathwatchand eventual burial, Gavinwanted to stay. He felta strongneed to be withher. Perhaps he wanted to tryto help, knowingwhat Jehannewentthrough Perhapsjustthat Hewanteddesperatelytoseeher.Hedidnotknow how muchtimeshehadleft.Risingfromthebed,heyankedhistunic overhishead,pulledonhisboots,andlefttheroom
DOMINY OPENED THE doorathissoftknock Hereyeswerefoggywithsleep “Gotothelittlechamberwhereyoursonsleeps, andrest,”Gavinwhispered.“Iwillstaywiththelady.”Shenoddedandleft,closingthedoorquietly.
Herskinstillfeltfevered.Hetouchedherupperchest.Throughtheblanket,hecouldfeeltheshallow,laboredriseofeach breath. Carefullyhe lifted her enoughto leanher over his arm. Thenhe puthis ear to her back, her linenshiftand her body warmagainsthis cheek.ASaracenphysician,whosefeehadbeenexorbitantbuthis knowledgevaluable,hadtaughthimthe listeningtechniqueforJehanne
Hehadhealthandvitallife,anabundanceofit,yetherswasslippingaway.Seeingherpaleandweak,hearingtheraspin herbreathing,touchedtheoldgrief,thepainthatlingeredinhim.Hedidnotwanttowitnessthedeathofanotherwoman that heloved Foramoment,itfelttrue
Sighing, he released her hand and rested his fingers onher upper chest. Her breathingwas too rapid, too shallow. The elusivemagicofhisdreamfadedagainstthehardedgesofwhatwasreal Unlessthefeversubsided,unlessherlungscleared, shewoulddie.
Christiancoughed,andGavinleanedforward,liftingthesilky,warmmassofherhair.Loweringhishead,heplacedhisear against her bare back Asound like the crackle of a low fire, or like the rustling of parchment sheets, accompanied each shallow,rapidbreathandfilledthesilencesbetween.
Frowning,helookedatDominy “Wemustclearherbreathingasbestwecan,”hesaid “Wewillneedhotwaterandclean linen. The hour is late, butthere will be monks awakeninginshifts to prayinthe chapel. Find someone to show youto the kitchens.Tellthemitisurgent.TellthemIsentyou,andthatmywifeneedshotwaterandlinens.”
HerestedahandonChristian’sslightshoulder,andslidhishanddownherarmtoencircleherwrist Hesworesoftly The girlwasnaughtbutbonesandskin.Shehadbeennearstarvedtodeathinthecage.Hemarveledthatshewasaliveatall.She mustbeverystrongofwill,forherbodycouldhavelittlephysicalstrengthleft.
Aspasmofcoughinggrabbedher Gavinslidhisfingersunderthemassofherhairtorubherback Hecouldhavecounted eachofher ribs.Her bodyfeltfrail,small,andhotbeneathhis hands.As her breathingcalmedabit,hepickedupthedamp cloththatlayonthe woodenchestand held itto her cheek, drew ither throat Whenthe clothbecame overwarm, he laid it aside,frowning.
Once againGavinwished he had inherited the depthof his mother’s ability, the Celtic gift that ranlike a veinof gold throughhis mother’s kin.Theywere descendedfroma saintedhealer,generations back,andthe gifthadcome downthrough several to reachGavin’s mother. Bythe time Jehanne died inhis arms, he was convinced that he did not possess the rare blessingofgenerationsofCelticblood Hemightresemblehismotherbutdidnotsharehertalent
