The Mark of Salvation by Carol Umberger

countess.”
    Adam grinned. “Aye.” He looked up at the sky. “There’s still a fair amount of daylight left—I could leave today.”
    Everyone laughed.
    Bruce laughed with them, and then in a more serious tone the king said, “You are anxious to see Gwenyth and your wee ones.”
    â€œAye. They are never far from my thoughts. Our oldest turns five in a few weeks. It will be good to be home for the celebration.” He turned to Bryan. “Why don’t you and Kathryn come to Moy while Homelea is being rebuilt?”
    All this talk of home, of family made Ceallach melancholy. Where did he belong? His thoughts shifted back to the Englishwoman, and he turned toward her. She’d acquiesced and dismounted and now sat by the campfire. He stopped in front of her and she stood up from the log she’d been sitting on.
    He still had no idea what he was supposed to do with her. “In a few minutes I will be able to bring your plight back to the king’s attention, my lady.”
    â€œI am not going anywhere, Sir Ceallach.” She looked so forlorn. He knew only too well how it felt to be a prisoner, to have others control your fate. But there was nothing he could do about her situation. Radbourne had been a fool to bring her. Brash, stubborn English . . .
    He cleared his throat nervously. “Very well.” He walked back to the group surrounding Bruce hoping he might soon talk with the king.
    â€œAye, I am worried for your safety,” Bryan was saying to Bruce. “Who knows how Edward of England will react to this defeat of his army?” He turned to Adam. “I can’t go with you to Moy, but perhaps you would take Kathryn with you?”
    Bryan’s wife looked very unhappy with that suggestion. “Do you think I will leave here without you?”
    Bruce said, “Perhaps you should take a few weeks and accompany Kathryn to Moy, Bryan. I don’t believe Edward will be able to convince his nobles to invade Scotland any time soon.”
    Bryan considered this. “You’re probably right. It may take him years to rally them to battle again. I would like to see everyone at Moy and introduce Kathryn to my childhood home.” The more he thought about it the more appealing the idea must have been for he said, “Aye, Adam. We’ll go with you.”
    Bruce gave his blessing to the trip and promised that when Bryan returned, he would have the funds to rebuild Homelea. “Now, I have one more bequest to make before I attend to Ceallach and his prisoner. Morrigan, step forward please.”
    Ceallach was glad to hear that Morrigan was to be the last person singled out. He wanted no reward nor any notoriety for his part in yesterday’s victory. All he wanted was to be relieved of the woman who waited for Bruce’s attention.
    Bruce said, “Morrigan, your family has paid dearly for fighting for Scotland. Your father and brother are dead, and you’ve been dispossessed from your lands. How long has it been since you saw your mother and siblings?”
    â€œSeven years, my laird.”
    â€œToo long. It is past time for you to reunite your family and find yourself a husband.”
    â€œI’ve not given marriage much thought, my laird.”
    â€œAye, you have been serving your country. But now that we have peace once more, you should begin to think on it. I turned your Uncle Angus out of Innishewan on my way to Bannockburn. The estate is yours.”
    Well done. Morrigan had saved the king’s life and survived the dangerous existence of a spy. She deserved to have such a reward for her efforts.
    Morrigan appeared stunned at the generosity. “You have defeated the English, my laird. I need no more reward than that.”
    â€œTake it. Innishewan is not the prize you remember. I received a report that your uncle gutted it before he left. You won’t be able to occupy the castle without considerable repair. Find