coughed to clear his throat. He picked up the sapphire-encrusted comb and held it in Bryce’s direction.
Bryce took the piece and turned it over in his hand. The gems sparkled in the sunlight, reminding him of Fallon’s eyes.
Fallon. He cursed under his breath and tossed the comb onto the peddler’s cart. Why had she come into his life again? Now, of all times, when he needed to remain focused on the cause, needed his wits about him.
“I have no woman in my life.” Bryce tucked the wooden toy into his sporran , grasped the horse’s mane, and ascended into the saddle. “Where might I find The Skull and Bucket Inn?”
“The alehouse is a large stone building near the peer. You canna miss it.” The peddler pointed toward the waterfront then tipped his cap. “Good day, m’lord.”
“And to you, my good man.” Bryce pressed his heels into the horse’s flanks, urging him forward. As they rounded the corner, he spied the inn, just as the merchant described.
After entrusting his mount to an eager stable boy, and giving the lad a coin for feed and water, Bryce entered the establishment. He ducked his head before stepping through the low-hung doorframe, then narrowed his eyes in an attempt to acclimate to the dim light and haze of peat smoke. The stench of stale ale and roasting meat assaulted his nostrils as he scanned the premises, searching for his contact man.
In the corner by the rear exit sat a patron he recognized immediately. Bryce strode with purpose across the room, arriving at the table with his hand outstretched.
“Gordon, it’s good to see you.”
Gordon jumped to his feet and after they exchanged greetings, he ushered Bryce to the table. “What kept you? The missive that you would be joining the Bruce came well over a fortnight ago. When you dinna show up as planned, Alasdair feared the worst. He has accompanied me daily, but Robert had need of him today.”
“I had a run in with Dungal MacDougall at Loch Ryan.” Bryce pressed his hand to the wound on his chest. While on the mend, he still had not completely regained his strength.
“You were with Thomas and Alex when they landed? Where are they? Have they gone on to Carrick?” Gordon asked his questions in rapid succession then paused. “Are you ailing, man? You suddenly look pale.”
“I arrived too late and was unable to warn them of an ambush.” Bryce lowered his head and rubbed his forehead. The news of the massacre and execution of his brothers had obviously not yet reached Robert. “The MacDougalls were waiting for them when they arrived. They dinna stand a chance. Those that were not killed or left for dead were taken prisoner. Thomas and Alexander stood trial at Carlisle Castle and were hanged for treason.”
“How did you manage to escape in one piece?”
“Dungal thought me as good as dead or I’d not be here to bear witness. The last I heard, the MacDougalls were back in Scotland and plan to rejoin Aymer de Valance. I’d suggest we make haste and let Robert know. I’ve no doubt the spineless bastards are on their way as we speak.”
Gordon nodded and downed his ale in one gulp. He dragged his hand across his mouth and belched loudly. “Best we leave through the rear entrance.”
Chapter 5
“The Bruce has hidden his presence well. The entrance to his encampment is perilous at best.” Bryce shifted in the saddle and glanced around at steep rock cliffs, surrounded by dense forest and treacherous ravines.
“Aye. After the defeat at Methven and near annihilation of the Scottish army, the Bruce vowed he would never be caught off guard again. He abandoned many of the old ways of warfare in favor of the covert tactics used by William Wallace.” Gordon pointed to a path between two boulders. “From his vantage point, he can see the enemy coming from all directions.”
“It appears he has taken all the necessary precautions.” Bryce pressed his heels into the horse’s side.
“Halt!”
Both men reined in their
Bryce took the piece and turned it over in his hand. The gems sparkled in the sunlight, reminding him of Fallon’s eyes.
Fallon. He cursed under his breath and tossed the comb onto the peddler’s cart. Why had she come into his life again? Now, of all times, when he needed to remain focused on the cause, needed his wits about him.
“I have no woman in my life.” Bryce tucked the wooden toy into his sporran , grasped the horse’s mane, and ascended into the saddle. “Where might I find The Skull and Bucket Inn?”
“The alehouse is a large stone building near the peer. You canna miss it.” The peddler pointed toward the waterfront then tipped his cap. “Good day, m’lord.”
“And to you, my good man.” Bryce pressed his heels into the horse’s flanks, urging him forward. As they rounded the corner, he spied the inn, just as the merchant described.
After entrusting his mount to an eager stable boy, and giving the lad a coin for feed and water, Bryce entered the establishment. He ducked his head before stepping through the low-hung doorframe, then narrowed his eyes in an attempt to acclimate to the dim light and haze of peat smoke. The stench of stale ale and roasting meat assaulted his nostrils as he scanned the premises, searching for his contact man.
In the corner by the rear exit sat a patron he recognized immediately. Bryce strode with purpose across the room, arriving at the table with his hand outstretched.
“Gordon, it’s good to see you.”
Gordon jumped to his feet and after they exchanged greetings, he ushered Bryce to the table. “What kept you? The missive that you would be joining the Bruce came well over a fortnight ago. When you dinna show up as planned, Alasdair feared the worst. He has accompanied me daily, but Robert had need of him today.”
“I had a run in with Dungal MacDougall at Loch Ryan.” Bryce pressed his hand to the wound on his chest. While on the mend, he still had not completely regained his strength.
“You were with Thomas and Alex when they landed? Where are they? Have they gone on to Carrick?” Gordon asked his questions in rapid succession then paused. “Are you ailing, man? You suddenly look pale.”
“I arrived too late and was unable to warn them of an ambush.” Bryce lowered his head and rubbed his forehead. The news of the massacre and execution of his brothers had obviously not yet reached Robert. “The MacDougalls were waiting for them when they arrived. They dinna stand a chance. Those that were not killed or left for dead were taken prisoner. Thomas and Alexander stood trial at Carlisle Castle and were hanged for treason.”
“How did you manage to escape in one piece?”
“Dungal thought me as good as dead or I’d not be here to bear witness. The last I heard, the MacDougalls were back in Scotland and plan to rejoin Aymer de Valance. I’d suggest we make haste and let Robert know. I’ve no doubt the spineless bastards are on their way as we speak.”
Gordon nodded and downed his ale in one gulp. He dragged his hand across his mouth and belched loudly. “Best we leave through the rear entrance.”
Chapter 5
“The Bruce has hidden his presence well. The entrance to his encampment is perilous at best.” Bryce shifted in the saddle and glanced around at steep rock cliffs, surrounded by dense forest and treacherous ravines.
“Aye. After the defeat at Methven and near annihilation of the Scottish army, the Bruce vowed he would never be caught off guard again. He abandoned many of the old ways of warfare in favor of the covert tactics used by William Wallace.” Gordon pointed to a path between two boulders. “From his vantage point, he can see the enemy coming from all directions.”
“It appears he has taken all the necessary precautions.” Bryce pressed his heels into the horse’s side.
“Halt!”
Both men reined in their
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