you, of all people, would question my decision to rejoin the cause. You’ve been hell-bent to rid Scotland of the English as long as I can remember. You were with us at Methven, Dahl Righ, and Kirkenclif, witnessing the carnage. I swore on all that is holy to seek restitution. Robert the Bruce is returning to Scotland. I intend to join him and will finally have my chance to make good on those promises.”
“What makes you think the outcome will be any different this time around?” Connor glared at Bryce. “As laird of Clan Fraser, I forbid you to go.”
Bryce refused to back down. If pushed too far, he could be every bit as obstinate as both his older brothers combined. “This time, we intend to win.” He slammed his balled fist on a wooden table beside him, the vibration sending a tankard of ale to the floor. “Nothing you can do or say is going to change my mind.”
“You’re a thrawn man.” Connor threw his hands into the air and began to pace the length of Bryce’s chamber.
“It’s a family trait.” Connor stopped short, his expression less threatening than before. He drew in a slow, deep breath, pinched the bridge of his nose, and gave his head a shake. “You always were a hard-headed fool. Mayhap, I should go with you and see that you stay out of trouble. Besides, if Robert hopes to drive de Valance out of Scotland, he’ll need every able-bodied man he can get.”
“One man willna make a difference. You have honored your oath to Robert many times over. Your place is here with Cailin and the babe.”
“That may be, but Alasdair is already with the Bruce on the Eilean Arainn . Duty dictates that I accompany you and do what I can. Cailin will be safe here.”
“Have you forgotten what happened the last time you left your wife and ran off to do battle? You thought she was securely sequestered at the priory, but it didn’t take long for the English to find her. Falsely accused of murdering a man you killed in her defense, she was tried, flogged, and slated for execution.”
“I dinna need any reminders.” Connor dropped his head forward and rubbed his hand over the back of his neck.
“Mayhap you do.” Bryce hated to be blunt, but would use whatever he could to keep his brother from following. “She is still a fugitive and is wanted by the English. Will you risk her life again?”
“We are all fugitives according to Longshanks, yet you risk yours. If captured, they’ll hang you,” Connor pointed out.
“It’s a chance I’m willing to take.” Bryce raised a brow and smiled. “Besides, they’ll have to catch me first.”
Connor exhaled sharply and shook his head. “When do you leave?”
“I plan to head for Loch Ryan at daybreak. If I make haste, I should arrive in just shy of a sennight .”
“I thought you were meeting Robert and Alasdair near Turnberry.”
“I did, but the Bruce’s brothers, Alex and Thomas, are preparing to cross into Galloway at Loch Ryan as part of a diversion to keep the English busy.”
“Why not wait for Robert and Alasdair?” Connor asked.
“My gut tells me the MacDougalls of Lorn will be lying in wait and I fancy the chance to face the traitorous bastards again. Dungal will rue the day he decided to side with the English and betray his Scottish roots.” When Connor did not offer a response, Bryce picked up a tunic and stuffed it into the sack then pulled the drawstring closed. “This is something I need to do, but would rather leave on good terms and with your blessing.”
“If I canna convince you to stay, I have no choice but to wish you God’s spede.” Connor yanked Bryce into a tight embrace. “Believe it or not, I understand. Be careful, little brother, and watch your back. If you run off and get yourself killed, I will never forgive you.”
“I’ll do my best to return in one piece. I plan to watch Andrew grow to be as fine a man as his da. It will take more than the English army to keep me from returning.”
The peddler
“What makes you think the outcome will be any different this time around?” Connor glared at Bryce. “As laird of Clan Fraser, I forbid you to go.”
Bryce refused to back down. If pushed too far, he could be every bit as obstinate as both his older brothers combined. “This time, we intend to win.” He slammed his balled fist on a wooden table beside him, the vibration sending a tankard of ale to the floor. “Nothing you can do or say is going to change my mind.”
“You’re a thrawn man.” Connor threw his hands into the air and began to pace the length of Bryce’s chamber.
“It’s a family trait.” Connor stopped short, his expression less threatening than before. He drew in a slow, deep breath, pinched the bridge of his nose, and gave his head a shake. “You always were a hard-headed fool. Mayhap, I should go with you and see that you stay out of trouble. Besides, if Robert hopes to drive de Valance out of Scotland, he’ll need every able-bodied man he can get.”
“One man willna make a difference. You have honored your oath to Robert many times over. Your place is here with Cailin and the babe.”
“That may be, but Alasdair is already with the Bruce on the Eilean Arainn . Duty dictates that I accompany you and do what I can. Cailin will be safe here.”
“Have you forgotten what happened the last time you left your wife and ran off to do battle? You thought she was securely sequestered at the priory, but it didn’t take long for the English to find her. Falsely accused of murdering a man you killed in her defense, she was tried, flogged, and slated for execution.”
“I dinna need any reminders.” Connor dropped his head forward and rubbed his hand over the back of his neck.
“Mayhap you do.” Bryce hated to be blunt, but would use whatever he could to keep his brother from following. “She is still a fugitive and is wanted by the English. Will you risk her life again?”
“We are all fugitives according to Longshanks, yet you risk yours. If captured, they’ll hang you,” Connor pointed out.
“It’s a chance I’m willing to take.” Bryce raised a brow and smiled. “Besides, they’ll have to catch me first.”
Connor exhaled sharply and shook his head. “When do you leave?”
“I plan to head for Loch Ryan at daybreak. If I make haste, I should arrive in just shy of a sennight .”
“I thought you were meeting Robert and Alasdair near Turnberry.”
“I did, but the Bruce’s brothers, Alex and Thomas, are preparing to cross into Galloway at Loch Ryan as part of a diversion to keep the English busy.”
“Why not wait for Robert and Alasdair?” Connor asked.
“My gut tells me the MacDougalls of Lorn will be lying in wait and I fancy the chance to face the traitorous bastards again. Dungal will rue the day he decided to side with the English and betray his Scottish roots.” When Connor did not offer a response, Bryce picked up a tunic and stuffed it into the sack then pulled the drawstring closed. “This is something I need to do, but would rather leave on good terms and with your blessing.”
“If I canna convince you to stay, I have no choice but to wish you God’s spede.” Connor yanked Bryce into a tight embrace. “Believe it or not, I understand. Be careful, little brother, and watch your back. If you run off and get yourself killed, I will never forgive you.”
“I’ll do my best to return in one piece. I plan to watch Andrew grow to be as fine a man as his da. It will take more than the English army to keep me from returning.”
The peddler
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