Patrik gave a dry laugh. “As if where I am is of consequence ? You will nae see me again, on that you have my word. But I will continue to serve Scotland’s cause.” He took a step toward the door; his body trembled from the effort.
“Sit, damn you,” Seathan spat.
Feet braced, Patrik lifted his head as his soul crumbled. “An order, my lord?”
Seathan scowled. “Sit down before you fall.”
“I—” The room blurred. Patrik struggled for words. “I will nae—” Blackness shrouded his mind.
Alexander caught Patrik as he collapsed. “Help me, damn you, Griffin.”
“’Tis fine to see you as well,” his brother-in-law said as he caught Patrik’s other shoulder.
Alexander grunted. “Put the bloody fool back in his bed.” Once they’d settled Patrik beneath the covers, Alexander stared down at the man who had tried to kill his wife, a man he still considered his brother. “The lad has the brains of an arse.”
Duncan walked over, halted beside Alexander and shot his brother a grim smile. “Aye, but then, he always did.”
On an exhale, Griffin stepped to Alexander’s other side. “I would like to have wrung his bloody neck, but ’twas a waste to a man barely conscious.” He cast Seathan a grim look. “Will you allow him to stay?”
“He is our brother.” Seathan paused. “Why has Wallace sent you here?”
“He refuses to allow Wishart to remain in English hands,” Griffin replied. “While he focuses his efforts on the English, we are to free the bishop.”
Alexander nodded. “Wishart is too valuable for the Sassenach to keep, on that I agree.”
“Where have they taken Bishop Wishart?” Seathan asked.
“He is incarcerated at Roxburgh Castle,” Griffin replied.
Seathan grimaced. “What of the Earl of Carrick and Sir William Douglas? The missive Wishart sent stated they were to surrender as well.”
“Robert Bruce has agreed to turn over his daughter as a hostage in his stead.” Griffin paused. “As for Sir William Douglas, ’twould seem no quarter will be given. He was hauled to Berwick Castle.”
“God’s teeth.” Seathan blew out a harsh breath. “We must free him as well. He cannot remain in English hands.”
Darkness clouded Griffin’s face. “I am not sure we have time. Douglas is to remain in Berwick Castle but a short while. During my brief meeting with Sir Henry de Percy, he explained King Edward demanded that once Sir William Douglas was caught, he was to be imprisoned within the Tower of London.”
“To die there,” Duncan growled.
Griffin nodded. “’Tis King Edward’s wish.”
“Bedamned to the English bastard,” Alexander said, all too easily imagining the glee upon the king’s face.
“Aye,” Seathan agreed, “but for now, we must heed Wallace’s orders and save Wishart. After, unless otherwise ordered, we will try to save Douglas as well.”
Alexander grimaced, praying they’d have time to rescue Douglas before he was incarcerated within the Tower of London.
His brother-in-law turned toward where Patrik lay. “I am not sure whether to ask how Patrik is alive or how he came to be at Lochshire Castle?”
“He is the runner that Wishart asked us to intercept,” Seathan replied.
Face pale, Griffin met Seathan’s gaze. “Wishart told me the runner isDubh Duer.” He paused, stared in disbelief “Dubh Dueris Patrik?”
Seathan grimaced. “Aye.”
“God’s teeth,” Griffin whispered, “King Edward would pay a hefty lot to display his head upon a pike.”
Duncan arched an amused brow at Griffin. “A sum the English king would pay, if not more, for the spy they callWulfe.”
